If I were ever to write a novel ~ the kind that keeps you awake long after the book is closed and forces you to sleep with the lights on ~ I'd write about a creature that existed only in shadows: a gently shimmering wisp of a thing that would surprise its victims with its subtlety and delicate hypnotism. Its movements controlled and precise, my characters would find the thing upon them, its perfume intoxicating, its hand reaching quietly through them ~ past the skin, beyond the ribs. Taking their hearts in its hand, as though plucking apples from a basket, it would squeeze until thick, sticky pulp leaked through its long thin fingers. I would call my creature lovesong.
A bit too gruesome? Perhaps. But for me a good love song is something of a dichotomy… as is the subject matter it immortalizes. Beautiful and terrifying at once, love has been (and will likely continue to be) the subject of more music and poetry and literature penned than probably all other subjects combined. As many of you who commented suggested, what makes a good love song often has less to do with its lyrics or melody than it does with the memories sewn into the lining of each song or the sometimes forgotten feelings that relentlessly cling to its edges.
I suppose that’s why so many of my favorite love songs are also deeply mournful. For me, there’s always been a thin line between joy and sorrow and there’s just something about the combination of those two very powerful emotions that I find exceptionally beautiful.
But I digress…
I promised a list. And a list you shall have.
[u][b] [url=http://brogonzo.tblog.com]Brogonzo’s Picks:[/url] [/b][/u] Ian started things off with "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds, a song that received further support by both cmaze and surrogate. According to Ian “It just skips the regular bullshit and stays completely real. It's a bit on the sad side, though.” With a description like that, it’s tough to go wrong.
[u][b][url=http://cmaze.tblog.com]Cmaze’s Picks:[/url] [/b][/u] In addition to Ben Folds Maze offered The Cure’s “Lovesong,” which just happens to be one of my personal faves as well. Maze presented the following defense of his pick: “only because I love the Cure so much and it was written for his wife as a wedding present since he didn't want to get her diamonds.” Hmmmm. Personally, I just think that there are few people in the world who know how to weave extreme sorrow and pure bliss together the way Robert Smith does. Say what you want about the last couple of albums, lyrically, that man is a genius.
[u][b][url=http://childish.tblog.com]Childish’s Picks: [/url] [/b][/u] Childish weighed in with “Georgia On My Mind” by Ray Charles stating that this was the first song that she and her love ever danced to. I think we can all remember a similar song that the minute it comes on the radio, we’re transported back to a high school gymnasium complete with paper decorations and awkward feet and hands flailing just about everywhere. For me that song is “True” by Spandau Ballet.
[u][b][url=http://almshvn.tblog.com]Almshvn’s Picks:[/url] [/b][/u] It took a little coercion, but Alms finally offered “My Girl” by The Temptations. A classic. While I think this song is just lovely, I have to admit I might have chosen “Twilight Time” instead (or is that The Platters?)
[u][b][url=http://JT.tblog.com]JT’s Picks[/url] :[/b][/u] JT offered quite a long list with some great picks including although some offered no artists… “Time and Tide” by Basia ”More Than You Know” by Theloneus Monk? Out of Eden? Frank Sinatra? Billie Holiday? Christina Aguielera? Anita Baker? ”Sea of Love” by The Honeydrippers? (Personally, I dig the Robert Plant version) ”English Rose” by The Jam ”Something” by George Harrison ”Something in the Way She Moves” by James Taylor (Hmmmm… could it be that this is the George Harrison song?) ”Refugio de Amor” by Vanessa Williams & Cheyenne Since I Fell For You by Lenny Welch??
[u][b][url=http://surrogate.tblog.com]Surrogate’s Picks: [/url] [/b][/u] In addition to his initial offering of “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel (a song that I love, by the way) he also suggested the following: “Memmories of Old Days” by Gentle Giant... love it cuz she loved it. ”Recovery” by Eyestrings... personal reasons ”I Will” The Beatles just pretty ”The Luckiest” by Ben Folds good choice for actually making love? Jade Warrior... any album Good Stuff… I am looking forward to exploring some of these in the near future.
[u][b][url=http://www.geocities.com/dhou...]Shadowmusic's Picks: [/url] [/b][/u] My dear friend shadowmusic suggested “It’s Love” by The Softies, a band that is near and dear to my heart. Then in true shadowmusic style, not only did he provide the lyrics for all you softies impaired folks, he also offered this tiny qualifier: “Short acoustic song with twee sweet vocals. Many thanks to Juniperflux for introducing me to that band!” Hey! I do what I can. :) (Oh and a post script to shadowmusic’s comment: [url=http://www.tblog.com/template...]If you’re interested in The Softies, I did a more extensive post on them some time ago that you’re welcome to check it out [/url]).
[u][b][url=www.arrogants.com]Newbie’s Picks: [/url] [/b][/u] (who I suspect is really not new at all, but who I am so glad stopped by to end a long suffering silence). “Nothing Good Will Ever Come of This" by The Arrogants. This song is near the top for me too.
[u][b]Juniperflux’s Picks:[/b][/u] This is always the hardest part for me. I have such a hard time picking favorites… but this is what immediately comes to mind:
[url=http://www.trespasserswilliam...]“Lie In The Sound”[/url] by Trespassers William “Never Let You Down” by The Arrogants “Nothing Good Will Ever Come of This” by The Arrogants “Hard To Find” by Lori Carson “Northern Sky” by Nick Drake “Wish You Were Her” by Billy Bragg “Will The Night” by Low “Follow Me” by The Innocence Mission “Love You More” by The Softies
The list quite literally goes on and on… but that’s all for now. Thanks to everyone who commented.
PS: I'm currently in the market for a muse. Any takers?
posted by: irishred (reply)
post date: 02.16.05 (3:24 pm)
True story: I heard that song on the radio going home today. (the post title).
Stalkers! Oh Kate, there's a dark side to you that I absolutely adore! :) Glad to see you back. I *heard* you had, had some surgery, though I am not certain for what. Anyway, I hope all went well! Look forward to hearing your fave love songs.
j
posted by: shadowmusic (reply)
post date: 02.17.05 (8:10 am)
Reply to: chicalookate
Ooh! Love songs that are really stalker songs! I've got the perferct example... Billie Holiday's "You're Gonna See a Lot of Me". Here are the lyrics:
I'm gonna get you, I'm gonna get you
I'll make you love me, wait and see
Both day and night and night and day
You're gonna see a lot of me
I'm gonna haunt you, I'm gonna haunt you
Oh what a pest I'm gonna be
Both day and night and night and day
You're gonna see a lot of me
I'll be the spoon in your coffee
The knife that butters your bread
If I sound a little bit off it
That's because because because
you've gone to my head
If you're in China, I'll go to China
I'll never never let you free
Both day and night and night and day
You're gonna see a lot of me
A perfect example, Kate. I'm so glad that you're feeling better and the surgery went well. When ever I think of that type of surgery I am reminded of an episode of the old Rosanne show where she has her breasts reduced, but when she wakes up from the surgery they are actually much larger and Doogie Howser is her doctor. So glad your procedure worked out the right way! :)
j
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