Born to Fly: Mary Poppins, Bruce Springsteen, and the Spell of Immortality
My husband is a crier in movies; I am not. Occasionally something will tug out a tear or two, but it’s rare. And weeping? Unheard ... Read More
I’m kicking off a series called “What’s Your Favorite Song?” where we all get to share our favorite song of a particular topical genre.
As a songwriter, there are certain songs people expect you to write. For example: sooner or later someone is going to ask to hear a love song. But my feeling was why add another love song to the pain of the world :-). Maybe I’m jaded, but I mean it’s been done so many times – how could you ever hope to offer anything original that didn’t feel derivative? And with so many songs distorted by maudlin sentimentality at best or narcissistic self-centeredness at worst, it can leave me feeling like the last thing I want to hear is another love song, let alone try to write one. And yet… and yet…
There comes along once in a while a love song that awakens deep longings, and makes your heart ache with the beauty of it, and you believe again (cue the love theme from Titanic here). You know, the kind of song that might make you want to stand outside the window of that special someone, raise your boombox up over your head like John Cusack in Say Anything, and hit play. But what song would you play?
All kidding aside, I’m talking about the kind of song makes you ache with something like joy and want to love better. So I wanted to start my own “On The Table” thread and asked some rabbit roomers what their top three favorite loves songs are and why.
I also hope to hear from other posters as well! Please tell us about three (or more, or less) of your favorite love songs and why we should love them as much as you do.
(There are subcategories of love songs like heartbreak songs, break up songs, love lost, etc. So with this one I’m specifically thinking of love songs that speak to the beauty and longing of it, even the wishing for or gratitude of it.)
Alright, I’ll start!
Jason “I’m a lover not a fighter” Gray
The line-up is ever changing, but right now I think my top three are as follows:
3. “I Want You To Be My Love” – Over The Rhine
I just like the way it feels and the beautiful simplicity of it.
(Listen to this song and watch a really cool fan video by clicking here)
2. “Take It With Me When I Go” – Tom Waits
“…in a land there’s a town, in that town there’s a house and in that house there’s a woman.
And in that woman there’s a heart I love
I’m going to take it with me when I go…”
(Listen to “Take It With Me” by clicking here)
1. “The Luckiest” – Ben Folds
I think a part of why I fell in love with this song is because it came from such an unexpected source. It is perhaps one of the most tender love songs I’ve ever heard and it comes from one of the most crass and smart alecky artists I know. Because of this, I think it comes as a gift – unexpected and therefore able to get past my heart’s best defenses. I love, too, that the lyric could sound creepy coming from anybody else (verse 2). The song is so unguardedly sincere, original, and startlingly tender. Folds knows that the usual well where love songs come from has been nearly exhausted and that if it’s to mean anything, he has to come up with another way of saying “I Love You”. I think he pulls it off:
(verse 2)…What if I’d been born fifty years before you
In a house on a street where you lived?
Maybe I’d be outside as you passed on your bike
Would I know?
And in a white sea of eyes
I see one pair that I recognize
And I know
That I am… the luckiest
I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you
Next door there’s an old man who lived to his nineties
And one day passed away in his sleep
And his wife; she stayed for a couple of days
And passed away
I’m sorry, I know that’s a strange way to tell you that I know we belong
That I know
That I am… the luckiest
(Listen to “The Luckiest” by clicking here)
Eric “The Love Jones” Peters
1. “Sky Blue and Black” – Jackson Browne
This song strikes me as a beautifully sad love song.
2. “Rock of Your Love” – John Hiatt
One of my favorite choruses in all of musicdom.
3. “Let My Love Open the Door” – Pete Townshend
God bless the 80’s with its seemingly-lost art of hook writing and the 2-1/2 minute pop song. This song still feels so very good to me, even 20-something years after its initial release. I recommend the “E. Cola mix” version on his “Best Of” album.
Matt “My Heart Will Go On” Connor
I know it would sound cooler if I name-dropped living legends, classic rock or cult status artists, but I’m not really cool at all. So I have to go back to the time when I did believe I was cool and pay tribute to the greatest love songs circa ’80s hair metal.
1. Winger – “Seventeen”
Key Lyric: She’s only seventeen/ Daddy says she’s too young/ But she’s old enough for me
2. Bon Jovi – “I’ll be There For You”
Key Lyric: I’ll be the water when you get thirsty, baby/ When you get drunk, I’ll be the wine
3. Sheriff – “When I’m With You”
Key Lyric: Baby ooh I get chills when I’m with you oh
Pete “you gotta let a playa play” Peterson
Boy, lemme see here…
First let me say that I’m not a big fan of favorites lists simply because mine are always changing depending on what’s going on in my life and what I’m listening to. With that in mind though, here’s what I narrowed it down to (oh boy, this is gonna be harder than I thought):
3. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel
Although it’s old and everyone’s heard it a million times, it’s just so heartbreakingly beautiful and ageless that I just couldn’t pass it by. My favorite part of the song is the verse that generally gets skipped over, the third.
Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
If you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
I love that verse not only because it’s the climax of the song, but because it’s an acknowledgment of the fact that loving a person means that sometimes you have to let them go on without you while assuring them that you still love and support them.
2. “Song of Songs” by Pierce Pettis
This song is steamy. No really. Don’t let the kids read this:
When your garden is wet with the morning dew
I will lie in the naked grass with you
I’ll fill my head with nature’s thick perfume
As the blushing sun throws its scarlet hues
Across the sky
And all creation groans
See what I mean? My favorite is the last verse though:
So who is this like rosy dawn
Moving softly like a rising fawn
Trailing starlight as she runs
Fair as the moon bright as the sun
She is my bride
I’ve come to take her home
And I will sing to her my song of songs.
If I had a wife, I’d sing that to her…actually, nevermind…I can’t sing and it’d just come out creepy.
After much deliberation I’m giving my number one spot to…
1. “In the Garden” by Van Morrison – This song just pulls it all together. It’s sensual, it’s spiritual, it’s intimate. It’s an amazing picture of two people in love and allowing the Lord to be a part of their union.
And as I touched your cheek so lightly
Born again you were, and blushed
And we touched each other lightly
And we felt the presence of the Christ within our hearts
In the garden
And I turned to you and I said
No guru, no method, no teacher
Just you and I and nature
And the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost
In the garden
Wet with rain
Awesome sauce. And because I’m a horrid list-maker, here’s a few runner’s-up: Springsteen’s Secret Garden (perfectly captures that mysterious thing about women that perfectly baffles me), Falling Slowly from the Once Soundtrack, North Dakota by Lyle Lovett, and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (the long, dramatic, Diana Ross version…and that version only).
Ron “I once dated Amanda Lynn, but I had to break up with her because she was too high strung (bah dumbump)” Block
Being a huge fan of these two artists for at least the past 25 years, here are two of my favorite love songs:
“Something in the Way She Moves” – James Taylor.
A song that centers on the almost metaphysical nature and subtleties of human love.
And the for longing side of love:
“A Case of You” – Joni Mitchell.
That’s James Taylor on acoustic guitar, by the way.
Russ “Romeo” Ramsey
“Home Within Your Heart”- David Wilcox, from Underneath.
I love it because it is a love song about fighting. And it’s beautifully composed. It opens with this:
“Too tired to sleep, too angry to pray,
too far down to get back up,
too lost to find my way.
Who knows what happened, I’m too confused to say,
and too far gone to turn back now;
it’s too late anyway.
I don’t need a clever confidant to try
to soothe with hollow words,
I’ve heard them all.
What I need is just to know
I have a home within your heart.”
“Hold Up My Arms”- Andrew Peterson, from Clear to Venus
I love the side-by-side image of marriage captured in this one. “Hold up my arms like Moses in the desert when the battle went long. Hold up my arms. We can go at this together when my arms aren’t strong.” The reason this is on my list is because I recently heard Andrew sing it to a room full of grade-school kids. He was there for a reading of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness and they asked him to play some songs. This one was a special request, and the teacher had taught the kids the chorus. So when he got to the chorus, every kid in the room started belting out the chorus along with him, and I have to tell you, it was quite powerful hearing just Andrew with his guitar and the voices of those children. I heard it in a new way and it made my list in a big way that day.
“No Place Closer to Heaven” – Charlie Peacock, from West Coast Diaries, Volume 2
Always has been ever since I first heard it.
Curt “The Love Doctor” McLey
Thanks for a great topic, Jason. It should be noted of course, the futility of this kind of project, distilling utmost pinnacle in a veritable forest of pinnacles. As a life-long lover of music which has consumed my personal and professional life for over forty years, this is a daunting task, for sure. The only hope I have of completing such an assignment is to shift my mind into random mode, with a little help from my iPod, to cherry pick the ripest musical fruit, which just happens to fall from the tree.
