Cole Albert Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American compos… Read Full Bio ↴Cole Albert Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American composer and songwriter from Indiana. His works include the musical comedies Kiss Me, Kate (1948) (based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew), Fifty Million Frenchmen and Anything Goes, as well as songs like "Night and Day", "I Get a Kick Out of You" and "I've Got You Under My Skin". He was noted for his sophisticated (sometimes ribald) lyrics, clever rhymes, and complex forms. He was one of the greatest half-dozen contributors to the Great American Songbook.

Love of My Life
Cole Porter Lyrics

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I lived in a dream my sweet
In a dream of you
My dream was a joy complete
'Cause you loved me too...

And I was no longer afraid of
What the future might reveal
For the stuff that dreams are made of

Was suddenly real

Love of my life
Life of my love
I used to pray
And pray you'd hear me
Love of my life
Angels above
Sent you at last
To stay always near me

Now we are one
Never to part
And evermore
Need I implore you to miss me
Come to my arms
Come to my heart
Kiss me
Kiss me

Come to me
Come... to me
My... life
My-why love...
Love of my life

My life
My-why love...

Overall Meaning

Cole Porter’s “Love of My Life” is a love song that portrays a dreamlike state of happiness and completion. The first line, “I lived in a dream my sweet”, describes the singer’s sense of fulfillment and happiness when they were in love with their beloved. The dreamlike quality of their relationship is further enhanced by the following line, “In a dream of you”, giving the impression that their love was otherworldly and almost too perfect to be real.

The second verse introduces a sense of worry and uncertainty. The singer admits to fearing for what the future will bring, but their love prevails. The “stuff that dreams are made of” becomes a reality when they are together, and every fear is set aside. The chorus of the song, “Love of my life, life of my love”, is a testament to the strength and depth of their love, which brings them together and keeps them together.

The final verse is a plea to the beloved, asking them to stay close, “Sent you at last to stay always near me”. The repetition of the word “come” and the final words, “kiss me”, convey the singer’s deep longing for physical affection and closeness. The final line concludes the song with the singer stating the importance of their beloved in their life, “My life, my love…Love of my life.”

Line by Line Meaning

I lived in a dream my sweet
Life felt like a dream with you, my sweet.

In a dream of you
I dreamed of being with you.

My dream was a joy complete
Being with you was my definition of happiness.

'Cause you loved me too...
Our love was mutual and that's what made the dream so complete.

And I was no longer afraid of
I didn't fear anymore.

What the future might reveal
I was not worried about the future and its uncertainties.

For the stuff that dreams are made of
The vision of happiness that exists only in dreams.

Was suddenly real
The dream actualized in reality and became real.

Love of my life
You are the love of my life.

Life of my love
You are the one who makes my life meaningful.

I used to pray
I would pray to my heart's content.