What makes a good love song?

@owlwings (43915)
Cambridge, England
February 14, 2012 5:50am CST
Well, "love is in the air" today and I "feel it in my fingers", so I did some research and I find that (as far as I can see) NOBODY in six years and over 2 million discussions has thought to discuss what actually MAKES a good love song! Most of us have our favourites, perhaps, but WHY are they favourites? What 'does it' for you? Is it the lyrics or the tune or the artist? Can one artist make a dreadful song good? Maybe you have a favourite because it reminds you of a particular situation. If that's so, then is the song actually good ... or just average (or even crap!). Are 'love songs' better or worse today than they used to be? There! I have opened a can of worms (I hope). It's OK to quote a verse or two if it illustrates what you have to say but PLEASE give a translation if it's not in English! In this discussion, it's NOT true that "you say it best when you say nothing at all"!!!! Let it rip!
6 people like this
31 responses
• China
14 Feb 12
I think the tune make a good love song.The reason why some song are worth hearing a hundred times and even have been handed down through generations is because they have a beautiful melody which can tears people's heart strings.No matter how wonderful the lyrics is, if its tune doesn't touch people,nobody could like the song.It is hardly too much to say tune is to lyrics what wing is to bird.Of course,what tune people like differs from nationality to nationality.
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
14 Feb 12
I think that you're right. If it's not a tune that bugs you and that you can't get out of your head, it's not likely to become a favourite. The words may be terrific or just plain trite but if you can't hum the tune in the shower, while cooking or walking along the road, then it's hardly likely to be memorable. I like "What the tune is to the lyrics, so wings are to a bird". Poor chickens! Not many love songs for them, then!
• China
15 Feb 12
What a comparison!"poor chickens!not many love songs for them".However it is hard to write music.It needs down-to-earth work,composer must collect the folk songs before writing it.
1 person likes this
• Greece
31 Aug 12
To quote from an old song 'love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage' and so do good words with good tunes. It is easier to remember the tunes and with a little quiet humming the words generally fall into place. Love songs have to touch your heart, they have to be an echo of a personal experience. It is very binding on a relationship when a song becomes 'our song'. I love songs that speak of the deep reality of love such as Nat King Coles 'When I fall in love it will be forever'.
@allknowing (130088)
• India
14 Feb 12
My then fiance sang for me specially when we were strolling down the beach. His was a baritone range and a powerful voice at that. He sang several songs but the one that has etched in my memory and will last a life time is "Easter Parade" [i]In your easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it, You'll be the grandest lady in the easter parade. I'll be all in clover and when they look you over, I'll be the proudest fellow in the easter parade. On the avenue, fifth avenue, the photographers will snap us, And you'll find that you're in the rotogravure. Oh, I could write a sonnet about your easter bonnet, And of the girl I'm taking to the easter parade.[/i]
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@allknowing (130088)
• India
14 Feb 12
His voice matched that of Bing Crosby http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy76MPHzLcc sung by Bing Crosby. Enjoy.
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@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
14 Feb 12
Bing ... warm chocolate ... lovely! I can see why you were enchanted. I don't actually like Bing's version as much as I like Judy Garland and Fred Astaire's: http://youtu.be/9LFDWjzaQvU because, somehow, it seems he was just singing the words ... he doesn't seem to have a picture in his head at all ... he's not making it come alive, if you see what I mean. Mind you, Judy Garland had a 'trained' voice ... Bing's was a 'natural' (and so was Fred Astaire's). I'll bet that your beau did it MUCH better than Bing! Yes, it's a terrific song with clever rhymes and a good tune that is, above all, easy to sing (by anyone, male of female) and needs no accompaniment. That's what makes it a good song, to my mind, as well as a good love song.
@allknowing (130088)
• India
14 Feb 12
Yes indeed. His voice had timber and the beach setting made all the difference.
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@maezee (42003)
• United States
15 Feb 12
HA HA HA, I had to YouTube both of those songs to actually know what you were talking about. I've seen the movie "Love Actually", so I've heard that "Feel it in my fingers" song, but OMG I didn't realize it was a REAL song! LMAO. I get a kick out of that. I really.. Well, I know we are all entitled to our own opinions for sure. But I am thinking I like darker love songs for the most part - songs about the complications with love, etc. I don't really enjoy the happy-go-lucky love songs that tend to be chart-topping. (I feel like they are a little too 'forced'). I can't exactly explain it, but I like songs that really portray love...Messy, angry, complicated, passionate, betrayal, heart-break, whatever. I do like songs like the Cure's "Love Song", and Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight". I like the sad undertones of both of them. I like both the lyrics, and the music - I think they both play their part in making it a 'good' love song. And oh my goodness, now that you're putting me on the spot I really can't think of any examples! How horrible is that! I will make that my research project, to go through and find all of my favorite love songs, and then post it on here!!!
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@allknowing (130088)
• India
15 Feb 12
How about this song for you then? TENNESSEE WALTZ [i]I was dancin' with my darlin' to the Tennessee Waltz When an old friend I happened to see I introduced her to my loved one And while they were dancin' My friend stole my sweetheart from me. I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz Now I know just how much I have lost Yes, I lost my little darlin' the night they were playing The beautiful Tennessee Waltz The beautiful Tennessee Waltz[/i]
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@CTHanum (8234)
• Malaysia
15 Feb 12
The combination of the right lyrics with the right tune and the right voice will make the song as a beautiful song. There are may good love songs out there and we could make a long list of it..can't choose single out of them as they are all good love songs~(^^)
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@CTHanum (8234)
• Malaysia
15 Feb 12
Others may do that but me no, I can't...they are too many..(^^)
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@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
15 Feb 12
When one of those good love songs relate to your own personal situation, then it could easily be the one to single out.
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@phillyguy (3005)
• Philippines
14 Feb 12
This is a really good discussion, and can't believe no one has ever ask this before, I think really hard about it but I can't think of an exact explain how I consider a certain love song a good love song..but I think it's the combination of lyrics, tunes, rhythm and the artist voice, I tend to like love songs by rock bands, like Oasis', Chris Cornell, Radiohead, Foo Fighters and others, but most of my favorite love songs are by Bob Marley, he is known for his songs about social justice, political beliefs and revolution but his "love songs" are really great too [i]I’m willing and able, So I throw my cards on your table! [b]I wanna love you - I wanna love and treat - love and treat you right; I wanna love you every day and every night[/b]: We’ll be together, yeah! - with a roof right over our heads; We’ll share the shelter, yeah, oh now! - of my single bed; We’ll share the same room, yeah! - for jah provide the bread.[/i] Just can't help but share this very simple lyric from one of his love song
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@phillyguy (3005)
• Philippines
14 Feb 12
errr "exact explanation"
@luisaR (452)
• Philippines
14 Feb 12
I am not a perfect person. There's many things I wish I didn't do But I continue learning I never meant to do those things to you and so I have to say before I go that I just want you to know I've found a reason for me to change who I used to be A reason to start over new and the reason is you. ..Thats the song my ex-boyfriend used to like dedicated to me. After beating me couple of times hehe. I don't know if I like it or it only make the day worse whenever I hear it lol.
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@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
14 Feb 12
Hoobastank. Yes, it says what a lot of abusers say and really mean, I think. Unfortunately, it's not as easy for them to change as they would like it to be and few ever do. I'm sorry that you have bad and good memories mixed up with that song. If you can't get rid of it (the song), then the best thing to do is to make it 'yours' ... find a person yourself who you can sing it to who can be a 'reason to start over new' for yourself! Hopefully, after a while, it'll start to make your day better. Remember "Hey Jude"? .... "don't make it bad, take a sad song and make it better"!
@allknowing (130088)
• India
14 Feb 12
'Hey Jude' is my favourite too. You have opened up flood gates Owlwings. The number of songs that one knows and remembers could just be a sea here. If this place gets flooded then you and you alone are to be blamed. Connie Francis makes me cry too. On New Year's day I could not stop my tears when I heard her sing 'My Broken Souvenirs' We all have broken souvenirs. Don't we? And what about Jim Reeves? I better stop here....
