This thread just reminded me I should find my sheet music as I'm singing this in a concert in two weeks.
Um...
To answer the question:
In the context of the story she is explaining her past with...the director guy (oh character's have names? what?). But I think the song is also expressing deeper meanings, and hidden context behind the simple phrase "what I did for love?"
"Kiss today goodbye, the sweetness and the sorrow." We have to move on, we cannot dwell no matter how many emotions may be brought forth.
"Wish me luck, the same to you..." singing imagined dialogue, I love this.
"But I can't regret what I did for love, what I did for love" In the context of the story, she can't regret leaving and taking the job across the country because she felt she had to in order to keep their love going...she felt her love for him would turn into contempt if she did not pursue her dreams. I think this also doubles as what she did for her love of dance, her passion.
"Look my eyes are dry." A direct statement, as if to say, "pay attention, my words are legitimate I am not an emotional wreck"
"The gift was ours to borrow, it's as if we always knew, and I won't forget what I did for love, what I did for love..." This line isn't as straightforward. She's using metaphorical language to soften the reality of the situation.
"Gone, love is never gone, as we travel on, love's what we'll remember" Gone! Oh I feel alone and vulnerable! But no...love is never really gone...and as we continue on with our lives...we'll remember the love that was there above all the pettiness.
"Kiss today goodbye, and point me t'ward tomorrow" Another definite statement re-affirming herself she's made the right decision.
"We did what we had to do..." She's trying to rationalize and excuse everything to make the pain of the situation a little less stinging.
"Won't forget, can't regret what I did for love...what I did for love...what I did for love." She will never stop caring, but she will move on with or without him, with or without a fantastic career. She's accepted who she is, what she loves and all the steps she's taken in her life to try and protect who and what she loves....regardless if it wasn't always "the best or right thing to do".
That's just my take on it...
--Like an odd exotic creature on display inside a zoo, hearing children asking questions makes me ask some questions too...--