1. “Beauty” – David Mead
It’s haunting, lovely in an aching, melancholy way. Like most favorite songs, it’s personal. It illustrates my life long quest for beauty in all forms–music, movies, books, nature, even marital bliss–all of which, in the end, leave me to one extent or another (sorry to say) longing:
“Beauty, where to find it,
Can’t be far
Beauty, where you’re hiding,
Tell me, I’ll go where you are
I’ll go where you are.”
The bridge is the pivot point:
‘Cause every tear your silly eye bleeds
Well never fear, you may never see worse than this
I want to find a beautiful place
But maybe I forgot about today, now, here
It’s a reminder to graciously embrace beauty, with the realization that each beauty–each life, each love, each moment, however wonderful–is a mere reflection of that which is to come. To me, that’s concurrently very happy and very sad.
2. “Woman” – John Lennon
At once–lyrically and musically–harvests gratitude and unspeakable love through the vehicle of regret. It’s too trite to call this song an apology, though ostensibly, that’s what it is. I distinctly remember typing the lyrics out, as a prelude to my handwritten apology to my wife, after one of my early, long forgotten marital offences, from the early days.
3. “True” – Glen Phillips
On the surface, a prosaic ballad, but every line just so happens to characterize the primary relationship in my life. The double-entendre of the phrase, “I’ll be true,” with meaning that encompasses the respective meanings of honesty and faithfulness elevates the song into something more. My soul shreds into a million pieces when I remember those times when I haven’t been true, a million more pieces when my wife tells me that it’s okay anyway.
I wonder
107 Comments
Janna Barber
I’m no good at picking favs or making lists either. 5, just off the top of my head:
True Companion — Marc Cohn
Sand and Water – Beth Neilson Chapman
Drunkard’s Prayer — OTR (love the ocean, wavy feeling of this one)
Glory of Love — Peter Cetera
Mystery — Indigo Girls
Tony Heringer
“Silly Love Songs” – Wings; I think this is self-explanatory. It’s a fun song about a subject that should be fun. Plus you can harmonize with your wife or at least annoy the kids in the process. You’re probably singing the chorus right now “IIIIIIIIIII loooove yoooou” — ha, now its stuck in your head. Quick put on some Andrew Peterson!
“If I Didn’t Have You” – Randy Travis; Reminds me of a not so classic scene in Urban Cowboy between Bud and Uncle Bob that can only be fully appreciated if you grew up in Southeast Texas with guys like Bud and Uncle Bob. Randy’s take on the subject of love is much cleaner than Uncle Bob’s but the sentiment is the same (think Phil 3:8 — a passage pastors love to exegete).
“Oh Sherrie” – Steve Perry; My wife’s name is Cherie, so I love it when this song happens upon us somewhere – again so I can sing it to her and/or annoy the young people or other innocents that may be in earshot of my joyful noise – and I do mean noise.
“Pride and Joy” – Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble; A sweet and bluesy number from a dearly departed Texan that also makes me pine for Cherie. Yup, I’m singing this one too…right now in fact, can’t you hear the dogs howling!
Finally, my new favorite and a shameless plug for the originator of this post: “Grace” by Jason Gray. My wife and I got all starry-eyed at each other while driving down to Savannah listenning to this lovely song that personifies God’s grace in the form of a woman named Grace.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII loooooooooooooove yooooooooou! Ahhhh….make him stop! Where’s Ron Block when you need him 🙂
Aaron Roughton
“God Only Knows” — Beach Boys — This is my all time favorite. And I think Paul McCartney’s favorite too.
“I Could Write A Book” — Not sure who wrote it, but the version I sing to my wife is the Harry Connick Jr. When Harry Met Sally album version.
“Look Away” — Chicago — It seems like the guys in Chicago must have had a lot of broken hearts. But this is their best effort.
RM Peters
I’ve been a silent member of the rabbit room thus far. Unable to post for fear that what I have to say is nothing compared to the thoughtful, beautiful, amusing, intelligent posts that are often left here. But finally a topic I can chime in on with great confidence in what I have to say! Although my list in this category could go on forever, I can list my top 5, I don’t think I can narrow it down to 3. One of the artists in this list, I could probably fill my top 5 with his songs, but will refrain because there are so many more deserving songs that belong there. Okay here it goes in no particular order:
1. Andrew Peterson “For the Love of God” Promise I’m not trying to suck up here! “Love is not a feeling in your chest, it is bending down to wash another’s feet.” That single line is perhaps the best definition of love I have ever heard in a song. Simple, straight to the point, honest. Other than a few verses from John and I Corinthians, perhaps the best definition of love I have ever heard. It reminds me everyday that love is a choice I make in the way that I show it to my husband, my son, and all the world around me. And love is a choice God made when He sent His Son to die upon that cross for me.
2. David Gray “The One I love.” This is the man that I could list at least five or six love songs of his that are beautiful and unique and lovely. This Year’s Love, Be Mine, Please Forgive Me, Your the World to Me… The list goes on. I chose this one because of it’s simple, unique verses and great melody that speaks to me…”As the tracer glides
In its graceful arc
Send a little prayer out to ya
‘cross the falling dark
Tell the Repo man
And the stars above
That you’re the one I love
yeah.”
3. James Taylor “Something in the Way She Moves” I think someone already posted this one, but I have to agree, it’s a great one. Another artist I could list several songs for.
4.Jason Mraz, “I’m Yours” A recent addition. I like the acoustic version off his new album, he makes a small change to the lyrics, that makes a huge difference in my heart, “It’s our God intended right to be loved…”
5. Ben Harper “When She believes.” Very simple, repetitive, but powerful “Nothing is a beautiful as when she believes in me.”
Bret Welstead
A handful of my favorite loves songs…
“Yours” – Blues Traveler
It was on “Straight On ‘Til Morning”. I love it because you can see the vulnerability, and you understand that love is a fragile and tender relationship. “All I am is yours…”
“Gotta Have You” – The Weepies
This is the reason I bought “Say I Am You”. Almost funny, with mentions of chickens and clucking, but really a sweet song.
“Barbara Manatee” – Veggie Tales
Makes me laugh every time. Larry the Cucumber sings of his love for a soap opera character who also happens to be a manatee.
“May Your Tenderness” – Eric Peters
Love the song, love the story behind it (how it started out as a syrup-y love song but turned into a zydeco two-step).
“All My Life” – David Wilcox
Let’s hear it for Mr. Wilcox! This one’s also from “Underneath” (see Russ Ramsey’s post above). My wife and I played this one at our wedding ceremony, and I think it was also our first dance as husband and wife. I’ve tried learning it a couple of times, but the guitar part makes my fingers lock up and my head start to hurt, and when that happens the love song becomes some sort of musical purgatory, which is not cool. So I stopped trying to play it.
Bret Welstead
Aw, great… I misspelled love.
Chris R
Drunkards Prayer and I Want You to Be My Love (and Rhapsodie) – OTR
But since those, along with other high quality (Ben Folds) have already been taken, check out…
On a Night Like This – Dave Barnes (Key Lyric – I’ve hid myself away from this, but your silhouette is a Judas kiss)
When I Breathe – Billy Cerveny (key lyric – but even still you came to find me, and I didnt know I needed to be rescued)
Evolve – Bosc (key lyric – if you want to take a ride, I could stare at your face all night, blinking is the enemy)
Jeremy
Hah, this list surprised even me..
3. Nothing at all – Ronan Keating
It may be from the countless romantic comedies that this song has been in, but it just makes me think of falling in love.
2. Deeper than the Holler – Randy Travis
No, I’m not joking. This song is simply sweet.
1. Beautiful – Wayne Brady/Jim Brickman
This song is the best. My wife and I heard it while watching Jim Brickman’s Disney special on TV, went out and bought the CD because of it and it ended up playing at our wedding just before her dad handed her off to me. This song sometimes makes me cry. My wife is my Cinderella.
Holding you in my arms
no one else has fit so perfectly
I could dance forever with you, with you
and at the stroke of midnight
please forgive me if I can’t let go
cause I never dreamed I’d find a Cinderella of my own
Cause I’ve seen the rainbows that can take your breath away
the beauty of the setting sun that ends a perfect day
and when it comes to shooting stars, I’ve seen a few
but I’ve never seen anything…as beautiful as you
Kelsey
1. My Cheeseburger — Love songs with Mr. Lunt (if you have to hear a love song, might as well be about some sort of food)
2. Wade Through The Night — Matt Wertz. I like it because it’s a light, fun love song.
3. Must Have Done Something Right — Relient K because of its ridiculous lines like “we should get jerseys ’cause we make a good team”
Emma
til kingdom come – coldplay
-‘for you i’d wait til kingdom come’. makes me weep.
beautiful – me’shell ndegeocello
– pure adoration
brown eyed girl – van morrison
– one time someone played this for me. i fell in love with him. it makes me cry every time.
Curt McLey
@curtmcleyThanks for a great topic, Jason. It should be noted of course, the futility of this kind of project, distilling utmost pinnacle in a veritable forest of pinnacles. As a life-long lover of music which has consumed my personal and professional life for over forty years, this is a daunting task, for sure. The only hope I have of completing such an assignment is to shift my mind into random mode, with a little help from my iPod, to cherry pick the ripest musical fruit, which just happens to fall from the tree.
1. “Beauty” – David Mead – It’s haunting, lovely in an aching, melancholy way. Like most favorite songs, it’s personal. It illustrates my life long quest for beauty in all forms–music, movies, books, nature, even marital bliss–all of which, in the end, leave me to one extent or another (sorry to say) longing:
“Beauty, where to find it,
Can’t be far
Beauty, where you’re hiding,
Tell me, I’ll go where you are
I’ll go where you are.”
The bridge is the pivot point:
‘Cause every tear your silly eye bleeds
Well never fear, you may never see worse than this
I want to find a beautiful place
But maybe I forgot about today, now, here
It’s a reminder to graciously embrace beauty, with the realization that each beauty–each life, each love, each moment, however wonderful–is a mere reflection of that which is to come. To me, that’s concurrently very happy and very sad.
2. “Woman” – John Lennon – At once–lyrically and musically–harvests gratitude and unspeakable love through the vehicle of regret. It’s too trite to call this song an apology, though ostensibly, that’s what it is. I distinctly remember typing the lyrics out, as a prelude to my handwritten apology to my wife, after one of my early, long forgotten marital offences, from the early days.
3. “True” – Glen Phillips – On the surface, a prosaic ballad, but every line just so happens to characterize the primary relationship in my life. The double-entendre of the phrase, “I’ll be true,” with meaning that encompasses the respective meanings of honesty and faithfulness elevates the song into something more. My soul shreds into a million pieces when I remember those times when I haven’t been true, a million more pieces when my wife tells me that it’s okay anyway.
Chris P
3- A Page Is Turned – Bebo Norman – I love how this song shows that real love is more than just a chance happening or a strong feeling, but something that God orchestrates and lays out for us. My mother used to tell me that this was her prayer song for me and my future wife.
2- My Idea Of Heaven – Leigh Nash – This is a must include on this list for me. I can’t really describe it, or why it’s on here. It’s just amazing. And the Video for it makes me cry pretty much every time I watch it.
1- Built To Last – Melee – This song has a line “All of our friends knew from the start so why didn’t we believe it too?” I spent close to a year praying about a woman and, unbeknownst to me, she also started praying about me about two weeks later. It went on like that for a little over 10 months and when I couldn’t deny that it was where God was leading me anymore and I had to get over my paralyzing fear and get council and prepare to go and talk to her, everyone I talked to already knew. And then I went and talked to her. And she had had the same experience. Apparently we were the only ones in the dark, and it made me think of this song. But it’s a really good song and really hits the nail on the head for me.
Honorable Mentions: (Because I also cannot choose just three) Nature and the Wreck- Mates Of State, Bowl Of Oranges- Bright Eyes, Gold – the Once Soundtrack, She Is The Rising Sun – Ben Shive, Wouldn’t It Be Nice – The Beach Boys, Sea of Love – Cat Power, The Story – Brandi Carlile, Lullaby Of Birdland – as sung by Ella Fitzgerald
Julie
1. I have to repeat RM Peters and say that I love that segment in “For the Love of God.” I quoted a portion of it as my Maid of Honor speak at my sister’s wedding and it was so beautiful and ironic because the night before, her groom had surprised her with a foot washin’!
2. Fly Farther – a beautiful yet hard to find song by Jars of Clay that features Allison Kraus
3. (staying with the theme of flying) Fly – Sara Groves
“Speak in a summer tone
Pause in the after glow
Tenderly whisper my name
Tell me once again why I am your bride
So I can fly”
4. (and just cause I want to mention another great love song about flying) Fly – Jars of Clay
Oh and Bret, thanks for mentioning Barbar Manitee. That brightened my day!
Nathan Bubna
For personal reasons as much as aesthetic…
1. I’m A Believer – The Monkees (because that’s how i felt when my wife said yes)
2. Ice Cream – Sarah McLachlan (because my wife really loves ice cream, but me more)
3. Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You (the Lauryn Hill cover, specifically, because it’s fun)
Runners up
Van Morrison – Crazy Love (because it’s Van Morrison)
Strong Bad – Let’s Get Started Doing All Of Those Awesome Things I Suggested (because love is too important to be taken seriously)
Plankeye – Who Loves You More (because i regularly need to remember that i’m not her best lover)
Jason Gray
@jasongrayCurt!
Shoot – when I posted all this I had the feeling I forgot to post one of the contributor’s submissions, and when I saw your comment the light bulb came on. I’m SOOO sorry, and I’m going to put your thoughtful post at the top so new readers will read it first. Thanks for your graciousness and your thoughtful post. I LOVE that you mentioned David Mead. Good stuff…
Curt McLey
@curtmcleyThat is so completely okay, Jason. I just thought I forgot to send it to you or that is was lost in the cyberspace ether. I’ve had that happen more than once. Anyway, I always read the follow up posts with as much interest as the main post, so you can just leave it there, my friend. I am a little hacked off that I didn’t get one of those love nicknames though.
Jason Gray
@jasongrayCurt – nickname is done and is at the top of this page, I hope you like it and feel like it fits your Curt-ness :- )
And thanks for acknowledging the nicknames. I take special pride in the Mandolin joke for Ron.
Loren Eaton
Fernando Ortega’s “Lonely Road” is lovely. When pressed, I’ll also admit to liking Angels and Airwaves’ “Breathe.”
Pete, that Pierce Pettis song is, uh … wow. I mean, wow. It’s great when he says in the video that “I’ve always loved [Song of Solomon]. It’s the dirtiest book in the Bible.”
Stacy Grubb
Gaaah…I hate picking favorites. Inevitably, I think of something that I wish I would’ve said, either instead or in addition to. But as we await Curt’s love nickname, I will add my two cents, for what it’s worth (unfortunately, not two cents).
First off, I’m out of my element talking about love gone right songs. I like the real heartbreaking, gut-wrenching kind. Good thing this list isn’t about those or I’d hijack this whole post.
1. To Make You Feel My Love by Garth Brooks (written by Bob Dylan). This song will forever be special to me because I surprised my husband by singing it for him at our wedding (well, playing a pre-recorded track of me singing…I knew I wouldn’t be able to sing). As I think about it, maybe one of the reasons that I love it so much is that, despite the fact that it’s a string of promises of how far a person would be willing to go to make the other feel loved, something about it is very melancholy and leaves a longing just hanging in the air. What’s wrong with me?
2. Women by Goose Creek Symphony (written by Charlie Gearheart, I do believe). I love this song because it’s what I wish someone would write for me and because it’s beautifully poetic.
Women, Women, where did you come from?
You walked right into all our lives
Women, Women, now our lives are worth livin’
Won’t you please be our wives?
Woman, Woman, how you amaze me
You flow like the words to a song
Soft as the wind when you caress me
And take me to places unknown
Children, Our Children; Where did they come from?
From every place we know
Mother she said you pass through her body
Soft as a light winter snow
Charlie Gearheart is one of my all-time favorite writers. Gosh. He’s just so good that I can’t stand to even listen to him.
3. If I Were A Carpenter by…well, lots of people like Johhny and June and Waylon Jennings.
I simply must cheat and add one more….
4. Many Waters by Julie Lee (featuring Alison Krauss). Oh my gosh, I cannot begin to describe how perfectly beautiful this song is in every way imaginable. I’m feeling so glad right now that I didn’t forget to talk about “Many Waters.” I don’t even know what to do with myself when I’m listening to it.
I’m going to try and not even think about any more love songs because I will undoubtedly feel so sad about whatever I didn’t mention. Oh, like “Looking In the Eyes of Love.” Man, I wish I hadn’t just thought of that. I sing that one to my little boy. And Keith Whitley sure could write a tremendous love song. “Tell Lori I Love Her” How perfect is that?
Must…….stop…….thinking about………love songs……..
