You Got It All by The Jets

Album: The Jets (1986)

Charted: 3

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This was written by Rupert Holmes, who is known for his hit "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)," but has also written many other songs and had tremendous success writing plays, including The Mystery Of Edwin Drood, which won five Tony awards. He has also written a novel called Where The Truth Lies.
Explaining how this song came together, Holmes said: "I was busy on Broadway with The Mystery Of Edwin Drood, that just won all the Tony awards. My manager knew a fellow who had this act, this family group from the isle of Tonga. I said, 'Is there really an isle of Tonga? I thought that was a made up thing from King Kong movies.' He said 'There really is a place called Tonga, and they're from there. They do this sweet act, they sing and do Hawaiian fire dances, things like that, and they're really nice kids.' I said, 'Kids? How Old?' He said, 'Oh, 14, 15, 16.' He said, 'You've been Mr. Theater for the last year, would you do me a favor and write them a song? They've got some good dance stuff, but they need a ballad, a love song.' I said, 'Who's going to sing it?' and he said, 'The one with the nicest voice is the girl singer, she's 14.'

I thought writing a love song for a 14-year-old girl would be tough because some of my lyrics used to be about some pretty strange characters. I thought it would be a challenge to see if I can write a love song that sounds appropriate sung by a 14-year-old girl. This was before we had all the Britneys, Mandy Moores, and all these teen stars. I purposely tried to write a very clear, simple, unaffected lyric that would have a little lilt to it, that would be a positive song for a young girl getting over her first heartbreak. Letting her know that this boy she just lost, or who didn't treat her appreciatively, was not going to be the only boy she'd ever have as a boyfriend. I also wrote it thinking of my daughter who was at that time 10 years old. I thought maybe it would be a song she would enjoy and be fun to hear with her friends and say 'My father wrote that.'"
The Jets first single was "Crush On You," which hit #3 in the US. This was released as their second single.
Britney Spears recorded this in 1998. It was released as part of her CD single "Baby One More Time." This gives Rupert Holmes the distinction of writing songs that have been recorded by Barbra Streisand and Britney Spears. As Rupert points out, that's a lot of B.S.
This went to #3 on the Hot 100, #2 on the R&B chart and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
In a Songfacts interview with Rupert Holmes, he said: "The sad part of the story is that I don't remember anything about it being a hit because before the record came out, my 10-year-old daughter died. It was very painful for me because when it was a hit record, I realized she would have loved to have gone to see the group sing the song and gone backstage, and that never happened.

I don't really recall anything that happened around the time it was a hit because it took me about two years to come out of shock and be able do things like work. I did things that I had to do, like supervise the London production of The Mystery Of Edwin Drood and things that I knew how to do almost on autopilot. They asked me to write more songs for them, and I wrote a couple later on, but it was just really hard. It was wonderful to have a hit, but it was at a terrible time in my life. It was heartbreak for me because it's the song that my daughter never got to hear as a hit record. I think she would have really liked it because she could have heard herself in the song. Maybe there were other 10-year-old girls that heard it and liked it."

Comments: 14

Eyesorejr from PittsburghThis song was the song of me and my first love. I was 13-14 at the time and we dances to it several times. Mona’s voice is soooo beautiful. The breath in her voice is completely transfixing. Every time I listen to it, I have to play it several times in a row and think about how much easier things were as a young teen compared to today. I have heard many beautiful women’s voices but Mona’s voice on this song is one of my top 10 ever!
Shelton Hudson from Oakdale, LaWho is the guy in the blue sweater paying for his meal in the video "You Got It All" by The Jets? He also reappears to hand the lead singer a single red rose.
Jeff from Austin, Tx This is one of most beautiful songs ever. And I agree with Sam from Chicago; the chorus is PERFECT. Unreal.
Liz from Atlanta, GeorgiaTakes me back....10 at the time. I thought the guy in the video was so fine...lol..does anyone remember who he was. I think he was in movies?
Shandroise De Laeken from Davao City, PhilippinesI really was shocked to find out that 1) The Jets sang Crush on You , a song which really annoys me, 2) The one who sang lead in this is 14 years old - she has a very lady voice for a 14 year old! and 3) It's been written by Rupert Holmes, who I adore for his songs Terminal and Touch and Go. Such a very sad story for him, though. What a adorable fatherly love to his daughter...
Going back to this song, this is one of my few "sang by females" songs. I really like the lyrics, hahaha (thanks Mr. Holmes!) and of course, the rest of the ingredients of this song! I really like singing it although I dedicate it to crushes who helped me get through my previous ex-crushes, ahahaha!
Michael De Patria from Paterson Nj, NjIt always amazes me how music (good music), mystically transports me to the exact time and place of where I was, and what I was doing during that exact moment of experiencing a shat emotional hong. I was always exteremly sensitive to this, and still am at 56 yrs. old!The Jets Hold avery special place in my heart. I first heard"You got it all" during a very intense and tragic period in my life. I cannot listen to this song often, but when I do, I really go back to that Christmas day when I first heard this. This is the tragedy of life that ew can never go back to these days. I often wonder how artists (like the Jets) view how their music may have influenced people. What emotional powers are conjured.
Preston from Hartford, CtI was in FORT JACKSON,SC when i brought this tape with my sony walkman...It was 1986 & til this day i've never stopped loving the group.
Radco from Mumbai, IndiaThis is my favorite song. If it comes on the radio when I'm driving, everyone in the car has to keep quiet till it's done.
Julia from Knoxville, TnI like this song better than that stinking "Crush on You". Of all of the songs during that time that to this day still conjure up bad memories of middle school, this is one of a handful that seem to make me feel good.
Angela from Dickson, TnMr. Holmes, coming from a 10-year-old girl at the time (I am still a girl or woman actually-30), I still remember the first time I heard this song. Hearing this song now always takes me back to when I was 10. My life at that time was not very happy. My dad is a recovering alcoholic but did not get help until five years later. So my happiness (other than my mother)came through the radio. I just want to thank you for making life better for one lonely little girl. God Bless.
Anne from Beijing, ChinaIt is a very nice song. I loved it when I first heard nd I still love it now. I think it is the best song about a broken heart and finding love again!!!
Thank you for a wonderful song.
Sarah from Marietta, GaI grew up on this band- I mean- literally. I own their Millenium albumn and even have the Music Video compilation TAPE that they cut. It has all their music videos- in fact- I watched the video first and that's where I first heard the Jets. Yes- I will always be a HUGE fan. This song- from the moment that I first heard it even to this day had helped me gain better perspective with new and ex-boyfriends. MOST of their songs on the Millenium release albumn (the Best of the Jets) have personally affected me in one way or another. Anyone else who loves them will agree with me when I say "Make it Real" will Make You Cry! To this day I don't think I've ever heard a song that brings me to tears everytime that I hear it. Thank you Mr. Holmes for all that you've created. We're more sensitive and romantic because of you.
Sam from Chicago, IlI'm a 24 year old rock musician from Chicago and I'm not ashamed to say this is one of my all time, all time favorite songs. The chorus is a slice of heaven. Whenever I hear it I can't help but be transported back to being a little kid. It brings back some really wonderful memories. I just listened to it about ten times in a row and decided I must find out who wrote this song! That's how I ended up here. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss Mr. Holmes. But I'm glad to find out the history of a song so dear to me. God bless you and yours.
Surfinbetty from Brownsville, TxMr Holmes, I was 9 and I LOVED it. All my friends did, and this song brings back great memories. Thank you.

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