Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.
Ooh! Maybe It's You
Irving Berlin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe that is why you love me so little
Maybe when I answered, yes
Maybe I became a bore
Maybe if I loved you less
Maybe you would love me more
Maybe it's because I've kissed you too much
Maybe that is why my kiss means so little
Maybe I'll be left with no love at all
In the song "Ooh! Maybe It's You," Irving Berlin expresses the uncertainties and insecurities of a lover who is not sure why they are being treated with less love than they give. The first line suggests that perhaps the reason the lover is not receiving as much love as they want is that they have been loving too much. But this uncertain thought is quickly counterbalanced by the idea that maybe the reason for being unloved is because one has become too boring by answering "yes" too often. This can be interpreted as saying that maybe the lover has become too predictable and uninteresting, and that's why their love is not appreciated.
The second verse explores the possibility that maybe the reason the lover is not being loved as much is that they have been kissing too much. But this thought is also quickly challenged by the idea that maybe the kisses have become insignificant, despite being born out of great love. The final line suggests that the lover is in danger of being left with no love at all, highlighting the vulnerability of love and its propensity to diminish when not reciprocated.
Overall, the lyrics speak to the complexities of love, where the reasons for being loved or not loved can be uncertain and often contradictory.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe it's because I love you too much
Perhaps the reason I receive so little love from you is because I give you far too much love.
Maybe when I answered, yes
Perhaps my willingness to agree with you on everything has led you to find me uninteresting.
Maybe if I loved you less
Perhaps loving you less could result in you actually loving me more in return.
Maybe it's because I've kissed you too much
Perhaps I have given too many kisses, causing them to lose their value and significance.
Maybe with a love so great and a love so small
Perhaps the stark contrast between my immense love for you and the little love you have for me will result in there being no love between us at all.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind