Part 1: Description, Research, Tips & Keywords
Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love?" is more than just a classic song; it's a timeless exploration of the complexities and intoxicating nature of romantic love. This enduring masterpiece, imbued with Porter's signature wit and sophisticated melody, continues to resonate with audiences across generations, fueling ongoing scholarly analysis and inspiring countless reinterpretations in various media. This article will delve into the song's historical context, lyrical analysis, musical structure, lasting impact, and its relevance to modern understandings of love and relationships. We'll explore keyword research strategies for optimizing online content about this iconic piece, including long-tail keywords and related search terms, alongside practical SEO tips to maximize its online visibility.
Current Research & Analysis:
Current research on "What Is This Thing Called Love?" focuses on several key areas:
Lyrical Interpretation: Scholars analyze the lyrics to uncover the nuanced meanings behind Porter's evocative language, exploring themes of longing, uncertainty, and the elusive nature of love itself. This often involves comparing different versions and interpretations across various recordings and performances.
Musical Analysis: Musicians and music theorists examine the song's harmonic structure, melodic sophistication, and rhythmic complexity, highlighting its innovative musicality within the context of the 1920s and 30s.
Cultural Impact: Research also examines the song's enduring influence on popular culture, its appearances in films, musicals, and other media, and its ongoing relevance to contemporary audiences. This often includes analyzing its use in advertising, social media, and other digital platforms.
Comparative Studies: Comparisons are made between "What Is This Thing Called Love?" and other works by Cole Porter, as well as songs of similar themes and styles from the same era. This helps establish its unique position within the broader landscape of musical history.
Practical SEO Tips:
Keyword Research: Utilize tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google Keyword Planner to identify relevant keywords, including long-tail keywords (e.g., "Cole Porter What Is This Thing Called Love analysis," "What Is This Thing Called Love meaning," "best versions of What Is This Thing Called Love").
On-Page Optimization: Strategically incorporate keywords throughout the article's title, headings, meta description, and body text. Ensure keyword density is natural and avoids keyword stuffing.
Content Quality: Prioritize creating high-quality, informative, and engaging content that answers user queries and provides valuable insights into the song.
Link Building: Acquire backlinks from reputable websites and blogs to enhance the article's authority and search engine ranking.
Social Media Promotion: Share the article on relevant social media platforms to increase its reach and visibility.
Image Optimization: Use relevant images with alt text containing keywords.
Relevant Keywords:
Cole Porter
What Is This Thing Called Love
Cole Porter songs
1920s music
1930s music
Musical analysis
Lyrical analysis
Song meaning
Popular music history
American songbook
Jazz Age
Broadway musical
Love song
Romantic song
Part 2: Title, Outline & Article
Title: Unpacking Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love?": A Deep Dive into Lyrics, Music, and Legacy
Outline:
1. Introduction: Briefly introduce Cole Porter and the enduring popularity of "What Is This Thing Called Love?"
2. Historical Context: Explore the song's origins and the cultural climate of its creation.
3. Lyrical Analysis: Analyze the lyrics, exploring their themes, metaphors, and ambiguities.
4. Musical Structure and Style: Examine the song's musical structure, harmony, melody, and its place within the musical styles of the era.
5. Variations and Interpretations: Discuss different recordings and performances of the song, highlighting their unique contributions.
6. Cultural Impact and Legacy: Explore the song's lasting impact on popular culture, its appearances in films and other media.
7. Modern Relevance: Analyze the song's continuing resonance with contemporary audiences and its relevance to modern understandings of love.
8. Conclusion: Summarize the key findings and reiterate the song's significance.
Article:
1. Introduction: Cole Porter, a master of witty and sophisticated lyrics, gifted the world with countless classics. Among his most celebrated works is "What Is This Thing Called Love?", a song that continues to captivate listeners with its elegant melody and poignant exploration of romantic love. This article will unpack the various aspects of this iconic song, examining its historical context, musical structure, lyrical depth, and lasting cultural influence.
2. Historical Context: Written in 1929, "What Is This Thing Called Love?" emerged during the Jazz Age, a period of vibrant cultural change and experimentation. The lyrics reflect the uncertainty and complexities of romantic relationships, mirroring the societal shifts of the time. The song's sophisticated melody and harmonic structure were typical of Porter's style, showcasing his masterful understanding of musical form and his ability to blend sophistication with infectious rhythm.
