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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Song Writing & Lyrics

Against all odds by Phil Collins (Read-along)

Could I ask two questions about the song's lyrics?
Q1.

lyrics:

You're the only one who really knew me at all


What does "at all" here mean?

Does "at all" always appear in negative sentences?

If yes, why doesn't this one appear with the words, like "not?"

Q2.

lyrics:

Take a look at me now
Cause there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against all odds
And that's what I've got to face



Against all odds, Fanny finally found her lost ring.

Is there any differences between the two " against all odds"?



How can I just let you walk away,
just let you leave without a trace
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh
You're the only one who really knew me at all

How can you just walk away from me,
when all I can do is watch you leave
Cos we've shared the laughter and the pain,
and even shared the tears
You're the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now,
'cos there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me,
just the memory of your face
Take a look at me now,
'cos there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me
is against all odds and that's what I've got to face

I wish I could just make you turn around,
turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you,
so many reasons why
You're the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now,
'cos there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me,
just the memory of your face
Take a look at me now,
'cos there's just an empty space
But to wait for you,
well that's all I can do and that's what I've got to face
Take a good look at me now,
'cos I'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
That's the chance I've got to take, oh, oho

Just take a look at me now
  

Top answer

1-- At all = in any way, in the least amount. It can appear affirmatively (as here) and negatively 'He didn't know me at all') 2-- The meanings are the same: 'although highly improbable'.

— Mister Micawber

  • 1-- At all = in any way, in the least amount.
  • It can appear affirmatively (as here) and negatively 'He didn't know me at all') 2-- The meanings are the same: 'although highly improbable'.
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6 Answers
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1-- At all = in any way, in the least amount. It can appear affirmatively (as here) and negatively 'He didn't know me at all')
2-- The meanings are the same: 'although highly improbable'.
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Thank you so much for your answer, Mister Micawber.

But excuse me for my poor English, could I ask two more questions.

Does " in any way" mean " in any aspect"?

And I don't quite understand " in the least amount" as well.

Does the sentence "You are the only one who really knew me at all(in the least amount)"

mean that "You are the only one who didn't k
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Does " in any way" mean " in any aspect"?-- Yes.

And I don't quite understand " in the least amount" as well. Does the sentence "You are the only one who really knew me at all(in the least amount)" mean that "You are the only one who didn't know me well?"-- No. 'You are the only one who knew me at least a little bit.'
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So it's not that "You are the only one who knew me well",

but it's that " You are the only one who knew me just a little bit"?
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Yes, but the idea is that no one else knew the speaker even a little bit.
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Thank you for your patience!

I really appreciate that!

It helps a lot!
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