In pre-historic times, if we wanted to hear our favorite tune- we turned on the radio- or MTV!
But to listen to that special song on demand, we had to put the needle to the record. We did what anyone in madly in love would do:
We marched forty miles barefoot in the snow to buy that album!
Smitten with the hit single, we came for THAT SONG but left with the keys to the journey: the album art, deep cuts, liner notes and dedications.
These artists would sing to us about love. But like a trip to the record store- we learned love is so much more than a singular destination. It has twists and turns.
Love, it turns out, has many genres. Even sub-genres!
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we asked the Glitterverse “What is YOUR favorite song about love?”
We asked this innocent question- with intentions of creating a fun 14 song playlist. What we weren’t prepared for however, was the MASSIVE response. Legend has it, there’s a spread sheet of your replies floating around. The collective outcry of the Glitterverse was that epic.
Here is what we learned: Love songs are so much more than fairy tale romance: Angry love. Self love. Unrequited Love. Love in an Elevator.
After days of deliberations, spread sheets, debates and dissertations we curated not one- but three playlists!
Yes, it was that deep.
Some songs you may already ready know like the back of your hand… others are from musicians you should know. The beauty of love is there are infinite ways to express it- or say it- with a song.
Here are some highlights from our trilogy of playlists. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Playlist: Love Love
Subgenre: Unconditional Love
The title track to The Eels 1996 debut album serves as an ode to the unconventional - with sparse melancholic melodies and a simple, yet sincere two word hook: beautiful freak. This is a Kingston pick! “It speaks to the uniqueness of people and loving the things that are different, specific and unusual…that in the status quo may be called freakish, or eccentric or wrong- but it’s just so beautiful that he’s literally saying ‘these are the reasons why I love you’”.
Playlist: Sexy Love
Subgenre: Interpretive Love
While a rendezvous under the Milky Way sounds romantic - Steve Kilbey insists that the lyrics are completely open for interpretation. “It’s a blank, abstract canvas for people to lose themselves in”. Just like love itself, the song can be personalized to the listener’s experience. What ever you think about the song, you’re right! This is a GreyStarr pick!
Playlist: Anti Love
Subgenre: “No, thank you” Love
Much has been said about “Love Bombing” as of late… it rarely leads to anything good! Says Barbara Serbes “Love Bomb is a song about repelling people who are trying too hard to impress”. “Don’t Hit Me with Your Love Bomb” is more than just a lyric, it is a mantra that should be required reading before anyone enters the dating world. Just say no to Love Bombers everywhere. Keep those guards up and stay vigilant!
Playlist: Love Love
Subgenre: Committed Love
The Holy Grail of romantic love songs! Affairs of the heart explores themes of love we all dream of: loyalty, respect, faithfulness and above all staying committed in the eye of the storm. Damien sings of a connection that the trappings of stardom could never compete with: “When the tour bus drop off…and all light lock off and I’m a mere mortal again, promoter belly full and all the fans gone home, I’m glad that you're more than a friend”. Shoutout to Marco G for nominating a song that should set the standard for committed relationships!
Playlist: Love Love
Subgenre: Celestial Higher Self Love
At first glance this song can be seen as a lover pleading for their partner to go “all in”, yet the artist is self-critical from the point of view of a higher self. They know they have more to give, so the higher self calls them to be all in on this life that has been given, to God, for loved ones.
Playlist: Anti Love
Sub genre: Struggle Love
Thank you James Morningstar, for nominating this gem! Alongside a shimmying dance break felt around the world, “Love is a Battlefield” touches on the darker, deeper and gnarlier side of love. Using the battlefield as a metaphor- the surrendering, begging and never ending “Stay/Go” dynamic. We’ve all been there!
Playlist: Sexy Love
Subgenre: Forbidden Love
Society may wrongfully deem some unworthy of love due to promiscuity- Love in a Trash Can embraces it, cherishes it with an echoing mantra of “Come on Baby Your My Best Pick”. The song is surfy and sleazy in all the right places. Thank you to Crystal Gerard for turning us on to this sexy, gritty masterpiece.
Playlist: Love Love
Subgenre: Self Love
Opening with a stunning operatic interlude, My How You’ve Grown is the ultimate ode to the self- with a nod to Meghan’s roots as an opera singer. “My how you’ve grown is the ultimate love song to myself. It is really hard for me to open up and be vulnerable about how proud I am of what I have accomplished but I feel with this song I really got to open up and say ‘You know what Meghan? You really have grown up and that’s a beautiful thing”.