All or Nothing at All
The story of the song
The Story of the Song
Bobby Caldwell wrote “All or Nothing at All” with Dennis Matkosky for Al Jarreau, who opened his 1988 album Heart’s Horizon with it. Bobby then recorded his own version for Heart of Mine, and it became one of his most-played songs on smooth jazz radio. It is not the 1939 standard of the same name made famous by Frank Sinatra.
Quick facts
| Written by | Bobby Caldwell and Dennis Matkosky |
|---|---|
| First recorded by | Al Jarreau, Heart’s Horizon (Reprise, 1988) |
| Jarreau single | 1989: No. 40 Adult Contemporary; No. 59 R&B |
| Bobby’s version | Heart of Mine (1989), track 4 |
Written for Al Jarreau
“I wrote ‘All Or Nothing At All’ for Al Jarreau, and I am honored that he recorded and released it,” Bobby said in a 2011 interview with the Danish site Blue Desert. Jarreau made it the first track on Heart’s Horizon, produced by George Duke and Jay Graydon, and released it as a single in 1989. It reached No. 40 on the Adult Contemporary chart and No. 59 on the R&B chart.
Bobby’s co-writer, Dennis Matkosky, also worked with him on “Heart of Mine”, the song they wrote with Jason Scheff for Boz Scaggs.
Bobby’s own version
Bobby produced his own recording for Heart of Mine, the album where he took back songs he had written for other singers. Its unhurried groove made it a natural for quiet storm and smooth jazz radio, where it became one of his most-played songs.
On stage
The song stayed in Bobby’s live shows for decades, from Tokyo in the mid-1990s to Billboard Live Tokyo in 2019.
Keep listening
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Dive into the timeless sounds of Bobby Caldwell, the legendary singer and songwriter behind the classic hit “What You Won’t Do For Love.” Experience his soulful voice and smooth jazz melodies that have captivated audiences for decades. You can enjoy Bobby Caldwell’s extensive catalog on Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, and other major streaming platforms. Discover why his music continues to inspire and resonate with fans around the world.
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