Mickey "Guitar" Baker was a music instructor, and Sylvia Robinson was one of his pupils. His guitar stylings, especially the insane soloing on "Love Is Strange", inspired a plethora of guitarists, including Sterling Morrison of the Velvet Underground.
Mickey & Sylvia had a hit with "Love Is Strange" in 1957. They continued to record together until 1965. After that, Mickey had a successful career as a studio musician. Sylvia had a huge hit (#1 R&B, #3 Pop) in 1973 with the song "Pillow Talk", and later assisted in the formation of the Sugar Hill rap label.
"Love Is Strange" appeared on the soundtrack to Dirty Dancing.
Love Is Strange
Mickey & Sylvia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love is strange
Lot of people
Take it for a game
Once you get it
You never want to quit, no no
After you've had it
You're in an awful fix
Many people
Don't understand, no no
They think loving
Is money in the hand
Your sweet loving
Is better than a kiss
When you leave me
Sweet kisses I miss
Sylvia
Yes, Mickey
How do you call your lover boy
Come here, lover boy
And if he doesn't answer
Oh lover boy
And if he still doesn't answer
I simply say
Baby, oh baby
My sweet baby, you're the one
Baby, oh baby
My sweet baby, you're the one
The lyrics of Mickey and Sylvia's Love Is Strange is a testament to how love is perceived by many people. The opening lines of the song suggest that love is a peculiar emotion that many people take for a game. For those who have experienced it, they never want to let go of it. However, for those who have had a taste of it, they realize the compelling and addictive nature of love. After having experienced it, they are left in an awful fix, unable to forget how it feels to be in love.
The second verse of the song reflects the misunderstanding that many people have about love. For some, love is merely about money, and they do not comprehend the intensity of true love. The singers then assert that sweet loving is much better than a kiss, capturing how all-consuming and powerfully addictive love can be. The last part of the song is a playful back-and-forth exchange between Sylvia and Mickey. It reveals the love between them and their affection for one another.
Line by Line Meaning
Love
Love is a complex emotion
Love is strange
Love is not easily understandable
Lot of people
Many individuals
Take it for a game
Treat it as mere entertainment
Once you get it
When you experience true love
You never want to quit, no no
You never want to let go of that feeling
After you've had it
After you've experienced it
You're in an awful fix
You find yourself in a difficult situation
Many people
A lot of individuals
Don't understand, no no
Don't comprehend the true nature of love
They think loving
They perceive love
Is money in the hand
As a transactional exchange
Your sweet loving
Your affectionate expressions
Is better than a kiss
Is more valuable than a mere physical act
When you leave me
When you're not here with me
Sweet kisses I miss
I long for your affectionate gestures
Yes, Mickey
Acknowledgment of Mickey's presence
How do you call your lover boy
What is the name you use for your partner?
Come here, lover boy
Come closer to me, partner
And if he doesn't answer
And if your partner doesn't respond
Oh lover boy
Term of endearment for one's partner
And if he still doesn't answer
And if there's still no response
I simply say
I merely state
Baby, oh baby
Term of endearment for one's partner
My sweet baby, you're the one
You're the only one for me
Baby, oh baby
Term of endearment for one's partner
My sweet baby, you're the one
You're the only one for me
Lyrics © Kanjian Music
Written by: Ethel Smith, Mickey Baker, Sylvia Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hannahrose4507
Lyrics: Love
Love is strange
Lot of people
Take it for a game
Once you get it
You never want to quit, no no
After you've had it
You're in an awful fix
Many people
Don't understand, no no
They think loving
Is money in the hand
Your sweet loving
Is better than a kiss
When you leave me
Sweet kisses I miss
Sylvia
Yes, Mickey
How do you call your lover boy
Come here, lover boy
And if he doesn't answer
Oh lover boy
And if he still doesn't answer
I simply say
Baby, oh baby
My sweet baby, you're the one
Baby, oh baby
My sweet baby, you're the one
@raymondsenchyna1533
Hey all of you out there!
These were indeed classic times!
I was fortunate enough to be a
Teen ager during this times!
It will never be as great as it was
Again! God in heaven! How well
I remember El Monte Legion stadium
Ritchie Vallens.
Crusin in my 55 Chev...Girls. Girls..Girls..Coors beers..or maybe
Budweiser! Street drags!
100 bucks a gear!.
That damn war they dreamed up..
Really hurt us! We will never be
The same again! It's not fair!
Theve cheeted us! We're the best!
Remember that first kiss??
For me! Her name was Donna!
Damn! Where does the time go?
@LTAHour
If anyone is listening to this in 2024, you're the greatest!
@satanicondevil
I am
@Ad-Ac
I am. Buddy Holly is a legend
@pocahontas1581
Thanks and so are you!!!!:):) 😉
@sofimerkul8799
Спасибо❤
@rebeccamartus5859
"Great minds think alike"! The best !
@samnic1998
As a guitar player, I dont understand why nobody ever talks about the solo in this song. So good and such a tone!
@inmylifeivelovedthemall
Pretty iconic!
@christingonzalez9642
This song is beyond sexy wooo 😛
@MrRockabilly70
@samnic1998. Mickey Baker was an accomplished guitarist doing a lot of session work for some of the biggest names in the business back in the 50's. Very much in demand and was rarely out of work.