10 FAVORITE LOVE SONGS & 10 FAVORITE BREAKUP SONGS

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LOVE SONGS:

So the girl of (gorilla?) your dreams comes along and suddenly there’s that feeling that your heart is glowing like the sun
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and love is oozing out of your every pore like hot lava

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and every damn song makes you think of HER.

The following favorite love songs are in alphabetical order.

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No one to talk with, all by myself

No one to walk with, but I'm happy on the shelf,

Ain't misbehavin', I'm savin' my love for you.

Now I know for certain, you're the one I love,

I'm through with flirtin', just you I'm dreamin' of,

Ain't misbehavin', I'm savin' my love for you.

Ain’t Misbehavin’
Hank Williams Junior

It was written by Fats Waller and it’s been sung by everyone with a tongue, but no one ever had more fun with it than Hank Junior. The Countess and I – this was “our” song.

Song Sample: Ain’t Misbehavin’

At times I just don't know

How you could be anything but beautiful

I think that I was made for you
And you were made for me

And I know that I won't ever change

We've been friends through rain or shine

For such a long, long time

Beautiful
Gordon Lightfoot

A beautiful song titled what it is. I once told my Ma that this song made me think of her, and then I played it. Naturally, she cried.

Song Sample: Beautiful

What a dream I had

Pressed in organdy

Clothed in crinoline

Of smoky burgundy

Softer than the rain

I wandered empty streets down

Past the shop displays

I heard cathedral bells

Tripping down the alleyways

As I walked on

For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her
Simon & Garfunkel

To me, it’s not just a love song, it’s a symbol of 'The Unknown Girl'. [For mo’ info, see the link at the end of this Blog Bit.]

Song Sample: For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her

Somewhere there's got to be

Someplace where you and me

Can get away from this noise and worry

Just you and me alone

There'd be no telephone

We'd never be in a hurry

Just a hill with some tall trees

Where a creek comes movin’ right by

Minglin’ with the green of the grass

And the blue of the sky

Heaven Can Be Anywhere (Twin Pines Theme)
The Charlie Daniels Band

My old friend Louie George turned me on to the “Midnight Wind” album in 1977. The Charlie Daniels Band ain’t ordinarily my type of music, but this song is atypical of them and really, really lovely. I had to wait an awful lot of years before this was released on compact disc.

Song Sample: Heaven Can Be Anywhere (Twin Pines Theme)

As we eye
The blue horizon's bend
Earth and sky
Appear to meet and end
But it's merely an illusion
Like your heart and mine
There is no sweet conclusion

I can see
No matter how near you'll be
You'll never belong to me
But I can dream
Can't I?

I Can Dream, Can’t I?
The Carpenters

No, a person cannot be trained to sing like this; they either have “it” or they don’t. Karen Carpenter had “it” and then some. That unfathomable melancholy quality in her voice was being tapped at the soul level - good luck teaching that. Few people realize that Karen had an impressive vocal range from D below middle C to G above high C. But for her, it wasn’t about showing off her voice – it was about expressing the song’s feeling.

Song Sample: I Can Dream, Can’t I?

If Ever I Would Leave You
Richie Cole

The original version is from the movie “Camelot” and it includes lyrics. But this instrumental version by Richie Cole blows the original version away. Who needs words when the music says it ALL? [See my “film noir” review of Richie’s playing in the link section at Blog Bit’s end.]

Song Sample: If Ever I Would Leave You (Play Track #7)

Hey, have you ever tried,

Really reaching out for the other side?

I may be climbing on rainbows

But, baby here goes.

Dreams there for those who sleep,

Life is for us to keep,

And if you're wondering

What this song is leading to

I want to make it with you

I really think that we can make it girl.

Make It With You
Bread

I heard it when it was being played regularly on AM radio in 1970. Loved it then, love it now. The “Emily” I wanted to try to “make it with” never showed up, but a couple of songs still make me think of her – wherever she is.

Song Sample: Make It With You

I should go out and honk the horn, it's Independence Day

But instead I just pour myself a drink

It's got to be love, I've never felt this way

Oh baby, this one's from the heart

The shadows on the wall look like a railroad track

I wonder if he's ever comin' back

The moon's a yellow stain across the sky

Oh baby, this one's from the heart

This One’s From The Heart
Tom Waits / Crystal Gayle

Written by the brilliant Tom Waits, it’s a duet with Crystal Gayle and features the romantic trumpet playing of Jack Sheldon, who put on one of the five most memorable concerts I ever attended. Saw Jack Sheldon in Las Vegas, appropriately enough.

Song Sample: This One’s From The Heart

Just you know why

Why you and I

Will by and by

Know true love ways

Sometimes we’ll sigh

Sometimes we’ll cry

And we’ll know why

Just you and I

Know true love ways

True Love Ways
Buddy Holly

I’ve never been a Buddy Holly fan, but I gotta say, this song is as pretty as it is simple.

