I Second That Emotion – Smokey Robinson – Well, where would you begin if not with the poet laurate of love? Of all the myriad of things I love about this voice of young americas paean to romantic seriousness, I love most Smokey’s unease. Listening to it now, I prefer the sound of old pop to new pop. I am getting sick of all the multi tracking. “If you feel like loving me, if you’ve got the notion…?”
You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away – The Beatles – Yup, it’s gonna be one of those lists!!! I bet Ryan Adams shows up before much longer!!! Lennon does Dylan (with cap as well if memory serves). This is a singalong so please do: “How could she say to me love will find away? Gather round all you clowns let me hear you say…” altogether…. “HEY…’ Love those downward spiralling chords…
I Can’t Tell My Heart That – Hank Williams – Eek, his girl is no good and she “cheated and lied and you left me flat, oh yes it’s true but I can’t tell my heart that”. Great guitar break in the middle and cmon, how can you not have Valentine’s Day without Hank Williams.
Robocop – Kanye West – One of the greatest love songs ever -it kinda pounds the horns against an auto-tune vocal and everything seems dissodant and away and right on top of you. I know, I know… break up love songs aren’t love songs…. still, this is the best love song of the decade.
The Look Of Love – ABC – Fuck, I am really trying for a love song where something happy happens. “All I’m saying, it takes a lot to love you”. Singlehandledly gave the eighties a good name.
The Fall Of The World’s Last Optimist – Aimee Mann – “Hey kids look at this…” OK, I’m gonna get it. The very next one.
I Can’t Get Next To You? Next…
With Arms Outstreched – Rilo Kiley – I have a date today so let’s call this song my high hopes for Valentine’s Day: “Now some days they last longer than others, but this day by the lake went too fast, and if you want me you better speak up I won’t wait, so you better MOVE FAST…”
Happy Valentines Day