To me, writing a love song is akin to alchemy. There are three components to a good love song.

The music,
The lyrics,
The performer.

If any element of this magical trifecta is amiss… well then the song is awful.

When composing a love song, I feel that many composers either lazily pick giant sweeping musical orchestrations or just a simple guitar that is basically a strumming melody awaiting the voice. It is an empty shell without the other two components and that simply will not do! The music should haunt us; it should send us to that romantic place in our minds, it should set the scene for the lyrics to come.

Let me be plain, “I want to do you” is not a love song lyric. I have nothing against explicit expressions of love, but a song that is dedicated to the person you love above all else, should have more to say then – “I’d like to handcuff you to my bed”. Lyrics in most love songs are either so sugary or too explicit without adding any emotion and that it is an epic fail.

I dislike whispy singing voices, so love songs performed by women with melancholy whispery voices makes me angry. Where the hell is Aretha singing about being a “natural woman?” You can be damned sure she isn’t going to sing something with a whispy voice. I’m also prone to rage at men who pull out their guitar and sing a soft and passive aggressive song about love gone wrong. What is wrong with you? If you are going to sing a sad love song, might I suggest listening to Black by Pearl Jam? That song had angst, sadness and real suffering! Or if I go back to my alchemy analogy it hits all the magical elements!

As Valentine’s day approaches, I thought I’d share my favorite love song of all time – A Kiss to Build a Dream On. It was written in 1935 by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby and Oscar Hammerstein. It was recorded by one of my favorite performers Louis Armstrong or “Satchmo” as I like to call him. (Apparently I think we are friends.)

Have a listen:

You can’t help but smile when you hear the lyrics to this song. It hits all the elements: great lyrics, great musicality and my dear friend Satchmo at the helm. For me the ingredients to creating a great love song lyric are rather simple, but very hard to bake i(f I may shift to a cooking analogy.)

One touch of whimsy
A whole lot of subtlety
A dash of humor
Mix well and addreal emotion.
Boom!Love song.

Again, it seems simple but to me, these ingredients have the capability of going horribly wrong.  So – don’t write one unless you plan on hiring a great lyricist and fantastic singer.  It takes three to make this thing go right.

I will end this blog with a list of what I consider good and bad love songs. Feel free to disagree, but understand I will most likely think you’re wrong.

BAD:

Is this love? By Whitesnake –

Reason: IT’S BY WHITESNAKE

Hero By Enrique Inglesias.

Reason: His whimpery voice irritates me so much I can’t even listen to the lyrics.

Tonight I Celebrate My Love By: Peabo Bryson / Roberta Flack – –

Reason:  this song is so over the top in the melodrama department that it makes my skin crawl.

You’re Beautiful by James Blunt

Reason:  Whimpy voice, stalker lyrics equals a big HELL NO.

My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion

Reason: I can’t stand Celine’s over the top performance style and the lyrics are so schlocky – it is not to be tolerated!

GREAT:

In Your Eyes By – Peter Gabriel

Reason: Here is the perfect love song. All the ingredients blended perfectly to create a meaningful love song.

Crazy in Love By- Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z

Reason: It starts out loud and sexy and that is before Beyoncé begins to sing. I like this song for the passion of the lyrics and Beyoncé’s voice and the frenetic beat which reminds me  very much of falling in love. Uh oh! Uh oh! Uh oh! On No No!

Crazy Little Thing Called Love By Queen

Reason: Uh, it’s Queen, do I have to have another reason?

As By: Stevie Wonder

Reason: I love this song more than I love cookies and that is saying a lot. People, there is no one who writes a better lyric than Mr. Stevie Wonder, and his voice and orchestration? Divine.

Chains of Love – By Erasure

Reason: This song makes me think of my college years and all the friends from that time that I still adore. It is all about the joy of love, the celebration of love and Andy Bell has a delightful voice.

I will be here for you – Al Jarreau

Reason: Although he is known for singing good morning to the stereo and the radio, this man -a jazz singer of the highest regard- sings this very genuine love song where the chorus “I will be here for you” is sung in Swahili.

It Must Be Love – By Madness

Reason: It is so sweet without being sugary, I don’t know how they did it but it is perfection.

Under the Milky Way – The Church

Reason: I love the lyrics, music and vocals of this song – SO MUCH – I have no more words to describe my love.

This Time By – INXS

Reason: I saw this band in concert four or five times, and each time the band did this song, Michael Hutchence looked so sad when he sang this song that I had to put this one on my list. RIP Michael.

Whether you agree with my thoughts on musical alchemy or not, good love songs are a rare breed and should be treated with respect. Do you hear me White Snake?

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Katie