All I Ask of You Lyrics
All I Ask of You
RAOULNo more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
my words will warm and calm you
Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears.
I'm here with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you...
CHRISTINE
Say you love me every waking moment,
turn my head with talk of summertime...
Say you need me with you now and always...
Promise me that all you say is true
that's all I ask of you
RAOUL
Let me be your shelter
let me be your light
You're safe, No one will find you
your fears are far behind you...
CHRISTINE
All I want is freedom,
a world with no more night
and you, always beside me, to hold me and to hide me...
RAOUL
Then say you'll share with me
one love, one lifetime
let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you...
anywhere you go, let me go too
Christine, that's all I ask of you...
CHRISTINE
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime...
say the word and I will follow you...
(right) BOTH:
Share each day with me,
each night, each morning...
(right) CHRISTINE
Say you love me...
RAOUL
You know I do...
BOTH
Love me - that's all I ask of you
Anywhere you go let me go too
Love me - that's all I ask of you...
Song Overview
Song Credits
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | All I Ask of You |
| Artists | Steve Barton & Sarah Brightman |
| Producer | Andrew Lloyd Webber |
| Writers | Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe |
| Album | The Phantom of the Opera (Original 1986 London Cast) |
| Track Number | 13 |
| Release Date | October 9, 1986 |
| Genre | Musical Theatre, Ballad |
| Language | English |
Song Meaning and Annotations
All I Ask of You from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera is a pivotal duet between Christine Daaé and Raoul, Viscount de Chagny. This song, featured in the original 1986 London cast recording, captures a moment of emotional clarity and contrast within the musical's narrative.
Contextual Background
Throughout the musical, Christine is haunted by the Phantom's presence, his influence permeating her thoughts and interactions. Raoul, deeply in love with Christine, seeks to protect her from this pervasive fear. Their duet serves as a turning point where Christine begins to envision a life free from the Phantom's shadow.
Symbolism and Themes
The lyrics juxtapose light and darkness, symbolizing the dichotomy between Raoul and the Phantom. Christine's desire for a world "with no more night" reflects her yearning for safety and normalcy, contrasting the Phantom's association with the night and the unknown. This theme is further emphasized by the Phantom's earlier entreaty for Christine to "turn your face away from the garish light of day," highlighting his preference for the shadows.
Character Dynamics
Raoul's approach to Christine is marked by gentleness and respect. He offers her freedom and companionship without coercion. In contrast, the Phantom's relationship with Christine is characterized by control and obsession. Notably, while the Phantom expresses his feelings through music, he never directly tells Christine "I love you," focusing instead on her talent. Raoul, however, affirms his love for Christine as a person, not just as a performer.
Musical Composition
Composed in D? major, "All I Ask of You" is a piano ballad with a tempo of 60 beats per minute. The vocal range spans from A?3 to A?5, allowing for expressive performances by both singers. The song's structure and melody contribute to its emotional resonance within the musical.
Legacy and Reception
Released as a single on 26 September 1986, performed by Sarah Brightman and Cliff Richard, the song achieved commercial success, topping charts in Ireland and South Africa, and reaching number three in the UK. It has since been covered by various artists, including Barbra Streisand, Susan Boyle, and Josh Groban, attesting to its enduring appeal.
In summary, "All I Ask of You" encapsulates a moment of hope and clarity in The Phantom of the Opera, highlighting the stark contrasts between love and obsession, light and darkness, freedom and control.
::contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}The Anti-Phantom Love Duet
“All I Ask of You” arrives like sunlight breaking through the opera house gloom — a romantic, grounded counterweight to the Phantom’s gothic seduction.No more talk of darkness / Forget these wide-eyed fearsRaoul enters as a balm to Christine’s dread. His voice promises warmth, daylight, protection — everything the Phantom cannot offer.
Say you love me every waking moment / Turn my head with talk of summertimeChristine’s lines are a release. She wants simplicity, constancy, real-life love. Not fantasy, not fear — just affection in the light of day.
Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetimeRaoul proposes a humble future. It’s not just “love me now” — it’s “build a life with me.” Where the Phantom promises transformation, Raoul offers companionship.
Love me — that's all I ask of youThe song’s gentle refrain is its emotional spine. There are no demands, no threats. Just a soft, human request for love and loyalty. It’s a duet, but it feels like a lifeline.
Similar Songs
- "Come What May" – *Moulin Rouge!*
Both songs are soaring duets about unconditional love in the face of looming darkness. They share sweeping orchestration and declarations of forever. - "Suddenly, Seymour" – *Little Shop of Horrors*
A duet where love breaks past fear and past. The comfort Audrey finds in Seymour echoes Christine’s need for Raoul’s gentle constancy. - "As Long As You’re Mine" – *Wicked*
A love duet with tension and urgency — unlike “All I Ask of You,” it leans into risk, but both express deep need and emotional exposure.
Questions and Answers
- What is “All I Ask of You” about?
- It’s a love duet between Christine and Raoul, where they express mutual devotion and promise to escape the Phantom’s control. It's their emotional engagement, sung.
- Is this a response to the Phantom?
- Yes. It's a direct musical and emotional contrast to “The Music of the Night.” While the Phantom seduces, Raoul reassures and protects.
- Why is the reprise important?
- Because it reveals the Phantom heard everything. It turns Raoul and Christine’s intimate moment into a trigger for his heartbreak and fury, propelling the plot forward.
- Who performed the original version?
- Sarah Brightman (Christine) and Steve Barton (Raoul) in the 1986 London cast.
- Why is it so popular at weddings?
- Because it encapsulates the kind of love people aspire to: safe, constant, mutual. Its theatrical beauty and sincerity make it timeless.
Awards and Chart Positions
| Year | Award / Chart | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | UK Singles Chart (Cliff Richard & Sarah Brightman version) | #3 |
| 1987 | Most Performed Songs (UK Musicals) | Top 5 |
| 1992 | Billboard Classical Crossover (US) | Charted with Cast Album |
Musical and Technical Details – “All I Ask of You”
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Key Signature | D? Major (concert C?) |
| Time Signature | Primarily 4/4; rubato bars create a perceived 5-beat pulse in some analyses |
| Typical Tempo | ? 139 BPM (single edit) ? 114 BPM (album mix) |
| Vocal Range (Raoul) | G?2 – G4 (baritone/tenor) |
| Vocal Range (Christine) | C4 – G5 (lyric soprano) |
| Scene in Musical | Act I – Rooftop of the Paris Opéra, immediately after “Why Have You Brought Me Here?” |
| Length (1986 Cast) | ~ 4 min 15 s |
| Chart-Topping Single | Cliff Richard & Sarah Brightman duet – #3 UK Singles Chart (Oct 1986) |
| Other Notable Covers | Barbra Streisand (1988, #77 UK); Film duet Patrick Wilson & Emmy Rossum (2004, 4 min 52 s) |
Fan and Media Reactions
"This song sounds like trust — it’s soft, constant, and brave." — Listener: Raoul’sVow
"Brightman and Barton’s voices just melt into one another. It’s magic." — TheatreFanatic94
"The Phantom had the drama, but Raoul had the day. This song proves it." — Commenter: GothicHeart
"Every time they sing ‘one love, one lifetime,’ I believe in musicals again." — BroadwayBride
"It’s the emotional sunlight this story needed." — Critic: WestEndWhispers