"If Love Were All" is a song by Noël Coward, published in 1929 and written for the operetta Bitter Sweet.[1][2] The song is considered autobiographical, and has been described as "self-deprecating" as well as "one of the loneliest pop songs ever written".[2][3][4]
Ivy St. Helier introduced the song on stage and also performed it in the 1933 film version of Bitter Sweet.
In June 2009, an Off-Broadway play of the same name about Coward's relationship with Gertrude Lawrence premiered at Lucille Lortel Theatre in New York City.[5]
- ^ Benatar, Stephen; Carey, John (2010). Wish Her Safe at Home. New York Review of Books. ISBN 9781590173350.
- ^ a b Hoare, Philip (1998). Noel Coward: A Biography. University of Chicago Press. p. 204. ISBN 9780226345123. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (December 4, 1999). "Celebrating A Spirit Most Blithe". The New York Times. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (February 2, 1983). "Pop-Jazz Series: '12 Days of Torme and Friends'". The New York Times. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- ^ Gurewitsch, Matthew (June 6, 1999). "Twiggy and Noel Coward Take One More Turn". The New York Times. Retrieved February 5, 2011.