Entertainment For Lively Minds
In search of love song inspiration
Friends
The love of my life and I are living far away from one another. Nothing dreadful makes it so, simply work and life. So I am compiling a disk of songs to say that I love her and - before it gets a bit too Simon Bates in here - I need some assistance. I've turned my record collection upside down and yet I'm ashamed to say that I need more inspiration. And where is a boy to turn? Where else?
I need songs that express love without qualification or equivocation, preferably with pared down instrumentation, though sweeping strings are not out of the question either. Famous and obvious, or obscure and unusual - it doesn't matter as long as they leave her in no doubt that the flame burns as brightly as ever.
And, before you ask, several drams of Laphroaig.
- More from Con Coleman.
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Have started you a Spotify playlist
and added a song to start it off - Let It Be Love - Craig Armstrong. Hope you have Spotify.
Others feel free to add some more.
http://open.spotify.com/user/leedsboy/playlist/4Cj2oozActjejagaHJgMWG
Could give Ray a try...
My Love
I've always had a soft spot for this.
My choice
On the Macca front, my choice would be "Every Night" off his first solo album. Gorgeous melody (now there's a big surprise) and such simple yet heartfelt words: "But tonight I just want to stay in and be with you ..." Lots of good covers of this one, too.
I also like Calico Skies a lot (but it's also partly an anti-war song; not purely a love song) and This Never Happened Before (but that one is more about first love.)
Al Green - Simply Beautiful
EBTG - Driving
You'll either love or hate this!
Stevie Wonder - My Cherie Amour
Ryan Adams - Two
I'm going to stick my neck out
and suggest some old school Barry Manilow. Go right back to the original "Could It Be Magic" or "Can't Smile Without You". "I Made It Through The Rain" might not be appropriate but it's a hell of a song.
God I love Youtube
Personally
I can't smile without youtube.
What a great site!
That people feel safe recommending Barry Manilow. He can write great songs.
Bates Motel
Just added a few to the Spotify playlist, Con. Hope your loved one doesn't think you've got a Simon Bates obsession.
Unfortunately these are not on Youtube,
and I don't have Spotify access, but if you can find them....
David Baerwald, "Walk Through Fire" off Bedtime Stories pretty much nails your requirements to the letter. As used for the first dance at my wedding.
Toad The Wet Sprocket, "I Will Not Take These Things For Granted" off Fear, starts sparse with lots of maudlin long distance phone calls and builds to joyous memories, and gorgeous run out chords.
Peter Gabriel, "In Your Eyes" off So. Love, long distance, brilliant drums/bass.
Love dup
Paul Simon - Something So Right
Van Morrison - Crazy Love, Tupelo Honey, Wild Honey
Josh Rouse - Wonderful
Grand Drive - I Believe In Love
Elbow - Mirrorball
Ron Sexsmith - Right About Now, Wastin' Time
Josh Ritter - Bright Smile
Teddy Thompson - In My Arms
Nick Cave - Breathless
The Jayhawks - I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
Elbow - Starlings
How dare the Premier ignore my invitations?
He'll have to go
So, too, the bunch he luncheons with
It's second on my list of things to do
At the top I'm stopping by
Your place of work and acting like
I haven't dreamed of you and I
And marriage in an orange grove
You are the only thing in any room you're ever in
I'm stubborn, selfish and too old.
I sat you down and told you how
the truest love that's ever found
Is for oneself
You pulled apart my theory
With a weary and disinterested sigh
So yes I guess I'm asking you
To back a horse that's good for glue
And nothing else
But find a man that's truer than,
Find a man that needs you more than I
Sit with me a while
And let me listen to you talk about
your dreams and your obsessions
I'll be quiet and confessional
The violets explode inside me
when I meet your eyes
Then I'm spinning and I'm diving
Like a cloud of starlings
Darling is this love?
... says it all
John Martyn..