Stacy
Stacy Grubb
I just knew Curt would get a nickname while I was creating my list……
Curt McLey
@curtmcleyJason wrote:
Curt – nickname is done and is at the top of this page, I hope you like it and feel like it fits your Curt-ness :- )
Why not, Curt “Dr. of Love” McLey, or Curt “The Love Machine” McLey? Or maybe not. 🙂
Ryan
3. I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song – Jim Croce – We lost one in his prime, no doubt. What I love about this one is that it realizes one way to try to express the inexpressible is through music.
2. Borrow Mine – Bebo Norman – This one is on here because it was the song for the first dance between my wife and I at our wedding reception. As the spiritual head of my family, I am called to be strong for my wife. It is a beautiful relationship that ultimately mirrors the relationship we have with God through Christ. Just as we lean on Him for strength and faith when this life gets difficult, my hope and prayer is that I can be that for my wife when she needs it.
1. Hold Up My Arms – The Proprietor – I know it’s been mentioned already, but I must add it again. This was the song I used to ask out my now wife for the first time. I told her that I wanted to date someone who could help me glorify God. To do that, I asked that she hold up my arms and to let me do the same for her. I guess it worked!
Nate
I couldn’t help it
The Wreck of the Old 97 – by nobody any of us have ever heard of. Except I think Johnny Cash covered it.
Sugar Magnolias by the Grateful Dead
and of course The Land of My Sojourn by Rich Mullins
brandi
3. Same Kind of Crazy As Me – Delbert McClinton
This one reminds me of my parents. I like it because it talks about the silly, fun side of love without drifting into sappy.
2. Please Forgive Me – David Gray
I love David Gray so much… like someone mentioned above, he has tons of great love songs. Again, without the sappy. He’s awesome.
1. Both of Us’ll Fell the Blast – Waterdeep
We had this song in our wedding. It’s so great.
Lauren
3. Taylor Swift – Our Song – it’s silly and kinda junior high, but i love the way the song treasures the little things of every day
2. Derek Webb – I Wanna Marry You All Over Again – need i say more?
1. Sandra McCracken – Springtime Indiana – “i am all at once courageous; i am all at once afraid. it came over me like nightfall, like a freight train. i can’t seem to hold it in, but i can’t seem to run away…”
not surprisingly, i’m still waiting for love…. which probably has a lot to do with my choices.
Bethany
1. “The Longest Time” – Billy Joel
This is for sentimental reasons more than for the merits of the song, but I can’t help it. Have your boyfriend sing this to you a cappella with a back up of 30 guys who can actually sing, and then see if you don’t like it, too. My favorite lines are:
“I had second thoughts at the start
I said to myself
Hold on to your heart
Now I know the woman that you are
You’re wonderful so far
And it’s more than I hoped for
I don’t care what consequence it brings
I have been a fool for lesser things
I want you so bad
I think you ought to know that
I intend to hold you for the longest time”
2. “Fly” – Sara Groves
This was my favorite love song before I had a reason to like love songs.
“Oh how the little things
Strengthen my tiny wings
Help me to take on the world
When you love me there’s nothing I wouldn’t try ”
3. “The Dance” – Jason Gray
A great metaphor, and it recognizes that love and marriage aren’t always easy (not that I know much about marriage).
“I still remember the day you first walked in the room.
A hush swelled as the band struck up a tune.”
“So now, my love, we have danced for a while.
Our shoes have shuffled o’er many a mile.
We’ve borne every dip and every scuff in the floor
Still the music rings clearer than ever before.”
My apologies if those lyrics aren’t quite right. I don’t have them in front of me at the moment.
Caleb Land
Not my top 3, but off the top of my head:
U2 – All I want is You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWBKBkEJQRk&feature=related
The Frames/Swell Season – Falling Slowly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPbC2YrUUsI
Ray LaMontagne – Shelter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHmNEQYc3js&feature=related
Lauren
So since i knew Jason was going to write this i have been trying and trying to think of my top 3 love songs. Lets hope they’re good!
In no certain order:
1. The Luckiest–Ben Folds: Yes Jason has this listed, but this is a favorite. The line that I love the most:
Next door there’s an old man who lived to his nineties
And one day passed away in his sleep
And his wife; she stayed for a couple of days
And passed away
I’m sorry, I know that’s a strange way to tell you that I know we belong
That I know
Its such a strangely sweet way to let the one you love know that you love them.
2. I hate everything (but you)– Derek Webb
baby when we’re right
i don’t mind the sun, i don’t mind the rain
or businessmen who think they know everything
3. Grow old with you–Adam Sandler
Ok, so who would pick an Adam Sandler song as their favorite love song right? Well…
I wanna make you smile whenever you’re sad
Carry you around when your arthritis is bad
All I wanna do is grow old with you
I’ll get your medicine when your tummy aches
Build you a fire if the furnace breaks
Oh it could be so nice, growing old with you
I’ll miss you
Kiss you
Give you my coat when you are cold
Need you
Feed you
Even let ya hold the remote control
So let me do the dishes in our kitchen sink
Put you to bed if you’ve had too much to drink
I could be the man who grows old with you
I wanna grow old with you
The lyrics are so beautiful and so light-hearted that they not only make you go “awwwwww”, they make your heart smile.
Chris R
Props to Julie… I second “For the Love of God” and “Fly Farther”, both high quality
becky
As others have mentioned, my list would change depending on my mood. But here are a few.
“Fly” by Sara Groves. I know, it has already been mentioned two or three times, but I think it’s the perfect love song. Guys, if you ever wonder what in the world women want from men, this song is it. We don’t need grand gestures, just little signs of intimacy in the course of normal life. I like the idea in this song that love makes us feel that it is safe to grow, and to try anything.
“Never Saw Blue Like That” by Shawn Colvin. It’s simple and beautiful.
“Roll to the Middle” by Sara Groves. I like this song because this is what I would like to find in a husband. Someone who, at the end of the day, will still be there regardless.
I may have to mention a few more, later.
Stacy Grubb
Lauren, I love that Adam Sandler song, as well.
Brannon
Trying To Get This Right – Andrew Osenga
Spirit on the Water – Bob Dylan
The Story – Brandi Carlile
You’re The Storm – The Cardigans
I Love You – Daniel Lanois
He Came To Meet Me – Hem
Chris
Some great songs mentioned here. I concur with the OTR songs but here are a few more I’d like to add to the mix
“In Your Eyes” – Peter Gabriel
Hands down, the most passionate love song ever recorded (in my eyes, at least).
“Falling Slowly” – Swell Season
I hesitate choosing a newer song like this, but I believe it’s got staying power so that if the question comes up again in 10-15 years, this will remain on the forefront of people’s minds. It’s a very simple, gentile, hopeful love song.
“A Song For You” – Leon Russell
This one’s got staying power, as it’s been done by so many folks before (my favorite being the Herbie Hancock / Christina Aguilera version).
“What am I To You” – Norah Jones
My wife and I celebrated our wedding with this as our first dance, so a personal favorite of mine.
Benjamin Wolaver
Danny’s Song – Kenny Loggins
Now and Forever – Richard Marx
When I Fall In Love – Victor Young/Edward Heyman
One of the few to celebrate chastity, I might add…
Nate
Brandi:
Same Kind of Crazy as Me – I heard this song by the Del McCoury Band (great Bluegrass band). Its a great song. Im curious about this Delbert McClinton – is he bluegrass too. Just curious. I would like to hear someone else’s take on the song. Would be interesting. You know where the song came from?
Jim Coates
Hey Jason…
How about these:
1) AKUS – “Tiny Broken Heart”… ok, so its a sad love song, but its still a great song of “puppy love”.
2) BL – “What a Good Boy”… ok, another “not really a love song”, but close.
3) Willy Porter – “Unconditional Love”
Jim
Jim Coates
That should have read “BNL” instead of “BL”… sorry…
I probably should have added the song that my wife and I called “our song” when we were yet in High School… Phil Collins with “Groovy Kind of Love”.
Yeah… I know… go ahead and laugh – we do! *grin*
Jim
Eric Peters
@ericpeterscurt:
i echo the “good call” on david mead. great song.
Stacy Grubb
Oh yes, Now and Forever kicks major love song booty. Richard Marx is still a favorite of mine.
I wanted to make a small list of some of my favorite love songs created by folks that are unheard of.
The first is actually my dad. I could actually call this song my favorite love song ever because I know that every word of it is as true as the day is long. Dad has written several songs for Mom and, every day of my life, I have seen him live the love and devotion that he sings about.
“Sweetheart of My Childhood” by Alan Johnston – http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=34762
“Words Fail Me” by Merle Brewer – http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=25084
“He Loves Her” by Peter Simensky – http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=47115
I’m so sorry that I can’t quit adding to the list. But it’s kind of like a floodgate that gets opened for me when someone says, “Share your favorite song.” I’m taking notes on everybody else’s songs and look forward to checking them out for myself.
