They Say It's Wonderful
Paula West Lyrics


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They say that falling love is wonderful
It's wonderful, so they say
And with the moon up above, it's wonderful
It's wonderful, so they tell me

I can't recall who said it
I know I've never read it
I only know they tell me that love is grand, and
The thing that's known as romance
Is wonderful, wonderful
In every way, so they say

To leave your house some morning
And without any warning, you're stopping people,
Shouting that love is grand, and




To hold a man in your arms is wonderful, wonderful
In every way, so they say

Overall Meaning

The song "They Say It's Wonderful" by Irving Berlin, popularized by many jazz singers including Paula West, is a romantic ballad that speaks to the euphoria associated with the experience of falling in love. The lyrics suggest that love and romance are wonderful, as "they" say, and that it is a universally recognized feeling. The first verse begins with the singer expressing that "they" say that falling in love is wonderful, and asking the audience to consider whether they believe the same. With the image of the moon above, the singer hints at the romantic connotations of falling in love under the light of the moon.


The second verse suggests that the singer has not read about love being wonderful, but that "they" have told her it is so. The idea that love is grand and that romance is wonderful is presented as common knowledge, with the phrase "so they say" serving as a constant refrain in the song. The final verse encourages the listener to go out into the world and proclaim the wonderful nature of love to anyone who will listen, because to hold a man in your arms is "wonderful, wonderful in every way."


The song is both nostalgic and timeless, capturing the universal feeling of falling in love in a way that continues to resonate with people today. The emphasis on the idea that love is universally recognized as wonderful is comforting, suggesting that we are not alone in our desire for romantic connection to others. The lyrics not only speak to the fact that people fall in love, but that it is a wonderful and essential part of the human experience.


Line by Line Meaning

They say that falling love is wonderful
According to popular belief, romantic love is a sublime experience


It's wonderful, so they say
They consider it to be a delightful thing, as they proclaim


And with the moon up above, it's wonderful
It increases the charm of love, they assert


It's wonderful, so they tell me
It's what they communicate to me, that it's wonderful


I can't recall who said it
I don't remember who first uttered this sentiment


I know I've never read it
I am certain I haven't come across this in any book


I only know they tell me that love is grand, and
What I do know is that they insist that love is magnificent, and


The thing that's known as romance
The phenomenon that is commonly designated as romantic love


Is wonderful, wonderful
Is indeed superb, in their view


In every way, so they say
It's perfect in every possible aspect, as they assert


To leave your house some morning
One day, for no particular reason, to abandon one's home


And without any warning, you're stopping people,
And unannounced, to accost strangers,


Shouting that love is grand, and
Announcing at the top of your lungs that love is magnificent, and


To hold a man in your arms is wonderful, wonderful
To embrace a man is, according to them, an incredibly delightful experience


In every way, so they say
As they assert, it is perfect in every conceivable way




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Irving Berlin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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