About The Song
“I Won’t Take Less Than Your Love” is a song written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, and recorded by American country music artist Tanya Tucker with Paul Davis & Overstreet. It was released in October 1987 as the second single from the album Love Me Like You Used To. The single reached number one for the week of February 27, 1988, and spent fifteen weeks on the country chart.
The song showcases three examples of servitude and gratitude, and the receiver—a man devoted to his wife, a grateful son, and a Christian deeply committed to serving God—seeking a way to repay the giver. Each one responds with the song’s title line, the lesson being that love is worth more than all of the riches, comforts and treasures of the world.
The first verse (about the married couple) was sung by Davis, the second verse (about the mother-son relationship) by Tucker, and the final verse (the Christian) by Overstreet.
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Lyrics
“How much do I owe you?” said the husband to his wife,
“For standing beside me through the hard years of my life.
“Shall I bring you diamonds, shall I buy you furs?
“Say the word and it’s yours.
And his wife said: “I won’t take less than your love, sweet love.
“No, I won’t take less than your love.
“All the riches of the world could never be enough,
“And I won’t take less than your love.”
“How much do I owe you?” to the mother said the son.
“For all that you have taught me in the days that I was young.
“Shall I bring expensive blankets to cast upon your bed?
“And a pillow for to rest your weary head.”
And the mother said: “I won’t take less than your love, sweet love.
“No, I won’t take less than your love.
“All the comforts of the world could never be enough,
“And I won’t take less than your love.”
“How much do I owe you?” said the man to his Lord.
“For giving me this day and every day that’s gone before.
“Shall I build a temple, shall I make a sacrifice?
“Tell me Lord and I will pay the price.”
And the Lord said: “I won’t take less than your love, sweet love.
“No, I won’t take less than your love.
“All the treasures of the world could never be enough,
“And I won’t take less than your love.”
“I won’t take less than your love, sweet love.
“No, I won’t take less than your love.
“All the treasures of the world could never be enough,
“And I won’t take less than your love.”
“No, I won’t take less than your love.”