Be it the power ballad, the soul ballad or the mega gold hit from 1950 that brings you to tears on the AARP commercial as the silver haired couple strolls hand and hand on the sand-- love songs are everywhere. Like love, they love you and they love you not. They hold you, they leave you, they return to you years after you have forgotten them only to embrace you again. They celebrate you and your life, make you suicidal and neurotic.
Love songs inspire people crawl out of the woodwork to grab their phone and text their ex or their mom thanking them for the contributions to building their character, life lessons, and basically anything else that strikes a chord at 11 p.m. on a school night. And like a hangover, once the buzz of the song has worn off, you can't remember what it was that you did and you cannot simulate that emotion again. Aspirins in hand and looking at your sent messages, you can only hope that you didn't come off as a complete nut case to the receiving end of you momentary inspiration.
Temporary impulses of insanity aside, I do enjoy the love songs. All of them really. Whether it is Regina Spektor or Skid Row, I am all over it and make hot mix tapes for myself and my loved ones like they are going out of style (not that a mix tape could ever go out of style--I will fight!).
While I love them all, I do have a few which tend to strike forbidden chords within my soul. The following list is a sample of some of the most lovely lyrics that I know. The ones I want by my side for time and all eternity. Preferably scribbled on little notes in my pocket and taped to my fridge. Xo.
Catch The Wind - Donovan
When rain has hung the leaves with tears, I want you near, to kill my fears To help me to leave all my blues behind. For standin' in your heart,Is where I want to be, and I long to be, Ah, but I may as well, try and catch the wind.
Suzanne - Leonard Cohen
Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river You can hear the boats go by You can spend the night beside her And you know that she's half crazy But that's why you want to be there And she feeds you tea and oranges That come all the way from China And just when you mean to tell her That you have no love to give her Then she gets you on her wavelength And she lets the river answer That you've always been her lover And you want to travel with her And you want to travel blind And you know that she will trust you For you've touched her perfect body with your mind.
Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Follow You Into The Dark
Love of mine Someday you will die But I'll be close behind I'll follow you into the dark No blinding lights or tunnels to gates of white Just our hands clasped so tight Waiting for the hint of the spark If heaven and hell decide that they both are satisfied Illuminate the no's on their vacancy signs If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks Then I'll follow you into the dark
<3
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