It's All Up to You
The Dells Lyrics


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If I knew the words to say
I'd write you a letter
If I had the blues today
You could make me feel better

I tried to be independent but
I know I'm fooling myself
I know I can only be
Just what you make of me
There'll never be anyone else

I would always be happy
I would always be blue
I'll be your friend or your lover
Baby, it's all up to you

I will be your fancy
(I'll be your fancy)
And I will be your dancer
(I'll be your dancer)
And if you want romance
Just count on me
(Count on me, count on me)

And I will be your pleasure
(It's all up to you)
And you will be my treasure
(It's all up to you)
Just give me half a chance
And you will see, you will see

If you want some music tonight
I'll sing at your window
If you wanted colors of life
I'd bring you a rainbow

Honey, for what it's worth
When you get down to Earth
I need your love to be mine

I'll? wait for you
Do what I got to do
To make sure it works out all right

I would always be happy
I would always be blue
I'll be your friend or your lover
Baby, it's all up to you

I will be your fancy
(I'll be your fancy)
And I will be your dancer
(I'll be your dancer)
And if you want romance
Just count on me
(Count on me, count on me)

And I will be your pleasure
(It's all up to you)
And you will be my treasure
(It's all up to you)
Just give me half a chance
And you will see, you will see

I will be your fancy
(I'll be your fancy)
And I will be your dancer
(I'll be your dancer)




And if you want romance
Just count on me...

Overall Meaning

The Dells's song "It's All Up to You" is all about surrendering oneself to the will of another. The song begins with the singer admitting to not being able to find the right words to express his feelings, wishing he could write a letter or find solace in the presence of his lover. He asserts that despite his attempts at independence, he knows that he is incomplete without his partner's guidance and support. The chorus then follows, highlighting the singer's willingness to be everything his partner needs him to be. He promises to adjust himself according to their needs, to be their friend and lover, and to fulfil all their desires. He implores his partner to give him a chance, suggesting that he has everything they could want in a partner.


The second half of the song is a repeat of the first, however, the singer adds another layer to their plea. He promises to be their "fancy" and dance to their tune, promising to be their "pleasure," while designating them as their "treasure." He reiterates his loyalty multiple times and promises to wait for them until they come around to their love.


Line by Line Meaning

If I knew the words to say
I wish I knew what to say to you.


I'd write you a letter
I would express my feelings for you through writing.


If I had the blues today
If I'm feeling down today.


You could make me feel better
You have the power to make me happy.


I tried to be independent but
I attempted to be self-sufficient, but


I know I'm fooling myself
I understand that I'm pretending.


I know I can only be
I realize that I can only become


Just what you make of me
What you create me to be.


There'll never be anyone else
No one else can take your place.


I would always be happy
I could consistently be joyful


I would always be blue
I would be persistently sad


I'll be your friend or your lover
I can be a platonic friend or a romantic partner to you.


Baby, it's all up to you
It's your call, darling.


And I will be your pleasure
I will provide you with satisfaction.


(It's all up to you)
(It depends on you)


And you will be my treasure
You will be highly valued by me.


Just give me half a chance
Allow me an opportunity to prove myself.


And you will see, you will see
You will observe how I can be of benefit to you.


If you want some music tonight
If you're in the mood for music tonight


I'll sing at your window
I'll serenade you outside your window.


If you wanted colors of life
If you desire the vibrancy of life


I'd bring you a rainbow
I'll present you with a colorful symbol of hope.


Honey, for what it's worth
My dear, for the value it holds.


When you get down to Earth
When you return to reality.


I need your love to be mine
I yearn for your affection to be directed at me.


I'll wait for you
I will patiently anticipate your response.


Do what I got to do
I will do whatever is necessary.


To make sure it works out all right
To ensure that everything goes well.


And if you want romance
And if you desire a romantic relationship


Just count on me
Just rely on me.




Contributed by Landon A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@themightydells

The Mighty Dells: (1952 - 2012) 60 Years of Musical Excellence.
2004 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductees.
The 24th Annual NAACP IMAGE AWARD RECIPIENTS.
2004 Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductees.
The Soul of American Music Award.
The 1991 R&B Foundation 'Pioneer Award'
The Doo Wop of America Award.
Award Winning 'EMMY' "Oh What A Night"
Number 11, in The Top 100 Vocal Groups.
The 5 Heartbeats 'Movie' Based on The Dells, Career.
The Dells: Marvin Junior, Johnnie Carter, Michael 'mickey' McGill,
Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale ... 'Long Live The Mighty Dells'



@themightydells

The Mighty Dells: (1952 - 2012) 60 Years of Musical Excellence.
2004 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductees.
The 24th Annual NAACP IMAGE AWARD RECIPIENTS.
2004 Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductees.
The Soul of American Music Award.
The 1991 R&B Foundation 'Pioneer Award'
The Doo Wop of America Award.
Award Winning 'EMMY' "Oh What A Night"
Number 11, in The Top 100 Vocal Groups.
The 5 Heartbeats 'Movie' Based on The Dells, Career. The Dells: Marvin Junior, Johnnie Carter, Michael 'mickey' McGill, Verne Allison, Chuck Barksdale ... 'Long Live The Mighty Dells'



All comments from YouTube:

@jjOnes10mine

This is an amazing song by this amazing group of extraordinary men...I've never heard this song before, but I'll never forget it..."It's all up to you."

@alcoyboy

One of Richard Searling's favourites, and certainly one of mine. The Dells are the masters at this kind of 'multi-level' production and play with the soul and conviction that could move a grown man to tears. I never tire of hearing it.

@d0walden

I had loved the Dells since elementary school. I saw them in person at Crampton Auditorium at Howard University almost twenty years later. Marvin Junior brought me to my knees, the live performance was the best live group show I've seen in my life. The Dells needed no phony acoustics or mikes, they sung and performed better than the recordings sounded, and when Marvin Junior held that "Stay In My Corner" note with a powerful end tag, I cried. I bought "Freedom Means" and still have that album.

@drwhatson

It got NO radio play over here - despite getting a UK release on Chess - only to re-emerge as an absolute MONSTER club side in the early 90s! (I guess the rhythm was way too advanced for the average UK pop fan, back in 1972) Now it's a familiar and much-loved classic of the highest order on the UK Soul scene. Wonderful, uplifting Soul.

@scheherazadedennis7487

What a awesome song !!

@garryarden7200

Personal choice, this is one of my favourite Dells songs, the greatest ever vocal group.

@mustafamuhammad5862

Man, I'm soaking up all these wonderful comments like a sponge in water. I'm a old Chicago boy, DuSable High, 1964, and I knew Terry Collier from school. He co-wrote so many beautiful like this one, and another one of my Dell favorites, "I'd Rather Be With You." All this marvelous music the Dells have made over the years is filled with so much emotion and so many memories that well up in my eyes and roll down my cheeks.

@chrismzac

Mustafa Muhammad oooh, this is a gem. What a song.

@estherkeeling777

Thank you for the info about Terry Callier I did not know. I loved this song years ago. I still have album. I woke up yesterday and this song was in my mind. Haven't thought about it for years. I have intentions on redoing this song. It makes me cry also.

@pauletteforman

Wow, talk about versatility and tight vocal harmony! I know Marvin can blow but man! What a powerful range. I saw them perform "The Love We Had" on TV back in the 80s once and Chuck was singing the lead. I guess that's why I thought Chuck was leading on this track. Thanks for clarifying. The Dells did do IT up on the charts, didn't they? Again, thanx a mil Pghpookie :-)

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