Who Wants Love
Lester Young Lyrics


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Who wants love?
Love is a joy we borrow
Pay back in tears tomorrow
So who wants love?

Who wants love?
Something to fill your heart with
So very soon to part with
So who wants love?

Love is a dream of weaving
Moonbeams in patterns rare
Love is a child believing
Stories of castles in the air
So who wants love
I'll go away without it




I know too much about it
Who wants love

Overall Meaning

In Lester Young's song "Who Wants Love?", the lyrics convey a melancholic sentiment towards the idea of love. The opening lines, "Love is a joy we borrow, pay back in tears tomorrow," suggest that while love may bring happiness in the present, it will inevitably lead to heartache and sadness in the future. This notion is further reflected in the repetition of "So who wants love?" throughout the song, as if questioning the worth of pursuing love at all.


The lyrics go on to describe love as something that fills the heart but is destined to be parted with. It is portrayed as a dream that weaves moonbeams in rare patterns and stories of castles in the air, but ultimately, it is something that the singer decides to go without as they "know too much about it."


In summary, the lyrics of "Who Wants Love?" convey a sense of weariness towards love and suggest that it is not worth pursuing as it will inevitably lead to heartache.


Line by Line Meaning

Who wants love?
Questioning the desire for love -- is it truly worth pursuing?


Love is a joy we borrow
Love is a temporary pleasure, not a lasting one.


Pay back in tears tomorrow
The eventual pain and heartbreak that love can bring.


Something to fill your heart with
Love provides a sense of fulfillment and happiness in the present.


So very soon to part with
Love is transitory, and will not last forever.


Love is a dream of weaving
Love is a dreamlike concept, not grounded in reality.


Moonbeams in patterns rare
Love is a fanciful, rare occurrence -- not a tangible thing.


Love is a child believing
Love can be foolish, like a child's naive beliefs.


Stories of castles in the air
Love is often associated with unrealistic, impractical ideals.


I'll go away without it
The artist can live without love and doesn't necessarily want to pursue it.


I know too much about it
The singer has experienced the downsides of love and recognizes its impermanence.


So who wants love
Ending with a repetition of the central question, and suggesting that love may not be worth seeking.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GUS KAHN, FRANZ WAXMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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