XL MUSIC

Songs of the heart

Musicians share the lyrics of love and longing that move them most.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Shanties that touch the heart. Tunes that make you swoon. Lullabies of love. These are songs made for the soft side of the human condition; songs that sum up feelings of passion better than words spoken.

What's your favorite love song and why?

In anticipation of this Valentine's Day, we posed that question to a couple dozen musicians, and not a single song was repeated. Fitting indeed, as the love song has the rare ability to be both universal and personal at the same time.

- Michael Corcoran

Todd Snider, East Nashville singer songwriter with a chilling version of "Fortunate Son" on his latest, "Peace Queer":

'Hanky Panky' by Tommy James and the Shondells

"Because its important to me that my own baby does the hanky panky and I like songs that just kick (butt), party hard and rock and roll. Also repeating the phrase over and over is romantic to me. Plus I like how there's only one verse.

'You know I saw her walking down the line/ you know I saw her for the very first time/ a pretty little girl standing all alone/ I said hey baby can I take you home?/ I really saw her/ yeah I really saw her.'

"The last two lines of that verse make me feel like he was singing about a real girl because clearly by the time he got to those lines, he thought, '(Forget) this, I gotta get back to that girl.' I like when I think the girl in the song is real. Cuz mine is."

Hayes Carll, singer-songwriter, still looking for Jesus last we checked:

'Always On My Mind' written by Johnny Christopher, Mark James and Wayne Carson Thompson.

"This definitely isn't a good song to start a relationship on. You have to have had more than your share of inconsiderate moments, breakups, forgotten anniversaries, drunken escapades and maybe an affair or three for it to totally resonate.

"But for a couple who has battled through the tough times, there has never been a sweeter or more direct apology for being a thoughtless lover than this classic.

"It says it all: you're great, I'm a (jerk) , you deserve better, please take me back.

"All in 20 lines. And more poignantly than any of us laymen could ever put it in real life."

Tonio K, Los Angeles songwriter and hitmaker ('Life In the Foodchain'):

"Angelina" by Bob Dylan

"Wow! I actually 'got a chill' as I listened to it again (for the first time in a few years) to make sure I meant it. I mean it.

"I know, I know: love song? Well, yeah, hell yeah. A deep, dark, down-to-the-bone chillingly real love song ? lost-love song. Of course, there's also 'Lay Lady Lay,' 'Ramona,' 'Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands' and 'Most of the Time' - and 50 others - from brother Bob. But this one, for me, is the killer. Never heard a man express this much love (and loss and regret) for a woman in a song. Real love, totally surreal poetry."

Dierks Bentley, Nashville's hunk-next-door whose new album is called 'Feel That Fire':

'When You Say Nothing At All' by Keith Whitley.

"It's a special song for me and my wife, Cassidy. We eloped to Mexico to get married, and we made a disc of photos to give to everyone back home. The Keith Whitley song played in the background (of the disc), so whenever I hear that song, I think of that time."

Bill Stevenson, of Lost Highway recording artists Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears:

"How Can I Tell You," Cat Stevens

"I almost picked 'The Makings of You' by Curtis Mayfield, or 'Nobody 'Cept You' by Bob Dylan; I am happy that I didn't. The lines 'Wherever I am, girl, I am always walking with you but I look and you're not there. And who ever I am with, I am always talking to you, and I am sad that you can't hear' is one of those strokes of poetry that puts into words the simple glances, ease and warmth of a love affair into striking reality that it almost stops you completely."

Tim Crane, singer for hot new soul band T-Bird and the Breaks:

'Let's Get It On' by Marvin Gaye

"It's a tough pick. I could easily go with Al Green's version of 'Unchained Melody' off the 'Living For You' album. It's one of the classic love songs and some Willie Mitchell production/Reverend Green vocals take it to the next level. Tom Waits' 'Blind Love' and 'Johnsburg, Illinois' are up there for me, too. Otis Redding's 'I Love You More Than Words Can Say,' O.V. Wright's 'Let's Straighten It Out (cuz if it's a real love, then it's worth straightening out),' Etta James' 'I Would Rather Go Blind,' Rufus and Chaka Khan's 'Tell Me Something Good,' Bobby D's 'Mama You Been On My Mind' or 'Don't Think Twice.' The point is there's a million great songs about love. Here's the gun to my head answer. Marvin Gaye's 'Let's Get It On.' 'Nuff said."

Bird Peterson, Austin-based dance music producer and DJ, who e-mailed this from Australia, where he's on tour:

'In A Sentimental Mood' by John Coltrane and Duke Ellington.

"This has to be the most beautiful piece of work ever written. Ellington wrote it in 1935 and had lyrics over it as well, but it wasn't until it was done with Coltrane on their 1962 duo LP that it really became so amazing. It puts me in the mood every time. WOO!"

Randy Rogers, country recording artist who's fresh from his debut appearance on "Late Show With David Letterman":

'Wrapped' by Bruce Robison.

"In college when I first met my wife, she and I loved this song. We would go see Bruce Robison play and we would dance all night. At the time we were not together, but I was chasing her pretty steady. The words to the song hit home with me, and I know she knew it. In the long run, we ended up together. But for some time this song got me through many a night wishing she would just give in."

Suzanna Choffel, who plays Valentine's Night at Momo's:

'Sweet Thing' by Van Morrison

"This song has always created a surge of emotion in me, be it from the swelling strings or the driving upright bass line, or the whimsical plucking of the acoustic guitar. The song oozes sweetness from its core. And the lyrics - a picture of a beautiful day, the musings of someone truly in love, without a care in the world but that of his 'sweet thing.'

"One of my favorite lines of the song is 'and I will never ever grow so old again' - such a true sentiment of falling in love - that fresh sense of something beautiful and new, young and playful. 'Sweet Thing' is a song I have played in my bedroom over and over since I was a teenager, day-dreaming about my own sweet thing and smiling."

Raul Malo, crooner extraordinaire from Miami, who has a huge Austin following:

'Stardust' by Nat King Cole.

"The lyrics in that song read like beautiful poetry. The arrangement is about as perfect as can be. And all that matched with one of the greatest singers of all time makes this performance one of the greatest love songs ever heard by human ears."

Ruthie Foster, whose new LP 'The Truth According To Ruthie Foster' was made in Memphis:

'For You' by Eric Bibb.

"Every time I get a chance to sing it with him, I get a clearer understanding of what love truly is. The song is simply written and speaks to my heart. It's a reminder to me that a love is not always 50/50. Sometimes one lover may have to totally depend on the other's spirit for love, their support to continue on when times are low."

Chris 'Grizzle' Gregory of Golden Bear, which celebrates the release of the EP "Everest" on Friday at Club DeVille:

'Sara' by Fleetwood Mac

"There are several reasons for this:

"1. 'Tusk' (the album 'Sara' is on) is an underrated killer.

"2. Stevie Nicks

"3. It has one of those happy/sad melodies and just keeps getting better as the song goes.

"4. I'm marrying a girl at the end of the month named Sarah (with an 'h') and am tempted to convince her to use 'Sara' for the processional."

Joanna Barbera, ethereal folkie whose fine new CD 'Carnival Beginning' came out last month.

'Stewart's Coat' by Rickie Lee Jones.

"When I was 16 years I was wandering the aisles of the record store, starving for inspiration, when a particular CD cover caught my eye. It was of a barefoot woman with an acoustic guitar between her legs and her head hanging down so all you could see was a mass of hair draping over her face and knees. It was Rickie Lee Jones' live acoustic record 'Naked Songs.' I bought it literally judging it by its cover and I fell in love with 'Stewart's Coat':

'Just give me many chances/ I'll see you through it all/ just give me time to learn to crawl.'

"It was my first lesson on love being imperfect."

Randy Weeks, singer-songwriter ('Can't Let Go'), whose new album 'Going My Way' was produced by Will Sexton:

'Happy Together' by the Turtles.

"I think writing an honest-to-God love song, without fear of sappiness, is the ultimate accomplishment. Except for maybe saving the world. This song is bursting with sweet melodies and late '60s California good cheer. Who in the flush of romance wouldn't want to hear this one pumping out of the radio on Valentine's Day? I'm always a sucker for a fat pop number, and 'Happy Together' will go down in history as one of the true greats."

Pat Green, Fort Worth-based singer-songwriter-golfer whose new album is called 'What I'm For':

'Angel Falling Too Close To the Ground' by Willie Nelson

"This is my favorite love song of all time; I don't even have a second place. The opening line, 'if you had not have fallen, then I would not have found you...' Wow. I love that he went for a gut punch with the first shot. His songwriting style is something that every artist in the world can learn from."

Ben Mallott, singer-songwriter whose 'Look Good, Feel Good' CD was one of last year's most pleasant surprises:

'Bridal Train' by the Waifs.

"I'm not usually a crybaby, but this one gets me every time. It's the true account by Vikki Thorn of her grandmother's voyage as an Australian war bride, with the yet unseen child of her U.S. Navy sailor husband, across her country by rail, then ship, to a new American home. The song is a four-minute masterpiece. If I ever write something this good, you can stick a fork in me while I do back flips from the Golden Gate.

Sunny Sweeney, country belle from East Texas:

'Candle In The Dark' by James LeBlanc.

"It's my favorite all-around song right now, and it's a cool way to look at love gone wrong but sticking with the hope that it's going to come around again."

Dave Gonzalez, formerly of the Paladins and Hacienda Brothers, whose new Austin band is Stone River Boys:

'Let's Stay Together' by Al Green, Otis Redding's 'I've Been Loving You Too Long' and Percy Sledge's 'When a Man Loves A Women.'

