This Guy Is In Love With You
Herb Alpert
The Tender Confession of a Hopeful Heart
Herb Alpert's "This Guy Is In Love With You" is a classic love ballad that captures the vulnerability and hopefulness of a person in love. The lyrics convey a simple yet profound message of a man who is deeply in love and is seeking reciprocation of his feelings. The song's narrator addresses his beloved directly, making it clear that his emotions are strong and genuine. He is not just infatuated but truly in love, and he is looking for signs that his feelings are mutual.
The song's narrative is built around the anticipation and anxiety that come with confessing one's love. The repeated lines, 'Tell me now. Is it so? Don't let me be the last to know,' express the narrator's desire for clarity and the fear of unrequited love. The physical manifestations of his nervousness, such as shaking hands, underscore the intensity of his emotions. The lyrics also hint at the possibility that the object of his affection may already be aware of his feelings ('I've heard some talk. They say you think I'm fine'), which adds a layer of hope but also increases the stakes for the narrator.
Herb Alpert, primarily known as a trumpeter and bandleader, delivered this song with a sincerity that resonated with many listeners. The song's straightforward lyrics, combined with Alpert's warm vocal delivery, create an atmosphere of intimacy and earnestness. The song's success lies in its ability to articulate a universally relatable moment—the moment of laying one's heart on the line and waiting for an answer. It's a moment filled with both fear and excitement, and Alpert captures this beautifully in his performance.