After self-releasing her first three records and gaining popularity in New York City's independent music scenes, particularly the anti-folk scene centered on New York City's East Village, Spektor signed with Sire Records in 2004 and began achieving greater mainstream recognition. After giving her third album a major label re-release, Sire released Spektor's fourth album, Begin to Hope, which achieved a Gold certification by the RIAA. Her following two albums, Far and What We Saw from the Cheap Seats, each debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. 2016's Remember Us to Life peaked at 23 on the Billboard 200.
Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaimed June 11, 2019, Regina Spektor Day in New York City. Spektor was also inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame on May 18, 2019, by Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr.
Love You're a Whore
Regina Spektor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That Daddy loved a little more
Some little kid wound up my fire engine toy
As I walked to the grocery store
All the people think I'm going too slow
And they smiled at me as they passed
They've been there before
And they were going right back for more
Love, love, love
You're a whore, you're a whore
You're a whore
Love, love, love, love
'Cause we beat you and mistreat you
But time after time
He kisses back, kisses hard on the mouth
It takes some talent, kisses hard on the mouth
Oh, kisses hard on the mouth
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Kisses hard on the mouth
Oh-oh-oh
Kisses hard on the mouth
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Kisses hard, kisses hard on the mouth
Was a bright, sweet, and hot summer day
That Daddy loved a little more
Couldn't see your face
Couldn't taste your kiss
Couldn't sleep in your embrace
While you danced all down the drain
Love, love, love
You're a whore, you're a whore
You're a whore
Love, love, love, love
'Cause we bruised you and abused you
But time after time
He kisses back, kisses hard on the mouth
Kisses hard on the mouth
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Kisses hard on the mouth
Oh-oh-oh
Kisses hard on the mouth
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Kisses hard, kisses hard on the mouth
Was a bright and sweet and hot summer day
That Daddy loved a little more
Some little kid wound up my fire engine toy
As I walked to the grocery store
All the people think I'm going too slow
And they smiled at me as they passed
But they've been there before
And they've come back again
And they were going right back for more
Love, love, love
You're a whore, you're a whore
You're a whore
Love, love, love, love
'Cause we cheat you and mistreat you
And beat you and bruise you
And use you and abuse you
And cruise you and lose you
But time after time
He kisses back until you're better
Kisses
Hard
Hard on the mouth
He kisses hard
Hard
Hard on the mouth
He kisses hard, hard, hard, hard, hard on the mouth
Kisses hard on the mouth
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Kissses hard on the mouth
Oh-oh-oh
Kisses hard on the mouth
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Kisses hard
Hard
On the mouth
In "Love You're a Whore," Regina Spektor paints a vivid picture of a bright summer day through her lyrics. The song focuses on love and the conflicting emotions it brings about. At the start of the song, Regina sets a nostalgic and comforting tone by describing a childhood memory of a walk to the grocery store with her father. She sings about how he adored her and how, as a child, she wound up a fire engine toy. This memory serves as an anchor for the rest of the song, as it contrasts with the darker sentiments that follow.
Then, Regina shifts to darker tones, describing how people think she is moving too slowly and how they have all fallen victim to love's seductive nature. Regina personifies love as a whore, and she sings about how it is mistreated and abused, yet it always comes back for more. Love is depicted as something addictive, something that can bruise and abuse, and yet people keep coming back.
In the chorus, Regina sings, "He kisses back, kisses hard on the mouth," explaining that it takes people time after time to become jaded with love, and even then, the kisses are hard because it is difficult to shake off that addiction. The song ends with Regina repeating "kisses hard on the mouth."
Overall, "Love You're a Whore" is a profoundly complex song that speaks to the contradictory nature of love. Regina Spektor does this using beautiful imagery, poetic lyrics, and her unique musical style.
Line by Line Meaning
Was a bright, sweet, and hot summer day
The day was sunny, pleasant and warm.
That Daddy loved a little more
The singer's father had affection for that particular day.
Some little kid wound up my fire engine toy
The singer was playing with a toy and a child wound it up for them.
As I walked to the grocery store
The artist was in the process of walking to the grocery store.
All the people think I'm going too slow
Others around the artist believe they are moving too slowly.
And they smiled at me as they passed
People smiled at the singer as they walked by.
They've been there before
These people have had similar experiences in their lives.
And they've come back again
These people have repeated their past experiences.
And they were going right back for more
These people were seeking more of what caused them to repeat their past experiences.
Love, love, love
The emotions of love are being addressed.
You're a whore, you're a whore
Love is being compared to a prostitute who is used and mistreated.
'Cause we beat you and mistreat you
Love is treated unfairly and abused by people.
But time after time
Even after all the mistreatment, love still persists.
He kisses back, kisses hard on the mouth
Love is able to fight back with a passionate response.
It takes some talent, kisses hard on the mouth
Being able to respond to love with passion takes skill.
Couldn't see your face
The artist was not able to visualize the face of their loved one.
Couldn't taste your kiss
The artist was not physically able to receive a kiss from their loved one.
Couldn't sleep in your embrace
The singer was not able to be held by their loved one.
While you danced all down the drain
The loved one was not present, instead engaging in frivolous behavior.
'Cause we bruised you and abused you
Love experiences pain and mistreatment from people.
And use you and abuse you
People use love for their own purposes and abuse its power.
And cruise you and lose you
People use and toss aside love without regard for its wellbeing.
But time after time
Despite this mistreatment, love still persists.
He kisses back until you're better
Love is able to comfort and heal with passionate responses.
Kisses hard, hard, hard, hard, hard on the mouth
Passionate kissing is an indication of love's ability to fight back against negative treatment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: REGINA SPEKTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cathair28
This was a great show, was my first time seeing her live! Blew my mind
@angilupix
She is so versatile.
@jankuiper3422
She is versatile? Yes, very well-rounded.
@RedNightMoon
she's so flippin cute when she bounces around when she sings!!!
@ReginaSLover21
to be honest, I have no idea what she said except the title, and it makes me love her even more. Does that even make sense??
@lllenjolll
I hope she will do a concert again in seattle..
@omololoflot
I want to be that microphone.
@bennavids
best song writer ever!
@blueskies79594
Perfect human
@mrssoftball678
was that like a bad mike or something cuz it seems like shes trying to sing overly loud and is almost screaming haha not like saying tha in a bad way cuz i love regina shes awsome and has an amzing voice. screaming or not!