They’re going fast! This archaic adjective in use from the mid-17th to mid-19th century describes something in great demand and ready for a quick sale, from the Middle and Old English lieftell, meaning agreeable and countable. Alternative forms are leftal, lieftel, and leavetail. The word itself suggests something wagging, fluttering and on the move, as well as fingers leafing through objects, and while it is hard to find specifically in lyrics, there are many songs that suggest its meaning in their content. Here is a quick fire sale of a few to enjoy, but after feel free to continue the auction and suggest more.
In 1937’s They’re Red Hot, blues legend Robert Johnson might well be talking about a bit more than hot tamales, the tasty snack made from steamed corn dough. Is there more hot stuff on offer too?
Indeed Love For Sale, is that song written by Cole Porter caused a bit of a stir when it first appeared in the musical The New Yorkers opening on Broadway on 8 December 1930, written from the point of view of a prostitute. Kathryn Crawford was he first to perform it, but it was reviewed as being “in bad taste” and radio stations. But more controversially was deemed less so when sung by an African-American, Elisabeth Welch, as part of the musical for the Cotton Club in Harlem. But since then it has become a classic and jazz standard with many versions by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Elvis Costello, Vic Godard and the Subway Sect, Shirley Bassey, Astrud Gilberto and Seal. But let’s enjoy two version, first by Ella, and then the instrumental with jazz heavyweights, Miles Davis with John Coltrane, Bill Evans, and Cannonball Adderley:
When the only sound in the empty street
Is the heavy tread of the heavy feet
That belong to a lonesome cop
I open shop
When the moon so long has been gazing down
On the wayward ways of this wayward town
That her smile becomes a smirk
I go to work
Love for sale
Appetising young love for sale
Love that's fresh and still unspoiled
Love that's only slightly soiled
Love for sale
Who will buy?
Who would like to sample my supply?
Who's prepared to pay the price
For a trip to paradise? …
Asking “who will buy” also comes the cry in the 1968 film version of Lionel Bart’s musical Oliver! in this famous chorus number:
Talking Heads also did their own, rather different Love For Sale about consumerism:
But if you want to sell all kinds of good, who better to Step Right Up with than Tom Waits? Everyone’s a winner, bargains galore …
On a more heartbreak style, Nick Lowe uses his House for Sale as symbolic for a breakup.
But let’s end this quick fire sale by the great wit Jake Thackray with a visit to the Jumble Sale:
There are many more leaftail sale songs out there. In fact you can enjoy some special playlists here and the source of their inspiration, an introduction and many fabulous nominations in comments in here - going for a song.
Leaf through your records for more suggestions
So then, care to pick out more examples by leafing through your record collection perhaps? Then please feel free to share any further ones from songs, or even film, art or other contexts in comments below.
You can also get in touch the contact page, and also visit us on social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube. and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share. New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Please make any donation to help keep Song Bar running: