Love for Sale
Mel Tormé & Friends Lyrics
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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 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
The song "Love for Sale" by Mel Tormé is a melancholic and cynical portrayal of love as a commodity that can be bought and sold. The song describes a scene in a red-light district where the singer sets up shop when the only sound is the heavy tread of a lonely cop's footsteps. The moon has been watching the town's immoral ways for so long that it's almost grown tired of it. The singer then proceeds to advertise their wares - love that is fresh but slightly soiled, love that is unspoiled but for sale. They ask, "who will buy?" and "who's prepared to pay the price for a trip to paradise?"
The singer then dismisses the romanticized notions of love that poets write about, saying that they know every type of love better than they do. They have been through the mill of love - old love, new love, every love except true love. The song ends with a haunting repetition of "love for sale" and an invitation to follow the singer up the stairs. The song's lyrics suggest a bleak view of love as a transaction and an emptiness that can't be filled by buying it.
Line by Line Meaning
When the only sound in the empty street
The street is very silent, the only sound is of someone walking heavily
Is the heavy tread of the heavy feet
The sound comes from the footsteps of a lonely cop
That belong to a lonesome cop I open shop
When the street is empty except for the sound of the cop's footsteps, I start my business
When the moon so long has been gazing down
The moon has been looking at the city for a long time
On the wayward ways of this wayward town
The city is full of people behaving recklessly
That her smile becomes a smirk, I go to work
It is an indication for me to start selling once the moon's smile turns into a smirk
Love for sale, appetizing young love for sale
I am selling love. The love is appetizing and young
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled
This love has not been used or experienced yet
Love that's only slightly soiled, love for sale
This love may have been experienced but it is still very desirable
Who will buy? Who would like to sample my supply?
Who is interested in buying my love? Who wants to experience what I am selling?
Who's prepared to pay the price, for a trip to paradise?
Who is willing to pay the cost, to experience something amazing?
Let the poets pipe of love in their childish way
Poets can write about love in their fanciful and naive ways
I know every type of love better far than they
However, I have knowledge and experience with every type of love more than the poets
If you want the thrill of love, I've been through the mill of love
If you are interested in the excitement that comes with love, I have experienced a lot of it
Old love, new love every love but true love
I have sold different types of love including old and new, but none of them are true love
If you want to buy my wares follow me and climb the stairs
If you want to purchase my love, follow me and go upstairs
Love for sale, love for sale, love for sale
I am selling love and I have it in abundance
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Word Collections Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind