I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (Baby)
The Ink Spots
Words by Dorothy Fields and Music by Jimmy McHugh
— This version did not chart, but no great loss because everybody and their brother
Did it, following its introduction in the revue «Lew Leslie’s Blackbirds of 1928».
— In 1928: Cliff Edwards (# 1); Ben Selvin (# 2); Johnny Hamp (# 4); and Seger Ellis (# 19)
— Then, in 1929, it was charted by Gene Austin and Nat Shilkret (both hit # 12)
— In 1936 Teddy Wilson featuring Billie Holiday took it to #5.
— In 1943 it was sung in the film «Stormy Weather» by Lena Horne and Bill
«Bojangles» Robinson.
— In 1948 Rose Murphy brought it back again, at # 13.
— It finally wore out with the 1966 instrumental version by Bert Kaempfert at # 100.
I can’t give you anything but love, baby
That’s the only thing I’ve plenty of, baby
Dream a while, scheme a while
You’re sure to find
Happiness and I guess
All those things you’ve always pined for
Now, gee I love to see you lookin’ swell, baby
Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn’t sell, baby
Till that lucky day, you know darn well, baby
I can’t give you anything but love
—
MONOLOGUE: Gee, I love to see you lookin’ swell, baby. Look like you just came
Up outta the wishin’ well, baby. Dream awhile, scheme awhile and you’re sure to find
Happiness and ALL those things you been lookin’ for, baby. Gee, I LOVE to see ya
Lookin’ swell, baby!!. Diamond rings, bracelets, gold watches ‘n’ everything, baby.
Until that lucky day, honey, you know good ‘n’ doggone well, honey, I can’t give you a
DADGUM thing but love.
Now, I can’t give you anything but love, baby
That’s the only thing I’ve plenty of, baby
Dream a while, scheme a while
You’re sure to find