3. Lyrical Analysis: The lyrics of "What Is This Thing Called Love?" are famously enigmatic and open to interpretation. The repeated question, "What is this thing called love?", highlights the elusive and often perplexing nature of romantic desire. The imagery used throughout evokes a sense of both joy and torment, capturing the rollercoaster of emotions inherent in romantic relationships. The ambiguity of the lyrics allows for personal interpretation, contributing to the song's enduring appeal.
4. Musical Structure and Style: Musically, "What Is This Thing Called Love?" is characterized by its elegant melody, sophisticated harmony, and rhythmic complexity. The song's structure, following a typical AABA song form, provides a satisfying musical framework for Porter's lyrical genius. Its use of jazz harmonies and rhythms firmly situates it within the musical landscape of the late 1920s, showcasing the confluence of European sophistication and American jazz energy.
5. Variations and Interpretations: Countless artists have recorded and performed "What Is This Thing Called Love?", each bringing their own unique interpretation to the song. From Ella Fitzgerald's swinging rendition to more contemporary interpretations, these variations highlight the song's adaptability and enduring relevance. These diverse performances showcase the song's multifaceted nature, demonstrating how different artists can bring unique perspectives and nuances to the same material.
6. Cultural Impact and Legacy: "What Is This Thing Called Love?" has transcended its era to become a staple of popular culture. Its inclusion in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions cements its place as a timeless classic. Its enduring popularity testifies to its universal themes of love, longing, and the pursuit of happiness, themes that continue to resonate with audiences across generations and cultural contexts.
7. Modern Relevance: Even today, "What Is This Thing Called Love?" remains profoundly relevant. Its exploration of the complexities and ambiguities of love continues to speak to the modern experience, reminding us that the human experience of love has not fundamentally changed despite societal shifts. The song's capacity to capture the uncertainties and joys of romantic relationships ensures its ongoing appeal.
8. Conclusion: Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love?" stands as a testament to the enduring power of great songwriting. Its elegant melody, sophisticated lyrics, and universal themes have secured its place among the greatest songs of the American songbook. Through its many interpretations and enduring popularity, it continues to inspire and captivate audiences, reflecting the timeless and often perplexing nature of love itself.
Part 3: FAQs & Related Articles
FAQs:
1. Who wrote "What Is This Thing Called Love?": Cole Porter wrote both the music and lyrics.
2. When was "What Is This Thing Called Love?" written?: It was written in 1929.
3. What is the song's key musical characteristic?: Its elegant melody and sophisticated harmony are key features.
4. What are the main themes explored in the song's lyrics?: The lyrics explore the complexities, uncertainties, and intoxicating nature of love.
5. What is the song's typical structure?: It typically follows a popular AABA song structure.
6. Which artists have notably covered "What Is This Thing Called Love?": Numerous artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and many contemporary artists, have recorded the song.
7. Has the song been used in any films or musicals?: Yes, it has appeared in numerous films and stage productions.
8. What makes the lyrics ambiguous or open to interpretation?: The use of suggestive imagery and metaphorical language contributes to the song's ambiguous nature.
9. What is the historical context of the song's creation?: It was written during the Jazz Age, a period characterized by significant cultural and societal changes.
Related Articles:
1. Cole Porter's Songwriting Techniques: An analysis of Porter's unique style, including his use of rhyme, rhythm, and musical structure.
2. The Jazz Age and its Influence on Music: An exploration of the cultural context of the 1920s and its impact on popular music.
3. The Evolution of the Love Song: A historical overview tracing the development of the love song genre.
4. A Comparative Analysis of Cole Porter's Popular Songs: A comparison of "What Is This Thing Called Love?" with other well-known songs by Porter.
5. Ella Fitzgerald's Interpretation of "What Is This Thing Called Love?": A specific look at Fitzgerald's rendition of the song and its impact.
6. The Use of Metaphor in Cole Porter's Lyrics: A detailed examination of metaphorical language in his songwriting.
7. The Enduring Appeal of Cole Porter's Music: An analysis of the reasons behind Porter's continued popularity.
8. The Musical Structure of the AABA Song Form: An explanation of the AABA song structure and its use in popular music.
9. "What Is This Thing Called Love?" in Popular Culture: A study of the song's appearances in films, TV, and other media.
