The song's lyrics were penned from a male point of view. Kirby's rendition does not change the perspective, creating a story in which the subject to whom she sings has left her for a male.
"The Way Of Love" was later recorded by Cher. Her version hit number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1972. It was the second single released from the album Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves.
The Way of Love
Cher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you like a lot
And you fall in love
But he loves you not
If a flame should start
As you hold him near
Better keep your heart
For the way of love
Is a way of woe
And the day may come
When you'll see him go
Then what will ya do
When he sets you free
Just the way that you
Said goodbye to me
When you meet a boy
That you like a lot
And you fall in love
But he loves you not
If a flame should start
As you hold that boy near
Better keep your heart
Out of danger, dear
For the way of love
Is a way of woe
And the day may come
When you'll see him go
Then what will ya do
When he sets you free
Just the way that you
Said goodbye to me
That's the way of love
The way of love
Cher's "The Way of Love" is a song about the ups and downs of falling in love. The first verse describes the experience of falling in love with someone who does not reciprocate the same feelings. The second verse serves as a gentle warning to never let one’s guard down and keep the heart safe from harm. The chorus reflects on the unpredictability of love, and how it can bring about pain and heartbreak. The final verse makes a comparison between the end of a failed romantic relationship and the potential one may face in a new romance.
The song was originally written in French and titled "J'ai le mal de toi." French songwriter Jack Dieval wrote the music and Michel Rivgauche wrote the lyrics. The song was an instant hit in France, and a young Cher heard the song while on tour there in 1964. Cher and her then-husband, Sonny Bono, adapted the song into English, and Cher recorded it in 1965.
Line by Line Meaning
When you meet a boy
When you encounter a man
That you like a lot
Who you have an intense attraction towards
And you fall in love
And you develop strong feelings of attachment
But he loves you not
But he does not feel the same way about you
If a flame should start
If passion begins to burn
As you hold him near
While you are in close physical proximity
Better keep your heart
Take care to protect your emotions
Out of danger, dear
To keep them out of harm's way
For the way of love
Because romantic relationships
Is a way of woe
Cause suffering and difficulty
And the day may come
And there may be a time
When you'll see him go
When he will depart
Then what will ya do
What will you do then?
When he sets you free
When he walks away from you
Just the way that you
In the same manner in which you
Said goodbye to me
Bid me farewell
That's the way of love
That is the nature of romantic love
The way of love
The essence of love
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Al Stillman, Jack Dieval, Michel Rivgauche
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sony3694
One of the most beautiful songs, ever recorded!! Vocal and arrangements, beautiful CHER...
@Kathy_1891
This song makes me cry, beautiful music.
@Ricky0101
My mother LOVED this song. She passed in 2001. I cry every time I hear it because it reminds me of her.
@JsWarrior
My mom too😢💔🙏
@antoinette986
😢
@martinjennings8657
I agree to the song gives me chills, I'm 66 years old and when I was in my early twenties, 2021 I saw drag Queen do this song and just fell in love with it you could have pushed me over with the feather. It made me think of my 1st love and how to this day no one No man could ever make me feel the way that he did. I will always love him.🌹💋💔🙊😿😥
@MisadventuresOfJason
highly underrated in the american music industry... HUGE song. one of her best
@Shalady74
Now, That's a Classic from Cher!
@hermes3386
In fact this is originally a french song --->>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_of_Love#Cher_version
@tinabell0725
Every time I hear this, it gives me the chills.