About the song
Background
- Songwriter: The song was written by Graham Gouldman, who went on to found the pop group 10cc. He was inspired by the Beatles’ rise to write something commercial.
- A Change of Direction: “For Your Love” marked a shift in the Yardbirds’ sound from their blues-rock roots to a more pop-oriented, commercial style.
- Clapton’s Departure: Eric Clapton, the band’s lead guitarist at the time, was strongly against the band’s new direction, and left shortly after the release of the single.
- Success and Influence: Despite Clapton’s disapproval, “For Your Love” became a massive hit, reaching the top 10 in both the UK and the US. It also heavily influenced other bands to experiment with non-traditional rock instruments and sounds.
Lyrics
The lyrics revolve around a lover professing their absolute devotion and the extravagant things they would do for their beloved:
- Pledging Devotion: “For your love, I’d give you everything and more.”
- Material Offerings: “I’d bring you diamond rings and things right to your door.”
- Excitement & Dreams: “To thrill you with delight, I’ll give you diamonds bright … To make you dream of me at night”
- Ultimate Sacrifice: “For your love… I would give the stars above…the moon if it were mine to give”
Themes
- Obsessive Love/Desire: The lyrics reveal an almost obsessive quality to the speaker’s love, bordering on desperation as they offer more and more as proof of their commitment.
- Materialism: The emphasis on diamonds, rings, and other gifts suggests a desire to win affection through material wealth.
- Romance: Despite the materialistic edge, the core message is still rooted in a romanticized, somewhat unrealistic idea of love and devotion.
Musical Elements
Beyond the lyrics, the song is notable for its unusual instrumentation and production for a rock band of the time:
- Harpsichord: The prominent harpsichord gave the song a distinctive baroque-pop feel.
- Bongos: Percussion elements added to the song’s exotic and rhythmic qualities.
- Layered Vocals: The vocal harmonies enhance the feeling of longing and passion.
Legacy
“For Your Love” is considered a significant turning point in The Yardbirds’ career. It solidified their place in rock history and helped popularize the idea of incorporating a wider variety of instruments and sounds into the genre.
Video
Lyrics
(For your love)
(For your love)
(For your love)
I’d give you everything and more, and that’s for sure
(For your love)
I’d bring you diamond rings and things right to your door
(For your love)
To thrill you with delight
I’ll give you diamonds bright
There’ll be things that will excite
To make you dream of me at night
(For your love)
(For your love)
(For your love)
For your love, for your love
I would give the stars above
For your love, for your love
I would give you all I could
(For your love)
(For your love)
(For your love)
I’d give the moon if it were mine to give
(For your love)
I’d give the stars and the sun ‘fore I live
(For your love)
To thrill you with delight
I’ll give you diamonds bright
There’ll be things that will excite
To make you dream of me at night
(For your love)
(For your love)
(For your love)
(For your love)