The Beehive Asks? What's the best love song?
There are a lot of mushy love songs that make you want to gag, like anything by Michael Bolten, for instance. There are some that get stuck in your head, whether you want them to or not. Does "I Think I Love You," come to mind? And, every generation has a love duet they can't help but fall for. "Almost Paradise," anyone? Then, there are those songs that last a lifetime (I mean, really, there is a reason Etta James singing "At Last," is one of the most popular wedding songs).
So, in honor of Valentine's Day, let's debate: What's the best love song? I asked our Beehive bloggers to give me their favorites:
Heather: Anything by Otis Redding, but specifically "That's How Strong My Love Is." Second choice: Meatloaf's "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" because "No, I'm not going to do that -- not on your birthday, not on Valentine's Day, so seriously, stop asking" is kind of a mood killer.
Mike Oz:"Baby Got Back" alllll the way. No? I can't say that? Fine. I'll just shout out my two favorite hip-hop love songs because I know nobody else will -- You Got Me" by The Roots and "The Light" by Common.
Will: I always liked Adam Sandler's "I Wanna Grow Old With You" from "The Wedding Singer." It's very sweet.
Rick: I'll go with "All You Need is Love" by the Beatles.
Felicia: Pick just one song? I can't. I have three love songs that, well, I just love:
1. "The Way You Look Tonight." I'll take either the soft swinging versions by Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett . Total classic. It starts out "Some day/ When I'm awfully low/ When the world is cold/ I will feel a glow just thinking of you... / And the way you look tonight."
2. "The Look of Love." The Dusty Springfield version from 1967. Some may think it's too Muzak-like. Not me. It has a slow, sexy, bossa nova-like touch. Springfield's husky voice is tender and longing. Strings play in the background. It is all about setting a mood.
3. "Suddenly." This one is from Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richards was in the 1980 movie, "Xanadu" (which I never saw.) The song fluffy and a bit hokey, but it hooked me. I like its simple optimism about the promise of a new-found love: "Suddenly the wheels are in motion/ And I'm ready to sail any ocean/ Suddenly, I don't need the answers/ Because I'm ready to take all my chances with you."
My pick?
Kathy: "Unchained Melody." No matter how many times I've heard this song, it never gets old. And, it really irritates me when some lame singer butchers it on American Idol.
So, what love song rocks your world?
Comments:
K-ci anf Jojo... "All my Life" :)
Posted by: Melyssa at February 13, 2009 2:36 PM
Lovesong- the cure
Posted by: teresa at February 13, 2009 2:46 PM
its all about no ordinary love, sadé...
Posted by: Diablo at February 13, 2009 2:47 PM
Well Oz, I was going to say The Roots "You Got Me". I agree with you. It's a great one.
It's really hard to nail down the greatest love song. Surely Jodeci can get a nod... Righteous Brothers is good.
How about Bon Jovi "I'll be there for you"?? That one really got the girls nuts back in the day...
Posted by: Chris at February 13, 2009 2:51 PM
brown skin lady!
Posted by: teresa at February 13, 2009 2:51 PM
Kci and JoJo - last nights letter
and
Sade - Cherish the day
I couldnt narrow it down.
Posted by: Michelle Renee at February 13, 2009 2:56 PM
There have different ones at different periods in my life. Of late I have been partial to fotografia as done by Elaine Elias. Felicia may dig it too.
Posted by: marcel at February 13, 2009 2:58 PM
Garbage's #1 Crush and Social Distortion's cover of Ring of Fire.
Posted by: Michael at February 13, 2009 3:00 PM
Either Mel Torme's That's All or The Gershwin's Let's Call the Whole Thing off.
For more contemporary tastes, either Brian Wilson's Melt Away or James Ingram's One Hundred Ways
Posted by: Jason at February 13, 2009 3:06 PM
How Deep Is Your Love? by the BeeGees
Posted by: SamEyeAm at February 13, 2009 3:09 PM
Simple answer:
Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game"
Second is Harry Nilsson's "Without You"
Posted by: Famous at February 13, 2009 3:10 PM
I'm loving all the love for Jodeci/K-Ci and JoJo...awesome.
How about "To Be With You" by Mr. Big??? Classic.
Posted by: DChild at February 13, 2009 3:13 PM
Closer by NIN...Best Love Song EVER!!!!
