What Is This Thing Called Love
Cole Porter Lyrics
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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 it away
That's why I ask the Lord 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 Cole Porter's song "What Is This Thing Called Love?", the singer is reflecting on their experience with love. Prior to feeling love, the singer was leading a mundane life, but when love "flew in through [their] window wide," everything changed. Love quickened their formerly humdrum heart and made them feel truly happy. However, as quickly as love arrived, it left, leaving the singer to wonder about its nature and why it would make a fool of them.
The second verse describes the ups and downs of the singer's love story. At first, their love gave them "days of sunshine" and "nights of cheer," making their life an "enchanted dream." But when someone else came into the picture, the singer was left feeling the "winter's chill." Despite this, the singer still wonders why they love this person, even though they threw their heart away.
This song reflects the common theme of love's mysterious and unpredictable nature. It's also notable for its catchy melody and clever lyrics, which were typical of Cole Porter's style.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a humdrum person
I was leading a simple, ordinary life
Leading a life apart
Living a life of solitude
When love flew in through my window wide
Suddenly, I was struck by love
And quickened my hum-drum heart
And it brought new life to my dull and boring existence
I was so happy then
I was filled with joy and happiness
But after love had stayed a little while
But unfortunately, that feeling of love didn't last long
Love flew out again
And that feeling of love disappeared
What is this thing called love?
What is this powerful emotion that we call love?
This funny thing called love?
This strange, unpredictable, and sometimes humorous emotion called love?
Just who can solve its mystery?
Who can unravel the mystery behind love?
Why should it make a fool of me?
Why does it have the ability to make me feel foolish and vulnerable?
I saw you there one wonderful day
I remember the moment when I saw you and felt enamored
You took my heart and threw it away
You broke my heart, and left me feeling rejected and alone
That's why I ask the Lord in Heaven above
That's why I turn to a higher power to find an answer
You gave me days of sunshine
You filled my life with happiness and joy
You gave me nights of cheer
You brought excitement and a sense of delight to my life
You made my life an enchanted dream
You made me feel like I was living in a magical world, full of wonder and awe
'Til somebody else came near
Until someone else arrived and caught your attention
Somebody else came near you
Someone else entered into your life
I felt the winter's chill
I felt a coldness and an emptiness inside
And now I sit and wonder night and day
And now I am left questioning and pondering my emotions
Why I love you still?
Why, despite everything that happened, do I still feel love for you?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steve F
on Experiment
The experiment of the Biblical Eve was the original sin. It was the downfall of the human race. Cole. Back to the piano and try again