It was once stated that some people only want to fill the world with silly love songs. Actually it was a pretty darn famous musician by the name of John Lennon that was commenting on his former songwriting partner Paul McCartney. While I wasn’t around when it was said, I’ve heard about it. I’m betting the comment was derogatory, though that’s my speculation. Paul did respond with a song. That song… Silly Love Songs. Actually it’s quite a damn good song.
I’m under the impression that the word love is used way too much in songs and song titles. Not to mention the fact that love is now often used to describe how someone can feel about a laundry detergent or a floor wax. To me that tends to cheapen the value of the word. I’ve made a rule for myself that I will do everything I can in a song to avoid using the word unless it’s absolutely necessary. I realized that I wrote two songs with love in the title prior to my self imposed rule. Love You and Love.
Since then I’ve penned Falling In which if you’ve been reading Single of the Day for a while (or have been perusing the archives) you have seen the award winning video. In addition it was called the coolest love song to not mention the word love. That’s a pretty high compliment. Having typed all that, I will say that I’m sure there are still some very good ways to use the word love in a song and it’s title, all without cheapening it.
Today’s song is just such a song. I was turned onto it by my friend Joy Ann.
The instant gratification comes from the strong piano figure. Which screams instant pop. In a very powerful way. Whoever is playing that piano part is pounding those keys to make darn sure the listener is getting the message. The bouncing rhythm is atypical of syrupy pop, but this is the head-bobbing version that is the instant classic feel. Hell it reminds me of Summertime by Brother Love. Bounce. Bounce. Bounce. Apart from getting a good swing in a rhythm I really am a sucker for bounce.
Eric Rosse is the producer. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that the man has a very good sense of the balance that this song needed. While I understand it’s got the typical loud-as-you-can-get-it mix, I would be interested in hearing this song with it’s more dynamic original vibe. I’m thinking there is just such a version. If not, that’s a true disappointment. I think it’s time for artists to start doing two versions of a tune, one that goes to radio for that overly loud super compressed thing, and one for the album where you get the ebb and flow of the dynamics. At least, that’s what I plan on doing for my next disc. It will be interesting to see how that affects sales.
(** gotta love it. I had a complete post written past this point, and a router glitch caused a loss of data past this point, so I’m having to remember what I wrote – it’s not as good now. **)
There is still some originality left in Love Songs. I think Paul would approve. I even share the sentiment that Sara is getting across. I don’t write songs for people just because they ask. It’s a recipe for disaster. I know from personal experience because I’ve done it twice and in both cases things ended shortly thereafter. Thus I might pick a person as a muse/reference but that won’t become the reason for the song. It’s a self preservation thing. Much like Sara’s song probably is for her.
How about adding this song to your library. Legally of course. It’s a good idea as a gift for someone this holiday.
(** Disclaimer: If Sara’s label decides to be less loving toward me, I’ll have to wrap the audio up in a cloak of invisibility. The post shall remain to show that there still is some originality left in love and songs about it. **)