Love for Sale

Cole Porter’s Love for Sale (1930) is about a madame advertising her services. I can think of lots of love songs in the Great American Songbook, but this is the only pay-for-love song I can think of. So Love for Sale is pretty unique. Due to its edgy subject matter, it was not played on the radio when it came out. And I think that’s reasonable, you don’t want impressionable 12 year-olds singing lyrics like: “If you want to buy my wares, follow me and climb the stairs” or “If you want the thrill of love, I’ve been through the mill of love.” Of course, those lyrics are wonderfully clever and sophisticated. So if I caught my 12 year old singing this song, I would give him only a light punishment. Actually….on second thought…...Who am I kidding? If I caught my kid singing Cole Porter, I’d be thrilled! I’d double his allowance. 

​