My ten favourite love songs
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My Ten Favourite Love Songs
When I began this article I was just going to make it about love as in romantic love. Then it occurred to me that love means different things to different people .
So although my list is primarily aimed at romance I have included songs that have the feeling of , inspiration, love of family and love of nature.
I did not realise just how hard it would be to pick just 10 songs as I had over 100 on my short list.
Some that did not make the cut were:- "My Heart Will Go On" (Titanic), "Islands in the Stream", "Fever" by Peggy Lee an old classic.
However I'm here to be swayed and as I enjoy all good music please feel free to offer suggestions and I may well change my selections.
I offer the information as an interest only, and if anyone has newer info I'll update the details with pleasure.
So having said all of that . Be my guest, turn down the lights, hold someone you love very gentily, turn on the music and enjoy.
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
"The First Time ever I Saw Your Face" sung by Roberta Flack ( born 1937 in North Carolina)is auguably the best love song of all time.
Written by Ewan MacColl (born in Lancashire England) who had a chequered career as an actor and wrter.
MacColl wrote the song for his "lover" Peggy Seeger and actress in 1957 and was recorded by Roberta Flack in 1969.
The song appeared in the movie "Play Misty For Me" which starred Clint Eastwood who also directed the movie.
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" won a "Best Song Grammy Award" in 1973.
Another great song by Roberta is "Killing Me Softly with His Song".
Make Believe Its Your First Time
"Make believe Its your first time" Performed by The Carpenters (sung by Karen Carpenter). Written by Bob Morrison and Johnny Wilson was first recorded by Bobby Vinton about 1979. I believe The Carpenters recorded the song in the same year but for some reason it wasn't released until 1996. Karen Carpenter is without doubt my favourite female singer.
Karen Carpenter did release one self titled album in 1996.
Karen Carpenter first become prominant for her drumming skills, but it is for her vocal performances that she is best remembered.
It was a tragedy and a sad loss for all of us when Karen Carpenter died from a heart attack reported to be caused by complication from her suffering from Anorexia Nervosa.
"Where Do I Begin" theme from the movie "Love Story"
"Where Do I Begin" , performed by Andy Williams. The theme song from the movie "Love Story" that brought Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw together and made in 1970, has a special meaning to me because it was the song that showed me I was really a romantic at heart.
The music was by Francis Lai ( born 1932 in France)and lyrics by Carl Sigman .
'Where Do I Begin" has been covered many times. I think I even saw "Miss Piggy" sing it on the Muppets. But my favourite version is by Andy Williams.
Unchained Melody
Unchained Melody performed by The Righteous Brothers. With music by Alex North (1910-1991) and lyrics by Hy Zaret. Written about 1955 the song has been recorded by many artists including Elvis Presley.
Alex North was nominated for 15 Academy Awards but unfortunately did not receive any "Oscars".
The version by the Righteous Brothers was used with great effect in the movie "Ghost" with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze
Just Can't Help Believing
"I Just Can't Help Believing" performed by B.J. Thomas (Billy Joe) and Kenny Rogers circa 1970. The song was written by husband and wife song writing team of Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann who also wrote many other songs including "Youv'e Lost That Lovin' Feelin" sung by the Righteous Brothers. And "Here You Come Again" sung by Dolly Parton.
A Little Ray of Sunshine
This song is for all those mums, dads , grandparents who have little and now not so little girls in their lives who they love very much. I belong very much to this category.
"A Little Ray of Sunshine" written(about 1971) and performed by Brian Cadd born in Perth Australia in 1947 and Don Mudie. As well as vocals Brian plays keyboards and has been a producer for many artists including, Glenn Shorrock (of the Little River Band) and Tina Arena. He also had his own record label called "Bootleg Records".
Montage of Wind beneath my Wings
Wind Beneath My Wings
"Wind Beneath My Wings" performed by Bette Midler. Written by Larry Henley (born in Texas)and Jeff Silbar won Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 1990.
Larry Henley also wrote"I Like Bread and Butter"?? Go figure!
Bette Midler - Wind Beneath My Wing's Montage No Copyright Infringement Diffrent performances of Bette Midler performing her hit "Wind Beneath My Wings" Dated from 1990-2006.
And I Love You So
"And I Love You So" my preferred version performed by Perry Como, is a song written by Don Mclean who also wrote other classics which include "American Pie" a tribute to the untimely death of Buddy Holly. "Vincent" a tribute to the famous artist Vincent Van Gogh.
Help Me Make It Through The Night
"Help me make it through the night" my preferred version is by Roberta Flack. Written by Kris Kristofferson (born 1936) and originally sung by Sammi Smith,for sentimental reasons I prefer this version. Kris wrote many other great songs including "Me and Bobby McGee", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down".
