About the song
Background:
- Released in 1967 as a cover song.
- Originally written by Cyril Ornadell and Norman Newell.
- The Tokens’ version was a revival of a hit by Steve Lawrence (1961) and Matt Monro (1961).
- It became The Tokens’ debut single for Warner Bros. and reached #36 on the charts that year.
Themes:
- Undying Love: The lyrics express the singer’s deep and enduring love for their partner.
- The Inadequacy of Art: The song uses the metaphor of a portrait to show that even the greatest artists couldn’t capture the beauty and essence of the singer’s love.
- Awe and Wonder: The lyrics describe the beloved in a way that suggests they are almost too perfect to be real.
Video
Lyrics
There could never beA portrait of my loveFor nobody can paint a dreamYou will never seeA portrait of my loveFor miracles are never seenAnyone who sees herSoon forget the Mona LisaIt would take I know, a MichaelangeloAnd he would need the glow of dawnThat paints the skies aboveTo try and paint a portait of my love
Anyone who sees herSoon forget the Mona LisaIt would take I know, a MichaelangeloAnd he would need the glow of dawnThat paints the skies aboveTo try and paint a portait of my loveTo try and paint a portait of my loveLoveLove