Best:
1. “I Love You” – Climax Blues Band
2. “You’re My Home” / “She’s Always a Woman” – Billy Joel
4. “Maybe I’m Amazed” – Paul McCartney
5. “Babe” – Styx
6. “Sentimental Lady” – Fleetwood Mac
7.
Worst / cheesiest
1. “Hello” – Lionel Ritchie
2. “My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion
3. “Wind Beneath My Wings” – Bette Midler
4. “Is This Love” – Whitesnake
5. “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” – Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack
6.
Funky Cold Medina!
“Do That To Me One More Time” – Captain and Tennille
Because “Once is never enough, with a man like you” is possibly the most insulting lyric ever sung in a love song.
Speakin of love:
I’ll be in the Montgomery, Alabama this evening thru Thursday.
Let me know if you’re in the AOR and I’ll try to rendezvous with you.
Lo-ovin you-ou..is easy cause…you’re beautifu-u-ul
And everything that you.. do-o-o
Ooo-oo-ooo-oo-ooooooo….
Sorry I can never hit the high note.
You can fill that last one in with “Escape” – Rupert Holmes
Worst love song idea ever, poorly executed. And he sold a kajillion of ’em.
“By My Side” – Ben Harper
Tribute video, actual song. This was the first song played at our wedding. Love, love, love it.
What’s your favorite Michael Bolton song?
I celibrate his whole catalogue.
“Do Me” – Bell Biv Devoe
It’s so hard to pick just one, eleven.
For the “Best” list:
Ethylene – John Hiatt.
Oh, just to clarify: #6 was an entrant in the “best” category. The BBD link at #8 might need a “Least Approriate” category.
“I want to know what love is… I want you to show me.”
And if you could get one of your girlfriends to help, you know, as a spotter or something, that’d be extra keen.
Something by Journey should be in there, but not “Faithfully.”
“Since You Asked,” Dan Fogleberg
I’m drawing a blank without my iTunes at hand.
S’Wonderful (George and Ira Gerschwin)
Blues in the Night (Nelson Riddle[?])
Cheek to Cheek (Irving Berlin –I like the Ella Fitzgerald cover)
So Alive (Love & Rockets)
(You’re the) Devil in Disguise (don’t know who wrote it Elvis sings it)
Total Eclipse of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler)
Obsession (Animotion)
That Alanis Morisette (sp?) song from 10-15 years ago what’s it called? The one that sounds like the soundtrack in Glen Close’s mind if Fatal Attraction were a 1990s movie.
I’ll let you guess where the line between good and bad/cheesy falls.
Best:
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C# minor “Quasi una fantasia”, op. 27, No. 2, Ludwig van Beethoven
Always, October Project
Happy Together, The Turtles
Valerie, Crooked Fingers
Iowa, Dar Williams
Queen of the Surface Streets, DeVotchKa
Hey, Julie, Fountains of Wayne
Unintended, MUSE
The Ship Song, and/or Straight To You, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Worst:
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You, Bryan Adams
Lady in Red, Chris de Burgh
Either/Both:
Night in White Satin, Moody Blues
If, Bread
You Are So Beautiful, Joe Cocker
OK, Danger: Wild Thing
;^)
Oh, I also found out how to pronounce “Jsu García”: JAY-zoo WEEN-kl-HAI-mr.
By some strange co-inky-dink, he was on Coast-to-Coast AM (or Space Ghost, Coast-to-Coast, don’t remember which) last night talking about his movies about spiritual journeys. Not a word about Atlas Shrugged.
“Beautiful,” Gordon Lightfoot
Shit. Old Lang Syne by Fogelberg should be in there. One of my favorites.
C’mon now…
If we’re putting Roberta on the worst list you gotta put her on the best list too.
“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” is a classic.
Before my time but a classic.
“Where did we go right” Johnny and June Carter Cash.
You Oughta Know
Another one in the “Best/Worst/Cheesiest/Creepiest/TakeYourPick” category:
Possession
My ex dedicated both of those to me. Yikes.
My song for her: Cecilia
Possession goes right up there with Every Breath You Take.
“Allison” – Elvis Costello.
“I’m ‘n Luv (Wit a Stripper)” – T-Pain featuring Mike Jones.
Worst. Anything by Air Supply.
‘Making Love Out of Nothing at All’ Even Brad Pitt couldn’t overcome the pussy factor on that one.
“Every Breath You Take” makes me want to forcibly remove Sting’s nuts, have my way with his wife, and drink all his beer.
That and it’s a song about a creepy stalker…
Good song.
Most everything by REO Speedwagon fits on both lists.
I love REO, as well. Of my era. Almost put “Keep on Loving You” on the Best list.
