Hildegard Knef (December 28, 1925 - February 1, 2002) was a German actress,… Read Full Bio ↴Hildegard Knef (December 28, 1925 - February 1, 2002) was a German actress, singer and writer. Her first record "Ein Herz ist zu verschenken" released in context of the movie "Die Sünderin" in 1951, but most of her music is from the 1960's and later after she quit being an actress.

Love For Sale
Hildegard Knef Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When the only sound
In the empty street
Is the heavy tread of the heavy feet
That belong to a lonesome cop
I open shop

When the moon so long
Has been gazing down

On the wayward ways
Of this wayward town
That her smile becomes a smirk
I go to work

Love for sale,
Appetizing young love for sale,
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled,
Love that's only slightly soiled,
Love for sale

Who will buy?
Who would like to sample my supply?
Who's prepared to pay the price,
For a trip to Paradise?
Love for sale

Let the poets pipe of love,
In their childish way,
I know ev'ry type of love,
Better far than they.

If you want the thrill of love,
I've been through the mill of love,
Old love, new love,
Ev'ry love but true love.

Love for sale,
Appetizing young love for sale,
If you want to buy my wares,
Follow me and climb the stairs.
Love for sale,

Love for sale,
Love for sale.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hildegard Knef's Love for Sale discuss the idea of love being sold as a commodity. The song highlights the selling of love as a business venture, as the singer reveals that she is opening her shop when the streets are empty, and the moon is gazing down on the wayward town. She talks about the types of love and how her understanding is superior to that of the poets. The lyrics are provocative in their depiction of love as a product for sale, with the singer presenting it as appetizing young love that's still unspoiled and slightly soiled. The use of "Paradise" and "trip" indicates that the love is being portrayed as an experience or a journey that can be bought and sold like a product.

The last line of the chorus repeats the phrase "Love for sale" three times, emphasizing the idea of love as a commodity. The song is a commentary on the commodification of love, indicating that it has become a business venture that can be bought and sold like any other product. This song articulates the cynicism and weariness that some people feel towards love and relationships, highlighting the idea that love, for some people, has become more transactional than emotional.

Line by Line Meaning

When the only sound In the empty street Is the heavy tread of the heavy feet That belong to a lonesome cop I open shop
When the city is quiet and empty, save for the footsteps of the lonely police officer, I begin my business.

When the moon so long Has been gazing down On the wayward ways Of this wayward town That her smile becomes a smirk I go to work
After the moon has been watching over the town, revealing the wrongful habits of the people, it's time for me to start my work.

Love for sale, Appetizing young love for sale, Love that's fresh and still unspoiled, Love that's only slightly soiled, Love for sale
I'm selling love, particularly focusing on young, tempting, and unspoiled love that has not been damaged much.

Who will buy? Who would like to sample my supply? Who's prepared to pay the price, For a trip to Paradise? Love for sale
Are you interested in trying my products? Who is willing to pay the high cost to journey into a paradise of love?

Let the poets pipe of love, In their childish way, I know ev'ry type of love, Better far than they.
Poets can get excited about love in their child-like manner, but trust me, I understand every kind of love far better than they do.

If you want the thrill of love, I've been through the mill of love, Old love, new love, Ev'ry love but true love.
Are you looking for the excitement of love? I've experienced the ups and downs of many romantic relationships everything except for true love.

Love for sale, Appetizing young love for sale, If you want to buy my wares, Follow me and climb the stairs. Love for sale, Love for sale, Love for sale.
Remember, I'm selling love, fresh and enticing. If you want it, follow me and climb with me to a new level of love. My love is for sale, and the offer still stands.

Contributed by Bailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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