MICHAEL CUTHBERTSON
Valentine’s Tactician
This is a list of songs for Valentine’s Day from the heyday of pop-rock love ballads (the 1960s and ’70s) — way back when pop singers voiced sentiments about holding hands and long before Lady Gaga’s poetic plea to “take a ride on your disco stick” violated our ears.
Sure, the old bands were looking for lovin’ too, but they felt a depth of romance that Katy Perry could not convey with her antonymic “Hot ‘N Cold.” So how did real love fade from the airwaves? Partly, sex took the place of romance. “Whole Lotta Love” bonded the electric guitar and Robert Plant together in what can only be described as graphic-sonic sexuality. And while Led Zeppelin’s level of musicianship lost popularity, the subject matter did not.
Case in point: so-called “singer” Chad Kroeger barking, “you look so much cuter with something in your mouth,” to some lucky lady. While I know our generation’s once-virgin ears have been forever changed by this kind of tripe, we can still take a cue from the heartfelt songs of days past. Because, whether you’re singing about winning over a girl, those feelings we call love or the ever-popular horizontal hula, you just gotta have heart.
“Something” by The Beatles
According to The Beatles Lyrics Machine online, 98 of the band’s songs use the word love. That said, “Something” is one of their most personal love songs. The song was allegedly written for George Harrison’s wife Pattie Boyd. Later, Eric Clapton won her love with “Wonderful Tonight.” So don”˜t worry, kids, you will get the girl of your dreams. You simply have to be a better guitar player than the last guy.
“I’ll Be Your Mirror” by The Velvet Underground
When not singing about sado-masochism (“Venus in Furs”) or intravenous drug use (“Heroin”), Lou Reed can really tug at your heartstrings.
“Day After Day” by Badfinger
This is the quintessential ’70s “make out in the backseat of your parent’s station wagon” song. But despite the song’s pretty picture of romance, Badfinger suffered from a troubled career and lost two members to suicide.
“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys
Shockingly, this song is not about hot chicks surfing. It opens with the line, “I may not always love you.” Wow, what a buzzkill! Aren’t teens too busy catching waves and drag racing to meditate on love’s finite nature? Truly, though, the emotion in this song is palpable, with vocals that are at once pleasant and pained. Â
“Go All the Way” by The Raspberries
Almost certainly not based on a true story, the chorus repeats, “She kissed me and said ”˜baby please, go all the way.’ ” Even so, the extravagant lyrics are saved by Beatles-esque harmonies and a catchy song structure (a 10-second verse followed by a one minute sing-along chorus). Â
“A Certain Kind” by The Soft Machine
It’s unfortunate this jazz fusion group never made it like most bands listed here. This truly emotional song features lead singer Robert Wyatt crooning while playing inventively on the drums.
“Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix
It’s tough to say what Jimi was more attracted to: women or sound. He was famous for straddling his guitar on stage and writing lyrics like “music, sweet music, I wish I could caress”¦”. To me it’s clear, Jimi liked music as more than a friend. In “Little Wing,” he serenades with blissful rhythm guitar and soulful leads.
“Nights in White Satin” by The Moody Blues
One of the band’s many songs about unrequited love. It is also the first radio hit to feature an orchestra (and a flute solo!). It’s melodramatic; it’s angsty; it’s love.
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