Indian Love Call
Louis Armstrong And Gordon Jenkins And His Orchestra Lyrics
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Keep, keep
Keep, keep
Keep, keep
When I'm calling you
Dop-dop-dop-dee-dop-dop
Will you answer too?
Dop-dee-dop-dee-dop-dop-dop
(All time, all time)
That means I offer my love to you to be your own
If you refuse me, I will be blue and waiting all alone
But when you hear my love call ringing clear
(Oh hear, oh hear)
And I hear your answering echo so dear
(Oh echo, oh echo)
Then I will know our love will become true
You'll belong to me, I'll belong to you
The song "Indian Love Call" by Louis Armstrong and Gordon Jenkins and His Orchestra is a romantic ballad where the singer expresses his love for someone and makes a promise of eternal love. The song starts with repetitive "keep, keep" sounds which may denote the sound of drums or repetitive heartbeats, suggesting the pounding heart of a lover. The singer then asks if the other person will answer when he calls out to them, offering his love to be their own. If they refuse his love, he will feel sad and wait in solitude. However, if they hear his love call and answer it, their love will become true and they will belong to each other.
The song has an interesting cultural context, as it was inspired by a Broadway musical, "Rose-Marie". The musical was set in the Canadian wilderness and featured the love story between a Canadian Mountie and a singer named Marie. The "Indian Love Call" was a love duet between the two characters, and the song became so popular that it was eventually covered by several artists, including Louis Armstrong and Gordon Jenkins and His Orchestra. The song was also featured in numerous films, including "The Big Store" starring the Marx Brothers.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep, keep
Continuing to repeat this phrase, as if calling out for a response.
When I'm calling you
When I'm reaching out to you with my love.
Dop-dop-dop-dee-dop-dop
A playful and upbeat noise meant to convey affection.
Will you answer too?
Will you respond to my love?
Dop-dee-dop-dee-dop-dop-dop
Repeating the playful and upbeat noise to reinforce the affection being expressed.
That means I offer my love to you to be your own
I'm expressing my love for you and asking you to reciprocate.
If you refuse me, I will be blue and waiting all alone
If you reject my love, I'll be sad and lonely.
But when you hear my love call ringing clear
But if you hear the sincerity of my love and respond to it.
(Oh hear, oh hear)
An emotional plea to the lover to pay attention to this message of love.
And I hear your answering echo so dear
And if I hear you loving me back just as much.
(Oh echo, oh echo)
Expressing joy and excitement at the other person's response to this love call.
Then I will know our love will become true
If we both respond to each other like this, then I will believe our love is real.
You'll belong to me, I'll belong to you
If we truly love each other in this way, we will belong to each other and be together forever.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto A. Harbach, Rudolf Friml
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind