Music
L is for Love: The Love(ly) Song Playlist Vol. 1
by Ciaran Thompson
April 23, 2010
It’s spring, quite possibly the worst time to be ‘out of love’ or in a state of longing for someone. The reason for being out of the aforementioned L word may vary and need not be brought up at this juncture. However, for those who may be ‘in,’ but not with that person at the moment, we’ve got you covered for songs to make you think of them, smile and count down the days till the next encounter. A lot of these tunes are older, but the people whom they remind you of will always stay present in your heart. [ed. note: wow, serious points for cheesiness]
Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul McCartney
Written by McCartney in 1969 just before the breakup of the Beatles, the song was recorded for his first solo album entitled McCartney, released in 1970. McCartney apparently wrote the song for his first wife Linda who had helped him get through the breakup of his former band. Wings, his band a few years later, released a single of a live performance of the song from their 1976 tour of America.
Will You Love Me Tomorrow – The Shirelles
Written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin in 1959 the song was recorded by the Shirelles a year later, but only after a string arrangement was added to the song that pleased lead singer Shirley Owens who thought it sounded like a country song. The track went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was banned on some radio stations because of the lyrics being too ‘sexually charged.’
Produced and partly written by Phil Spector with the help of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, the song was originally recorded by The Ronettes in 1963 and was later covered by The Ramones for their album End of the Century, also produced by Spector. As delightful as the track sounds, the recording process wasn’t so as members of the band have since complained of Spector’s strange behavior during the Gold Star Studio sessions. Spector apparently held the band at gunpoint and made them listen to him play this track until the wee hours of the morning.
I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever) – Stevie Wonder
Written by Stevie Wonder and Yvonne Wright, the sister of his wife Syreeta, for his 1972 album Talking Book, the track also appears on the much beloved soundtrack for the flick High Fidelity.
Released on his 14th studio album Planet Waves in 1974, Dylan collaborated with The Band for the album and would later tour with them after its release. All critical interpretation with regards to it being autobiographical or full of contradictions aside, the track is lyrically brilliant and is definitely a throw back to Dylan’s earlier days where it was just guitar, harmonica and his words that pulled you in.
I Only Have Eyes For You – The Flamingos
Originally recorded by Dick Powell in 1934 for the film Dames The Flamingos’ 1959 take on the song, written by lyricist Al Dubin, became one of their most popular hits. Members of the band sued Pepsi in 1998 for using the song without permission and were awarded $250,000. The song was also recorded in 1950 by Peggy Lee.
The Air That I Breathe – The Hollies
Manchester band The Hollies scored a hit with their cover of this track written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood. It was originally recorded by Phil Everly from The Everly Brothers for his 1973 solo album Star Spangled Banner.
Composed by Elton John and written by longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, the track appeared on John’s self titled second album in 1970. It was released in the U.S. as the B-Side to “Take Me to the Pilot,” but later became the A-Side as it was preferred by the disc jockeys. It was one of a number of songs John and Taupin wrote while living together in 1969.
Baby I need Your Loving – The Four Tops
Penned by one of the greatest songwriting teams in popular music, Holland-Dozier-Holland, who also created many songs that made up the Motown sound, The Four Tops’ 1964 recording was their first Motown single and their first Top 20 hit. It made it to number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 later that year.
What’s good with putting a bunch of older love songs and not letting any recent artists have their feelings heard? Quite possibly the best, or at least most renowned, love song in alternative rock music, the track was on the band’s first full-length album Fever To Tell in 2003 and was also released as a single. The song is reportedly about singer Karen O’s and Liars frontman Angus Andrew’s relationship.
Tags: Music, News, bob dylan, Elton John, The Hollies, The Ramones