Posted by: Travis Sheridan at February 13, 2009 3:13 PM
Al Green - "Let's Stay Together"
Posted by: Cristobal at February 13, 2009 3:14 PM
..man, way to many...
off the top of my head?:
'True Companion' (Marc Cohen)
'In Other Words (fly me to the moon)' Bobby Darrin
'Take My Hand (extended re-mix)' Dido
'Can't Take my Eyes off of You (just too good to be true)' Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
'Time to Say Goodbye (Con te Partiro)' (Andrea Boccelli/Sarah Brightman)
'TransAtlanticism' (Death Cab for Cutie)
'Sea of Love' (Tom Waits)
'Kiss to Build a Dream On' (Louis Armstrong)
'I Loves You Porgie' (Nina Samone)
'Drive All Night' (Bruce Springsteen)
'At My Most Beautiful' (REM)
'God Only Knows' (Beach Boys)
'Heaven Can Wait' (Meatloaf)
'Love Over Gold' (Dire Straits)
'Love Song for a Vampire' (Annie Lennox)
'Head over Heels' (Tears for Fears)
Posted by: heartbeat towel at February 13, 2009 3:15 PM
Come & Talk To Me and Forever My Lady > All My Life
DeVante Swing FTW!
Posted by: Mike Oz at February 13, 2009 3:15 PM
@Famous: That was my second choice.
@DChild: Love "To Be With You" ... wish I had thought of that one.
Posted by: Kathy at February 13, 2009 3:15 PM
How could I forget "One More Try" by Timmy T?
Posted by: Heather at February 13, 2009 3:18 PM
"I Finally Found Someone" by Barbara Streisand and Bryan Adams is a good one too.
Posted by: SamEyeAm at February 13, 2009 3:23 PM
For me, it would have to be "Color My World" by Chicago! Simple, short and sweet! Anyone remember that one?
Posted by: shelly slaven at February 13, 2009 3:24 PM
(shelly)
-oh yes... very early 70's
first slowdance with a (beautiful) older woman at a wedding (I was 9, she was 16...)
Her name was 'Onnie' (short for Onika?)
-yes, she was a hippie-chick, had a beautiful peasant dress on, and had flowing chestnut hair, beneath a ring of flowers.
(and she smelled great...)
Posted by: heartbeat towel at February 13, 2009 3:34 PM
I'm a big fan of "If I Had a Million Dollars" by Barenaked Ladies or "Another First Kiss" by TMBG.
But I like my love songs with goofy phrases.
Jennifer
Posted by: Code Monkey at February 13, 2009 3:38 PM
I Wanna Stand With You On A Mountain by Savage Garden...always fresh...
Posted by: travis Sheridan at February 13, 2009 3:39 PM
how come no one is mentioning Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" or Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" ???
Oh, and I know it's probably taboo to mention the dudes name, but Chris Brown did this song called "With You" and it's awesome. not to mention I'm listening to it right now. and getting ready to duck the rocks you are going to throw at me.
And what is going on with the preview button on this comment page? How come all I get is an error message when I click it?
Posted by: Chris at February 13, 2009 3:50 PM
Oh man: I totally forgot Roy Orbison's "Crying."
Or: Buddy Holly's "Wishing."
Posted by: Famous at February 13, 2009 3:54 PM
" After All" by Peter Cetera and Cher is hubs and my song ( didn't make sense then... but 20 years later it's perfect)...
But..
"Shameless" Billy Joel OR Garth Brooks makes me happy. I'm not a country girl... but still love Shameless by Garth.
I totally agree with "Love Song For a Vampire"....but then again anything Vampire related ( except for Twilight) makes me happy and can only be improved with Annie Lennox's voice.
I couldn't even pick my favorite Cure love song... they're all perfect and has applied at some time or another.
Posted by: Claire at February 13, 2009 3:56 PM
@Chris: I DID mention "Let's Stay Together!" Apparently Chris' think alike.
Posted by: Cristobal at February 13, 2009 4:27 PM
@ Cristobal - my fault. I must have skipped right pat that post... My fault. Great minds do tend to think alike I've heard...
Posted by: Chris at February 13, 2009 4:35 PM
"Suck My Ass It Smells" - GG Allin
Posted by: DLR at February 13, 2009 4:35 PM
When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge
Posted by: Jamie at February 13, 2009 4:53 PM
...Darn! DLR -I forgot that one.
Posted by: heartbeat towel at February 13, 2009 4:53 PM
@marcel: "fotografia" by Elaine Elias was just lovely. Thanks for mentioning it.
Posted by: felicia matlosz at February 13, 2009 5:07 PM
off the top of my head...
Elvis - Can't Help Falling in Love With You (Bono actually sings a very sweet version)
and/or Til There Was You - have to have a Beatles/Paul song
Posted by: Marty at February 13, 2009 5:11 PM
Ray Charles: I Can't Stop Loving You
"They say that time heals a broken heart, but time has stood still, since we've been apart"
That has to be one of the greatest lines in love song! Ever!