Song Sample: True Love Ways

Claire had all but given up

When she and Edwin fell in love

She touched his face and shook her head

In disbelief she sighed and said

“In many dreams I've held you near

Now at last you're really here

“Where have you been?

I've looked for you for ever and a day

Where have you been?

I'm just not myself when you're away”

Where’ve You Been?
Kathy Mattea

Wow. If the end of this song doesn’t make you misty eyed, there is something seriously wrong with you. Seek treatment.

Video: Where’ve You Been?

I’m adding a couple of ‘Honorable Mentions’ because these songs only missed making my list by the mere width of a wiener dog’s whisker:

Hello, it's me

I've thought about us for a long, long time

Maybe I think too much but something's wrong

There's something here that doesn't last too long

Maybe I shouldn't think of you as mine

Seeing you

Or seeing anything as much as I do you

I take for granted that you're always there

I take for granted that you just don't care

Sometimes I can't help seeing all the way through

Hello, It’s Me
Todd Rundgren

I heard this song when I was still a boy in 1973. I always loved it but never knew who the artist was until I met “Toddfan Discman”, that is L.C. of DiscConnected. It’s a wonder L.C. even maintains a friendship with me seeing as how ignint I was until just the last 8 years or so.

Song Sample: Hello, It’s Me

You are the sunshine of my life

That's why I'll always be around,

You are the apple of my eye,

Forever you'll stay in my heart

I feel like this is the beginning,

Though I've loved you for a million years,

And if I thought our love was ending,

I'd find myself drowning in my own tears

You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
Stevie Wonder

Well, what do I need to say about this one? Everyone knows it, everyone loves it.

Song Sample: You Are The Sunshine Of My Life

BREAKUP SONGS:

So then the inevitable breakup comes and you’re left feeling as though your icy heart has a huge hole cut out of the center of it

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and you wonder if maybe you ought to just end it all in one big leap.

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No list of favorite breakup songs from me is complete without the inclusion of “Pagan Streams” by Van Morrison. Well, it’s not exactly a song because Van doesn’t sing, he simply speaks while music plays behind him. Nevertheless, no song reminds me of the most significant breakup of my life more so than does “Pagan Streams”. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate either a song sample or a video clip for it. Despite this terrible omission, the following alphabetized songs are otherwise my favorites in the “Breakup” category:

Broken bicycles, old busted chains

With rusted handle bars, out in the rain

Somebody must have an orphanage for

All these things that nobody wants any more

September's reminding July

It's time to be saying goodbye

Summer is gone, but our love will remain

Like old broken bicycles out in the rain

Broken Bicycles
Tom Waits

Lyrical brilliance from the brilliant songwriter, Tom Waits. The distant train whistle at the end just tears me apart!

Song Sample: Broken Bicycles

Where did your long hair go?

Where is the girl I used to know?

How could you lose that happy glow?

Oh, Caroline no

Who took that look away?

I remember how you used to say

You'd never change, but that's not true

Oh, Caroline you . . .

Caroline No
The Beach Boys

How great is this song? Well, when I was a young teenager, I would play it while lying on my bed in the dark and I'd cry about the loss of my girlfriend. And I'd never even HAD a girlfriend! That’s how great it is.

Song Sample: Caroline No

This time we almost made the pieces fit, didn't we?

This time we almost made some sense of it, didn't we?

This time I had the answer right here in my hand,

Then I touched it, and it all turned to sand.

Didn’t We?
Johnny Mathis

This one reminds me of the second and last time The Countess and I broke up. But we almost made it that time.

Video: Didn’t We?

If you could read my mind, love,

What a tale my thoughts could tell.

Just like an old time movie

About a ghost from a wishing well.

In a castle dark or a fortress strong

With chains upon my feet.

You know that ghost is me

And I will never be set free

As long as I'm a ghost that you can see.

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I never thought I could act this way

And I've got to say that I just don't get it.

I don't know where we went wrong

But the feeling’s gone and I just can't get it back.

If You Could Read My Mind
Gordon Lightfoot

I hear it, and Inga from Wisconsin is immediately in my mind.

Song Sample: If You Could Read My Mind

Wrapped around each other

Trying so hard to stay warm

That first cold winter together

Lying in each others arms

Watching those old movies

Falling in love so desperately

Honey, I was your hero

And you were my leading lady

We had it all

Just like Bogie and Bacall

Starring in our own late, late show

Sailing away to Key Largo

Key Largo
Bertie Higgins

In my book, one of the all-time great One-Hit Wonders.

