Richard A. Whiting (November 12, 1891 – February 10, 1938) was a composer o… Read Full Bio ↴Richard A. Whiting (November 12, 1891 – February 10, 1938) was a composer of popular songs.

He was born in Peoria, Illinois, and grew up in Detroit, Michigan. He attended the Harvard Military School in Los Angeles, California. Upon his graduation, Whiting began his career as a staff writer for various music publishers. In 1912, he became a personal manager.

In 1919, he moved to Hollywood and wrote a number of film scores. He collaborated with BG DeSylva, Ray Egan, Johnny Mercer, Neil Moret, Leo Robin, Gus Kahn, and Sidney Clare, to produce a number of hits (listed below). He also wrote a number of scores for Broadway plays.

A tribute to Whiting's music along with a medley of his best-known songs formed part of the 1980 Broadway musical A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine.

He was the father of singer/actress Margaret Whiting and actress Barbara Whiting Smith, and the grandson of Rep. Richard H. Whiting.

In 1938, he died from a heart attack in Beverly Hills, California, aged 46, at the height of his career. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.

Guilty
Richard A. Whiting Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Though you've decided that our love is wrong
And think that we should part
It seems as though I have loved you so long
You'll always be in my heart

Is it a sin
Is it a crime
Loving you dear like I do

If it's a crime then I'm guilty
Guilty of loving you

Maybe I'm wrong dreaming of you
Dreaming the lonely night through
If it's a crime then I'm guilty
Guilty of dreaming of you

What can I do
What can I say
After I've taken the blame?
You say we're through
You'll go your way
But I'll always feel just the same

Maybe I'm right
Maybe I'm wrong
Loving you dear like I do

If it's a crime then I'm guilty
Guilty of loving you

Overall Meaning

Richard Whiting's classic song "Guilty" is a romantic ballad about a man who is deeply in love with someone, despite the fact that their love is considered "wrong" by society, and that they should part ways. The singer confesses that their love is so strong that it has lasted a long time and will always remain in their heart. The lyrics ask the question of whether their love is sinful or criminal, and the singer concludes that if it is, then they are guilty of loving this person. The song conveys the intense passion that the singer feels for their lover, even in the face of societal pressure and disapproval.

Line by Line Meaning

Though you've decided that our love is wrong
Even though you've made up your mind that our love is not right

And think that we should part
And believe that we should end our relationship

It seems as though I have loved you so long
It feels like I've loved you for a very long time

You'll always be in my heart
You'll always hold a special place in my heart

Is it a sin
Is it morally wrong

Is it a crime
Is it breaking the law

Loving you dear like I do
To love you as deeply as I do

If it's a crime then I'm guilty
If it's considered a crime, then I'm willing to accept the punishment

Guilty of loving you
Guilty of loving you deeply and passionately

Maybe I'm wrong dreaming of you
Perhaps it's not right to dream of you

Dreaming the lonely night through
Dreaming about you all night long, feeling lonely without you

If it's a crime then I'm guilty
If dreaming of you is a crime, then I accept the blame

Guilty of dreaming of you
Guilt of dreaming about you despite the consequences

What can I do
What actions can I take

What can I say
What words can I use

After I've taken the blame?
After I've already accepted responsibility

You say we're through
You say our relationship is over

You'll go your way
You'll move on

But I'll always feel just the same
But my feelings for you won't change and will always remain the same

Maybe I'm right
Maybe it's correct to love you this way

Maybe I'm wrong
Maybe it's incorrect to love you so deeply

If it's a crime then I'm guilty
If loving you is a crime, then I'm willing to accept responsibility

Guilty of loving you
Guilty of loving you despite any obstacles or consequences

Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harry Akst, Gus Kahn, Richard A. Whiting

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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