Couldn't Love You More
If you kissed the sun right out of the sky for me
If you told me all the lies I might deserve
If you lay all night in the rain for me
Well, I couldn't love you more
Just couldn't love you more
I couldn't love you more.
If you loved me 'til my eyes got no more shine for you
If you walked beside me all the long way home
If you wasted all of your time on me
Well, I couldn't love you more
Just couldn't love you more
I couldn't love you more
Just couldn't love you more.
If you gave me all the things I'd never ask of you
If you showed me all the ways you have to cry
If you lay all night in the rain for me
I couldn't love you more
Just couldn't love you more
Just couldn't love you more.
Tim Hardin...
Songs to break your heart:
Reason To Believe;
Misty Roses
If I Were A Carpenter
Sorry, got something in my eye.........
You can't go wrong with Cole Porter:
when I was in a long distance relationship, this reduced my beloved to a blubbering wreck.
or for a classic weepy long song you might try this:
(also referred to by Mr Hepworth in the recent podcast)
or to labour the point:
Added bonus: slow dancing to said songs when you get together.
The Lady
She is just going to love the fact that you've had to consult an online forum to suggest what your feelings are.
However, my lips are sealed.
Good point
In the cold light of day I realise that my initial post may need some clarification.
By 10 o'clock last night the disk was almost complete but was still missing that certain something. I've made several of these compilations for the lady in the past and discovered to my horror that I was actually running out of appropriate songs. A combination of desperation and Islay malt turned me to you good people.
And, jings, there have been some interesting suggestions.
First Day of my Life
Bright Eyes
The Jam
English Rose ?
The Men They Couldnt Hang
Parted from you by Tmtch. There is a clip on YouTube, well worth a listen.
"Broken Arrow" - Robbie Robertson
The first dance at my wedding
Without question my all-time favourite romantic song
The Flamingos "I Only Have Eyes for You"
Herb Alpert
This Guy's In Love With You
Just a few of so many...
I was at this gig, second row...
Wot no Into My Arms?
Nick Cave's greatest song fits your criteria: unconditional love, succinctly expressed with a pared-down arrangement. Love songs don't get much straighter or better than this.
A few
Van Morrison - Sweet Thing
Ben Folds - The Luckiest (first dance at my wedding)
Otis Redding - That's how strong my love is
Otis Redding - These Arms of Mine
Band of Horses - Part One
Some more
Crowded House - my old all time fave "Fall At Your Feet", my new all time fave "Silent House" (I think it's about someone being away, but it might be about a death or a breakup), and "Something So Strong"
Del Amitri - their stuff is mostly about breakups, cheating and booze, but "Sometimes I Just Have To Say Your Name" and "When I Want You"
Fleetwood Mac - "You Make Loving Fun"
Roachford - "Only To Be With You" (only slightly off topic)
Badloves - "Lost" off Get On Board
Steve earle n his missus
Days aren't long enough
some suggestions
Blondie - Hangin On The Telephone
Barry White - My First, My Last, My Everything
Roy Orbison - I Drove All Night
James Carr - These Ain't Raindrops, A Man Needs A Woman, I Can't Turn You Loose
Listening to Word Podcast 126
brought to mind this little gem (and, yes, that is James Last):
David Ackles' wonderful song for his wife Janice
"Love's Enough" is my absolute number one recommendation.
The Only Ones...
... did a tune called The Whole of the Law, ably covered by Yo La Tengo and some bright spark has put the latter version on YouTube to visuals from Silent Hill II
Treat 'em mean
Keep 'em keen. Con, you don't need any of that soppy romance shit....just tell her like it is....
Added to the spotify list too
Oh, so many.
But I'll just give you a few:
Nick Cave: Are You The One That I've Been Waiting For?
Nick Cave: He Wants You
The Cure: Love Song
Stevie: I Believe When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever
Stevie: You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
Elvis Presley: Burning Love.
Original? No. Utter belters? Yep.