Green was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and took an interest in singing, playing the piano, and songwriting at a very young age. At the age of thirteen, she became a member of a female quintet called Younique. Green received her big break at the age of nineteen when she became a backing singer for Jill Scott, who took her on an international tour. She was signed to Columbia Records in November 2001. Green released her first album, featuring the hit "Emotional Rollercoaster", in November 2002 in the U.S. and February 2003 in the United Kingdom. Her second album, featuring the first single "Gotta Go, Gotta Leave (Tired)", was released almost three years later, in June 2005. Green was engaged to Erik Tribbet, a drummer from nearby Camden, New Jersey, with whom she has a son named Jordan.
Love for Sale
Vivian Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is the heavy tread of the heavy feet
That belong to a lonesome cop
I open shop
When the moon so long has been gazing down
On the wayward ways of this wayward town
That her smile becomes a smirk
Love for sale
Appetizing young love for sale
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled
Love that's only slightly soiled
Love for sale
Who will buy?
Who would 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 mill 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
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 mill 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
Love for sale
Love for sale
The song "Love for Sale" by Vivian Green is a cover of a classic jazz standard originally written by Cole Porter in 1930. The lyrics of the song tell the story of a prostitute opening shop on an empty street when she hears the heavy footsteps of a lonesome cop. The moon symbolizes the waywardness of the town, and the prostitute knows every type of love--old, new, and every other kind except true love--and is ready to sell it to anyone who will pay the price. The repetitious chorus of "Love for Sale" emphasizes the transactional nature of her business and invites potential customers to follow her and climb the stairs.
The song is a critique of society's tendency to commodify love and sex for profit. The lyrics are bold and provocative, even for today's standards, yet they convey a sense of hopelessness and despair. The prostitute, despite her profession, is portrayed as somewhat of a tragic hero, a victim of circumstance forced to sell herself to make a living. The song's cynical tone and vivid imagery leave an indelible impression on the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
When the only sound in the empty street
When there is absolute silence and emptiness in the street
Is the heavy tread of the heavy feet
The only sound that can be heard is the slow, heavy footsteps of a lonely cop
That belong to a lonesome cop
Those footsteps are coming from a solitary policeman
I open shop
I start doing my business
When the moon so long has been gazing down
When the moon has been looking down on this town for a long time
On the wayward ways of this wayward town
On the behavior of the rebellious people who live in this problematic town
That her smile becomes a smirk
The moon smiles sarcastically while looking down on the town
I go to work
I start selling my product
Love for sale
I’m selling love, which is often considered priceless
Appetizing young love for sale
Young, innocent love is available for purchase and is desirable
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled
The love for sale is brand new and untainted
Love that's only slightly soiled
Perhaps the love for sale has been used before, but only minimally
Who will buy?
Who will be interested in purchasing love?
Who would like to sample my supply?
Who wants to try out the love that I have for sale?
Who's prepared to pay the price
Who is willing to pay for the love that is being sold?
For a trip to paradise?
In exchange for a taste of heaven.
Let the poets pipe of love
Allow the poets to sing and write about love
In their childish way
Although in a somewhat immature way
I know every type of love
I, as a seller of love, have experienced all forms of love
Better far than they
I’m more experienced with love than the poets
If you want the thrill of love
If you crave the excitement and passion of love
I've been through the mill of love
I have experienced everything there is to experience in love
Old love, new love
I've experienced both the familiar and the fresh forms of love
Every love but true love
The only type of love I haven't encountered is true love
If you want to buy my wares
If you’re interested in purchasing love from me
Follow me and climb the stairs
Come with me and we’ll go up stairs to where I sell my love
Love for sale
Love is available for purchase!
Love for sale
The message is reiterated: love can be bought
Love for sale
Love is for sale; buy some!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Spirit Music Group, Unison Rights S.L., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andy V
I'm still wondering why this version is not in Spotify!! She's the best. All others made it half way, she's on the top with this masterpiece! As we say in Argentina: IMPECABLE!
Healers sanctuary
It’s on the de lovely soundtrack
Charles Potter
This gets my vote as the best version of this song.
jerzyc21
Totally agree. Thank you
Rick Andrew
YES 💃🏽. Perfect voice and arrangement for this Cole Porter masterpiece, the slower pace fits the story in the music, versus some of the hoped arrangements. And she is very pretty too 👏👌✌️
rpaul247
Concur
Dragon Claw
Same here.
Marilyn Chambers
Vivian Green is so underrated. This is amazing, thanks for sharing!
Frances Berry
She makes this song her own. I have not heard anyone who sings this quite like her.
Cindy Flores
SHE'S THE BEST. GIVES ME THE CHILLS. I SING WITH ALL MY HEART THIS VERSION. 🥂😭❤️