What Color Is Love

Song Meaning

Dionne Warwick's "What Color Is Love" isn't just a question; it's an existential yearning wrapped in the singer's signature velvet delivery. The lyrics, on their surface, seem simple, almost childlike in their directness. But within that simplicity lies a profound exploration of love's elusive nature. Warwick isn't asking for a literal hue. She's probing the boundaries of emotion, questioning its tangible form and its placement within the human experience. Is it a binary choice, like "black or white, right or wrong"? Or is it something more expansive, "everywhere" and yet, somehow, still out of reach? The repetitive questioning underscores a deep-seated need to define something inherently undefinable. The song’s genius lies in its metaphorical layering. Love is compared to both the immense strength of mountains and the immeasurable depth of a thousand… somethings (presumably, oceans or feelings). This juxtaposition highlights love's paradoxical qualities: its power and its vulnerability. The lyrics then shift to a more personal plea: "Flowing free but what about me?" This hints at the potential for love to be both universal and intensely isolating. The question of belief becomes central; can love truly be received if one doesn't actively embrace the possibility of its existence? This section delves into the psychology of love, suggesting that openness and vulnerability are prerequisites for experiencing its full spectrum. The latter half of "What Color Is Love" introduces elements of time and memory. "Does it glow like an ember? And do you remember?" These lines evoke the bittersweet nature of love's transience. The song subtly acknowledges that love isn't always permanent, and its absence can leave a lingering question mark. The repeated inquiry, "What color is love?" transforms from a simple question into a mantra, a desperate attempt to grasp at something that continually slips through our fingers. Warwick’s performance elevates the lyrics, turning a philosophical inquiry into a deeply personal and resonant experience. The song meaning is not just about defining love, but about accepting its inherent mystery.