Love for Sale
The Oscar Peterson Trio Lyrics


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Love for sale.
Appetizing, young love for sale.
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled. Love that's only slighty soiled.
Love for sale.

Who will buy?
Who will like to sample my supply?
Who's prepared to pay the price for a trip to paradise?
Love for sale.

Let the poets pipe of love in their childish way.
I know every type of love better far than they.
If you want the thrill of love I've been through the mid'l of love.
Old love. New love. Every love, but true love.

Love for sale.
Appetizing young love for sale.




If you want to buy my wares, follow me and climb the stairs.
Love for sale.

Overall Meaning

The Oscar Peterson Trio's Love For Sale is a song that portrays the theme of prostitution. The opening line is a striking statement that highlights the sale of love, which refers to prostitution. The lyrics then describe the love that is sold with all its different types, including fresh, unspoiled, and even slightly soiled. The song continues to ask, "Who will buy?" which is a way of illustrating the fact that there is a market for this kind of love, and there are people who are willing to pay for it. The lyrics also suggest that the customers of this love are looking for a trip to paradise.


The second verse of the song takes a dig at the poets’ portrayal of love as childish, and claims that the singer has experienced all types of love – old and new – but not true love. This statement adds to the perception that the love that the singer is talking about is solely business and has nothing to do with true love. The final verse asks the listener to follow them and climb the stairs if they want to buy their “wares,” signifying the act of physically visiting a brothel or a prostitute.


Overall, the song talks about love that can be bought and sold, a theme that is usually controversial and stigmatized in society. Still, the song seems to celebrate this type of love with its upbeat tempo and lively melody, which stands out in contrast to the lyrics’ theme.


Line by Line Meaning

Love for sale.
The singer is offering love as a commodity for purchase.


Appetizing, young love for sale.
The love being sold is desirable and attractive, and likely belongs to someone young.


Love that's fresh and still unspoiled.
The love being sold is new and has not yet been tainted or corrupted.


Love that's only slightly soiled.
Some of the love being sold may have been tarnished or marred, but only minimally so.


Who will buy?
The singer is looking for customers to purchase their love.


Who will like to sample my supply?
The singer is asking who wants to try out what they have to offer.


Who's prepared to pay the price for a trip to paradise?
The customer must be willing to pay whatever price is necessary to experience the bliss of this love.


Let the poets pipe of love in their childish way.
The singer believes that poets are naive in their depiction of love.


I know every type of love better far than they.
The singer is claiming to have a deeper understanding of love than these poets.


If you want the thrill of love I've been through the mid'l of love.
The singer has experienced a range of different types of love and is offering their expertise to potential customers.


Old love. New love. Every love, but true love.
The love being sold may take many forms, but it is not genuine or authentic love.


If you want to buy my wares, follow me and climb the stairs.
If someone wants to purchase the love being offered, they should follow the singer and go where they lead.


Love for sale.
The chorus repeats the message that love is available for purchase.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COLE PORTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

dontheshark

What a marvelous version. Nobody but Oscar rises to his level.

dave daverson

This is one of his best. Nobody does it like Oscar did. Nobody can hum off key like that while playing and actually make the song even better. A true genius.

- uɐɯllǝפ

dave daverson see Keith Jarrett for some other worldly hum along

Mark Berry

Love this rendition, and Oscar's phrasing, pulling just so slightly on the beat. So glad to have met him backstage and got to thank him for all the wonderful music before he passed - one of a kind!

carl armstrong

Oscar is the very greatest.Practicing 10 hrs a day when he was in Toronto made him incomparable.

Nancy Eckroad-Haney

Thanks for this. No one can compare to Oscar. It's great to hear this jazz GIANT at his youthful vigor! I love his two-handed rolls at 2:44.

nestor torres

Cuando escuché este trío, siendo aún adolescente, quedé impresionado y debo reconocer que Peterson ha sido uno de los pianistas que más he disfrutado, por su técnica exquisita y su gran sensibilidad como acompañante.

Spark _

Oscar Peterson was so keen to music!!! And we were keen to his style...often I heard , or hear any great version of the standards...it's often his & we know that's got to be him by listening.What a true talent & quality he had!

Jorge VERGARA VERGARA

Que trío tan fantástico! ... geniales caray!..en música, para mi, no hay nada mas bello que el sonido del jazz ...

paulos.artes souzasilva

Maravilhoso!!!

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