What Is This Thing Called Love
Anita O’Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leading a life apart
When love flew in through my window wide
And quickened my hum-drum heart
Love flew in through my window
I was so happy then
But after love had stayed a little while
Love flew out again
What is this thing called love?
This funny thing called love?
Just who can solve its mystery?
Why should it make a fool of me?
I saw you there one wonderful day
You took my heart and threw my heart away
That's why I ask the Lawd up in Heaven above
What is this thing called love?
You gave me days of sunshine
You gave me nights of cheer
You made my life an enchanted dream
'Til somebody else came near
Somebody else came near you
I felt the winter's chill
And now I sit and wonder night and day
Why I love you still
In Anita O'Day's song "What Is This Thing Called Love," the lyrics describe a transformative experience of love. The singer begins as a mundane, unremarkable person leading a detached life. However, their life changes when love unexpectedly enters through their window, revitalizing their formerly unenthusiastic heart. The happiness and contentment that love brings are evident in the lyrics as they express joy and appreciation for its presence. Unfortunately, this love doesn't last, and it departs just as quickly as it arrived.
The song raises questions about the nature of love and its impact on individuals. The singer wonders: What is this thing called love? What makes it so elusive and mysterious? Why does it have the power to make a fool of them? The lyrics suggest that love can have a profound effect, taking hold of one's heart and then abruptly discarding it. Despite the heartbreak and confusion caused by this experience, the singer still loves the person who left, questioning why their love persists even in the face of disappointment.
Overall, "What Is This Thing Called Love" explores the unpredictable and sometimes perplexing nature of romantic love. It captures the emotional rollercoaster that love often presents, from the initial bliss to the eventual heartache, leaving the listener to contemplate the complexities of this enigmatic force.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a hum-drum person
I was living a mundane and unexciting life
Leading a life apart
Living a solitary life, disconnected from others
When love flew in through my window wide
When love unexpectedly entered my life
And quickened my hum-drum heart
And brought excitement and joy to my previously dull heart
Love flew in through my window
Love entered my life like a sudden gust of wind
I was so happy then
I felt pure happiness and contentment
But after love had stayed a little while
However, after experiencing love for a short period of time
Love flew out again
Love departed from my life just as swiftly as it entered
What is this thing called love?
I am perplexed by the concept of love
This funny thing called love?
This peculiar and unpredictable thing known as love
Just who can solve its mystery?
Who can truly understand and unravel its enigmatic nature?
Why should it make a fool of me?
Why does love often lead me to act foolishly or make unwise decisions?
I saw you there one wonderful day
I encountered you on a truly incredible day
You took my heart and threw my heart away
You captured my heart initially, only to reject and discard it later
That's why I ask the Lawd up in Heaven above
Hence, I turn to the Lord in Heaven and question
What is this thing called love?
The true nature and essence of this perplexing phenomenon called love
You gave me days of sunshine
You brought happiness and joy into my life
You gave me nights of cheer
You provided me with moments of celebration and enjoyment
You made my life an enchanted dream
You transformed my existence into a magical and captivating dream
'Til somebody else came near
Until another person entered the picture
Somebody else came near you
Someone else caught your attention
I felt the winter's chill
I experienced a sudden shift from warmth and happiness to coldness and sadness
And now I sit and wonder night and day
And now I find myself constantly contemplating and pondering
Why I love you still
Why I continue to have strong feelings for you despite the pain and uncertainty
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind