Love for Sale
Anita O’Day Lyrics
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Is the heavy tread of the heavy feet
That belong to a lonesome cop
I open shop
When the moon so long has been gazing down
On the wayward ways of a wayward town
That a smile becomes a smirk
I go to work
Love for sale
Appetizing young love for sale
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled
Love that's only slightly soiled
Love for sale
Who will buy? Who would like to sample my supply?
Who's prepared to pay the price for a trip to paradise?
Love for sale
Let the poets pipe of love in their childish way
I know every type of love better far than they
If you want the thrill of love, I've been through the mill of love
Old love, new love
Every kind but true love
For sale
Appetizing young love for sale
If you want to buy my wares
Follow me and climb the stairs
Love for sale
Love for sale
In Anita O'Day's song "Love for Sale," the lyrics take a dark and cynical look at the commodification of love and intimacy. The song begins by setting a somber and desolate scene, with the only sound being the heavy footsteps of a lonesome cop on an empty street. This creates a sense of isolation and desperation, hinting at the underlying theme of the song.
As the moon has been observing the sinful ways of a corrupt town, the singer acknowledges that a smile has turned into a smirk, denoting a sense of jadedness and deceit. This is when the singer reveals that they are open for business, implying that they are involved in the sale of love. The repetition of the phrase "love for sale" emphasizes the commercial nature of their offerings, reducing love to a consumable product.
The question of "who will buy?" invites potential customers to sample the singer's supply of love, but it also raises a deeper question about the motives behind seeking love in this manner. The singer hints at the allure of a trip to paradise, but it is clear that this type of love is artificial and transactional, lacking authenticity and true connection.
The bridge of the song takes a bitter tone as the singer challenges the romanticism of poets, claiming to have experienced every kind of love, except for true love. This highlights the superficiality and emptiness of the love being sold.
Overall, "Love for Sale" is a commentary on the commercialization of love and the devaluation of genuine human connection. It exposes the dark underbelly of a society where love is reduced to a commodity, devoid of real emotion and intimacy.
Line by Line Meaning
When the only sound on the empty street
In the desolate silence of the deserted street
Is the heavy tread of the heavy feet
The loud footsteps of a lonely police officer
That belong to a lonesome cop
Who embodies solitude
I open shop
I begin my business endeavors
When the moon so long has been gazing down
After the moon has witnessed for a considerable time
On the wayward ways of a wayward town
The immoral and reckless behavior of the town residents
That a smile becomes a smirk
When a smile transforms into a sneering expression
I go to work
I commence my labor
Love for sale
Affection offered in exchange for money
Appetizing young love for sale
Alluring, youthful love available for purchase
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled
Love that remains untainted and untarnished
Love that's only slightly soiled
Love that is minimally stained or corrupted
Love for sale
Affection available for trade
Who will buy? Who would like to sample my supply?
Who is willing to purchase or test my offerings?
Who's prepared to pay the price for a trip to paradise?
Who is ready to pay the cost for the experience of bliss?
Love for sale
Love offered in exchange for currency
Let the poets pipe of love in their childish way
Allow the poets to express their naive understanding of love
I know every type of love better far than they
I possess superior knowledge of various forms of love
If you want the thrill of love, I've been through the mill of love
Should you desire the excitement of love, I have experienced its challenges
Old love, new love
Past and present love affairs
Every kind but true love
Every variety except genuine affection
For sale
Available for purchase
Appetizing young love for sale
Enticing, youthful affection on offer
If you want to buy my wares
If you desire to acquire my merchandise
Follow me and climb the stairs
Accompany me and ascend the staircase
Love for sale
Love available for trade or transaction
Love for sale
Affection offered in exchange for monetary value
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Word Collections Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Laurène Alban
Love for sale
Appetizing young love for sale
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled
Love that's only slightly soiled
Love for sale
Who will buy
Who would like to sample my supply
Who's prepared to pay the price
For a trip to paradise
Love for sale
Let the poets pipe of love
In their childish way
I know every type of love
Better far than they
If you want the thrill of love
I've been through the mill of love
Old love, new love
Every love but true
Love for sale
Appetizing young love for sale
If you want to buy my wares
Follow me and climb the stairs
Love for sale
Let the poets pipe of love
In their childish way
I know every type of love
Better far than they
If you want the thrill of love
I've been through the mill of love
Old love, new love
Every love but true
Love for sale
Appetizing young love for sale
If you want to buy my wares
Follow me and climb the stairs
Love for sale
Love for sale
Love for sale
Luis R. Irizarry Agosto
Truly a Top notch orchestra
gregger59
In addition to the great interpretation of the notes, I love the way she uses her voice as a rythmic instrument. What syncopation.
dpohunter
Fantastic up-tempo arrangement on this. O'Day is not only terrific to listen to, she is also incredibly watchable.
David2020
This arrangement is a direct copy of the one by Billy Mays on the 'Swings Cole Porter' album. Not that that's a problem of course :)
OCTOBERLY
@David2020 I believe he arranged it for Anita
Luis R. Irizarry Agosto
A great musical arrangement and direction, the orchestra with a great sound and interpretation.
Wayne Brasler
A talent supreme. Anita, June Christy and Chris Connor were all fans of each other's music and recorded many of the same songs. The public generally lumped them together but in reality their vocal equipment, interpretative style and talents were quite different, and it was when the recorded the same songs that truth clearly emerged. All three were Midwestern girls and that showed in the personalities of all three, very wonderful ladies in every way.
Blond Thought
I do love her interpretation of this fabulous song, especially the sublime mid-section. Not to mention the fact that she knew how to move to a song. Who has ever mastered the fine art of restrained movement better than Miss O'Day?
David Mehnert
Blond Thought also she has the quirkiest facial expressions, and makes such good use of them (I think)... another kind of performer might have tried to homogenize their (inadvertent) asides, but she lets it all show, and its the power of strong enchantment
stuntcat666
Anita's version is the best of a lot of songs, just imho :) She deserves a lot more listens.