I often have a word or two regarding love songs, so I thought this might be a good time to write a few of them down. The term “love song” seems straightforward, but there are a lot of nuances that go into that feeling you get when you hear a love song that just hits you in the right spot. Does the spot where the song hits you make it a love song, or is it the way it hits you? I think it’s all about chasing a feeling as well as finding words to describe that feeling. However, one song can hit a thousand people in an infinite number of ways, so I asked around: What’s your favorite love song and why?
Tavi: “Naive Melody by Talking Heads, because it’s so happy.” Tavi and I have spoken a few times about this song, and we both agree that “Out of all those kinds of people, you’ve got a face with a view” is the best line in the song.
Landon: “I Love You, Honeybear by Father John Misty; it’s so accessible but so vague that it seems like this is truly a unique love.”
Mackenzie: “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) by Meatloaf, because Meatloaf just wanted love but didn’t want to do that one thing! It exemplifies the idea that love is kind of selfish in the way that there are some things that may or may not be impossible to accomplish even if you love that person. It isn’t completely romanticized, as many love songs are. It represents a reality of love. Also, it just sounds good because Meatloaf rules.”
Eftihia: “Okay it’s a French song by Fauve called Infirmière; a lot of passion, longing, unrequited love, and loneliness.”
Chloe: Dancing Barefoot by Patti Smith; very romantic, yet relatable to any situation; as much about freedom and self love as it is romance.”
Eliza: “God Only Knows by The Beach Boys; the music and harmonies and vocals are so full of tenderness and emotion that if the lyrics weren’t about love, you would still think it’s a love song. For a song so polished and well put together, it’s remarkable how Brian Wilson made it sound like a real, raw genuine love rather than just some cheesy 60s love song.”
Nina: “I Love How You Love Me by Neutral Milk Hotel; it’s originally a Phil Spector song but Neutral Milk Hotel’s version is even sweeter. It’s literally the most simple, short, and to the point love song there is. The song sounds like a nursery rhyme and when I sing it, I feel like a little kid again: innocent and carefree, which is how love feels to me.”
Patty: “I Love How You Love Me by Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel is my favorite love song because it’s very pure and gentle and at the same time very passionate and realistic.”
Kyle: “Tattooed Tears by The Front Bottoms; it’s a nice little tune about needing to sacrifice for your relationships. Sometimes things just suck and you gotta work it out. Also, the first half of Of Montreal’s The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy is also entirely made up of great sappy love songs that I adore.”
Maggie: “For Once in My Life by Stevie Wonder or Love Street by The Doors; For Once in My Life is such a happy go lucky song about someone who finally finds that special someone and is overcome with good feelings. Love Street, because I love The Doors and Jim’s monotone voice, honestly. Plus it’s about him and his wife’s house and it’s just really cute.”
Caroline: “Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley; I like the song because of the melodies and the message. I always feel loved when I listen to it, for some reason.”
There are often situations and feelings that cannot be described by one or two words, so we write, sing, and listen to love songs, which give us a unique way to explore all that love has to offer, and all that it has to take away. All of these people and their favorite love songs really show that love songs are anything but silly. Whether it’s a feeling your chasing or an old memory, keep on listening.
by Hayley Robertson
slimetimemag.com 