Don’t know if “Time for Me to Fly” fits as a love song but it still works for me.
Worst list: “Ice Cream” by Sara McLachlan (Actual line from the song: “Your love is better than chocolate, better than anything else that I’ve tried”; did a 10 year old girl write this song? Blech.)
Inappropriate: Closer – Nine Inch Nails
“Time for me to fly” is an end of love song. My era, and I like it.
From the FakeAPStylebook twitter feed, corrections to candy hearts. http://twitpic.com/3zskgr
I second the “Keep on Loving You”, Jeff.
College girlfriend loved NIN, afs. I’ve fooled around to every track on Pretty Hate Machine. Smoke a bowl, drink some MD 20/20 and get it on to “Something I Can Never Have”. Then go talk to some pierced lesbian in the lounge who says stuff like, “I liked Nirvana before they were popular.”
Good times.
It just ocurred to me how incredibly ironic the “Pina Colada Song” is.
I mean — what are the chances?
Nice, bh. I had one with similar music tastes. She actually worked at something she referred to as a “women’s sexuality boutique”. It was a porn shop for chicks, basically. They did tattoos and piercings, too. And this was when only the VERY lesbian were getting pierced in most of those places.
Given Jeff’s list, Closer was inappropriate…
Agree with Squid, Lady In Red by Chris de Burgh is the Worst.Love.Song.Ever. I will not answer for my actions if I’m armed and that song gets played.
Don’t know about the best, but this one always gets me blubbing.
When you say nothing at all – Alison Kraus a capella. Evergreen – John Denver. Love Me – Colin Raye. I Swear – John Michael Montgomery.
By “those places” I actually meant anatomically, but I guess referring to the shop works too.
In your Eyes, by Peter Gabriel
Count me on the REO Bandwagon. For the good. Of my era, too.
“Knock Three Times” – Tony Orlando and Dawn. Close to maxing out the yuckage.
I’d add “Tie a Yellow Ribbon,” but it’s been appropriated by the USO and put to better use, so I won’t.
Worst Rap Love “Pump and a Bump” MC Hammer.
What, no Spooky Tooth?
Another great one is Eminem’s tribute to his wife. Sensational ;-)
This is Us, by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris
You and Me, Dave Matthews Band
Make it wit Chu – QOTSA
Which one, JD? I’m fond of “Bonnie & Clyde, ’97”.
My taste is questionable (at best).
I’ve always liked
Repetition by Information Society which seems to be about breaking up, and getting back together. With obligatory, accompanying crap new-age late-80s video.
May as well link them as I’m going to be listening to them all day now:
“Keep on loving you”, “Time for me to fly”, “Can’t fight this feeling”, and “Take it on the run”.
Suddenly I feel like I’m supposed to go pick up a corsage and a rented tux. Speaking of which, “Love Song” by Tesla.
Afs – “kim” maybe? The one where he basically cusses her out for 4 minutes.
Oops.
“Time for me to fly”.
Ack. Oh well, it’s there on youtube.
“Pitchers and catchers report today and tomorrow”. Ok, it isn’t really a Valentine’s day song, but it should be.
Music to my ears, sdferr. Cubs should be mathematically eliminated by Friday.
Heard God Only Knows what i’d be without you by beach boys past night. Depressingly lovely.
“Storybook Love” (End Title The Princess Bride)
Afs – it is definitely “Kim” by Eminem, from The Marshall Mathers LP. It is the most lovely caring heartstring pulling tender romantic songs I have ever heard.
maggie,
Coyingly sentimental, but in a good way /creepy Jon Lovitz voice.
I’ll let y’all speculate on what I mean by that.
Ladies and Gentlemen. Live, from the neck up, it’s Teddy Pendergrass
Think, Aretha Franklin
Maggie – you weren’t watching Love, Actually by any chance, were you? That song is playing at the very end of what it ultimately one of the best romantic comedies ever. And I have a Y chromosome.
And Al Green
Just Don’t Bite It – NWA
Brings a tear to my eye, every time I hear it.
What is Love? (Baby Don’t Hurt Me)
I’ve always wonderd what that would sound like arranged for a full orchestra.
In the good category – Right Down the Line by Gerry Rafferty (RIP).
I agree with Stephanie about Air Supply – they make me consider supporting the revocation of Amendment I to the US Constitution simply to allow them to be banned, censored and scourged from all hearing, ever.
I am slightly puzzled as to why Celine Dion didn’t make #1 in the “barf” category. I think that song set the standard for modern mush.
I like several songs by the Corrs for the good side of the ledger. But, maybe it is just a weakness for hot, crooning Irish women. And tin whistles.
