Irene's older brother, Roy Kral, was a successful musician when Irene started singing professionally as a teenager. She sung with bands on tours led by Woody Herman and Chubby Jackson, former Herman bass player.
Irene joined Maynard Ferguson's band in the late 1950s and sang with groups led by Stan Kenton and Shelly Manne.
Irene then started a solo career until her death at 46 years of age. She was a ballad singer who stated that Carmen McRae was one of her inspirations.
Irene was made more famous posthumously when Clint Eastwood used her recordings in his 1995 movie, The Bridges of Madison County.
(from Wikipedia)
Where Is Love?
Irene Kral Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Does it fall from skies above?
Is it underneath the Willow tree
That I've been dreaming of?
Where is he?
Who I close my eyes to see?
Will I ever know the sweet "hello"
Who can say where he may hide?
Must I travel far and wide?
'Til I am beside the someone who
I can mean something to...
Where?
Where is Love?
Irene Kral's song "Where Is Love" is a powerful ballad that speaks to the universal yearning for love and connection. The lyrics are poignant and reflective, asking the question of where love can be found. The opening line, "Where is Love? Does it fall from skies above?" sets the tone for the rest of the song, as Kral wonders if love is something that is given to us from outside ourselves, or if it is something that we have to actively seek out.
The second verse of the song speaks to the idea of finding the person that we are meant to be with - the one whose "sweet hello" is just for us. Kral's vocals are wistful and emotive as she sings, "Who can say where he may hide? Must I travel far and wide? 'Til I am beside the someone who I can mean something to..." There is a sense of longing and desperation in these lyrics, as if Kral is willing to do anything to find the person she is meant to be with.
Overall, Irene Kral's "Where Is Love" is a powerful and moving song that speaks to the human experience of searching for connection and companionship. Through her poignant lyrics and emotive vocals, Kral captures the essence of what it means to long for love and the struggles that often come with finding it.
Line by Line Meaning
Where is Love?
The singer is asking where the affectionate feeling of love can be found.
Does it fall from skies above?
The singer is wondering if love is just an unexpected feeling that comes out of nowhere.
Is it underneath the Willow tree
That I've been dreaming of?
The singer is pondering if love is to be found in places she has long dreamed of, such as under the Willow tree.
Where is he?
The singer wonders where exactly the person she truly loves is.
Who I close my eyes to see?
The singer is suggesting that she imagines the person she loves when she closes her eyes.
Will I ever know the sweet "hello"
That's only meant for me?
The singer is questioning if she will ever hear the affectionate greeting meant only for her.
Who can say where he may hide?
The singer wonders where exactly the person she loves could be staying.
Must I travel far and wide?
The singer suggests that she might have to go on a long and tiring journey to find her true love.
'Til I am beside the someone who
I can mean something to...
The singer wants to meet her true love so that she can have a meaningful relationship in her life.
Where?
The singer ends the song by restating her question about the whereabouts of love, which still remains unanswered.
Writer(s): Lionel Bart
Contributed by Natalie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@miltonmoore5294
Just learned of
this singer from
my sister. Irene
Kral certainly possessed a fine
voice. She falls
into that category
shared by other great vocalists like Edith Ennis and Johnny Hartmann, those
who
never got the hit
records and the
exposure that came
with that on all
the t.v. talk shows
like Johnny Carson, so they
escaped the purview of most
people outside of
the jazz festival circuit, etc. Kral
was born two years before Charles Manson.
What a pity and a
disgrace that everybody knows
who HE is, but
basically nobody
knows who she was!
@jpozenel
I was listening to a late night NPR radio show and thought that I must be hearing things. I sure was, and was able to find it here. I think this is simply beautiful.
@woodlark391
Heartwarming. Just the sweetest touch of Carmen McRae in that voice...such a treasure.
@hughmackie
Alan Broadbent, the pianst and sole accompaniment on this album, is so very good here. One of the most talented jazz pianists of his generation, but also one of the best vocal accompanists, who helps lift every song on the album.
@ecardon1
I just heard her sing this morning and what a treat. It takes a real singer to sing without a lot of accompaniment. Thanks for uploading this song sung by this great singer.
@JayElWu
Heard this at a Hi Fi show and fell in love with this song. Thanks Steve McCormack!
@mattkwest468
What a beautiful voice. Her tone evokes a melodic Flugelhorn
@monsieurlewop
I always think of a cello when I listen to her.
@CaroleMora22
This is such an exquisite translation/rendition. Her voice, along with Broadbent's piano are a perfect match.
@miltonmoore5294
Just learned of
this singer from
my sister. Irene
Kral certainly possessed a fine
voice. She falls
into that category
shared by other great vocalists like Edith Ennis and Johnny Hartmann, those
who
never got the hit
records and the
exposure that came
with that on all
the t.v. talk shows
like Johnny Carson, so they
escaped the purview of most
people outside of
the jazz festival circuit, etc. Kral
was born two years before Charles Manson.
What a pity and a
disgrace that everybody knows
who HE is, but
basically nobody
knows who she was!
@MeelaESQ
And Alan Broadbent on Piano.... just the absolute best!!!