Kris is a multi talented guy, as well as being a great songwriter, musician, actor. He appeared in movies including:- " A Star is Born" with Barbra Streisand and "Heaven's Gate".
He was also awarde a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University.
He was married to another singer Rita Coolidge between 1973 and 1980
"What a Wonderful World" has become the signature song of Louis Armstrong and was written by George Douglas (real name was Bob Thiele 1922-1996) and George D. Weiss.
Bob Thiele apparantly was more of a record producer than a song writer and produced many albums for many artists including his wife Teresa Brewer, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane.
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Comments
Agvulpes,
"What a wonderful world"is also in my favorites list besides that some of my favorite love songs are Marie Osmond - Paper Roses, Elvis Presley - Pledging My Love, Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree, Nothings gonna change my love for you....
I guess I need to think more to compile a bigger list
Great selection Noble Fox! Thumbs up to 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', 'Make Believe It's Your First Time', 'Unchained Melody', 'Wind Beneath Your Wings'....oh well, make that all! :)
Roberta Flack's version of 'The First Time...' is great but others have done a good job with the song too...have you heard George Michael singing it? And of course most Carpenters songs can make it to the list! (Biased? Who me?)
HI Ag,
Back again. Seeing Feline Prophet's comment just reminded me that I also like 'Careless Whisper' by George Michael.
Are you going soft on me? Great list! I like them all. It would be difficult for anyone to narrow the list down to 10. Congrats on that alone! I wouldn't even try. A great stroll down memory lane! Very nice hub!
Perry Como singing "And I Love You So" is one of my absolute favorites of all time. Tough thing to make a hub with only ten songs...but you did a great job in the choosing.
Wings beneath my Wings was the 2nd song my wife and I danced to at our wedding. Behind 'If you say my Eyes are Beautiful' by Jermaine Jackson and Whitney Houston. Great HUB & song choices.
I really enjoyed this. I love Roberta Flack too, and Unchained Melody is one of my all time favorite songs of any kind. Thanks for a great hub!
I agree how hard it would be to choose 10 out of the thousands and thousands. I have sung your number one choice to a very special friend of mine, it is beautiful. Another favourites is Moon River by Andy Williams. It's like a love song to self about our life journey.
I'm so glad you made this hub! I've been needing songs like this to give me ideas of what I want for our wedding video in December. These are fantastic songs.
Wow - great list - must have been really hard to choose. If I were to add just one, it would be Billy Joel's Just the way you are :) Thanks AG!
Thanks for the comments guys I've been a bit busy but I will answer your comments I promise.
Hi Amanda, thanks for the comments. I've never been a big fan of Bob Dylan but I must admit Lay Lady Lay was pretty good but did not turn on my romance switch,sorry,might be a man thing.
Now Marvin Gaye sure knew how to sing a song. I'll have to check out Sexual Healing I don't recognise it, but what a great title. My thoughts on George Michael I will keep to myself. Can't romantic and sensual love be the same? Can you find me a link for Sexual Healing . the song I mean? LOL
Thanks for agreeing countrywomen, I believe that "what a wonderful world" is now one of the most recorded songs ever. Marie Osmond when she sang Paper Roses was probably in my opinion a bit on the young side, but I can see why she may appeal to someone like yourself. What can you say about Elvis that hasn't been already said, I particularly like him singing "Memories" (are just like the corners of your mind). I would love to hear from you when you compile a list!
Agvulpes- Thanks for the response. Yes I will try to have a list of my favorite songs too. Btw you can keep a sequel to this hub like 11-20 then 21-30... I would love to know all the 100 songs that are on your favorite list.
G'day my fine feline friend, thanks for the kind words, I just had a small inclination that you might enjoy the Carpenters song. Whats with George Michael, whats he got that I haven't , well, besides good looks, good voice, seemingly iresistable to women and lots of money????. We won't mention the other thing.!
Hey Chris thanks, good to get a mans opinion, especially yours as you sure know how to soften up a lady. As you would very well know when you are holding a woman that you love, in the candlelight, listening to a beautiful love song. Is not the time for some smart-arse, lame-brain joke!
So come on mate what about a commitment to a song?
Thank you Oh kindly spryte (see I even spelled your name correctly) I've seen what you can do to a grown man and I'm going to behave, promise(fingers crossed behind back).
That song is special for me as well. When we went to SA in 74 we stayed in a hotel for a while until we could find accomadation. The male singer in the hotel signed off with that song every night, and we still didn't get sick of it !
