Vanessa Rubin was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, grew up in a musical … Read Full Bio ↴Vanessa Rubin was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, grew up in a musical household to parents from Trinidad and Louisiana. After achieving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Ohio State University. She received a standing ovation for her performance of “God Bless the Child” while competing in the Miss Black Central Ohio Contest, which convinced her that her true calling was to sing in the jazz tradition. This Billie Holiday masterpiece has since become her ”official” theme song. Ms. Rubin returned to Cleveland, where she began singing in many of the city's clubs and hotels and performing with the best of the city's musicians. She also formed and managed her first group, consisting of organ, guitar, vibes and drums. Soon after she moved to New York City in 1982, Ms. Rubin performed at Sweet Basil and the Village Vanguard with the Pharoah Sanders Quartet. She then began to study with pianist Barry Harris at his Jazz Cultural Theatre.[1] Since that time she has worked with an impressive list of musicians including Kenny Barron, Lionel Hampton, the Mercer Ellington Orchestra, Cecil Bridgewater, Etta Jones, Toots Thielemans, Steve Turre, Cedar Walton, and Grover Washington, Jr. More recently she has completed international tours with Herbie Hancock, the Woody Herman Orchestra, and the Jazz Crusaders.

Alfie
Vanessa Rubin Lyrics

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What's it all about, alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, alfie,
Then I guess it's wise to be cruel.
And if life belongs only to the strong, alfie,

What will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, alfie,
I know there's something much more,
Something even non-believers can believe in.
I believe in love, alfie.
Without true love we just exist, alfie.
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, alfie.

When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you'll find love any day, alfie, alfie.

Overall Meaning

In Vanessa Rubin's song Alfie, the singer is questioning the meaning of life and how we should be living it. The first line, "What's it all about, Alfie?" sets the tone for the entire song. The singer is questioning if life is just about fleeting moments or if there is something deeper and more meaningful.

The singer goes on to ask if we are meant to take more than we give or if we are meant to be kind. She reflects on the idea that being kind may make us look like fools, but being cruel may not be the answer either. The question "What will you lend on an old golden rule?" suggests that people should be following the golden rule of treating others how they would like to be treated.

Finally, the singer expresses her belief in love as something that even non-believers can believe in. She makes the point that without true love, we are just existing, and we cannot be truly fulfilled until we find the love we have been missing.

Overall, Vanessa Rubin's Alfie is a thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to reflect on the nature of life and love. The song raises questions about the purpose of life and the importance of kindness and love, suggesting that these things are what truly bring meaning to our existence.

Line by Line Meaning

What's it all about, alfie?
What is the meaning or purpose of life, Alfie?

Is it just for the moment we live?
Is life just about living in the present moment?

What's it all about when you sort it out, alfie?
Once you figure out the meaning of life, Alfie, what is it then?

Are we meant to take more than we give / Or are we meant to be kind?
Is life about being selfish and taking or being generous and kind?

And if only fools are kind, alfie, / Then I guess it's wise to be cruel.
If being kind is seen as foolish, Alfie, then it might be wise to be cruel instead.

And if life belongs only to the strong, alfie, / What will you lend on an old golden rule?
If life favors the strong, Alfie, then what value is there to the traditional moral concepts?

As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, alfie, / I know there's something much more, / Something even non-believers can believe in.
While I believe in heaven, Alfie, I also believe that there is something more significant than that, which even those who don't believe in heaven can accept.

I believe in love, alfie.
I trust in the power of love, Alfie.

Without true love we just exist, alfie.
Without genuine love, we are just surviving, Alfie.

Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, alfie.
You won't feel whole or complete, Alfie, until you find the love that you've been missing.

When you walk let your heart lead the way / And you'll find love any day, alfie, alfie.
Follow your heart, Alfie, and love will come to you eventually.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Burt Bacharach, Hal David

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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