I had a conversation with Blending Ame about love songs—the most pathetic ones of all time, in particular. She asked me what I thought the greatest ones were, so I’m going to dedicate a post or two on the topic. I think it’s a worthy idea – beauty in the time of war.
Let me start with a gem—“You Are My Shining Star” by the Manhattans (1980). It’s filled with the uplifting, the positive, and the healthy: love is lofty emotion and it deserves no less.
“You Are My Shining Star” by The Manhattans (1980)
Honey you are my shining star, Don’t you go away
Wanna be right here where you are, Until my dying daySo many have tried, Tried to find a love like yours and mine
Girl don’t you realize how you hypnotize
Make me love you more each timeHoney I’ll never leave you lonely
Give my love to you only
To you only, to you onlyHoney you are my shining star
Don’t you go away
Wanna be right here where you are
Until my dying dayFeels so good when we’re lying here next to each other lost in love
Baby when we touch, love you so much
You’re all I ever dreamed ofHoney I’ll never leave you lonely
Give my love to you only to you only
To you only, to you onlyHoney you are my shining star, Don’t you go away girl
Wanna be right here where you are, Until my dying dayHoney you, you are my shining star, Don’t you go away
Let’s face it—romantic love is rare. And those who find it are the chosen ones…they receive a gift. They walk in silence, knowing how lucky they are.
We might be happy alone, content in the daily activities. But everyone is looking, searching; they’re hoping that it’s not bullshit. That someday – far into the future, they’ll fall asleep in the arms of a perfect somebody.
Major Styles 
“Let’s face it—romantic love is rare. And those who find it are the chosen ones…they receive a gift. They walk in silence, knowing how lucky they are.
We might be happy alone, content in the daily activities. But everyone is looking, searching; they’re hoping that it’s not bullshit. That someday – far into the future, they’ll fall asleep in the arms of a perfect somebody.”
– – –
okay … that’s beautiful. do you write songs, too?
_____________________________________________________
my 17 year old daughter picked “Just A Kiss” by Lady Antebellum
LADY ANTEBELLUM LYRICS
“Just A Kiss”
Lyin’ here with you so close to me
It’s hard to fight these feelings when it feels so hard to breathe
Caught up in this moment
Caught up in your smile
I’ve never opened up to anyone
So hard to hold back when I’m holding you in my arms
We don’t need to rush this
Let’s just take it slow
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
No I don’t want to mess this thing up
I don’t want to push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life
So baby I’m alright, with just a kiss goodnight
I know that if we give this a little time
It’ll only bring us closer to the love we wanna find
It’s never felt so real, no it’s never felt so right
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
No I don’t want to mess this thing up
I don’t want to push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life
So baby I’m alright, with just a kiss goodnight
No I don’t want to say goodnight
I know it’s time to leave, but you’ll be in my dreams
Tonight
Tonight
Tonight
Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight
Just a touch of the fire burning so bright
No I don’t want to mess this thing up
I don’t want to push too far
Just a shot in the dark that you just might
Be the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life
So baby I’m alright, oh, let’s do this right, with just a kiss goodnight
With a kiss goodnight
Kiss goodnight
It’s good to see a newer song that is pure, that speaks highly of love.
me, too. i’d not paid attention to the lyrics before, but when i asked about fav/great love songs, my daughter mentioned this one. she said she liked it b/c it didn’t go beyond kissing and was pure. (and my Momma’s heart soared!!! 🙂 )
In my opinion, we have to be very careful because many of these songs our children are exposed to, since, many will sneak an immoral line or two into the verse, bridge, or chorus.
Case in point is “Cheerleader” by Omi. Take a look at the third line of the bridge, which is inserted into an otherwise straightforward love song.
“Do you need me?
Do you think I’m pretty?
Do I make you feel like cheating?