Bill B
I don’t have a favorite, so I will go with “Monster Truck” by the late, great This Train.
Michael Anthony Curan
6 songs that are stuck in my head currently;
1. THE GOUGERs- Everybody Knows
2. SECONDHAND SERENADE- Your Call
3. MAKING APRIL- Runaway World
4. GEORGE JONES- If Drinking Won’t Kill Me
5. HANK WILLIAMS- I Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love With You
6. UNDEROATH- It’s Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door
Sharon
Drat! Someone already mentioned “Both of Us’ll Feel the Blast” by Waterdeep and “True Companion” by Marc Cohn! I guess my third one would have to be “Longer Than” by Dan Fogelberg. Honorable mention goes to “Nowhere Else” by the 77s.
Peter B
Hard to top the great list here so far, but I’ll add one that deserves mention.
The River — by Rich Mullins — is just about the most aching expression of love’s longing that I’ve ever heard. I discovered it on Volume 1 back when my wife and I were dating across 500 miles (Texas A&M to Belhaven), and it was my companion on many a starry late-night drive through the middle of nowhere… headed home but feeling like my home was somewhere back there in the darkness.
For pure, unadulterated, might-as-well-stand-up-’cause-you’re-dancing-in-your-chair-anyway joy, there’s nothing like Nickel Creek’s This Side and of course Ben Shive’s Do You Remember? to get me going.
And yes, AP and the other Rabbit-Roomers (Rumors?) have a host of beautiful, deep, meaningful love songs… so really, this whole thing is like a Briggs-Meyers test where each answer is true and you somehow have to decide which one is “more true”… whatever that means.
Praise God for giving us a wonderful gift like love and the capacity to give and receive it. Amen?
Chris P
Bill, I didn’t know there were any other This Train fans out there.
Curt McLey
@curtmcleyAmen, Peter B. Amen. I keep thinking somebody will mention “These Hands” by Eric Peters. Any love song that makes me cry every time certainly has to qualify as a favorite. Some songs blow me away because of certain lines and there are some good lines in this song. But more so, this song blows me away because the entire song builds upon itself as we see a lifetime of love build to fruition, until the end, it almost doesn’t matter what happens, because whatever happens in the last verse, because you are so close to tears anyway–is going to make you cry. Like life, if you cherry pick any particular line (moment), you may say, “So what’s the big deal about this line (moment)?” But in the end, it’s majestic because of the big picture of little moments.
If there’s one line in this song that rocks my world the most, it would be this:
It’s easy when you’ve held the hand of mercy
and when you love there is no way to leave.
“We love Him, because He first loved us.” We are able to love well–despite loving clumsily at times–precisely because Christ lives in us. He makes us–the the extent that we allow it– good lovers. And when I see pictures of that, it is profoundly moving. Eric’s song paints a vivid picture of that.
Dr. Love
Kim
I find it ironic that I was just updating my iTunes before I came to the Rabbit Room. I was just reloading The Cheiftains “The Long Black Veil” onto my iPod, thinking, “If anyone ever asks, I would tell them that this is one of my favorite albums of all time.”
I am an occasional visitor to the Rabbit Room. I have never posted, but because music is on my mind right now, I thought I would respond to this post.
The top three love songs at this moment:
#1 – My favorite love song of all time is “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?” as performed by Van Morrison and the Chieftains on “The Long Black Veil.” I turn it up full-blast and sing along, and sometimes play it over and over again. It is simple and so sweet.
#2 – A sweet song called “Teenage Love Song” by a band from Covenant College called Third Lobby. I’m not sure this band is still together, but it is on their CD, “For the Taking.” Fun, poignant, and very energetic.
My Dad said some musicians of today have got a lot of talent, but not too much to say.
It seems like everyone’s got to write a song about love sooner or later.
Well here is mine. Sorry Dad, guess I’m a traitor.
Well, time’s gone by, but nothing’s changed.
My heart still jerks every time she walks my way.
She’s not mine; she never was, and it took some time for me hear the buzz of the obvious ringing in my ear.
And I’ll probably get over her some day, but for now, my heart can’t seem to get away.
It makes me want to scream sometimes.
Just want to lay down and die.
The thought of her dancing in his arms kills me inside.
Out of sight out of mind, they say, but from what I’ve seen, it don’t work that way.
Well, I thought I had one more chance, yet here I am again with a pick in my hands, singing the song that I hope will suffice for the fact that I won’t take my own advice.
It makes me want to scream sometimes.
Just want to lay down and die.
The thought of her dancing in his arms kills me inside.
It makes me want to scream sometimes.
Just want to lay down and die.
The thought of her dancing in his arms kills me inside.
#3 – The “Once” soundtrack, especially, “Falling Slowly,” “If You Want Me,” “Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy,” and “When Your Mind’s Made Up.”
whipple
“I Want You to Be My Love” – Drunkard’s Prayer, Over the Rhine
“Somewhere North” – 40 Acres, Caedmon’s Call
“I Would Never” – High, The Blue Nile
Eric (not Peters)
“These Hands” was the only song I could think of at first, so I didn’t write in. But since Curt mentioned it, I had to echo his thoughts. I always think of my grandparents being married 60+ years, and yes I always cry as well.
Others that have come to mind:
“Please Come To Boston” – Dave Loggins
“She’s Got A Way” – Billy Joel
“Green and Gray” – Nickel Creek
“Feels Like Home” – Chantal Kreviazuk
That’s more than my quota, so I’ll stop now.
Linda
“Love Song” by Third Day. a) It is a love song b) It is Third Day. What more do you need?
“Breathing” by Lifehouse. It is a brilliant picture of how I want to love my God–not expecting anything, just wanting to be there with Him.
“Please Forgive Me” by Bryan Adams. Okay, I had to have at least one sappy secular love song and this one seems as appropriate as any. And, I confess, it sometimes makes me cry…. (even though I KNOW it’s sappy!)
Dusty
3. Hundred Years by Five for Fighting
2. If not for you by Bob Dylan (I love Derek and Sandra’s cover too.)
1. Marry Me by Ed Cash
Laura
1. “One Pure and Holy Passion” (from One Day Live)
Give me one pure and holy passion
Give me one magnificent obsession
Jesus, give me one glorious ambition for my life
To know and follow hard after You
To know and follow hard after You,
To grow as Your disciple in the Truth
This world is empty, pale and poor
Compared to knowing You, my Lord
Lead me on, and I will run after You
2. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” -Simon and Garfunkel
(When I listen to it, I think of my parents, my husband, my Lord)
When you’re weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes,
I will dry them all
I’m on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I’ll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
When you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.
3. “Just as I Am” -Andrew Peterson
All of my life
I’ve held on to this fear
Its thistles and vines
Ensnare and entwine
What flowers appeared
It’s the fear that I’ll fall
One too many times
It’s the fear that His love
Is no better than mine
(but He says that)
Just as I am and just as I was
Just as I will be He loves me, He does
He showed me the day that He shed His own blood
He loves me, oh, He loves me, He does
He loves me, oh, He loves me, He does
Brece
Not sure I can list a top 3 without long and hard thought, but here’s a few contributions:
Field of Flowers – Sixpence None The Richer
– very simple song, but highlights the absoute abandon of everything in life to be with the one you love
When I See You Smile – Bad English
– OK, kind of cheesy, just reminds me of the High School days, when all I thought about was girls
If You Could See What I See – Geoff Moore and the Distance
– I cna’t believe this one wasn’t listed – perhpas because everyone and their sister had it played in their wedding???
Teardrops On My Guitar – Taylor Swift
– OK, I realize I’m opening myself up to comments here, but this song has such an incredible longing and yearning. If only I could care so much about my wife like that all the time, instead of all my own junk.
John Michalak
In my drippy Junior High years, I was a fan of anything by Air Supply.
Then, in my even more melancholy High School years, I loved “When I Need You” by Leo Sayer.
(leaves his comment with little to no credibility…)
Tony Heringer
John,
You are not alone brother. I saw Air Supply and Barry Manilow live — “the things we do for love” indeed. Anybody remember Bread? — “Baby I’m want you, baby I’m a need you” — so sugary your teeth rot just sining it. 🙂
Speaking of “baby” songs, I’d like to hear from the songwriters out here if they have or are in the process of writing a “baby” song? Seems like every pop artist has one or two of these. Don’t think about it too much or you’ll have “baby” songs stuck in your head.
Staci Frenes
Jason, wow! you hit the Mother Lode of topics!! How fun… here are mine, for today, anyway ( “favorite” is an agonizing word for me)
I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt (she didn’t write it but she sings the heck out of it…gives me chills every time i hear it)
Lovers in a Dangerous Time by Bruce Cockburn (good lord! look at these lyrics!!)