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
15 Feb 12
A story or catchy idea makes a good love song, whether it is a really old one, like Aura Lee, that Elvis later borrowed the tune for Love me Tender,or a newer one. I do not know many contemporary loves songs, I am stuck a bit in the past. My first husband was away in the Navy at first, then later he drove a truck over the road. He would copy down lyrics and send to me, or make recordings of favorite songs and send me tapes. He could sing as well and one that sticks in my mind is one Stevie Wonder did, I Just Called to Say I Love You. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwOU3bnuU0k There are some sensual songs that I like as well. They usually have a pretty good bass line. Most of the songs that come to my mind have a plot to them.
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@derek_a (10874)
15 Feb 12
Being a musician, for me the first thing that attracts me to a song is the structure of the melody, but then the words can add a lot more feeling to the song too. But first it is the tune. I don't profess to know what makes a good love song, only what I can identify with. Some people love the poetry of the words more than the tune. Love songs are as good as they ever were I guess, but I think we all prefer the songs that we identified with when we were first starting out in our relationship. _Derek
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@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
14 Feb 12
I love that song (you quoted)! In any case, hmm this is a very good discussion and really helps get those brain juices flowing for me so early in the morning. (Coffee cup in hand) Well one song that comes to mind is the song that was mine and my exes. It's a conuntry song, by Carrie Underwood and is "so small". "whathca got if you ain't got love, the kind that you just wanna give away, it's okay to open up, go ahead and let the light shine through." Was my favorite part of the song, but ya know it didn't really hit key for us, we didn't "open up" as we should have I guess and Bam here I am single on valentines day. I think a song of any kind "does it for me" by the voice of the artist as well as the lyrics, and sometimes the background music as well. It depends on the artist, is the best way to put it for me.
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@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
14 Feb 12
Which one that I quoted did you mean? (Perhaps all three?) Love is in the Air - John Paul Young (but covered by Tom Jones, amongst many others) Love is All Around - Wet, Wet, Wet (probably best known from Love, Actually) When You Say Nothing At All - Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz (but probably most people know it from Ronan Keating's version in Notting Hill) For me, Alison Krauss' version http://youtu.be/cJpQIYw-yXM is my favourite version (that's the 'In Concert' one, not the video version). As you say, it's very often the artist that makes it special ... I think that Alison Krauss's voice is very special and Union Station are just a fantastic band where every instrument is a solo artist. Listen right to the end ... and stand up with a tear in your eye, it you like If you're sad, just remember: Things can only get better!
@SimpleBB (1329)
• Philippines
14 Feb 12
Nice try, owlwings. Well, let me share this to you. It is always the tune first that could trigger in my interest in a song. If i like the tune, I will do my best to have the lyrics,for it will make me understand it better and if both really gave me the feeling like caressing my heart...that's it. But sometimes.. yes, the artist could also be a factor. Like wanting the songs of Cascades, Patti Austin, Mat Monroe, though I was not born then. I love love songs by Caren of Carpenters, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Anne Murray, just to mention a few. I said that the tune first that turned me on to love songs, because even I know the lyrics, I prefer to have the piano version (without lyrics) and make it my lullaby at night or when I'm in a blue mood. But the having the three factors will surely make a love song more lovable. Thanks for this lovely topic. Happy mylotting.
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@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
15 Feb 12
I think that, for me too, the tune has a lot to do with it. I've been making a lot of use of YouTube while replying in this discussion and I've heard a lot of songs which I didn't like (or which didn't do anything for me) simply because they had no identifiable tune. I mean, they have music (and are beautifully sung) but the tunes seem to ramble on as a selection of notes which happen to fit the chords and have no real structure. A couple of people said that they liked Adele's songs, so I had to go and listen to some. She is a fantastic and accomplished singer and, no doubt, a good lyricist but the tunes seem to be all built on falling cadences and, to me, are not 'singable' in the way that one can easily learn a tune. They aren't of the kind which sets up 'sympathetic vibrations' when one hears them.