I’m like no, not really ’cause”
These songs are aimed at women, particularly young women, who listen to words more accutely than the male listener. This was brought up by songwriterr (and ASCAP vice president) Ralph Stanley when he said “50 percent of songs are written by men for women; the other 50 are written by women to women.”
“50 percent of songs are written by men for women; the other 50 are written by women to women.”
this is a tragic commentary on women in our time and culture. wow.
That is a quote from Harlan Howard, the man who wrote the country hit “Tiger by the Tail” (among countless others). He believed that it was pointless to write for men, since they never bought records. So he would write for women, and write from the viewpoint of a woman; this is how he got so many hit songs.
His philosophy is the unspoken rule-of-thumb for country and pop; in short, tell women what they want to hear so that you can make money off them.
I guess that’s ok, by and large. But when they start selling women shitty advice (glorifying disgusting behavior, for example) then certain ethical lines are being crossed.
“His philosophy is the unspoken rule-of-thumb for country and pop; in short, tell women what they want to hear so that you can make money off them.
I guess that’s ok, by and large. But when they start selling women shitty advice (glorifying disgusting behavior, for example) then certain ethical lines are being crossed.”
wow. i probably should have guessed this, but i didn’t. i kept wondering why men would sing songs that cater to women. sigh.
do you think it’s always been that way? if not, where, in time, do you see that it changed? i’d like to write a post on this and link here – is that okay with you?
“do you think it’s always been that way? if not, where, in time, do you see that it changed?”
Well, the American songwriting industry has only existed for around one hundred years – since the advent of radio, more or less. And you had Tin Pan Alley with the likes of Gershwin. Those original songs, to my knowledge, were not as tainted since radio was not as tied to record sales (it was more of a stand-alone entertainment piece).
“i’d like to write a post on this and link here – is that okay with you?”
That would be awesome!
Watch this video from 5:00 – 9:00 and you will get a good idea of the business.
W.O.W.
It’s the ugly side of the music business.
I have had music published and performed on television. 🙂
wow! that’s super cool! 🙂
i bet your daughter makes a great audience, too 🙂 🙂 🙂
She loves all my songs…he, he. 🙂
i asked my husband b/c he knows a lot of music and has a great memory. his first pick is Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling In Love:”
ELVIS PRESLEY LYRICS
“Can’t Help Falling In Love”
Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can’t help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can’t help falling in love with you?
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand,
Take my whole life, too
For I can’t help falling in love with you
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand,
Take my whole life, too
For I can’t help falling in love with you
For I can’t help falling in love with you
Another great one…an oldie but a goodie.
my husband’s second pick: “Like A River to the Sea” by Steve Wariner:
STEVE WARINER LYRICS
“Like A River To The Sea”
You look like you did back then
You kiss me like you did back when
You and I first fell in love
Time has been good to you
I said I always knew it would
You’re more lovely every day.
Just like a mighty river runs to the sea
My love for you keeps growing
It was meant to be
It will never go away
It’s deeper and stronger every day
Like a river to the sea
You know you can count on me.
These hands on the clock should know
That time just can’t pass this slow
When I’m away
But I’ve got my job to do
Then I’ll hurry home to you
I’m waiting for the day.
Nice! That one I did not know…
another good one: “Close to You,” by The Carpenters:
THE CARPENTERS LYRICS
“(They Long To Be) Close To You”
Why do birds suddenly appear, ev’ry time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be close to you.
Why do stars fall down from the sky, ev’ry time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be close to you.
On the day that you were born the angels got together.
And decided to create a dream come true.
So, they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold,
And star-light in your eyes of blue.
That is why all the girls in town follow you all around.
Just like me, they long to be close to you…
On the day that you were born the angels got together.
And decided to create a dream come true.
So, they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold,
And star-light in your eyes of blue.
That is why all the girls in town follow you all around.
