Comes Loveis a jazz standard composed for the Broadway musical Yokel Boy, by Sam Stept, with lyrics by Lew Brown and Charles Tobias. The play debuted on July 6, 1939 at the Majestic Theatre on 44th Street and ran for 208 performances. The Phantom of the Opera is playing there now, and has been since 1988, with over 12,000 performances and counting.
I first heard Comes Love in New Orleans and its theme of love’s inescapability (“nothing can be done”) resonated with me. It must have had a similar effect on Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Joni Mitchell because they all recorded versions of it.
Come a rainstorm, put some your rubber on your feet
Come a snowstorm, you can get a little heat
Come that love, nothing can be done
Come a snowstorm, you can get a little heat
Come that love, nothing can be done
Come a fire, you know just what to do
Blow a tire, you can buy another shoe
Come that love, nothing can be done
Blow a tire, you can buy another shoe
Come that love, nothing can be done
Don’t try hiding, there isn’t any use
You’ll start sliding when you’re heart turns on the juice
You’ll start sliding when you’re heart turns on the juice
Come a headache, you can lose it in a day
Come a toothache, see your dentist right away
Come that love, nothing can be done
Come a heatwave, you can head down to the shore
Come a summons, you can hide behind the door
Come that love, nothing can be done
Come a summons, you can hide behind the door
Come that love, nothing can be done
Come the measles, quarantine the room
Come a mousy, you can get him with a broom
Come that love, nothing can be done
Come that love, nothing can be done
That’s all sisters, if you’ve ever been in love
That’s all brothers, you know what I’m speaking of
That’s all brothers, you know what I’m speaking of
Come a nightmare, you’ve got to stay awake
Comes depression, you can get another break
Come that love, nothing can be done
Words & Music by Mike Power 