I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't give you anything but love, baby
That's the only thing I've plenty of, baby
Dream awhile, scheme awhile, you're sure to find
Happiness and I guess, all those things you've always pined for

Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, Tony
With diamond watches Tiffany's just don't sell, baby
Until that lucky day you know darn well
Oh, I can't give you anything but love

I can't give you anything but love, lady
That's the only thing I've plenty of, lady
Dream awhile, scheme awhile, you're sure to find
Happiness and I guess, all the things you've always pined for

I'd like to see you looking swell, lady
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, Gaga
Till that lucky day you know darn well, baby
Oh, I can't give you anything




I don't want just anything
Oh, I can't give you anything but love

Overall Meaning

The song "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" is a classic love song that was written in 1928 by Dorothy Fields and Jimmy McHugh. It has been recorded by many artists over the years, but the version by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga is a notable rendition. The song is about the limitations one might face in a relationship, but the hope that love can overcome everything. The first verse sets the tone for the theme, "I can't give you anything but love, baby/That's the only thing I've plenty of, baby." The singer acknowledges that they don't have everything that their lover desires, but they have love to offer, suggesting that it should be enough. The verse ends with the hope that the person will find happiness: "Dream awhile, scheme awhile, you're sure to find/Happiness and I guess, all those things you've always pined for."


In the second verse, the song's narrator describes the material success they wish they could offer their lover. Tony mentions diamond watches from Tiffany's, while Gaga mentions diamond bracelets. However, they both acknowledge that they can't provide those things now or anytime soon: "Until that lucky day you know darn well/Oh, I can't give you anything but love." The song ends with the repeated line, "Oh, I can't give you anything but love," emphasizing the singer's belief that love is enough to sustain a relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

I can't give you anything but love, baby
I am unable to offer you anything except for the affection that I have for you, my dear


That's the only thing I've plenty of, baby
Love is the only thing that I possess in abundance for you


Dream awhile, scheme awhile, you're sure to find
Take some time to fantasize, and plan how to get what you desire


Happiness and I guess, all those things you've always pined for
Your longing for all the things you want in life, including happiness, shall be fulfilled


Gee I'd like to see you looking swell, Tony
I'd be delighted to see you looking dazzling and splendid, my dear Tony


With diamond watches Tiffany's just don't sell, baby
To ensure that you look your best, I'd settle for nothing less than the most exclusive watches adorned with diamonds, that you cannot find at Tiffany's


Until that lucky day you know darn well
Until that fortunate day when all our dreams come true, you are well aware


Oh, I can't give you anything but love
I am only capable of loving you, my dear


I can't give you anything but love, lady
I have no material objects to give you except for my love, my dear lady


That's the only thing I've plenty of, lady
My love for you is the only thing that I am rich in and can offer you infinitely


Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn't sell, Gaga
For you, I desire nothing less than the most exquisite diamond bracelets, which are not available at Woolworth's


Till that lucky day you know darn well, baby
Until that fortunate day when we have everything we want, you are well aware, my dear


Oh, I can't give you anything
I am not able to present you with anything else except for my love and affection


I don't want just anything
I do not desire any other object, except to love and cherish you endlessly


Oh, I can't give you anything but love
The only gift that I can offer you is the most precious and valuable one of all, my love




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

123weel

I love this song just as much as I love Anything Goes! This song has 879,734+ views meaning is about to hit 1 MILLION VIEWS! It went #1 on the Jazz Charts and it has become Lady Gaga's 3rd #1 Jazz Hit! 

So proud of Tony and Gaga <3 Keep making music together!

Jazz Charts:
#1 The Lady Is A Tramp
#1 Anything Goes
#1 I Can't Give You Anything But Love

:) Paws Up for Legendary Tony and Pop Icon Gaga



All comments from YouTube:

Lecourageuxame

This kind of genre really brings lady gaga's talent to its full potential. Jazz really does justice to her voice better than pop. ;) 

Doreen Mitchell

Oh I so agree ,
Gaga was made to sing Jazz

Henrique Mota

Is the place what she came from: Jazz. When she presented live with her real name : Stephannie Germanota,she plays and sings Jazz.

Future’s Gonna Be Okay

I disagree. Both are incredible. Her voice in both Judas & this song is incredible. She has a lot of range. I love how she does music is so many different genres.

Tyler Lego

It's quite literally a pop singer singing over a jazz track. Jazz may do quite a bit of justice to her voice, but her voice brings nothing to the genre. Generic pentatonic runs, vocal fry and lack of melodic development all scream pop. She'd win a karaoke contest singing jazz, but she will never and could never be known for singing it. Her ear simply isn't developed in the way a true jazz singer's would be. Looks like she had a ton of fun getting drunk and giving her fans a little tidbit to make them think they are jazz afficianados or something, but nah she's no jazz singer.

Heitor Braganholo

RIP Tony. Thank you for everything you did to Gaga. You saved her! We always love you.

Daisy Toledo

Her voice is perfect for this genre of music!!! I absolutely love it! ❤️

Mary Galindo

I love this! No female currently can sing Jazz this good! Can't wait to purchase this CD! Fabulous work for both Tony and Gaga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

rialene92

Love it! Gagas voice is beautiful in jazz and she was trained in it. Tony Bennett the legend, can't wait for their album . Such class and elegant music. <3

Bernardo Souza

Não gostava do estilo de música antigo, que era basicamente música de balada.
Agora eu devo eu dizer que estou impressionado, não só conseguiu mudar o estilo como ainda conseguiu descontruir todo uma visão negativa que eu tinha.
Parabéns Lady Gaga!

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