These fragile bodies of touch and taste
This vibrant skin this hair like lace
Spirits open to the thrust of grace
Never a breath you can afford to waste
When you’re lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
When you’re lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
When you’re lovers in a dangerous time
Sometimes you’re made to feel as if your love’s a crime
Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight
Got to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight
Because I Told You So by Jonatha Brooke (it’s just one of those hauntingly beautiful songs that feels timeless to me)
Ron Block
@ronblockStaci,
The Mother Lode of topics, from my Rabbit Room experience:
Anything to do with cussing or nudity.
Ron Block
@ronblockOh and I forgot to say, Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” is one of the best ever.
Jason Gray
@jasongrayI had to chime in and say thank you to Staci for reminding me of these great songs – expecially “Lovers In A Dangerous Time”. Talk about overlooked lyricists – he’s amazing. I look forward to digging out my old Cockburn albums now.
John Michalak
Tony, wasn’t “The Things We Do For Love” a 10CC song? Anyway, thanks for the reminder on that one. I recall it as probably my favorite “bubble gum pop” love song of my early years. Great melody: “Like walkin’ in the rain and the snow…”
Rupert Holmes’ “Escape” should also get an honorable mention for those cheesy love songs you’ll never forget.
John Michalak
And, oh yes…Dan Fogelberg’s “Auld Lang Syne” and “Longer” should also get some mention.
Stacy Grubb
I am crazy about “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” And that also reminds me of another Bonnie Raitt tune that’s sad, but with a happy ending, “You.”
Paul
Oooh, I am going to regret being honest here on this one.
1) Your Love is King – Sade
(um, is it hot in here?)
2) Down on my Knees – Trisha Yearwood
(I have listened to this song about a million times and if I pay attention, I can feel the desperation and tears come.)
3) I’ve Got You Under My Skin – Frank Sinatra
(That honest swagger is the best)
Tony Heringer
John…that indeed was a nod to 10CC (a measure of sugar?) Rupert Holmes? I owned that album too. Like the shrimp in Finding Nemo would say “I’m so ashamed’ 🙂
Michael Terry
Feel Like Home – Chantal Kreviazuk
The Man In Me – Bob Dylan
Lay Down Beside Me – Don Williams ( particularly love the Alison Krauss/John Waite version on “A Hundred Miles or More” (nod to Ron Block)
becky
ANYTHING by Bonnie Raitt is awesome. And Paul, I like all of the ones you mentioned. It depends on the mood, you know. Just to make you feel better I will mention “500 Miles” and “She Drives Me Crazy”.
becky
And T. Y.’s “Perfect Love”.
Ginny
Eva Cassidy’s cover of Tennessee Waltz, which is more of a love-lost kind of song. Eva had such a sweet soulful voice.
Bruce Stillwagon
Not really in order:
A Better Way- downhere, J Germain says it started out as a love song to his wife but ended up telling us about the best love story of all.
Tupelo Honey- Van Morrison, growing up in Memphis, she is sweet as Tupelo Honey, just throw all the tea in China into the sea.
Music of the Night- Andrew Lloyd Webber/Charles Hart from Phantom of the Opera. not a true love song but when Eric/Phantom sings to Christine, he is captivated by her and demands her devotion to his music/him.
Still….You Turn Me On, Emerson Lake & Palmer, favorite all time secular band didn’t write a love song but this is close as they got. Had to include them.
Jill B
“Summer Sunshine” by The Corrs–After over 10 months of praying about each other, my boyfriend and I began a relationship this past summer with nearly two hours of distance between us. This song seemed to be made for us. I can’t get enough of it.
“Brightly Wound” by Eisley–I love the line “we were walking there, I had tangles in my hair, but you make me feel so pretty”. It’s so free spirited and beautiful as the two parts combine in that verse. Gives me goosebumps every time.
“My Idea of Heaven” by Leigh Nash–Possibly an all time favorite song. I absolutely love the line “I didn’t believe in love, thought it was just a game people played. Everything changed when I met you, I took your hand you took my heart.” I love the idea that the right person can change the way you see the world. And as Chris P said, the video is amazing. Makes me cry every time.
“Easy Silence” by The Dixie Chicks–I just love this song. It’s a reminder of finding comfort and joy in the little things when everything else seems out of control, and what a blessing love is.
And of course I have to mention…
“Our Mystery” and “A Page is Turned” by Bebo Norman, “She is the Rising Sun” by Ben Shive, “Built to Last” by Melee, “Enchanted” by Chasing Furies, “The Thief” by Brooke Fraser, and “First Day of my Life” by Bright Eyes.
brandi
Nate:
Delbert McClinton isn’t bluegrass, he’s more of a bluesy-rock singer-songwriter kind of guy. I don’t have a lot of his stuff, but what I do have I really like. I’ve never heard the Del McCoury version, but I will look it up! I really love that song.
limpdance
Elliot Yamin – ‘A song for you’
Sara Groves – ‘Fly’
That woman can paint such a picture…
Pause in your busy day,
Look extra long my way.
Wink at me across the room.
Kiss me longer,
Touch my arm when I am by your side.
So I can fly.
Sara Groves – ‘Roll to the middle’
This is how I know our love
This is when I feel it’s power
Here in the absence of it
This is my darkest hour
When both of us are hunkered down
And waiting for the truce
All the complicated wars
They end pretty simple
Here when the lights go down
We roll to the middle
No matter how my pride resists
No matter how this wall feels true
No matter how I can’t be sure
That you’re gonna roll in too
No matter what, no matter what
I’m going to reach for you
Greg Fisher
After some deliberation, I narrowed my list down to these:
1. The River….by Rich Mullins
“….maybe she could come to Wichita,
maybe we could borrow Beaker’s bike,
and let the road wind tie our hair in knots,
let the speed and the freedom untangle the lies.
Maybe fear can vanish before love.
Oh, God, don’t let this love be denied.”
2. The Last Walt….by Rodney Crowell
“There’s no easy answers
to the trouble I see.
But I’m happy just knowing,
you’re saving the last waltz for me.”
3. Buenos Noches, from Nacogdoches….by Rich Mullins
“Buenos Noches, from Nacogdoches,
from me, and from every star
God lit, in the heart,
of the Heavens that hang over Texas.
And may your dreams find you in a tangle
of fine Spanish angels,
whose halos are bright, yellow roses.
Buenos Noches.”
(honorable mention)
5. Have A Little Faith in Me…by John Hiatt
a.Your Love is My Rest……by John Hiatt
b.Thank You Girl……by John Hiatt
6. Breath…..by Billy Cerveny
On the lighter side, there’s a Tim O’brien song called “I Like to Watch You Cook,” that’s a hoot, and another of his called “Since I Fell Into Her Deep Blue Eyes.”
Elsa
I second all of Jason’s choices, especially “Take It With Me When I Go.” The first time I heard it, I was in my favorite place with my favorite people–except for my then-fiance. So the sense of longing pulled at me.
I’ll add:
The Everglow by MAE
“Here’s a night, and it shines.
And it calls us on and on.
So be here by my side, and watch the stars.
They’re ours.”
My Lady’s House by Iron & Wine
“thank God you see me the way you do
strange as you are to me”
Run by Snow Patrol–this is actually a “Darn, I messed up” song, but it’s one of “our songs.” Ben and I discovered that we had both clung to it while we went through a very tough separation before we got engaged.
“Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I’ll be right beside you dear”
Adam T
No Shania Twain mentioned?!?!
Snap, I’ll gladly be the first:
“Forever and for Always” ’cause its awesome
also
Myleene Klass’s piano version of “If You’re Not the One”
isaac
No woman No cry, Bob Marley. For me the song just epitomizes the atmosphere of love. I can actually smell summer when I listen to this song.
Ron Block
@ronblockTony Rice’s version of Gordon Lightfoot’s Home from the Forest is a beautifully moving love song about an old man of whom everyone sees only the outside – they miss the inner longing heart. It’s from Tony’s landmark record (in the history of bluegrass) called Manzanita. The whole record is amazing, great playing, singing, and songs.
Bret Welstead
Brandi, thanks for mentioning “Both of Us’ll Feel the Blast” by Waterdeep. Forgot about that one!
What I love about that song is that it’s a great, thoughtful conversation between husband and wife, and they both sing throughout the song. What a cool picture of marriage: harmony, conversation, focus on Christ, truth spoken… Very sweet song.
Molly
Slow Dance More and The Greatest by Kenny Rogers … different objects, both Love Songs.
