This Year's Kisses
Billie Holiday W/ Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra Lyrics

The lyrics of "This Year's Kisses" by Billie Holiday express a sense of sadness and disappointment with regard to the current state of love and romance. In the opening lines, she compares this year's "crop" of kisses to those of previous years, indicating a sense of nostalgia and longing for something that is no longer present. The phrase "what kisses used to be" suggests that, in Holiday's view, there has been a decline in the quality or intensity of romantic experiences.

As the song continues, Holiday goes on to lament the state of modern romance more broadly, expressing the belief that this year's new love affairs are ultimately doomed to fail. Even the help of the moon (a traditional symbol of love and romance) is not enough to ensure success in these relationships. Ultimately, the chorus returns to the theme of personal longing and attachment, with Holiday noting that she is still "wearing last year's love." This phrase suggests that, despite her disappointment with the current state of romance, she is still holding onto past experiences of love and intimacy.