• United States
15 Feb 12
I think a lot of people love generic love songs because of the lyrics and for the beauty they see in them...however, for me, it's all relative. My favorite love song is "Valentine" by the Get Up Kids, a band no one on this board is likely to have heard of, yet the song speaks marvels about my early relationship with my husband. First of all, on our first date out together just a day after we met, he brought the CD with him and asked me if he could play the song because it reminded him of me. The lyrics weren't clear cut like most love songs; it was more like a poem that needs to be thought through and discussed before you fully understand its meaning, and somehow, that meant more to me. I don't like most popular love songs. The lyrics seem to be recycled between many artists and are too generic, like they could be describing any one of many relationships. I feel that the song I picked as my favorite is individualistic...it has no generic lyrics, it couldn't be talking about just any relationship. It's also realistic. The song revolves around a relationship that has its problems, and the man singing is desperate to get this girl back and figure out why things are happening the way they are. That is romantic to me...not a song that is only joyous when things are going well, but songs that speak of love and passion particularly when they are not. My last thought on this would be to look at the singer's own relationships and where they get their lyrics. If a singer is singing a love song after two divorces and the lyrics were written by someone else, it means nothing to me. Yet, if a singer or someone in the band also contributes to the lyrics and the band has a clear understanding of relationships and love, then I can believe the lyrics were written not for hits and fans, but because of love. That is what truly matters.
1 person likes this
• Marikina, Philippines
13 Mar 12
The lyrics and the tune of the music is what I like to be my favorite song. Sometimes I do not care if it is a rock, rap or love songs as long the lyrics is good and the lyrics reflects to my personality and my past experience. I would still consider a good love song. I would even consider it my favorite song. Sometimes, even though the lyrics are good but the tune of the music is nice to hear, I still consider it a good song but I will never consider it as my favorite song. I always consider the lyrics than anything else before I choose it as my favorite song.
@jricky1 (6800)
• China
15 Feb 12
A good love song could remind me of good feelings and any sweet moments.No matter makes you feel that lyrics has describes your feel and really say out loud what you wanna say.Well,i just so addicted to those good love songs and love to took to listen to it.lol,anyway,really thanks for sharing this topic.
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@myzhian (584)
• Philippines
15 Feb 12
Yes my friend I agree with you! Most of us really loves to listen or sing some love songs that captivates and touches our hearts. A good quality of love song can be complimented according to its lyrics,melody,and artist;sometimes it being judge through the voice quality of the performer and how they give feelings and deliver the message with the song. I have many love song in my list, and I love this song that says...I will take you forever!
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• Philippines
14 Feb 12
a good love song for me has great melody and a well narrated story that anyone can easily relate to. of course it has to have a nice hook which will make it memorable :D
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• Philippines
14 Feb 12
It is quite difficult to say what really makes a good love song. It might be the lyrics, the music or the one who sings. There are many elements. As for me, It is the emotion that counts. It is the emotion of the writer or the who sang the song. I'm so intrigued on to whom he had written that song.
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@deodavid (4150)
• Philippines
15 Feb 12
I think a great love song is, Wow this is tough yet inspiring to answer, Hey there owlwings, For me a great love song begins with the person offering the song feel like he nver thought there would be such a person that can make his world like this, then all of a sudden she is all he thinks about and how he can have her and give her a great future, and then he cant believe that all of a sudden he won her heart and that he is reminiscing about how great it is to be with this woman and that his love is eternal, true and always inspiring. And at the end of the song he still states that he cant believe that he has her and that she just used to be a dream and that he'll make sure that she'll be all that she needs and wants". "You were just a dream that i once knew, i never thought i would be right for you , i just cant compare you with anything in this world, your all i need to be with and forever more".
• Philippines
15 Feb 12
Well for me a good love song is something that speaks the listeners heart,something that the one who listens can relate to their own feelings. Every singer can sing every song but the one that touches the heart of the listener is when you can relate to every meaning of the song. The melody & beat of the song just add up to the songs lyrics. I do have favorite love songs; 1. Is it okay if I call you Mine (sung to me by my ex bf) 2. Beautiful in my Eyes 3. Make it with You (by Bread)
@anjirojr (80)
• Philippines
14 Feb 12
A good love song for me is the song that's make people feeling in love when they listening to the song.they can connect their feelings to the lyrics of the songs. What makes a good love song is not only how good of the lyrics or melodies of the songs are, but it is how people appreciate the song.
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@loonys (418)
15 Feb 12
A great music and a great singer makes the song to be the best. "If I could turn back the time,than my darling you still be mine"
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