Top Ten Love Songs (the Grownup Edition)

Ahhh…le sigh…l’amour.

You know, it doesn’t really matter how much I go through in life or how old I get, there’s still an undying romantic buried deep within me that just won’t go away. And so, as Valentine’s Day approaches, I find myself reflecting on the nature of love, the possibility it might reenter my life (what can I say…I’m an optimist), and the way it has manifested itself to me over the decades.

As youngsters, of course, our Valentine’s loves are our parents, and that unconditional love is the first we know of this wonderful emotion. And then we grow, and our view of love changes. As a tween and teen, my experience of love was one of longing. Of longing and anticipation, but not of fulfillment. Still: longing mixed with anticipation is a sweet enough emotion for a young woman on the verge of adulthood.

In my twenties I will admit to having allowed some hopelessness to spill over, as my romantic dreams went unfulfilled. Somehow I never managed to outgrow the ‘big and brainy’ image I’d felt so trapped by in high school. And for the record, by ‘big’ I mean only that I was not 5’2″ and 95 pounds soaking wet. I wasn’t hugely tall, and I wasn’t by any means fat. I was just…well, I was just right, really. But I was decidedly not tiny, which had seemed to be all any of the boys wanted in a girl in high school. So yes, I did carry that monkey on my back throughout my twenties, and it more than likely contributed to some of the less brilliant decisions I made over the next decade or so.

But now, as I prepare to mark my 42nd Valentine’s Day, I find myself finally able to shed it all. And I find myself – perhaps a little strangely – feeling rather sentimental – even ooey-gooey – over this holiday for the first time in, quite simply, ages. But as a newly-single woman in her forties, love has to mean something different to me now than it did to that fourteen year-old wallflower in 1983. From my vantage point, love nowadays is more about the process than the result…more about the journey than the destination. And when it comes to me, I intend to enjoy every step along its heady path with abandon. I intend to live in each moment, regardless of where it may take me. Because it’s not about finding “the one”, or a “soulmate” or even a spouse or life partner. It’s about enjoying another person for all that they have to offer, even if it may just be a warm smile and a friendly word, a dinner and great conversation, or a passionate embrace. Love at 42 won’t be about expectations…it’ll be about moments.

And so, as I sit and swoon at thoughts of finding (finally) my very own Prince Charming, I have begun to dig up old songs to help me recapture that sense of longing…of anticipation…of the promise of fulfillment.

It has been said that there is a “law of attraction”. And that if you send out positive thoughts about your goals, you will achieve them. If this is even a little bit true, then I’m sure to find something wonderful as I listen (over and over and over) to these beautiful love songs.

Oh, and just FYI: other than number one, these are in no particular order…along with each one, I’ve included my favourite line, and a few thoughts of my own.

10. Come Away With Me — Norah Jones

I want to walk with you

On a cloudy day

In fields where the yellow grass grows

knee-high

Love this, because there is lots of knee-high yellow grass where I live. I can sooo picture it.

9. When I Fall in Love — Nat King Cole

When I give my heart it will be completely

Or I’ll never give my heart

And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too

Is when I fall in love with you.

It’s a bit like one of my favourite quotes (minus the cooking part…but good advice nonetheless): Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all. –Harriet Van Horne

8. Your Song — Elton John

How wonderful life is while you’re in the world

Now doesn’t that just say it all? Such a pure and giving love – nothing expected, nothing needed. Just celebrating that the world is better with you in it *sigh*.

7. Wonderful Tonight — Eric Clapton

I feel wonderful because I see

The love light in your eyes.

Well truth be told, the whole song makes me melt, but that line about “love light in your eyes”? Wow.

6. The Rose — Bette Midler

It’s the heart afraid of breaking

That never learns to dance.

It’s the dream afraid of waking

That never takes the chance.

Ah, I see you’ve stumbled across my new mantra…remember, I am going to be courageous this year! Taking chances…that’s the new me.

5. As Time Goes By — Herman Hupfeld (Sung by Frank Sinatra)

You must remember this

A kiss is still a kiss

A sigh is still a sigh

Apart from being an archetypal love song, this is a reminder to those of us who are returning to all this romance stuff after a long hiatus not to take things too seriously, not to over think it. After all, “a kiss is still a kiss…”

4. At Last — Etta James

…You smiled, you smiled

And then the spell was cast

Great song. Great artist. Great line. Indeed, I have lived this feeling…

3. Perhaps Love — John Denver & Placido Domingo

If I should live forever

And all my dreams come true

My memories of love will be of you

Apart from reminding me of my mother, that first and safest of loves, this song overflows with beautiful sentiments about that most beautiful of emotions.

