Our Love Is Here To Stay
Count Basie & Joe Williams Lyrics
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Not for a year but ever and a day
The radio and the telephone and the movies that we know
May just be passing fancies and in time may go
But, oh, my dear, our love is here to stay
Together we're going a long, long way
In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble
But our love is here to stay
In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble
They're only made of clay
But our love is here to stay
The lyrics to Count Basie / Joe Williams's song "Our Love Is Here to Stay" beautifully describe a romance built to last. The opening lines reveal the strength of the love between the two people at the heart of the song, declaring that "It's very clear our love is here to stay." The lyrics then drive this point home further by stating that this love isn't just a fleeting feeling - "Not for a year but ever and a day."
The lyrics use a clever extended metaphor to reinforce the permanence of the love between the song's subjects. At first, the singer acknowledges the transience of many parts of our culture - the "radio and the telephone and the movies that we know." These may be popular today, but tomorrow something else may come along and replace them. However, in contrast to these ephemeral things, the love shared between the singer and her/his partner will last. They're "going a long, long way" and while even physical landmarks like the Rockies or Gibraltar may crumble under the weight of time, the love itself won't.
Overall, the message of the song is one of comfort and reassurance that the love being celebrated can withstand whatever might come its way. The solid and steady rhythm of the song's arrangement reinforces this feeling of permanence and safety, making it a perfect choice for a first dance at a wedding or any other celebration of love that will stand the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
It's very clear our love is here to stay
Our love is obviously permanent and not just a temporary affection
Not for a year but ever and a day
Our love will not simply last for a year, but rather forever
The radio and the telephone and the movies that we know
Forms of popular media may come and go, including the ones we are familiar with
May just be passing fancies and in time may go
These forms of media may only be temporary and eventually disappear
But, oh, my dear, our love is here to stay
Despite the potential transience of media, our love for each other is unwavering and permanent
Together we're going a long, long way
As a couple, we are committed to a long-term future together
In time the Rockies may crumble, Gibraltar may tumble
Even structures as solid as the Rocky Mountains and Gibraltar may not last forever
They're only made of clay
These structures are ultimately impermanent, as they are simply made of earth
But our love is here to stay
Despite the impermanence of physical structures, our love for each other is enduring and will last forever
Lyrics © SONGS MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind