About the song
The Everly Brothers’ “The Price of Love”. This 1965 gem is a fascinating crossroads in their career. Emerging from the rock and roll wave they helped create with hits like “Bye Bye Love” and “Wake Up Little Susie,” here we find them venturing into a slightly more mature sound.
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The song itself is a delightful paradox. Though classified as pop rock, it possesses a strong undercurrent of blues. The Everly brothers’ signature close harmonies are ever-present, but imbued with a newfound soulful grit.
“The Price of Love” isn’t a ballad, but it doesn’t possess the frenetic energy of their earlier work either. It occupies a space somewhere in between, a simmering intensity that reflects the song’s subject matter.
Lyrically, the song sheds the innocent teenage themes of their early hits. “The Price of Love” grapples with the complexities of a more mature relationship. The narrator, presumably a young man, chronicles the emotional rollercoaster of love. The lyrics paint a picture of sleepless nights, constant worry, and a nagging feeling that love’s sweet embrace comes at a hefty cost.
Lines like “Woe is me, what a price to pay” and “I worry night and day” convey a sense of bittersweet resignation, a recognition that love’s joy is inextricably intertwined with its inevitable struggles.
However, the song isn’t simply a lament. There’s a subtle defiance woven into the narrative. The driving beat, courtesy of the excellent session musicians on the track, and the brothers’ soaring vocals hint at a determination to weather the storm.
The repeated line “But I don’t mind paying the price of love” speaks to a paradoxical acceptance. The narrator acknowledges the hardships but remains undeterred, choosing love’s trials over a life devoid of its passionate fire.
“The Price of Love” stands as a testament to the Everly Brothers’ artistic evolution. It’s a song that bridges the gap between their rock and roll roots and their foray into a more soulful sound. It’s a song brimming with emotional complexity, a timeless portrait of the bittersweet realities of love that resonates with listeners of all ages.