Just like me, they long to be close to you…
Just like me, they long to be close to you…
We need more songs like this.
yes. it’s sad her life was so tragic; her music and voice were amazing.
we’ve had fun with this in our home. here’s another one:
DIANA ROSS LYRICS
“Endless Love”
(feat. Lionel Richie)
My love
There’s only you in my life
The only thing that’s right
My first love
You’re every breath that I take
You’re every step I make
And I
I want to share
All my love with you
No one else will do
And your eyes
They tell me how much you care
Oh, yes you will always be
My endless love
Two hearts
Two hearts that beat as one
Our lives had just begun
Forever
I’ll hold you close in my arms
I can’t resist your charms
And love
I’ll be a fool for you
I’m sure
You know I don’t mind
Whoooooa, you know I don’t mind
‘Cos you
You mean the world to me
Oh, I know
I know I found in you
My endless love
[Instrumental Interlude]
Oooooooh
And love
I’ll be that fool for you
I’m sure
You know I don’t mind
Whooooa, you know I don’t mind
And yes
You’ll be the only one
‘Cos no one can’t deny
This love I have inside
And I’ll give it all to you
My love
My endless love
I will play this one for my wife. 🙂
🙂
i’m guessing she loves hearing you.
i’m assuming you sing … what instruments do you play?
Guitar primarily, but I also can play several stringed instruments like the banjo, uke, etc.
I defer to Mark Twain though: “A gentleman is someone who knows how to play the banjo but doesn’t.”
Unchained Melody needs to be on the list:
THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS LYRICS
“Unchained Melody”
(originally by Tom Duncan)
Oh, my love
My darling
I’ve hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me
Lonely rivers flow to the sea, to the sea
To the open arms of the sea
Yes, lonely rivers sigh, “Wait for me, wait for me
I’ll be coming home, wait for me”
Oh, my love
My darling
I’ve hungered, hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love
I need your love
God speed your love to me
beautiful but sad:
DAN FOGELBERG LYRICS
“Same Old Lang Syne”
Met my old lover in the grocery store
The snow was falling Christmas Eve
I stole behind her in the frozen foods
And I touched her on the sleeve
She didn’t recognize the face at first
But then her eyes flew open wide
She went to hug me and she spilled her purse
And we laughed until we cried
We took her groceries to the checkout stand
The food was totaled up and bagged
We stood there lost in our embarrassment
As the conversation dragged
Went to have ourselves a drink or two
But couldn’t find an open bar
We bought a six-pack at the liquor store
And we drank it in her car
We drank a toast to innocence
We drank a toast to now
And tried to reach beyond the emptiness
But neither one knew how
She said she’d married her an architect
Who kept her warm and safe and dry
She would have liked to say she loved the man
But she didn’t like to lie
I said the years had been a friend to her
And that her eyes were still as blue
But in those eyes I wasn’t sure if I
Saw doubt or gratitude
She said she saw me in the record stores
And that I must be doing well
I said the audience was heavenly
But the traveling was hell
We drank a toast to innocence
We drank a toast to now
And tried to reach beyond the emptiness
But neither one knew how
We drank a toast to innocence
We drank a toast to time
Reliving in our eloquence
Another ‘auld lang syne’
The beer was empty and our tongues were tired
And running out of things to say
She gave a kiss to me as I got out
And I watched her drive away
Just for a moment I was back at school
And felt that old familiar pain
And as I turned to make my way back home
The snow turned into rain
It’s honest, so I think it works. The love of youth, unfulfilled.
oops – i posted a comment with two links, so it’s in moderation 🙂
oh, this is a beautiful rendition of Endless Love by Lionel Richie and Shania Twain:
That’s another great example. The verses do not secretly insert some hint of dysfunction; rather, they stay true to the intent of the soaring chorus.
*Sorcerygod enters, blue-black cloak flapping, and sits down*
THIS is the best love song of all time:
All For Love By Michael Bolton
Michael Bolton…he died for our sins. And through him, we shall have everlasting life.
*grinning in real life*
Ta-Hah!