Love might be an innate chemical reaction or a fragile gift from the heavens, but whatever it is has inspired more music than there are words in the dictionary. Unremarkably, break-up songs are readily in plentiful supply as well. These are some of my favorite love/loss songs for either side of Cupid’s shotgun. As always blow me a kiss or gimme such a pinch at myspace.com/paymorty.
1. “There is A Light That Never Goes Out” The Smiths
Who hasn’t thought, “If it all ends here and now I’d die happy”? Morrissey and Marr’s bleakly romantic fan favorite perfectly frames the feelings of youthful abandon with the dark foreboding of a one-way night out.
2. “Last Goodbye” Jeff Buckley
Clearly influenced by Morrissey’s cadence and gothic imagery, Buckley’s soaring voice pulls every heartstring while pushing his love away. Sometimes hope is overrated.
3. “I Hope That I Don’t Fall in Love With You” Tom Waits
If you’ve ever fallen for the fantasy of eyes meeting across a crowded room only to lose sight of each other by last call then chase your next round with this.
4. “I Want You” Elvis Costello and the Attractions
If there is a more scathing indictment of broken trust and love’s after-burn than this almost-mantra-like invocation of desire, I don’t fuckin’ know it. It ain’t for the faint of heart.
5. “Cloudburst” Lambert, Hendricks and Ross
You think Twista spits the rapid-fire hot shit? Based on a sax solo by Wardell Gray, ’50s singing trio LHR use whirlwind vocalese (singing jazz arrangements with carefully constructed lyrics) to turn a romantic weather report into a boppin’, non-stop, thunderclap of passion. Not even Barry Manilow’s version can rain it out.
6. “A Case of You” Joni Mitchell
What’s amazing about this song (and any truly great love song) is its ability to cunningly describe a specific series of personal events and still make the listener feel like it could speak for them…or hopefully about them. Joni does it effortlessly.
7. “Woman” John Lennon
Men fuck up. A woman that can stick by you through your macho head-trips and callous selfishness—and still make you feel worthy of love—deserves to have this sung to her hourly while laying prostrate at her feet.
8. “Operator (That’s Not the Way it Feels)” Jim Croce
If you’ve ever had your love taken away by a friend then you know that you suffer several shades of loss but gain immeasurable insight into your own powers of recovery. From a lost time when a phone call cost a dime and you had to stop your day to make it.
9. “Bus Stop” The Hollies
Written about 40 years before Rihanna’s similar yet metaphorically limited hit “Umbrella,” this song quaintly details a suburban love story with the kind of simple poetry that could be found on any city street corner. It turns overcast days into an invitation to romance.
10. “You’re Breaking My Heart” Harry Nilsson
Although Nilsson’s version of “Without You” might seem more apropos, after one listen this blunt instrument of a love song (?!) will guarantee its position on your next break-up mix CD.
Honorable mentions: “Yesterday,” The Beatles; “Alone Again, Naturally,” Gilbert O’Sullivan; “Love Reign O’er Me,” The Who; “Pictures of You,” The Cure; “All By Myself,” Eric Carmen.