All the Way Home by AP
🙂
Julie
Elsa, I was going to mention The Sun and the Moon by Mae (from the same CD as Everglow). I love this line: Painted skies.
I’ve seen so many that cannot compare,
To your ocean eyes.
It gives me chills!
Ron Block
@ronblockSomeone was asking about Delbert McClinton. He is as close to a male counterpart to Bonnie Raitt as anyone could be – a total blues base, great voice, and like Bonnie, swaggers his humanity way out there.
Paulette
Hi
great idea! .
These are the songs that come to mind just now This list goes to show how out of the loop i am sonfg speaking …and me a songwriter!!! tsk tsk….
3 “Don’t Dream It’s Over ” by Crowded House
This came out when I was working a miserable summer job in a basement and just got dumped by the guy I was madly in love with …..
2 “Feels Like Home to Me” Randy newman sung by Chantal Kreviazuk The first time I heard this song I cried and I have sung it a few times. I love it
3 “Bridge Over Troubled Water” Simon and Garfunkel
This song made me crazy That glorious voice,gorgeous piano and sublime lyrics deserves immortality a real love song
Paulette
Mike
Van Morrison’s Moondance best mood music in the world
Please come to Boston- If I weren’t so stinkin old I could remember the artist.
Come Monday – Jimmy Buffett
Pete Peterson
@peteIf Tobias Funke had a favorite love song, it’d be “The Man in Me”.
Melinda
So hard to choose favorites! These may not be my absolute favorites, but all worth a mention …
Yellow — Coldplay
“For you I’d bleed myself dry …”
Out of My League — Stephen Speaks
“It’s her hair and her eyes today
That just simply take me away
And the feeling that I’m falling further in love
Makes me shiver — but in a good way
…Because it’s frightening to be swimming in a strange sea,
But I’d rather be here than on land
Yes, she’s all that I see and she’s all that I need
And I’m out of my league once again…”
Your Song — Elton John
“So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do
You see I’ve forgotten if they’re green or they’re blue
..The thing is, what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I’ve ever seen”
Jason Gray
@jasongrayPete – the Tobias Funke comment almost made me pee my pants. We need to hang out.
Michael Anthony Curan
Melinda,
Stephen Speaks was actually huge here in the philippines 8 years ago with Passenger’s Seat
Almost all Filipinos know that song eehehehe.. and the weird thing is that whole album sounds like a demo yet radio station cranked it up and even MTV PHILS and MYX
Brock Griffin
A few came to mind:
– “My One and Only Love” by John Coltrane with Johnny Hartman on vocals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecrE80rnjhw
– “When I Fall in Love” by Keith Jarrett – this is instrumental piano trio, but just amazing. http://www.last.fm/music/Keith+Jarrett/_/When+I+Fall+In+Love
– “Romeo & Juliet” by Dire Straits / Mark Knopfler http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-G-GHTFoX4
– “If I Only Had a Brain” by Harry Connick, Jr. off his “20” CD http://www.last.fm/music/Harry+Connick%2C+Jr./20/If+I+Only+Had+a+Brain
John A
I saw someone mentioned a Jim Brickman song. There was a duet called “The Gift” on his Christmas album of the same name that featured Susan Ashton and Colin Raye. A family favorite is James Taylor’s “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”. A sentimental favorite from years past is Dan Fogelberg’s “Longer”.
becky
Ginny,
Thanks for mentioning “The Tennessee Waltz”. My grandparents met at a dance, and this was “their song.” One of my most precious memories is taking them back to the place they lived as young newlyweds during the Depression and WWII. My grandfather worked in a lumber mill in northern California during the war, and they moved back home to Nebraska when my dad was 7. They had not been back in over 40 years. When we crossed the state line into California, Grandpa leaned over and took Grandma’s hand and started humming “The Tennessee Waltz”. What a beautiful moment. I am so glad I was there to see that.
Jim B
Wow – Very difficult picking my top three. there were lots of good ones mentioned here. But here’s mine:
Michael Card – “Arise My Love”
Harry Chapin – “Sandy”
A beautiful tribute to his wife Sandy. You can read the lyrics here – http://harrychapin.com/music/sandy.shtml
but the last line sums it all up “Oh yes, I see the world in her For she means the world to me”
Andrew P and Jill P – “Labor of Love” I know it’s not a tradition romantic type of love song but it brings tears to my eyes
Mike
have I told you lately that I love you- Van “the man” Morrison
Linda Gilmore
Two Sara Groves songs, from Add to the Beauty:
When it was over
Loving a person
I love how both speak to the value in sticking with a marriage, even when times get tough.
A couple more:
Elevation, by U2 — just plain fun
With or Without You — U2
In Your Eyes — Peter Gabriel (I know it’s been mentioned but it’s one of my favorites)
Ben Shive
I’m not even going to attempt to narrow it down. And I’m SURE I’m leaving some out.
OLDIES
God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
Wouldn’t It Be Nice – The Beach Boys
Never My Love – The Association
Something – The Beatles
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher – Jackie Wilson
Something So Right – Paul Simon
OBSCURE CHRISTIAN BANDS I LIKED IN HIGH SCHOOL (AND STILL LIKE)
Broken Ladders To Glory – Daniel Amos
Dunce Cap – Lost Dogs
Rain All Day – Fleming and John
ALL THE REST
1 2 3 4 – Feist
Do You Realize – The Flaming Lips
It’s Good To Be In Love – Frou Frou
*Pacific Street – Hem
Sleep Interrupted – Judd and Maggie
*It’s Amazing – Mindy Smith
*The Blood Of Eden – Peter Gabriel
So Alive – Ryan Adams
I Love You – Sara McLachlan
Kiss Me – Sixpence None The Richer
Summertime – The Sundays
This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) – Talking Heads
Head Over Heels – Tears for Fears
Gotta Have You – The Weepies
Painting By Chagall – The Weepies
Stars – The Weepies
Jason Gray
@jasongrayholy smokes, that’s one of the most amazing lists ever… love every one.
“Something So Right” features one of my favorite lyrics ever:
They got a wall in china
It’s a thousand miles long
To keep out the foreigners they built it strong
I’ve got a wall around me
That you can’t even see
It took a little while to get close to me
(quoted from memory so I hope it’s right)
Stacy Grubb
I must know…what are the asteriks for? I *love* Mindy Smith and that particular song is one that I always dedicate to my sister (in my head, I mean) when I’m singing along to the CD. My sister was grappling with some debilitating self-esteem issues when I first heard the song and because she’s one of my older sisters, it’s always been required by nature that I look up to and adore her, so I just couldn’t understand why she was so hard on herself. I just saw a completely different person in her than she did. She and I are night and day personality-wise; she’s way more outgoing and knows how to win people over in a heartbeat with her fearless, outspoken attitude. We fought like cats and dogs as girls (literally…my mom still has the holes in her walls to prove it), but around the time she started growing on me and I was learning that she was having such a hard time liking herself, I heard Mindy singing that song and just cried and cried because I felt like it had my sister written all over it.
Anyway, the asteriks? lol
RM Peters
Can I add Allison Kraus’s cover of “When you say nothing at all”? She makes anything sound romantic and beautiful. Also someone has to throw in Dolly Parton’s “I will always love you” and the Beatles “All you need is love.” And I’ve seen a few Nora Jones, but my favorite is “The Nearness of You,” which along with ol’ blue eye’s version of “The Way you Look Tonight,” have been done by about a hundred people, but those are my favorite versions.
Anne
I am surprised that after a recent post no one has mentioned Bruce Springsteen,
“IF I SHOULD FALL BEHIND, WAIT FOR ME”.
We said wed walk together baby come what may
That come the twilight should we lose our way
If as were walkin a hand should slip free
Ill wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me
We swore wed travel darlin side by side
Wed help each other stay in stride
But each lovers steps fall so differently
But Ill wait for you
And if I should fall behind
Wait for me
Now everyone dreams of a love lasting and true
But you and I know what this world can do
So lets make our steps clear that the other may see
And Ill wait for you
If I should fall behind
Wait for me
There are several versions on YouTube .. some celebratory and some with a more serious tone … both are wonderful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OCnm6cdZvQ
Let me also add ….
“I CAN’T GET OVER YOU” ~ Linda Ronstadt (2006 album)
Unrequitted love is still a great love
I’ve been trying for a long long time
But no matter what I do
When I turn to leave
My heart stays behind
‘Cause I can’t get over you
I keep moving on, running hard and fast
But everywhere that I run to
I’m just standing still living in the past
‘Cause I can’t get over you
If memories were like the leaves that fall
The wind would have carried them from my mind
The seasons pass but they never change
A broken heart can’t keep time
I’ve watched as colors faded in the sun
The colors of my love stay true
I’ve been letting go now
I’m not holding on
I just can’t get over you
I just can’t get over you
Also ….
