Michael Feinstein (born September 7, 1956) is an American singer, a pianist… Read Full Bio ↴Michael Feinstein (born September 7, 1956) is an American singer, a pianist, music revivalist, and an interpreter of, and anthropologist and archivist for, the repertoire known as the Great American Songbook. The Library of Congress elected him to the National Sound Recording Advisory Board, an organization dedicated to safeguarding America’s musical heritage.

What Chance Have I With Love
Michael Feinstein Lyrics

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Love is beautiful, love is swell
Love is as sweet as a nut
Love is grander than tongue can tell
Love is remarkable, but

Look at what it did to Antony
It made a fool out of Antony
If love could do that to Antony

What chance have I with love?

Look at what it did to Romeo
It dealt poor Romey an awful blow
If love could do that to Romeo
What chance have I with love?

Look at what it did to Samson
'Til he lost his hair he was brave
If a haircut could weaken Samson
They could murder me with a shave

Look at what it did to Bonaparte
He lost his head when he lost his heart
If he kicked over the apple cart
What chance have I

An ordinary guy
What chance have I with love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Michael Feinstein's song "What Chance Have I With Love?" explore the theme of the destructive power of love by referencing historical and literary figures. The opening lines introduce the contrasting aspects of love, describing it as beautiful, sweet, grand, and remarkable. However, the subsequent lines present a cynical perspective on love's impact by highlighting the negative consequences it has had on famous individuals.

The song mentions Antony, the Roman general who famously fell in love with Cleopatra, resulting in his downfall and ultimately leading to his suicide. By making a fool out of Antony, love is portrayed as a force that can lead people to sacrifice their sensibility and reason.

The reference to Romeo alludes to Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Romeo's passionate love for Juliet ultimately leads to their tragic end, with both lovers dying in their pursuit of love. This serves as another example of the potentially disastrous effects that love can have.

The mention of Samson, the biblical character known for his incredible strength, highlights his vulnerability when he falls in love with Delilah, who ultimately betrays him by cutting off his hair. This suggests that even the strongest individuals can be weakened and brought down by the power of love.

Lastly, the song mentions Bonaparte, referring to Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military leader and emperor. His infatuation with Josephine de Beauharnais is believed to have influenced his decisions and contributed to his downfall. This further emphasizes the idea that love can cloud judgment and lead to regrettable consequences.

Overall, the lyrics of "What Chance Have I With Love?" present a skeptical view of love, suggesting that it can lead even the most powerful or ordinary individuals to their downfall or heartbreak.

Line by Line Meaning

Love is beautiful, love is swell
Love is pleasing and enjoyable

Love is as sweet as a nut
Love is delightful and satisfying

Love is grander than tongue can tell
Love is so extraordinary that words cannot fully describe it

Love is remarkable, but
Love is extraordinary, although it has its challenges

Look at what it did to Antony
Consider the negative impact love had on Antony

It made a fool out of Antony
Love caused Antony to act foolishly

If love could do that to Antony
If love had such a negative effect on Antony

What chance have I with love?
What possibility do I have for success in love?

Look at what it did to Romeo
Observe the negative consequences love had on Romeo

It dealt poor Romey an awful blow
Love caused significant harm to Romeo

If love could do that to Romeo
If love had the power to harm Romeo in that way