Love for Sale (song)

"Love for Sale" is a popular song written by Cole Porter in 1930 for the musical The New Yorkers. The song is notable for its candid and somewhat controversial portrayal of prostitution, from the perspective of a sex worker advertising her services.

Despite its sensitive subject matter, "Love for Sale" has become a jazz standard and has been recorded by numerous artists, including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Tony Bennett. The song's sophisticated melody and Porter's clever lyrics have contributed to its enduring appeal.

The song's lyrics describe the wares being offered: "Love for sale, appetizin' young love for sale." The singer then describes the emotional toll of selling love, stating, "Old love, new love, every love but true love."

Because of its theme, "Love for Sale" faced censorship in some areas upon its initial release. Some radio stations refused to play it, and the song was sometimes omitted from productions of The New Yorkers. However, its artistic merit and its willingness to tackle a taboo subject have earned it a place in the Great American Songbook.