WHEN YOU LOVE SOMEONE ~ Bryan Adams
“HIGHLIGHT (OF MY LIFE)” ~ Storyhill
Jen
My Top 10 Favorites (this is fun, I’ve never created a song chart!)
For my Lord
1. Ricky Skaggs “Brand New Me” (my love song to Jesus)
“You took my broken heart, put the pieces back in place…”
2. Ron Block “This Kind of Love” (from Jesus to all of us)
For my Sweetheart
3. Travis Tritt “Drift Off To Dream” (first song my husband sang to me when we were dating)
4. Ricky Skaggs “I Won’t Let You Down” (18 years ago my husband sang to me at our wedding)
5. Forester Sisters “I’d Choose You Again” (to my husband, because I would!)
6. Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White Skaggs “Home Is Wherever You Are”
7. Diamond Rio “Finish What We Started” (because we will)
8. Martina McBride “When You Are Old” (we’re already planning which assisted living home we’ll enjoy together some day, and hoping our kids will become wealthy enough to pay for it!)
Longtime favorites:
9. Alison Kraus “Heartstrings”
10. Doc Watson “Alberta”
Chris Slaten
“Let my love open the door” Pete Townsend
“I’m the man who loves you” Wilco
“You’re gonna make me lonesome when you go” – Bob Dylan
“This is us” Knopfler/Harris
Several Van Morrison songs
“I love to see you smile” Randy Newman
“La vie en rose” or “kiss to build a dream on” Louis Armstrong
“Can’t take that away from me” Fitzgerald
Michael Anthony Curan
how about party music!!!
1. My humps- Black Eyes Peas
2. Bebot- Black Eyes Peas
3. Math You- Atmosphere
4. Handlebars- Flobots
5. There’s No Limit- 2 Unlimited
6. Breathe- Prodigy
7. Weapon of Choice- Fatboy Slim
8. Livin’ La Vida Loca- Ricky Martin
9. Beep- Pussycat Dolls
10. My Medicine- Snoop Dog ft Willie Nelson
11. Betamax- Sandwich
12. Ask For More- Kulay
13. We Like To Party- Venga Voys
14. Go- Andy Hunter
15. Crazy- Gnarles Barkley
help4hcv
As a London girl who grew up during the British Invasion, I’m surprised by the conspicuous absence of these sentimental FAB FOUR faves (THE BEATLES):
— I WILL
— HERE, THERE, & EVERYWHERE
— AND I LOVE HER
— IN MY LIFE
On a personal note, my husband was dying of end-stage liver disease in the late 1990s when I attended a concert at which BILLY & SARAH GAINES turned towards each other to sing the following song, which exudes the power of commitment in a loving marriage.
— A PROMISE THAT I WILL KEEP
Akin to the above is “our” song, smoothly delivered by the inimitable GEORGE BENSON:
— STANDING TOGETHER
The good news is that in July (2008), my husband & I acknowledged the 10-year anniversary of a liver transplant that – by God’s grace & design – saved my husband’s life and revealed His plan to convert something truly awful into a vehicle for serving others along the same journey (hence the name “help4hcv”).
The BILLY GAINES song that was a relevant companion during that season of our lives is ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS TRIAL. Anyone going through ANY kind of trial will be uplifted by this inspiring anthem of hope!
But I digress from the love-song list…
It’d be hard to top ELEPHANT LOVE MEDLEY, sung by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in the movie MOULIN ROUGE, for yearning love, with rich orchestration emoting high-intensity. It also pays homage to other love songs, including YOUR SONG (Elton John), UP WHERE WE BELONG (Joe Cocker), LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING, and LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED!
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Amanda O'Neal
Fly Eagle Fly-White Heart is def up there for me
I’ve become hooked on Grace by J Gray
Beauty From Pain-Superchick and Beautiful Scars-SCC
And Shadow of Your Wings-Selah
Anything from Randy Stonehill Lazarus Heart Album
and I’ll round it out with I’m Accepted-DeGarmo and Key
Rebekah
1.) “I Will Be Here” by Steven Curtis Chapman
very surprised that I didn’t see this one listed. Maybe I just missed it.
2.) “Love is Here” by Tenth Avenue North
this one speaks to the lonely heart
3.) “When did you fall?” by Chris Rice
“Was it at the coffee shop; or that mornin at the bus stop, when you almost slipped and I caught your hand….”
a very jazzy and fun song, especially the last couple of lines: ” and I can tell now by the way that you’re lookin at me I better finish this song so my lips will be free”
grace
1) Love is Waiting-Brooke Fraser
this is an amazing and beautiful song, rich with lyrical beauty and a vocal that is nearly ethereal. lines like “Musing lazily on love, Pondering you
I’ll give it time, give it space and be still for a spell
When it’s time to walk that way we wanna walk it well” make it both lovely as well as moving.
2) Never Far Away-Rush of Fools
the combination of the vocal and the lyric make it a tearjerker.
3) Love is not A Fight-Warren Barfield
A poignant prayer seeking Gods protection on any marriage…what a earnest thought.
and of course, my song, Jason! 🙂
Jonathan Mahoney
1) Undone – Lifehouse
This song is what I was trying to get across to my now fiance… that she may have problems, she may have times when she comes undone, but I’ll be there for her no matter what. Plus the music is super catchy pop/rock, the kind they no longer play on the radio 🙂
“You know I can’t be like everybody
Cause I can’t tell you what you want to hear
I don’t know if I can make it better
All I know is I will be around
Tell me everything you need now anything at all
and I will be the one who’s waiting anytime you fall
When you come undone”
2)The Way I Am – Ingrid Michaelson
“I’d buy you Rogaine when you start losing all your hair.
Sew on patches to all you tear.”
That’s all that really needs to be said. Mentioning Rogaine in a love song automatically qualifies it as the genuine article.
3)The Theif – Brooke Fraser
This song I swear my Sarah could have written about us. She knew from when we started dating that we’d end up married. It took me a little longer to catch on 🙂
“Your eyes are full, full of the future of us
The air changes as you look across
at me in that wondering way
It is as if I knew you before we spoke
Do our hearts know something we don’t?
Conspiring, converging, without giving us any say “
Tiffany
I’ve loved reading everyone’s list and there are so many good love songs still out there. And like lots of other people I can’t narrow it down to 3 … lol:
1. Tonight – JJ Heller: This song was made for the first dance at a reception. I’m definitely going to use it at mine. The lyric is set to a waltz and its beautiful. “Now we are dancing*we spin like falling leaves*hold me tighter darling*I never want to leave*as we move across the floor its starting to sink in*tonight our life begins” A definite favorite of mine. It definitely evokes the long for love and to be loved.
2. Where I Land – JJ Heller: Another JJ Heller favorite of mine. This song speaks of the ever growing love and the new discoveries you discover about each other. “You’re different from the way I thought you’d be*but here you are in front of me*so full of light I watch it overflow*a lovely mystery*and I am lost for words*you’re more than I deserve*and when I cannot stand*you are where I land
3. Let’s Make It Last – Brandon Heath: Ah yes I love this one definitely. Its a sweet song about love:
Rain come down tonight*Except for the bump on my head I’m feeling alright*Dancing to our favorite tune*I pulled you in way too soon*Bang went the drums we went boom*Yea
Running through the yard*Splashing through puddles with you without regard*Do you think the neighbors will care*So what if they do they’ll just stare*The kids will all say its not fair
The way that we love*The way that we laugh*It’s something worth seeing
So let’s make it last*Let’s make it last
Come some sunny day*We’ll call in sick to our jobs*What will we say*She’s coming down with a flu*I think that I’m catching it too*This is what love makes you do
The way that we love*The way that we laugh
It’s something worth seeing yea*So let’s make it last
Live out each moment*They go by so fast*Let’s make it last
ok … I’ll keep it at four.
4. Lemonade – Chris Rice … these song just drenches us with summer love 🙂
Now take your time to answer me*For the beauty of romancing
Is to calm your trembling hand with mine
While begging love to fill your eyes
I can hardly breathe while waiting
To find out what your heart is saying
And as we’re swirling in this flavor
The world is tilting in our favor
Life gave me lemonade and I can’t imagine why
Born on a sunny day, beneath a tangerine sky
I live life without pretending
I’m a sucker for happy endings
Thanks for the lemonade
Thanks for the lemonade!
I love love 🙂
Miss Kay Graham
My Ultimate favorite long song WILL “always” be ,,,, Sir Paul McCartney’s Silly love songs!
Thanks!
K Graham of Chicago
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