Nobody says “I love you” like Cee Lo
OI-Couple of funny-ass tracks on that LP…
I agree that “In Your Eyes” is close to the best of them.
“Sentimental Lady” – Fleetwood Mac
You mean the Bob Welch solo version?
Despite the grim tone, “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica, is, lyrically, a love song.
That’s the only one you can find anymore.
If you couldn’t get busy to the full version of Jefferson Starship’s “Miracles”, you just weren’t capable.
Absolutely. Top 5 in my book.
Arguably Welch was the most talented of them. Also the most addicted, regrettably….
If you couldn’t get busy to the full version of Jefferson Starship’s “Miracles”, you just weren’t capable.
Any song that actually mentions “going down” (on Grace Slick?) without getting banned has something going for it.
I can’t get past that the same group put out “We Built This City (on Rock and Roll)”.
It’s like Dukakis in the helmet. You just don’t undo that.
Heh, when I was a little kid, I loved that song. As well as my cassette of The Jackson Fives greatest hits.
Bono’s cover of Elvis.
I didn’t know that “Miracles” was by Jefferson Starship, so great is the “We Built This City” disconnect in my mind.
That whole Honeymoon in Vegas album is pretty good by the way, if ya havent’ heard it.
Bono makes my piles flare up.
Nick Cage was hysterical in that flick.
Just listened to “Miracles” on youtube… for the very first time.
bh is a kid. I heard that song so many times as a lad, I grew quite sick of it.
Heh, we should have a thread titled, “Listen, kid, these songs here were the shit”.
The soundtrack album wasn’t part of the movie at all I think. Just folks covering Elvis. Some of the stuff is outstanding. Here’s Bryan Ferry covering “Are you lonesome tonight?“.
Punk kids don’t know nothin’. And get off my lawn!
Jeff Beck, Hound Dog
Fortunately, it’s not exactly the same group. “We Built This City” was Starship, sans the Jefferson and lots of other good things like Paul Kantner, Marty Balin and Pete Sears. Much litigation ensued.
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/eminem/kim.html
If that does not scream Happy Valentines Day, I do not know what does …
I’m kinda partial to I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend by The Ramones.
Well, sure, Pablo. But you know what I meant.
Marty Balin, “Hearts.” Ah, good times…
I know. It’s the sort of thing that makes you deeply concerned about your own judgment. That was some truly disturbing shit, kind of like looking at Grace these days, or post-Paradise Theater Styx. Brrrr.
Best:
7. God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
Now that I’m home with the plumber, who is auguring out my sewer pipe and found that his 100ft snake wasn’t long enough, I can parse my iTunes for songs:
“Bewitched” Mel Tormé
“Come Rain or Come Shine”
“For Sentimental Reasons” Nat King Cole
“Night and Day” Sinatra
“If You Could Read My Mind,” “Beautiful,” and “Softly” Lightfoot
“The Closer I Get to You” and “Where Is the Love” Flack and Hathaway
“Rosalinda’s Eyes” Billy Joel
“Gira con me” Josh Groberg
“How Deep Is Your Love” Bee Gees (YOU HEARD ME!)
“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” Beyoncé
“As Long as You Follow” Fleetwood Mac
“Danny’s Song” Loggins
“For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her” and “Bridge over Troubled Water” Simon and Garfunkle
“Just You and Me” Chicago
“Fortress Around Your Heart” Sting
“Crazy” Patsy Cline
“Protection” Massive Attack
“Dream a Little Dream of Me” Mama Cass
“Happy Together” The Turtles
“Always and Forever” Heat Wave
“Ain’t No Sunshine” Bill Withers
How Deep is Your Love is a great tune. I like “Sundown” from Lightfoot. And the Turtles? Always good to hear that tune.
I should add 24 Hours a Day, from the Partridge Family. That’s right. The Partridge Family.
And for balance, I’ll add Beth, from Kiss.
Oh, and “We Built This City.”
It IS on my iTunes. You got a problem wit dat?
I suddenly feel so Generation X. Up yours, hippies.
Yes. And on this, I’m speaking on behalf of humans.
A Gen X love song.
If you were here by the Thompson Twins. Almost with You by the Church. Time after time by Cyndi Lauper. Are those GEN X love songs?
If you leave by OMD?
I’m just being gratuitously flippant.
Aint No Sunshine. bill withers. Good stuff.
I contend that Mr. Ambulance Driver is a love song, of sorts. But I’m probably mistaken.
My wife and I, for our recently-passed 25th Anniversary, settled on Van Morrison’s ‘Someone Like You‘ as our first-dance number thinger. I’m surprised no one hit on that yet.
