Where Is The Love
Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint Lyrics


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Where is the love
It's such a ruthless business
Where is the faith
The hope and the forgiveness
Twisting the words you say until the meaning fits
It starts with a little lying
Then there's no end to it
At best you are a cruel coward
At worst you are a worthless hypocrite

Where is the love
Now it's so badly needed
I heard a cry that always goes unheeded
Between your heart and hide
Something gets lost because it takes a tragedy
To trick it out of us
We never do the thing we should do
You just say anything to get your way
Where is the love
Where is the love

How can you face your face in the mirror
How can you turn a blind eye to all
What lurks inside of you that allows you to steal from the table of life
How can you place your head on the pillow
Knowing you are so guilty of all but the truth

Between your heart and hide
Something gets lost because it takes a tragedy
To trick it out of us
At best you are a cruel coward
At worst you are a worthless hypocrite




Where is the love
Where is the love

Overall Meaning

Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint's song "Where is the Love" is a poignant commentary on the lack of love, faith, hope, and forgiveness in society. The song begins by describing the ruthless nature of life and the absence of love, which is so badly needed. The lyrics suggest that people often twist each other's words until they fit their own meanings, and use lies, cruelty, and hypocrisy to get their way. This leads to a loss of love and trust, which is so crucial for the well-being of individuals and society.


The song's chorus "Where is the love" repeats throughout, emphasizing the central message of the track. The lyrics suggest that something gets lost between a person's heart and mind, causing them to act in a cruel, cowardly, or hypocritical way. The tragedy is needed to trick it out of them, meaning that it takes a severe event or situation to bring out people's true feelings and emotions.


The song's lyrics also point out the disconnect between people's actions and their conscience. People often turn a blind eye to their wrongdoing, allowing them to steal from the table of life and cause harm to others. The song calls for self-reflection, asking how people can face themselves in the mirror or lay their head on the pillow knowing they have done wrong.


Line by Line Meaning

Where is the love
Asking where the love is in a world that seems full of cruelty and hypocrisy.


It's such a ruthless business
The world is an unforgiving and difficult place to navigate.


Where is the faith
Wondering where people's faith and trust in humanity has gone.


The hope and the forgiveness
Asking where people's hope and their ability to forgive others has disappeared to.


Twisting the words you say until the meaning fits
Manipulating language to suit personal agendas instead of speaking truthfully.


It starts with a little lying
Deception often begins with small lies or misrepresentations.


Then there's no end to it
Dishonesty can easily spiral out of control and lead to more lies.


At best you are a cruel coward
'Best case scenario' is that you are unkind and lack bravery.


At worst you are a worthless hypocrite
'Worst case scenario' is that you have no value as a person and your behavior contradicts your supposed beliefs.


Now it's so badly needed
At present, love is needed more than ever before.


I heard a cry that always goes unheeded
There are marginalized groups of people who are crying out for love and attention, but their pleas are often ignored.


Between your heart and hide
A division exists between what someone feels in their heart and what they choose to keep hidden.


Something gets lost because it takes a tragedy
It often takes a devastating event to bring out the love and compassion in people.


To trick it out of us
It takes an extreme situation to reveal our true capacity for love and empathy.


We never do the thing we should do
We are often aware of what the 'right' thing to do is, but we struggle to actually follow through with it.


You just say anything to get your way
People will often say whatever they need to in order to achieve their desired outcome, regardless of the truthfulness of their words.


How can you face your face in the mirror
How can you look at yourself in the mirror knowing you are not living truthfully or with love and compassion?


How can you turn a blind eye to all
How can you ignore the suffering and needs of others?


What lurks inside of you that allows you to steal from the table of life
What is driving you to take from life instead of give back and live selflessly?


How can you place your head on the pillow
How can you sleep at night knowing you are living without love, truth, or empathy?


Knowing you are so guilty of all but the truth
Acknowledging that you are guilty of everything but living truthfully and with love in your heart.


Where is the love
Asking again where the love has gone in a world so fraught with cruelty and deception.


Where is the love
Wondering again where the love we so desperately need can be found.




Contributed by Madison B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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