Song Sample: Key Largo

Photographs and memorie

Christmas cards you sent to me

All that I have are these

To remember you

Memories that come at night

Take me to another time

Back to a happier day

When I called you mine

But we sure had a good time

When we started way back when

Morning walks and bedroom talks

Oh how I loved you then

Photographs And Memories
Jim Croce

It reminds me of a certain someone and it still crushes me.

Song Sample: Photographs And Memories

Put another log on the fire.

Cook me up some bacon and some beans

And go out to the car and change the tire

Wash my socks and sew my old blue jeans

Come on, baby, you can fill my pipe

And then go fetch my slippers

And boil me up another pot of tea.

Then put another log on the fire, babe,

And come and tell me why you're leaving me.

Put Another Log On The Fire
Tompall Glaser

This must be the funniest breakup song of all time. One person commenting on the YouTube video (see link below) had this to say: “Oh baby, wait till I play this for my old lady. I got my suitcase in the truck already!!!!!!”

Video: Put Another Log On The Fire

Softly, I will leave you softly

For my heart would break

If you should wake

And see me go

So I leave you softly...

Long before you miss me

Long before your arms

Can beg me stay

For one more hour

Or one more day...

After all the years

I can't bear the tears to fall

So softly as I leave you there

As I leave you there

As I leave you there...

Softly, As I Leave You
Bobby Darin

So sad because it really did happen this way.

Song Sample: Softly, As I Leave You

No tears, no fears,

Remember there's always tomorrow

So what if we have to part?

We'll be together again

Your kiss, your smile,

Are memories I'll treasure forever

So try thinking with your heart,

We'll be together again

We’ll Be Together Again
Frank Sinatra

This is the song that was used in the last scene of the TV series “Moonlighting”. It made my Ma cry. I played it for her in 2005 at the hospice facility where she passed away after a few days. It was the right way to say “Goodbye”.

Song Sample: We’ll Be Together Again

Our conversation was short and sweet

It nearly swept me off-a my feet

And I'm back in the rain, oh-oh

And you're on dry land

You made it there somehow

You're a big girl now.

Bird on the horizon sitting on a fence

He's singing his song for me at his own expense

And I'm just like that bird, oh-oh

Singin’ just for you

I hope that you can hear

Hear me singing through these tears.

You’re A Big Girl Now
Bob Dylan

This is my favorite song from the “Blood On The Tracks” album – a collection of breakup songs that are absolutely great for drinking to. (Lock away all sharp objects first!) This song – as well as the entire album – is all about Terrill and me. But then you already knew that.

Song Sample: You’re A Big Girl Now
(Sadly, just 29 seconds and not the “Blood On The Tracks” album version)

I’m adding a couple of ‘Honorable Mentions’ because these songs only missed making my list by the mere width of a politician’s honesty:

I'm just a scarecrow without you

Baby, please don't disappear

I beg your pardon, dear
I got a bottle for a trumpet

And a hatbox for a drum

And I beg your pardon, dear

I got upset,

I lost my head

I didn't mean the things I said

You are the landscape of my dreams

Darling, I beg your pardon

I'd give you Boardwalk

And Park Place

And all of my hotels

I beg your pardon, dear

I Beg Your Pardon
Tom Waits

Name a better songwriter!

“I’m just a scarecrow without you” – is there a better opening line in recorded music?

Song Sample: I Beg Your Pardon

I followed her to the station, with her suitcase in my hand,

And I followed her to the station, with her suitcase in my hand.

Well, it's hard to tell, it's hard to tell, when all your love's in vain,

All my love's in vain.

When the train rolled up to the station, I looked her in the eye,

When the train rolled up to the station, and I looked her in the eye.

Well, I was lonesome, I felt so lonesome, and I could not help but cry.

All my love's in vain.

Love In Vain
Robert Johnson

Classic stuffs. One of the bluest of The Blues.

Song Sample: Love In Vain

BONUS TRACK:

And what do I do with this? . . .

Hasn't it been a long hard climb?

Everything taking its own sweet time

And hasn't there been some long, lonely nights

When you didn't think that anything would turn out right?

Woah, baby, come and lay by me

In the cool, cool shade of that old oak tree

Long Hard Climb
Maria Muldaur

Is it a love song or a breakup song? The words say love but the haunting melody says it’s over. If not now, soon. I love it but I'm not sure how to classify it.

Song Sample: Long Hard Climb

~ Stephen T. McCarthy

LINKS:

“For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her” (Or, “I Got Them ‘Bad Luck With Womens’ Blues”)

“If Ever I Would Leave You” – A Film Noir Review

YE OLDE COMMENT POLICY: All comments, pro and con, are welcome. However, ad hominem attacks and disrespectful epithets will not be tolerated (read: "posted"). After all, this isn’t Amazon.com, so I don’t have to put up with that kind of bovine excrement.

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