More

Yesterday I went to Macy's to check out the end-of-season sale on summer clothes. I know we have a lot of hot weather left, and I figured I could always use a couple more tops. As I browsed the racks, it occurred to me that I was really in a very good mood. That realization was immediately followed by the understanding of why I felt that way. The sound system in the store was playing "More" by Bobby Darin.

You know the song. You think you don't, but you do. To refresh your memory, here are the lyrics:

More
Than the greatest love the world
Has known
This
Is the love I'll give to you
Alone.

More
Than the simple words
I've tried to say,
I'll only live to love you
More each day.

More than you'll ever know,
My arms long to hold you so.
My life will be in your keepin',
Wakin'... sleepin'... laughin'...weepin'.

Longer
Than always is a long, long time,
But far beyond forever,
You'll be mine.
I know I've never lived before,
And my heart is very sure
No one else could love you more.


See? You know it. I don't know whose version you are familiar with. It has been covered many times, I know that - most recently by Harry Connick, Jr, I believe. But I am telling you here and now that you haven't really heard that song until you have heard Bobby Darin sing it.

The song is meant to swing, granted. But no one else has ever made it swing like Bobby Darin did. It is irresistibly finger-poppin'. That's not what really makes this the best version evah of this song, however. It is the joy he brings to it. It is an upbeat, joyous, tell-the-world declaration of his feelings. Who can resist that? Not me. I bought two blouses.