2. In My Life — The Beatles

Though I know I’ll never lose affection

For people and things that went before

I know I’ll often stop and think about them

In my life I love you more

What can I say? It’s The Beatles. And although some would argue that Something is the best Beatles love song ever, this one speaks to me more. Plus, I love that sorta baroque piano solo!

1. Take My Breath Away — Tuck & Patti

My life is yours,

my heart will be,

singing for you eternally

Ahhh…I love absolutely everything about this song. The lyrics are incredible…I mean, who among us has not had that “take my breath away” feeling with a lover? And also: Patti’s timbre is right around the same range as mine, so I can easily crank this tune in the car and sing along at the top of my voice. Which I love doing, by the way.

But seriously, when it comes to favourite lines in this song, it’s a toss-up for me between the lines above and these below:

It’s too good to slip by

Too good to lose

Too good to be there

Just to use

Anyway you slice it, this is definitely my all-time favourite love song. At the moment, it is on high rotation (as in, repeat one) on my iPhone.

How about you? Do you agree with my picks? Disagree with any of them? What might I have forgotten to add to this list?

Comments

Amreen says

February 9, 2012 at 9:43 pm

oh yes – and ANYTHING by Sade!!
Amreen says

February 9, 2012 at 9:43 pm

love your list!
here are some of my faves
oh L’amour – erasure
regret – new order
crazy for you – madonna
i wanna hold your hand – the beatles
can’t help falling in love with you – elvis
Sonya says

February 9, 2012 at 4:43 pm

I love these music lists! I think I’m going to download some of these!
Here’s mine…
Every Breath You Take – Police
Your Body is Wonderland – John Mayer
All my Life – K-Ci & Jo Jo
Can you stand the rain – New Edition
Sexual Healing – Marvin Gaye
The Closer I get to You- Luther Vandross
..and almost embarrassed to mention this one although not retro..
Sex Therapy – Robin Thicke
(I can hear you giggling now..but the song is awesome!)
Erin Little says

February 8, 2012 at 10:22 pm

I love this. I love The Rose, At Last, Come Away With Me, Wonderful Tonight….LOVE! I like the others also.
Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You – Elvis Presley
When a Man Loves a Woman – Percy Sledge
Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor
And, cheesy but I love it, wait for it, wait for it:
Endless Love – Diana Ross & Lionel Ritchie – takes me back to when I saw the movie, I probably 12 or 13. I thought it was so romantic.
And I have to throw in my favourite break-up song. I remember a drive up north with this one on replay.
The End of the World – Vonda Shephard – I heard it on Ally McBeal – oh how I loved that show. The Carpenters, Skeeter Davis and others sang this song before Vonda did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U-wNvoNYl0&feature=related
Cayla says

February 8, 2012 at 6:08 pm

Great list…that Norah Jones song is one of my faves. Also love Follow You, Follow Me by Genesis (or is it Phil Collins):
Stay with me
My love, I hope you’ll always be
Right here, by my side…
Chantel says

February 8, 2012 at 2:09 pm

GREAT List! Kath! Your list brought back memories – some good some bad sigh…..to be a teen again – well no thanks lol!
Jen says

February 8, 2012 at 1:51 pm

I love this post in so many ways I don’t know where to start. I love your sense of hope, your belief in love and your desire to revel in the little things without expectations. That is the key. How can you be fearful or disappointed if you embrace the journey no matter where it takes you?
Oh, and that Tuck & Patti song is one of my all time faves. Great list!
Julie says

February 8, 2012 at 12:13 pm

adam cohen…what other guy
i can listen to that all day!
Sara says

February 8, 2012 at 11:06 am

Nice list romantic lady! I love In My Life – one of top faves.
The song lately that I find the most romantic…and others will disagree and say it’s about death – and maybe it is – is Kingdom Come by Coldplay…sigh…
Hold my head inside your hands
I need someone who understands
I need someone, someone who hears
For you I’ve waited all these years
For you I’d wait ’til kingdom come
Until my day, my day is done
And say you’ll come and set me free
Just say you’ll wait, you’ll wait for me
Tracey says

February 8, 2012 at 10:05 am

Oh my darling, it is a wonderful list. I agree… how can one not? *swoons*
It’s good to be a romantic at heart, I think. And also better to look for the “moments” since they are the ones that make us most content. Great post, Kath. (Great lady, too!!) xox