Love Songs – Day 8

Love has a way of creeping up on you, no matter your background. The good thing is most people don’t mind being found! Enjoy these love-drenched picks … just a few dreamy days before Valentine’s Day.
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(Classic Love Song)
“I Only Want to Be With You” — Dusty Springfield: This is the song I listen to on repeat all day when I’ve met someone I really like, and I can’t stop smiling. It’s that classic, feel-good, head-over-heels, doesn’t-matter-if-I’m-totally-wrong-about-him-I’d-marry-him-tomorrow-if-he-asked, kind of love song. Gotta love that blind optimism!

Damien Rice’s 9 CD

(Sad Love Song)
“Accidental Babies” — Damien Rice: Sometimes, love isn’t perfect. Sometimes, you fall in love with someone who belongs to someone else. And that’s when you need to lay in bed for three days and listen to the saddest love song in the world. Thank you, Damien Rice.

(Perfect Love Song)
“Case of You” — Joni Mitchell: Since high school, this has been my go-to love song. Realistic, poetic, full of longing, acceptance and realizations of who we are and how that shapes the way we love. In the end, all we can hope for is finding someone we could never get enough of, someone we could drink a case of and still be on our feet.
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Picks of Concertmaster of the MSO and Artistic Director of Frankly Music Frank Almond:

These kinds of lists are always difficult for me. Most people probably stick with pop/rock tunes when they think of a “love song.” I end up hashing through 300 years of music. So, over the last few days my “top three” have varied quite a bit. I mean, the Beatles alone had probably 20 to choose from. And what about Schubert? And there’s that great Joe Cocker tune. Anyway, this is how I’m feeling today (in no particular order):

“Someone to Watch Over Me” — George Gershwin: Gershwin was pretty prolific when it came to writing great songs, but this one always stood out. Beautifully crafted, great lyrics; a masterpiece in almost any arrangement.

Act 3 of Der Rosenkavalier — Richard Strauss: Maybe this doesn’t count as one “love song,” but for many people who hear it, this opera is the preeminent exploration of love, loss and letting go as one grows older. It all comes together in the third act, which is just musical and dramatic perfection.

“The Secret Marriage” — Sting: Again, a standout (for me) from a great songwriter, despite stealing the melody from Hanns Eisler, a former student of Schoenberg, who became mostly known for his work with Bertold Brecht. Sting’s lyrics and simple piano accompaniment seemed to somehow enhance Eisler’s original.

Look for more Power of Three: Love Songs all this week on TCD!

Read more!
Love Songs from 93.3’s CV and Jane; Lisa Townsel Day 1
Love Songs from Salvation Army’s Faithe Colas; Cesar Rojas Day 2
Love Songs from Sunset Playhouse’s Jonathan West; Judith Ann Moriarty Day 3
Love Songs from WMSE’s Erin Wolf; DJ Hostettler Day 4
Love Songs from TCD’s Tom Strini and Barbara Castonguay Day 5
Love Songs from TCD’s Erin Petersen and tomjulio Day 6
Love Songs from TCD’s Ted Bobrow and Patti Wenzel Day 7