What Is This Thing Called Love?

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of someone yearning for love, casting past dreams into the sea with a hopeful, almost ritualistic, gesture. There's a palpable sense of waiting, a patient anticipation for "love" and "hope" to "come our way" or "come to us again." This initial uncertainty is framed by looking towards both "yesterday" and the "'morrows dreams," suggesting a persistent search across time. The central tension lies in the contrast between this prolonged state of seeking and the sudden, profound realization of having found love. The repeated question, "What is this thing called love?" acts as a refrain of bewilderment, but it's immediately answered with a definitive "I know I've found it, it's in Your eyes." This shift transforms the abstract question into a concrete, personal experience. The most striking craft element is the juxtaposition of the abstract, almost philosophical questioning with the intensely personal and visual answer. The lyrics move from casting dreams "into the sea" to finding love "in Your eyes." This anchors the grand, elusive concept of love in a specific, intimate gaze, making the discovery feel both momentous and grounded. The repetition of "maybe" in the pre-chorus amplifies the earlier doubt, making the certainty of the chorus even more impactful. This lyrical structure effectively conveys the emotional arc from hopeful longing to ecstatic recognition. The simple, direct language, particularly the repeated phrase "it's in Your eyes," makes the discovery feel immediate and overwhelming. It’s this directness, the way the abstract concept of love is suddenly made tangible through a specific visual, that gives the song its resonant power.