Wallinger recorded the first two World Party albums (Private Revolution and Goodbye Jumbo) practically single-handed. The former reached the US Top 40 and the single ‘Ship Of Fools’ broke into the Top 30 (it was hastily dropped by radio in his native Great Britain because of the Zeebrugge ferry disaster). Goodbye Jumbo took equal amounts of inspiration from the eco movement and the Beatles, and the highly catchy single ‘Message In The Box’ provided Wallinger with his first UK Top 40 hit.
Wallinger’s muse, a relaxed and melancholic take on mid-period Beatles, has not so much been updated as revitalized on his subsequent, sterling work, although a minor breakthrough was made with 1993’s Bang!, which featured Wallinger’s only UK Top 20 hit to date, ‘Is It Like Today’, and reached number 2 on the album charts. On Bang!, Wallinger was joined by Chris Sharrock (drums, ex-Icicle Works) and Dave Catlin-Birch (guitars/keyboards). Some of the reviews for 1997’s Egyptology were unnecessarily cruel (especially the New Musical Express). It was by his standards another good album, which, although still locked into the Beatles’ sound (this time circa 1968), featured some great moments, notably the gentle ‘She’s The One’ and the meatier ‘Curse Of The Mummy’s Tomb’. The former indirectly gave Wallinger a worthy chart-topping single, when Robbie Williams’ cover version reached the top of the UK singles chart in November 1999 (Williams’ songwriting partner Guy Chambers (b. 12 Jan 1963, England) was at one time a member of World Party).
The next World Party album, 2000’s Dumbing Up, retreated from the ambitions of Egyptology, and found Wallinger resorting to his pick ‘n’ mix style of songwriting. He is one of the best magpie songwriters around, and the strong influence of ELO, Bob Dylan (‘Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream’ in the shape of ‘Who Are You?’) and even Rare Bird (shades of ‘Sympathy’ in ‘All The Love That’s Wasted’) could be heard, in addition to strong memories of the Beatles’ ‘Dear Prudence’ and ‘Baby You’re A Rich Man’ in ‘Another 1000 Years’.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin.
All I Have
World Party Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't get uneasy, no one's ever understood it all
And we will always love you
We'll be so proud of you
We will sing your song tonight
When they call you out
When they ask you who you've been
Will you tell them with a grin?
I was lost, I was blind, I was you
(I was blind, I was lost, I was you)
All I gave was me
All I gave was me
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Under the blue sky, seconds tick away
There's no resolution, it just changes everyday
So shh, we will always love you
We'll be so proud of you
We will sing your song tonight
When they call you out
When they ask you who you've been
Will you have a doubt?
Will you tell them with a grin?
I was lost, I was blind, I was you
(I was lost, I was blind, I was you )
All I gave was me
(All I gave was me)
All I gave was me
(All I gave was me)
I gave you all that I had to give you
I gave you all that I had to give you
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
The lyrics of World Party's song All I Gave convey a message of self-reflection and acceptance of oneself. The chorus, "All I gave was me," emphasizes the idea that one's true worth is in the effort and energy they put into themselves and others, rather than success and external validation. The artists acknowledge that life is unpredictable and full of changes, but stress that they will always support and love the listener.
The lines "Was that you dreaming out of control?" and "Under the blue sky, seconds tick away" suggest a sense of uncertainty and questioning. The artists ask if the listener ever feels lost or confused, and later encourage them to embrace their flaws with a grin. The repetition of "I was lost, I was blind, I was you" symbolizes empathy and solidarity with the listener, who may be going through similar experiences.
Overall, the lyrics of All I Gave promote self-love, resilience, and the importance of being true to oneself, flaws and all.
Line by Line Meaning
Was that you dreaming out of control?
Did you ever have a vision or a dream so powerful that it felt like you were losing control of who you are?
Don't get uneasy, no one's ever understood it all
It's okay if you don't understand everything about yourself or your dreams because no one has all the answers.
And we will always love you
You will always have love and support from those who truly care about you.
We'll be so proud of you
We will always be proud of everything you have accomplished, no matter how big or small.
We will sing your song tonight
We will celebrate you and your successes tonight by singing your praises and showing our appreciation for you.
When they call you out
When others challenge you or question your choices,
When they ask you who you've been
When they ask you who you are and what you stand for,
Will you have a doubt?
Will you question yourself and your decisions?
Will you tell them with a grin?
Or will you confidently stand behind your choices and tell them with a grin that you are proud of who you are and what you have done?
I was lost, I was blind, I was you
At one point in my life, I was lost, I was confused and I couldn't see clearly where I was headed. I was just like you.
All I gave was me
I gave everything that I had to offer, which was just myself.
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
These lyrics just represent a repeated refrain or chorus, and do not have a specific meaning.
Under the blue sky, seconds tick away
Time passes quickly, and every moment that we are given is a gift.
There's no resolution, it just changes everyday
Sometimes life doesn't have a definite answer or solution, but instead presents new challenges and opportunities every day.
So shh, we will always love you
Even when times are tough or when you face difficulties, those who truly love you will always be there for you.
I gave you all that I had to give you
I didn't hold back anything when it came to giving you my love, support and care.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KARL EDMOND DE VERE WALLINGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@reteipdevries
Was that you dreaming out of control?
Don't get uneasy, no one's ever understood it all
And we will always love you
We'll be so proud of you
We will sing your song tonight
When they call you out
When they ask you who you've been
Will you have a doubt?
Will you tell them with a grin?
I was lost, I was blind, I was you
(I was blind, I was lost, I was you)
All I gave was me
All I gave was me
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Under the blue sky, seconds tick away
There's no resolution, it just changes everyday
So shh, we will always love you
We'll be so proud of you
We will sing your song tonight
When they call you out
When they ask you who you've been
Will you have a doubt?
Will you tell them with a grin?
I was lost, I was blind, I was you
(I was lost, I was blind, I was you )
All I gave was me
(All I gave was me)
All I gave was me
(All I gave was me)
I gave you all that I had to give you
I gave you all that I had to give you
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Sha la la la, la la la la la la la
Read more: World Party - All I Gave Lyrics | MetroLyrics
@angelpower18
RIP Karl - I didn't realize how much I loved your voice till now. Thanks for being a great part of my music life.
@chrispritchett6954
This song was a part of my personal liberation in the early-mid '90's, and it has stood the test of time. It reminds me of my core - love and compassion for what is true, right and correct. In October of '14 I was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I don't have material wealth to leave behind for my family and friends, instead and I am going to leave them with the ultimate 100 song playlist of songs that speak through me. I am happy to say that "All I Gave" made the list. World Party, thanks for all of the music and memories.
@wilmgrau6206
+Chris Pritchett Perfect choice, I hope you and your family find solace and comfort.
@chrispritchett6954
+Wilm Grau Thank you! Namaste :)
@tkomerska
A song that always makes me think of my own children and gets me all misty every time I hear it. Your story touches me as well and let me say, Thank you.
@sergiocanales4219
Chris, I don`t know who your are but brother I love what you just wrote .... all the best to u and family and I hope u are still with us ..
@intothefloyd
@@sergiocanales4219 I'm sorry I found this message too late, peace !
@miketaylor1783
This tune took me past the bad and into the good. Keep on singing Karl, and thank You. We will sing your song.
@paulgoverd6739
❤
@SH-th4wy
Same.