February 13, 2015

Okay, here's the thing about love songs. I was talking with a friend today about our favorite music, and I mentioned that my favorites tend not to be love songs. She was so completely shocked that I could tell I wouldn't get anywhere if I tried to explain myself; but I would feel so much better if I explained.

• Firstly, the radio is so saturated with love songs that I just get tired of them sometimes. Really, listen to almost any station that plays music with words, and you'll be hearing 98% love songs all the time.
  
• Secondly, when it comes to love songs, it's all been done before. Seriously. You or I could wake up tomorrow and, with a little bit of luck and some good rhyming ability, we could hit YouTube and become Internet sensations with the next hit love song. It's easy. You start with a heavy base of "you're beautiful"; mix in a healthy dose of "I need you", "I want you", and "I can't live without you"; and finish with "marry me" if you want to appeal to the older crowd, or "let's get together tonight" if you want to appeal to the younger crowd; and you've got it. You're done. In contrast, it takes a lot more thought and depth to write about other emotions like joy, grief, frustration, anger, or pride.
  
• In that same vein, doesn't anyone ever get tired of writing about love? Of course it's a wonderful thing; but there are so many other life-changing things to write songs about. Why not write about war - why not write about the suffering of the children in Syria and Ukraine? What about race relations in the U.S.? Why not write songs like they did back in the 60's about getting along and supporting each other? Why not write about what it's like for a new immigrant to come to the United States? Or about the importance of the family? Or about the beauty of young people's dreams and aspirations?
  
  I understand that people do indeed write these kinds of songs; and they tend to be my favorites. We've heard a thousand times in song that love is about butterflies, desire, pride, wonder, etc. etc. etc., but love (which actually just means the first stages of romance, not true, long-lasting, sacrificial love) is only one small part of the overall spectrum of human experience. Is it the only part of life that deserves to be put to song?
  

Just a few random late-night falling-asleep-at-the-computer thoughts.  :-)  What do you think? Do you ever tire of love songs?

Hugs,
Vicki