LOVE NOTES
Love is soft as an easy chair, a many splendoured thing, what you want it to be. And love is a rose — but you’d better not pick it. For Valentine’s Day this week, Jim Reyno takes a look at some memorable love songs (several have been written over the year
Lone Justice, I Found Love (1986)
Joyous kickoff track to the excellent Shelter album. Maria McKee really belts it out: She sounds like she’s really found love! (As an aside, McKee’s half-brother, Bryan MacLean, was a member of the influential ’60s band Love.)
Barbra Streisand, Evergreen (1976)
Delicate ballad opens with one of Streisand’s most famous opening lines (written by Paul Williams): “Love, soft as an easy chair …” It gets real gooey after that.
Andy Williams, Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (1955)
From the movie of the same name, this Sammy Fain-Paul Francis Webster composition won an Academy Award for best original song. And the whole thing started with Han Suyin’s 1952 novel A Many-Splendored Thing.
Prairie Oyster, Did You Fall in Love With Me (1991)
Charming tune that subtly captures the apprehension and anticipation of a developing relationship. “I thought I saw a ghost of a smile / When my hand brushed against your hair.” Oh my, I’m blushing already! Great mandolin solo, too.
Alannah Myles, Love Is (1989)
This debut single (written by David Tyson and Christopher Ward) and stylish accompanying video launched Myles in Canada. The riff is still funky and the chorus still hooks: “Love is / What you wantittobe/Loveis/Heavento the lonely.”
Celine Dion, My Heart Will Go On (1997)
I tried to avoid breakup-longdistance songs on this list, since that’s another category entirely. But in the last verse of Will Jen- nings’ lyrics, Dion sings: “You’re here / There’s nothing I fear.” So I’m claiming My Heart Will Go On for this list. The most powerful of power ballads, and beloved worldwide. I think it was voted Most Lovingly Heartfelt Song for Couples Whose Devotion Transcends Human History and Outer Space — and it was unanimous! Except one votefor…
Force MDs, Tender Love (1985)
My favourite love song, no apologies. I love the unhurried tempo, the percussive touches and the gorgeous vocal harmonies. And when I try to sing along with the high parts … I sound spectacular. Come on!
Linda Ronstadt, Love Is a Rose (1975)
Written by Neil Young, this is as good a metaphor for love lost: “Love is a rose / But you’d better not pick it / It only grows when it’s on the vine / A handful of thorns / And you’ll know you’ve missed it / You lose your love when you say the word mine.”