‘Miracles’ was written by Marty Balin. That came out in ’76, coinciding with my zenith in backseat ‘romance’… )By the time I got around to seeing Jefferson Starship in a concert venue, Balin had left the band and they couldn’t play it. Bummer.
“Misguided Angel” – Cowboy Junkies.
“Classic Girl” – Jane’s Addiction.
“Please Do Not Go” – Violent Femmes.
“Twistin'” – They Might Be Giants.
“Fuck Her Gently” – Tenacious D.
Okay, those last two might not be love songs.
Here’s a lovely hipster love song.
And I’m speaking on behalf of those who don’t give a rip what other people think of their taste in music.
But The Partridge Family? Even I wasn’t stupid enough to nominate “I Woke Up in Love This Morning” and “I Think I Love You.”
Which are on my iTunes.
Laurie Partridge was pretty smokin’ for a dirty hippie. Much better than them Brady whores, though no Marilyn Munster.
Worst?
Anything by The Association.
I am appalled, utterly appalled, that it took 94 comments before anyone mentioned For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her.
Justin Hayward’s Forever Autumn is another favorite of mine.
‘Pray For You’
I haven’t been to church since I don’t remember when
Things were going great ‘˜til they fell apart again
So I listened to the preacher as he told me what to do
He said you cant go hating others who have done wrong to you.
Sometimes we get angry, but we must not condemn.
Let the good Lord do His job and you just pray for them.
I pray your brakes go out running down a hill
I pray a flowerpot falls from a window sill and knocks you in the head like I’d like to
I pray your birthday comes and nobody calls
I pray you’re flying high when your engine stalls
I pray all your dreams never come true
Just know wherever you are honey, I pray for you
Goes mighty fine with that Carrie Underwood number. BTW the 17 yo has both on her Iphone. They weren’t on mine but it made her prematch play list for today along with the Hotel/Motel song… another fine ode to luv.
I may use her 7 iron on myself if this keeps up.
Not for nothing, but…
Stardust. Nat.
And Sinatra doing The Way You Look Tonight gets me every time, too.
Ol’ Blue Eyes Never Goes Anywhere
Otis Redding’s That’s How Strong My Love Is. You only need to use it once.
After you close the deal, any Capitol-era Sinatra (“Witchcraft”), Sinatra/Jobim, Johnny Hartman, or Johnny Mathis’ “Wonderful Wonderful.”.
I notice nobody voted for George Harrison’s “Something”. Lucinda Williams’ “Righteously” is a good one from the girls.
Submitted for your consideration: Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan singing Rice’s “I Remember”
I Remember
Good Enough for Now (“Weird Al” Yankovic)
I can’t believe noone has mentioned “Suck my Love-pump” by Spinal Tap. It’s even in D minor, the saddest of all keys.
I believe that’s “Lick My Love Pump”. But the key is correct.
“I Like Big Tits” Joe Walsh.
and I like big tits.
Thanks, alppucino, I realized my mistake as soon as I walked away from the monitor.
A lot of good picks here; I Love You by Climax Blues Band, Right Down the Line and By My Side from Ben Harper, all in my Ipod.Along with Gold to Me by Harper, I Hear A Symphony, Something by the Beatles, She’s a Rainbow from the Stones brings back fond memories.
I’m not normally a corrector, but Nigel Tufnel seemed to put his heart into that one.
Worst?
Anything by The Association.
And yet, in 1967, the year of “Sargent Pepper”, the Association’s LP outsold said Beatles LP in the USA.
Draw your own conclusions….
bh, “Misguided Angel” is a rather dark song. Brilliant, but dark.
Was “Misguided Angel” on “Pale Sun, Crescent Moon” or “The Trinity Session”
Because I’m a unrepentant Christer, I think “Working on a Building” is amazing.
I Touch Myself – Concrete Blonde
Never Say Never – Romeo Void
best: Till There Was You
second best: The Night Chicago Died
miss congeniality: Your Feet’s Too Big
OK, best anti-love songs!
Jumbo Go Away – Frank Zappa
A bit late to the party, but here’s my 2 cents:
BEST-
“So Far Away” – Dire Straits (my fiancee and I lived this one)
“All the Things You Are” – Ella Fitzgerald
WORST-
“Muskrat Love” – Captain & Tenille (How in the hell did no one else come up with this one already?? I am greatly disappointed in y’all…)
Here and Now – Luther Vandross
Spooky – Classics IV
All Around the World – Lisa Stansfield
Going in Circles – Friends of Distinction
Its a Shame – The Spinners
Wicked Games – Chris Isaak
I Go Crazy – Paul Davis
Baby Come Back – Player