Love For Sale
Mel Tormé Lyrics


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When the only sound in the empty street
Is the heavy tread of the heavy feet
That belong to a lonesome cop I open shop

When the moon so long has been gazing down
On the wayward ways of this wayward town
That her smile becomes a smirk, I go to work
Love for sale, appetizing young love for sale
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled
Love that's only slightly soiled, love for sale

Who will buy? Who would like to sample my supply?
Who's prepared to pay the price, for a trip to paradise?
Love for sale

Let the poets pipe of love in their childish way
I know every type of love better far than they
If you want the thrill of love, I've been through the mill of love
Old love, new love every love but true love

Love for sale, appetizing young love for sale
If you want to buy my wares follow me and climb the stairs
Love for sale

Let the poets pipe of love in their childish way
I know every type of love better far than they
If you want the thrill of love, I've been through the mill of love
Old love, new love every love but true love

Love for sale, appetizing young love for sale




If you want to buy my wares follow me and climb the stairs
Love for sale, love for sale, love for sale

Overall Meaning

"Love for Sale" by Mel Torme is a song about prostitution, specifically the experience of a prostitute trying to sell their services. The lyrics depict the gritty, lonely atmosphere of the city at night, highlighting the cop's heavy footsteps as he patrols the empty street. When the moon has become jaded by the city's immoral ways, the prostitute arrives to begin their work. The phrase "Love for sale" is repeated several times during the song, acknowledging that the act of prostitution is, in essence, the selling of one's love.


In the chorus, the prostitute asks who is willing to purchase their love, offering up an "appetizing" and "fresh" product that is "unspoiled" and "slightly soiled." The phrase "love for sale" is used to entice potential customers, and the repetition of the phrase throughout the song gives it a haunting, almost hypnotic quality. The final line of the song, "Old love, new love, every love but true love," indicates that the prostitute has experienced every kind of love except for genuine love, reinforcing the idea that prostitution is a loveless profession.


Overall, the song offers a bleak and unromantic portrait of prostitution, portraying it as a transaction devoid of real emotion. Despite this, the song also highlights the desperation and loneliness that can drive someone to become a prostitute in the first place, making it a potent commentary on the darker aspects of human nature.


Line by Line Meaning

When the only sound in the empty street Is the heavy tread of the heavy feet That belong to a lonesome cop I open shop
When the quietness on the deserted street is disrupted by the sound of a solitary police officer's footsteps, I begin to offer for sale what I have.


When the moon so long has been gazing down On the wayward ways of this wayward town That her smile becomes a smirk, I go to work
When the moon has looked down on this corrupt town for so long that it is no longer mournful, that's when I start working.


Love for sale, appetizing young love for sale Love that's fresh and still unspoiled Love that's only slightly soiled, love for sale
I am selling love, youthful and desirable love. Love that's new and unspoiled or love that's just a little used; all are available for purchase.


Who will buy? Who would like to sample my supply? Who's prepared to pay the price, for a trip to paradise? Love for sale
What kind of person would want to buy from me? Who would like a preview of my products? Who is willing to pay the price for that perfect, fairytale-like love? That love can be purchased.


Let the poets pipe of love in their childish way I know every type of love better far than they If you want the thrill of love, I've been through the mill of love Old love, new love every love but true love
The poets can sing of love with their simplistic ways. But I have experienced every type of love in the harshest way, and I know it better than they could ever understand. If you want the excitement of love, I have been through every possible type, except for the real thing.


Love for sale, appetizing young love for sale If you want to buy my wares follow me and climb the stairs Love for sale
I am selling love, youthful and desirable love. If you are interested in purchasing from me, then accompany me up the stairs.


Love for sale, love for sale, love for sale
Love is available for purchase, and I have many products. I am saying it again - Love for sale, love for sale, love for sale.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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