Love Me or Leave Me
Lena Horne with Lennie Hayton and His Orchestra Lyrics

The lyrics to Lena Horne's "Love Me or Leave Me" lamenting the pain of a one-sided love. Lena is asking that her lover either fully commit to her or let her be, even if it means being alone. She tells her lover that her love is genuine and that she doesn't love anyone else but them. She prefers being lonely than being with someone who doesn't reciprocate her feelings. Lena says that although her lover might find night-time the right time for kissing, for her, it's the time to reminisce and regret not being with the one she loves instead of trying to forget them by being with someone else. She declares that there is no one else for her but her lover, and if they don't realize that they are the one, then there will be nobody else.

This song speaks to many individuals who find themselves in similar situations, where they have strong feelings for someone who doesn't reciprocate their affection. Lena's desire to be loved wholly and completely is something we can all relate to. The song is lyrically powerful in its simplicity, and Lena's vocal performance brings out the raw emotion in the song's message. The listener can't help but empathize with her pain, and the longing in her voice is palpable.