BY MIKEY MIGO
I was digging deep within to find a good topic to write about. I love talking and writing about music. I love going to concerts. I love that first listen on headphones. I love reading about music. Basically, I love music.
So that's when I decided I should just tackle "love songs". I've written about suicidal songs, "songs about masturbation", and a few other obscure topics. This isn't for any specific reason. I'm not running off to Vegas to elope with a stripper I met last night and this isn't some pretyped or superformated piece that I'm just throwing at you because I'm having writers block. This is me wanting to pay tribute to a specific type of song that has had a HUGE influence on virtually EVERY genre. Every genre has had love songs. I AM making a Top 10 list, but it's all subjective. I've not heard every love song out there and I've not been effected by them the same ways others may have been.
First I want to acknowledge a few songs as honorable mentions. I may like these tracks, but maybe not as much as the Top 10. "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston was REALLY big when I was in grade school. I think even as a young boy I had the cassette tape. It was THAT popular. Marvin Gaye owned the R&B and Soul world for years with tracks like "Lets Get It On" or "Sexual Healing". Elvis, the overrated hack that he was, made some good love tunes ("Love Me Tender" specifically). Then The Police showed off their love in a very creepy and stalker like fashion with "Every Breath You Take". I didn't give them any Top 10 love, but Alicia Keys and John Mayer are really talented and have been putting out some great love tracks. There's plenty more. These are just a few notable exclusions from the list.
10. "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney
I'm one of those people who take the chance to trash The Beatles whenever possible. I'm not a fan and I think they are very overrated. Those who are fans put them on a sick level of god-like proportions. I enjoy a few of their tracks and respect them, but I avoid deeming them the media masturbation they allegedly deserve. I always like George and Paul the most. Except for a few, I oddly enjoy their music when it's not attached to "The Beatles". This is one of those cases. Paul's attempt at soul really comes through here and I give it much props.
9. "I'll Be There" by The Jackson 5
The first cassette tape I can remember owning was Jackson 5's Greatest Hits. I grew up in Gary, Indiana and my father allegedly played basketball with Tito or Jermaine (still, have my doubts on that). Being a fan of The Jackson 5 is in my blood. I had a rough time picking a song from their catalog, but eventually settled on "I'll Be There". It's just a good old fashion R&B track. Is it me, or is the R&B genre kinda shitty now?
8. "I Don't Want to Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith
Like Jackson 5, I've been a fan of Aerosmith since I can remember. At the age of like six or seven, I scratched he hell out of my father's "Toys In The Attic" album because I wanted the Run DMC version of "Walk This Way". This song is pure cheese and unlike other Aerosmith songs that I love. Sadly, this was their first number one hit and it wasn't even written by the guys. Aerosmith has established itself as one of the biggest and best American rock bands of all time. This song is a mere footnote on their long and great career. Still, it's one of those sappy songs that you don't turn off. It was used well in the movie ‘Blades of Glory' so at least that can wash the bad taste out of my mouth that was ‘Armageddon'.
7. "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys
This another one of those "well, duh" picks. This is arguably the best love songs of it's time and probably gets a few arguments in its favor on an all time level. One fact that probably everyone knows already is that Brian Wilson was supposed to sing the song, but had his brother do it. Whoever sang it, it ended up at #7 on this 25 year old's list. I wasn't raised on The Beach Boys, but I know a good track when I hear it.
6. "Fragile" by Nine Inch Nails
Sure in the video Trent's hair cut reminds you of Tinkerbell from the Peter Pan movie, but Nine Inch Nails is still my favorite band of all time. Basically, Trent Reznor is my favorite band. This song is a personal choice. I know it's pretty much NEVER on anyone's list, but here it is. I love the aspect the song brings of trying to protect someone and helping them through. It's also the track has seen more of my mix CDs than any other song on this list and the title track to my favorite Nine Inch Nails album so that helps.
5. "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers
Stupid Patrick Swayze making me like this song. I saw the movie "Ghost" recently (on accident) and ended up being enthralled by the scene with this song in it. The song pulls you in and is an all time classic. Ask 10 people over the age of 30 to make this list and I'd be willing to bet the farm that this track tops at least a few. Please note I do not have a farm and I really am a huge Swayze fan. I'm glad he's okay.
4. "I Believe (When I Fall in Love it Will Be Forever)" by Stevie Wonder
Like many people my age who love this song, I must credit the movie "High Fidelity". I grew up in a Motown, Soul, and R&B loving household and had never heard it until that GREAT flick. Stevie is famous for many many spectacular songs, but this one is often left out of the discussion. I prefer this song to any of his other works. That says a lot. This song is VERY underappreciated.
3. "The Sweetest Thing" by U2
This song and really U2 is often left off many "Top Love Song" lists and I don't know why. U2 is about as passionate as you're going to find in music and have plenty of songs pertaining to love. I personally really dig this song. The video is very "sweet" (no pun intended) and covers the aspect of love that we should all know. Of course I'm talking about the apologetic "do anything you can to make it right" portion that's hell to deal with. I believe the story behind this song is that Bono wrote it as an apology to his wife. I would hope she'd of forgiven him after such a beautiful track.
2. "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton
If I were making a movie with a big sappy romance scene to end it, this would be the song. Eric Clapton has some magically ability to use his guitar to bitchslap one's emotions. Sure it's not "Layla", but this track gives a great example of who Eric Clapton is and what makes his music so special.
1. "Love Song" by The Cure
I'm not even a fan of The Cure. I don't own any of their albums, I have none of their tracks (other than this one), and I will never pay to see them in concert. I respect them, but it's just not my cup of tea. The Cure was emo before emo was a stain in its father's draws. Still, in my humble opinion, the best modern love song is in fact "Love Song" by The Cure. I've heard covers of this song by the likes of 311, Voltaire, Rasputina, and many others. Some are good, but none of them really capture the genuine emotion that comes from the original. It might not be for everyone, but it's definitely for me.
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