Abe
Posted by: Abe Lopez at February 13, 2009 5:33 PM
@ Felicia... you're welcome. I've always though Eliane dreamy... and a damn fine jazz player to boot. Now perhaps we can talk Suicide Lounge to work the song into one of their future shows.
Posted by: marcel at February 13, 2009 6:00 PM
"Something" By the Beatles. That is a very touching and tender love song.
Posted by: Martin Martinez at February 13, 2009 6:31 PM
'Ruby'....Ray Charles
'Since I Fell For You'....anybody
'Unforgetable'....Nat/Natalie Cole
Posted by: Chase Sanborn at February 13, 2009 6:36 PM
Okay, crap....
"When I Fall in Love"...yeah, that one...Sleepless in Sanger.
and, uh, "Since I Fell for You"...was by the Starliners, or the lady in the MedicAlert commercials.
My bad
Okay, toss in 'Chuckie's In Love'
Posted by: Chase Sanborn at February 13, 2009 6:44 PM
'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face'
One of the best songs ever ever.
Posted by: Stephen at February 13, 2009 7:00 PM
..chase, yer killin' me...
Okay:
'I Only Have Eyes For You,' (the Platters)
'Lucky Guy' Ricki Lee Jones
(dude, I sooo forgot her, my bad, that one's going onto the deck tonight...)
'For a Dancer' (Jackson Browne)
and the ultimate killer?
'I Miss You' (Randy Newman)
Posted by: heartbeat towel at February 13, 2009 7:10 PM
Geez, I must be getting old, never heard of some of these.
I agree with Nat King Cole...Unforgettable
Tony Bennett.....The way you look tonight
How about The Shadow of your smile.... Tony Bennett
Stardust, Blue Velvet,Theme from Love Story,My Foolish Heart,
Too Young...Nat King Cole
Only You.....The Platters
Too many to mention
anything by Brook Benton, Chris Botti, El Divo
For the very old, "I'm Yours" by Don Cornell From your hit parade 1952
Least we forget,, My Funny Valentine, Sinatra or Botti
For the country & western crowd
Welcome to My World...Jim Reeves
He Stopped Loving Her Today....George Jones
And from us in Hawaii,
Lover of Mine By Isreal
Posted by: grandpa at February 13, 2009 9:39 PM
Okay, I've got a 3-way tie here...
1) When I See You Smile - Bad English
2) I Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
3) Automobile - NWA
Posted by: Tweed at February 14, 2009 9:33 AM
...whoah, grandpa... killer set there (I'm serious)
and I am so glad you mentioned 'Iz' (Israel Kamakawiwo'ole)
I had no idea who this guy was until I accidently downloaded his blend of 'somewhere over the rainbow/what a wonderful world' (heard it initially on '50 First Dates') and was completely blown away by his voice...
I had seen his albums, like, once of twice, but it never registered, I just remembered this huge guy floating in a swimming pool...
(for the uninformed, Iz weighed in (reportedly) at times close to 800lbs. (really big guy..) and wore, like, a sarong (looks like exclusively.) --very striking figure.
Unfortunately, he died in '97 or something, and is just now becoming known outside o Hawaii in a big way (no pun intended.) I was just reading about his life (on Wiki) and am just really intreagued by his efforts and such
(like, he was really serious about 'Hawaii (reverting) back to it's own nation... and was only the third person to lie in state at the capitol when he died (and only non polititian to do so... 10,000 people at his funeral...')
-but to anyone who has not heard his voice, truly sounds like an angel... there are some days were the only thing that will 'work' is his 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World'
It's a shame that he passed so young, (basically he stopped breathing due to the weight,) but man, what a gift of music...
(thanks for bringing him up.---and good setlist over all.)
Posted by: heartbeat towel at February 15, 2009 9:00 AM
"Grow Old Along With Me"....a song by John Lennon that was only in the demo stage when he was killed.
It was included on the post-killed album "Milk and Honey" and then orchestrated in a lovely way by Beatles producer George Martin for a box set put out a few years later.
When my wife and I were married, we had a good friend play Lennon's "Love" ....and then I thought of 'Grow Old..."....well, maybe that'll be for a 50th anniversary.
Posted by: blake at February 15, 2009 10:07 PM
I'd like to post some after the fact submissions... stuff I forgot to mention and have since revisited to be sure they were worthy...
Amos Lee - Arms Of A Woman, and Colors
Posted by: Chris at February 16, 2009 11:21 AM
"Slow Ride" by Foghat and "Miracles" by Jefferson Starship. Oh yeah!
Posted by: Marietta at February 18, 2009 7:49 PM
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