since July 7, 2004.In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’m counting down ten love-inspiring songs, as well as ten that tell all that romantic schlock where to shove it. So, without further adieu, let’s get this love train rolling.
Songs for Love #10-1
10. Clarence Carter – Strokin’. This song is simply about making love – or strokin’ – but, holy hell, it busts me up. Perhaps it’s the memories of cruising with my post-adolescent guy friends who sang and danced to this over and over. But I dare you not to laugh!
9. The Bee Gees/Janis Joplin – To Love Somebody. Whether the (pre-disco) Bee Gees original or Joplin’s more soulful update, this song still has the power to tug at your heartstrings, especially with (and the two versions vary) 'you don’t know what it’s like/baby, you don’t know what it’s like/to love somebody/to love somebody/the way I love you.'
8. Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You. Although originally a country music love song, Houston’s version became her best-selling single of all time and helped elevate "The Bodyguard" soundtrack to one of the top-selling albums of all time. And that high note!
7. Paul McCartney & Wings – My Love. Was there ever a greater rock romance than Paul & Linda McCartney? By the time this song was released, Paul had already recorded several songs for then-wife Linda (check out "Maybe I’m Amazed" on the McCartney album). But this one sums it up perfectly, and the line 'don’t ever ask me why/I’ll never say goodbye to my love' proves that while life may not endure, love can. How’s that for a legacy of love?
6. Frankie Valli – Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. This song is practically a character in the movie "Conspiracy Theory," as Mel Gibson tries to woo Julia Roberts in the midst of running for his life. It emerges in "10 Things I Hate About You," in which Heath Ledger attempts to woo shrew Julia Stiles. A classic, though one that has successfully been recycled for newer generations.
5. The Righteous Brothers – You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling. Some might argue that Bill Medley and the late high-voiced Bobby Hatfield’s version of "Unchained Melody" might better fit this category; perhaps, if it wasn’t so damn overused! Besides, watching Maverick and Goose serenade any female is much more entertaining than some pottery-making love scene. Maybe I just should have chosen "Little Latin Lupe Lu," and we all could’ve gotten up and danced!
4. Elvis Presley/Lick the Tins/UB40 – Can’t Help Falling in Love. Whether sung by the King, Irish-sounding Lick the Tins or where-are-they-now UB40, this has become one of the most popular love songs of all time, partially thanks to its appearance in several films including "Fools Rush In" and "Some Kind of Wonderful." Elvis would be proud, I reckon.
3. Buddy Holly – Peggy Sue. This was one of the earliest rock-n-roll songs about a girl that produced a sequel, inspired a movie, and was Holly’s biggest hit. But it also proved that you didn’t have to use a slow tempo to get a girl’s attention.
2. Peter Frampton – Baby I Love Your Way. Another guy with one of the best selling albums of all time, though most of us might recall this song from "Reality Bites" and the look on Ethan Hawke’s face when Winona rebuffs him for Ben Stiller. (Ouch! I think we all felt his pain.)
1. The Beatles – Yesterday. The Beatles. Ed Sullivan. Paul and an acoustic guitar. Simple, maybe too simple; yet, absolutely perfect. "Yesterday" has gone on to become the most-covered song in music history. And though it’s been 40 years since that historic performance, "Yesterday"’s endurance has proven that simplicity often defies the test of time. (Or it could be that Paul was the cute Beatle.)
Love’s Musical Antithesis #10-1
10. The Police – Every Breath You Take. This song contains some of the most misconstrued lyrics ever written: 'oh, can’t you see/you belong to me' and 'every step you take/I’ll be watching you.' You don’t know whether he’s wooing or stalking. (Not that I’m trying to knock Sting. 'Sting, you make me sing.' Anyway. . .)
9. The Turtles – It Ain’t Me Babe. A Bob Dylan original that basically tells the chick to scram ‘cause he’s not the one she wants. Hmm, now where have we heard that one before?
8. 'Weird Al' Yankovic – You Don’t Love Me Anymore. Alright, I’ll be honest. I saw the video for this, like, nine years ago, but I think what struck me even then was the sincereness portrayed. Or maybe it was the line about piranas in the fish tank.
7. The Monkees – I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone. Before girls starting singing about liberation from oppressive relationships, the pre-fab four did it first. This song has all the ingredients for a stormy relationship: an egotistical lover, another who feels underappreciated, and a clash of opinions.
6. Elvis Presley – Suspicious Minds. Elvis’ last Top Ten hit and likely his most mature, this song details a lover’s frustrations with his skeptical significant other. As it’s been featured in a variety of films from "Lilo & Stitch" to "Intolerable Cruelty," it’s become a pop culture staple. Maybe it’s the King. Maybe the subject. Or maybe the chicks in the background who can sing HIGH!!!
5. Radiohead – Creep. OK, so the guy actually admits his shortcomings and annoyance with his lover’s perfection: 'I wish I were special/you’re so f-----’ special/but I’m a creep.' Though some of you may be muttering, 'what the hell am I doing here/I don’t belong here' (sure, like half the people at the Grammys).
4. Limp Bizkit – Nookie. I have to hand it to Fred Durst. At least he came out and admitted he 'did it all for the nookie.' Hope Britney was worth it.
3. Britney Spears – . . .Baby One More Time. Regardless how much you’re in love or how lonely you feel or how badly you want someone back, never EVER ask him or her to 'hit me, baby, one more time.' Why not just come out and say: do me, baby, one more time? At least, that would save the rest of us from more manufactured pop music that promotes domestic violence.
2. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts – I Hate Myself for Loving You. The girl-version of "I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone" and any other song where a guy told a girl to take a hike. However, this one places the blame for the girl’s inability to leave on the guy, making him the scapegoat.
1. Bob Dylan – Positively 4th Street. One thing I’ve always liked about Dylan is he tells it like it is, and this does just that and discredits every holier-than-thou persona encountered. Maybe I’m just cynical, or maybe too many people have pissed me off, but this song sums it all up: 'do you take me for such a fool/to think I’d make contact/with the one who tries to hide/what he don’t know to begin with.'
Copyright © 2004, Talia M. Wilson
published in Cooper Point Journal, Feb. 12, 2004
since July 7, 2004.