Thursday, 17 March 2011

• A List of Ten of My Favorite Love Songs

  

  I remember one time Steph kind of frowned at the fact that I made two lists of 20 anti-love songs. Songs bashing things having to do with love, brilliantly written love songs or something that seemed as sincere as it was funny and direct. I would make one for love songs, but nothing really stuck with me. I'm not a big fan of melodramatics, and I guess there are so many ways to say "I love you" when speaking of love.

  But I do indeed like love songs. Direct ones sometimes make me uncomfortable (I admit that I'm not all that big on feelings and hyperemotion), but these are ten of many love songs I enjoy. The reason I like these so much is that most of them are so honest in describing their love and the people they love.

  1. Syd Barrett - Terrapin

  I first started listening to his music to get into his work. I enjoyed Piper at the Gates of Dawn, and wanted to get into his solo work. Turns out "Terrapin" had this honest, sensitive, boyish and very emotionally naked approach to love that I identify well with.

  2. David Gray - Please Forgive Me

  If my list was meant to be built like a favorites list from ten to one, David Gray would be at the top of the list. I seem to like songs that lyrically or musically catches the awkwardness that can come with meeting someone. This lyric describes why I like this one:

  "Please forgive me if I act a little strange, for I know not what I do/Feels like lightning running through my veins every time I look at you/every time I look at you/Help me out here, all my words are falling short and there's so much I want to say."

  3. Sondre Lerche - She's Fantastic

  "She's Fantastic" is as playful as it is both honest and obviously happy. The lyrics describe a man bored with the choice in dates, until he meets this one girl who knocks him out in his own way.

  The lyrics also mention that this girl is slightly older, since he sings, "All the girls my own age have me turning the page/They're so eager to try/She don't do nothing, Why? She's fantastic/I do not know what to do." Funny and sweet.

  4. Elbow - Mirrorball

  "We made the moon our mirrorball, the streets an empty stage, the city's sirens, violins, and everything has changed." A song about finally finding that one.

  5. Harvey Danger - Happiness Writes White

  In this song, Sean Nelson pretty much writes a song to his wife saying how grateful he is that she stayed around, despite his commitment to making music. He also says the reason why he hasn't written a love song is because it's hard to really describe his love and happiness for her on paper.

  6. Bloc Party - I Still Remember

  The reason why I like this one is that it is an openly gay love song. This one expresses love to a man saying that if only one of them were brave, the love could have been a strong one. So, more or less this is a song of repressed romance.

  7. Edison Lighthouse - Rosemary

  I'm sure most of you are familiar with this one. I have enjoyed my share of old songs, but this is a pretty funny tune to dedicate to that unorthodox crush.

  8. Chemical Brothers - Swoon

  Another reason why I am not big on love songs, other than the trickiness there is in writing a love song that isn't cheesy, is that I like songs that instead produce a feeling of being in love. If you can't write the song, express it in an instrumental or something close. That's exactly what "Swoon" is. Something romantic, near magical, and it is a great estimation of that playful, positive feeling you get in love.

  9. The Weepies - Be My Thrill

  What's not to like about the song? All around, it's asking for the one they love to be theirs.

  10. eels - In the Yard, Behind the Church

  Another song that musically and lyrically paints a picture of being somewhere with the one you really love. It's better listened to than talked about, really.

  There it is. Ten of the many but pretty short list of love songs I enjoy.

  Are there any songs in particular that you enjoy or give you the feeling of falling in love?

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