Down With Love

Judy Garland's 'Down With Love' is a spirited and satirical take on the disillusionment with romantic love. The song opens with a biblical reference to 'sons of Adam' and 'daughters of Eve,' suggesting that the struggle with love is a universal and age-old issue. Garland calls for people to take their 'love-torn hearts off [their] sleeve,' indicating a need to stop wearing their emotions so openly and vulnerably. The lyrics paint a picture of a world plagued by love-related woes, with phrases like 'love-sick,' 'love-lorn,' and 'love-wrecked' highlighting the emotional turmoil that love can bring. The song's tone is both humorous and critical, as it mocks the melodrama often associated with romantic relationships.

The chorus, 'Down with love, the flowers and rice and shoes,' rejects traditional symbols of romance and marriage. Garland's disdain for these conventions is evident as she labels love as the 'root of all midnight blues,' a metaphor for the heartache and sleepless nights caused by romantic entanglements. The song advocates for a more pragmatic approach to life, free from the 'well-known pain' that love often brings. By suggesting that we 'wrap [that mood] in cellophane,' Garland implies that love should be packaged away and discarded, much like an outdated or unnecessary item.

In the latter part of the song, Garland calls for the liquidation of love's 'friends,' such as 'moons, Junes, roses, and rainbows ends.' These are all classic symbols of romance, and by rejecting them, the song promotes a break from the idealized and often unrealistic portrayals of love. The repeated refrain of 'Down with love' serves as a rallying cry for those who have been hurt by love, encouraging them to unite and reject the societal pressures to conform to romantic ideals. The song's playful yet poignant critique of love and its associated clichés makes it a timeless anthem for anyone who has ever felt disillusioned by romance.