"It's a three-way tie. All of these songs are classic 'Soul- Plead' and they put the heart of the singer right on the line. There's so many wonderful love songs to inspire us and help us when we need it. As a writer myself, I lean on these types of every-day life classics, combined with my own real life story and that of friends and families."

Ben Kweller, singer-songwriter whose new album 'Changing Horses' has a more country sound than previous three LPs:

'Stand By Me' by Ben E. King.

"I have always been enamored by the bass line of this song and the simplicity. It is one of the strongest melodies of all time. Lyrically I love how universal it is. It's not addressed to anyone in particular - man, woman, friend, lover - therefore it is for everyone, every situation."

Mike Eli of the up-and-coming Eli Young Band, who have spent time on the Billboard country charts:

"I Believe In You" by Don Williams.

"Everything about this song screams honesty, authentic love and real life. Don Williams' voice makes me fall in love with country music all over again. I believe in music, magic and Don Williams!"

Jeff Lofton, blue cool jazz trumpeter and composer:

'My Foolish Heart' by Johnny Hartman, written by Ned Washington and Victor Young.

"Of the many love songs I enjoy listening to and playing, this combination of lyrics and melody creates a mood both nostalgic as well as inspiring. The lyrics tell a story of someone who's not done well with love in the past but is still willing to follow their heart even when their head tells them it may not be logical. Few songs leave you with a feeling of wanting, nostalgia and joy, based on love that's uncertain, but becomes certain all in the course of one melody."

Anita Bennett, Los Bad Apples singer, who recently got hitched, so her fave love song was fresh in her mind:

"'The Flower Duet' from Act I, No. 2 of the French opera 'Lakmé' was my favorite love song long before I had any idea what the lyrics meant. Oddly enough, both times I've heard this piece incorporated into film, it was during bloody fight scenes ('Lara Croft: Tomb Raider' and an episode of 'Vegas'), but somehow the power of this piece transformed the violence into an ethereal portrait of beauty and grace.

"It's the soaring voices that make you feel like you're hang gliding over a Wyoming mountain range on a warm spring day when the hills are carpeted with wildflowers, and the climactic high B (two above middle C) that will make you cry in the middle of a crowded subway that make this the perfect love song.

"That's why I intentionally chose not to read the translated lyrics before walking down the aisle to this very piece at - appropriately - the Wildflower Center. Heaven forbid that special moment be ruined by the last-minute realization that maybe it's a song about poisoning one's lover with a man-eating tulip.

"It was only when I was asked to write about my favorite love song that I finally broke down and decided to check out those lyrics.

"They were perfect."

Terri Hendrix, San Marcos singer-songwriter, who plays the Cactus Cafe on Valentine's Day:

"When asked what my favorite love song was, I was tempted to say 'Love Songs Suck,' by the Bad Livers. In fear of coming off like a curmudgeon, my other favorite tune that's an ode to love is 'Songbird,' by Christine McVie as sung by Eva Cassidy. When she soars into the chorus, I always think 'Now that's amore!'"

Seth Walker, blues and jazz singer-songwriter whose new album on Hyena comes out in early March:

'Come Rain or Come Shine,' written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer.

"This song has always spoken true love to me - the sun and the shadows of a love affair. The changes are composed with major and minor chords in a beautiful, almost haphazard way. Kind of like LOVE. 'It was just one of those things' is a favorite line for me - sometimes you just can't explain it. Of course my favorite version is sung by Ray Charles and arranged by Ralph Burns on 'The Genius of Ray Charles.'"

Nakia, hard workin' soul singer whose new album with His Southern Cousins comes out in April:

'Beth' by KISS

"My first record as a child was a hand-me-down copy of 'KISS Destroyer.' My neighbor had 'upgraded' all his vinyl to 8-Track. It was only a matter of days until I learned the words to sing the band's highest charting hit to date, 'Beth.' My babysitter was the first to hear my new talent, and she soon began 'kidnapping' me from my kindergarten classes to sing for her friends at the home economics building. Crooning to cheerleaders and future housewives, I knew that I was destined to sing forever."

Josh Zee and Teal Collins of the Mother Truckers, roots rockers whose 'Let's All Go To Bed' CD is one of 2008's best:

Josh Zee: 'That's Amore' by Dean Martin

"I know it's a little silly, but there's something classically romantic about it as well. Maybe it just brings me back to my childhood. It gives you that warm feeling, plus Dean Martin is awesome!"

Teal Collins: 'All I Want' By Joni Mitchell

"To me, lyrically, this song captures the innocence that new love is all about. 'I want to knit you a sweater, want to write you a love letter, want to make you feel better, want to make you feel free.' That feeling of wanting to completely share yourself and life with your baby... what could be better than that?!"