If I can't have you all to myself

Gilbert O'Sullivan · Southpaw [1977]

Having been so long a loner

Always coping on my own

Girls were more or less

A trail of one night stands

But with you I realized

The morning after you arrived

A change of plans (a change of plans)

Instead of wishing you'd leave

I got down on my knees

Begged and pleaded with you

Not to get dressed

It's no secret that I love you

But what good is our affair

If I can't have you all to myself



She says while you're having fun

You are not the only one

There is someone else she sees

From time to time

Into detail she won't go

Only that he loves her so

But that's unkind (that's unkind)



Well you'll have to decide

I may not be riding high

In fact I'm so down

That I'm almost in hell...

Have you no consideration

What am I supposed to feel

If I can't have you all to my

(Can't have you all to my)

Can't have you all to myself



If I (can't have you all) to myself

If I (can't have you all) to myself

If I (can't have you all,

Can't have you all,

Can't have you all) to myself



I don't know what I'm supposed to do

Love they say can break your

Heart in two

I always thought, rubbish, that's

Not true

It's true



You think you should run around

You don't want to settle down

Still you like me more than anyone else

It's not like me to be jealous

But what else is there to do

If I can't have you all to my

(Can't have you all to my)

Can't have you all to myself

If I Can't Have You All to Myself

Gilbert O'Sullivan's 1977 recording of 'If I Can't Have You All to Myself' stands as a poignant example of his late-career return to the standards repertoire. While best known for his 1960s hits, O'Sullivan revisited the songbook with this track, which carries a melancholic intimacy characteristic of his vocal style. The composition, originally written by Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen, explores themes of romantic longing and the pain of unrequited love. O'Sullivan's delivery on this album, 'Southpaw', reflects a mature artist engaging with classic material, blending his signature croon with a reflective tone that distinguishes it from his earlier pop successes. The song remains a staple of his discography, showcasing his ability to reinterpret timeless melodies for later audiences.