Mona Lisa
Sam Cooke Lyrics


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Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa men have named you
You’re so like the lady with the mystic smile
It is only ‘cause you’re lonely
They have blamed you
For that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile

Do you smile to tempt a lover, Mona Lisa
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart
Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
They just lie there and they die there
Are you warm, are you rael Mona Lisa
Or just as cold and lonely, lovely work of art

Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
They just lie there and they die there




Are you warm, are you real Mona Lisa
Or just as cold and lonely, lovely work of art

Overall Meaning

The song "Mona Lisa" by Sam Cooke is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that deserves deeper analysis. The song starts with the line "Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa men have named you," which seems to imply that the titular character is an enigma, known only by the name she has been given by others. The following lines, "You're so like the lady with the mystic smile / It is only 'cause you're lonely they have blamed you / For that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile," suggest that Mona Lisa is a woman who is misunderstood by others. Her smile, which has captivated countless generations of observers, is seen as strange or mysterious, when in reality it might simply be a reflection of her loneliness and pain.


The song goes on to pose a series of questions to Mona Lisa, wondering why she smiles and whether she is truly happy or simply a "lovely work of art" living a cold and lonely existence. Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on the nature of beauty, the power of art to captivate and inspire, and the loneliness that can accompany even the most acclaimed and stunning of individuals.


Line by Line Meaning

Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa men have named you
People have called you Mona Lisa


You’re so like the lady with the mystic smile
You resemble the woman with the enigmatic grin


It is only ‘cause you’re lonely
The reason for your unusual behavior is just because you are lonely


They have blamed you
They accused you of being strange


For that Mona Lisa strangeness in your smile
They blamed you because of your Mona Lisa-like smile, which they found peculiar


Do you smile to tempt a lover, Mona Lisa
Are you trying to attract a lover with your smile, Mona Lisa?


Or is this your way to hide a broken heart
Or is your smile an effort to conceal a broken heart?


Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
Many people have come to you with their dreams


They just lie there and they die there
But their dreams never come true


Are you warm, are you real Mona Lisa
Are you warm and genuine, Mona Lisa?


Or just as cold and lonely, lovely work of art
Or are you like a beautiful piece of art, cold and alone?


Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
Many people have come to you with their dreams


They just lie there and they die there
But their dreams never come true


Are you warm, are you real Mona Lisa
Are you warm and genuine, Mona Lisa?


Or just as cold and lonely, lovely work of art
Or are you like a beautiful piece of art, cold and alone?




Contributed by Daniel V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Crystal Marie Yates

Pretty song love the soothing of his voice

BERESFORD SMITH

The voice of pure class. The yard stick for voice of the highest class.

Winston Ifill

Pure Gold, what a voice!

Barbara Brown

Winston Ifill. What a soulful , sensitive, emotional man. so glad he passed our way . he left us something to live for and appreciate now. Live on Spirit of Sam Cooke.

Bob Allen

This is simply magic. 

Barbara Brown

Bob Allen yessssssss

Sing Sean

In every song that Sam sang he searched for meaning of lifefrom the depths of his soul. I completely understand the overtones of yearning, searching, loneliness, and Hope. This is the instrument of the spirit and soul, Sam Cooke.

Barbara Brown

SAM Mixing. You soooo right, enough said. Thanks for the Post

Barbara Brown

SAM Mixing Life, that's the magic word to describe Sam Cooke and his music.Thank you

wyndhl eodumegwu

A celestial voice of magnificence is crying in the wilderness - that of Sam Cooke's.

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