I'm still working on it. I mean, these are great. I remember exactly where I was when I heard "Killing Me Softly", and it really struck me. I was alone in bed, and my radio alarm had gone off so I could get to work. I must have been in love. I'll have to figure out what year it came out -- early 80's? - and I could probably remember who it made me pine for. Anyway, I'm still working on it.
Chis I hear ya man , "Killing me softly" I think that was written to honour another famous songwriter and was definitely on my short list. I remember the first time I heard "Help me Make it through the night" sung by roberta flack. I was driving the car and I had to pull over and listen to the words.
Yea, now that you mention it, I think it was Don McLean (Probably for "Vincent") that she was singing about.
Yea, I just checked it out on "Rolling Stone". A folk singer (Lori Lieberman?) got the idea for it, took it to the guys who wrote the Happy Days theme song, and they wrote it. Flack heard Lieberman sing it on an in-flight radio station and loved it, and then spent 4 months with the Happy Days guys working on her version. It was '73 though, so I didn't hear it for another 10 years or thereabouts.
This isn't my main choice, but I always liked "Eternal Flame" by the Bangles.
Jewels thanks for the kind words. I would love someone special to sing that song to me. I hope it had the anticipated effect. Moon River was on my short list but unfortunately didn't make the cut . As countrywomen has suggested we may have to have a sequel.
Starrkissed I'm glad I could be of service, they are only a small part of the huge list of songs that were on my original list. I wish you all the best for your upcoming wedding in December.
516Ads Thanks for dropping in, hey they sure are great songs for a wedding. "Wind beneath my Wings" seems to mean so many different things to different people. Your screen name sure has me intrigued would you mind telling us the origins?
Shalini Kagal thanks for you comments. unfortunately "just the way you are" is not a happy song for Billy Joel. The story goes, he wrote it for his first wife Elizabeth Weber apparantly their divorce wasn't all that friendly and when he sings the song he thinks of anything but Elizabeth, such as what he is having for dinner etc.
Rumour has it that he even changes the words sometimes when he is forced to sing the song. Needless to say it did not make my short list.
I do like the version sung by Dianna Krall. Thanks again!
Pam thanks for taking the time to drop in it's nice to know you enjoyed the songs,I hope everything is working out for you. I think the scene from the movie Ghost with Demi and Patrick at the potting wheel is probably the sexiest scene not involving sex in a movie ever. But it would not have been near as good without "unchained melody" !
Some very good songs here! I enjoyed this one.
Sweetiepie nice to see you again. I like you new avatar, what a lovely smile!
It would be nice to hear what you consider to be a good love song?
Is that so, AG? I didn't know that! Sad - it's got the most wonderful lyrics!
Shalini kagal, I guess when he wrote the song he was madly in love with his wife. I think he did the same thing with "Uptown girl" and his then wife Christie Brinkley.
Great list of songs....The Wind Beneath My Wings is the best song...made me cry. It was played at both my grandparents funerals. It's such a powerful song. I agree that it is sooooo hard to choose only 10!! I certainly couldn't do it.
Another great hub. :) Nicole
My favorite love songs are from the 60's, 70's, and 80's. However, my all time favorite song is Night in White Satin by Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues.
Hi Ag
I just found a link for Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing. There's lots of versions posted on YouTube, but this is quite a good one.
Ntweetyd (Nicole) Thanks for finding my Hub and leaving a lovely comment. You are correct about Wind Beneath My Wings you could almost say its a song for any occassion. I'm sorry to hear that you lost your grandparents, and I hope that enough time has passed now so that you can remember the good times and not the sorrow of losing them.
Thanks again for dropping by!
Sweetiepie, yes I believe you are correct about the time frame there were not too many good love songs written after that period. The Moody Blues, I think are an aquired taste. I did like some of their later work, and also did like Night in White Satin but could not find room for it on my short list!
Hi Amanda, that sure is a great song. It must have slipped through the cracks(as they say) here in OZ because I don't remember it at all being played. I would suggest to anyone reading this, if you don't know the song, click on the link and have a listen!
Thanks again Amanda
agvules ... the name comes from my hometown area code 516 - Nassau County, Long Island. We're building an advertising/community network. Hence 516Ads. I actually had a similar HUB, my 3 most inspirational songs. If you haven't heard Yoianda Adams sing 'Keep the Dream Alive' ... you should check it out:) - David
Thanks David I have had a look on youtube and can't find 'Keep the dream alive' by Yolanda Adams. Could you find and post me a link please.
Its always interesting how people come up with names. I drive a lot and study number plates of other cars, some are very weird!!
Ag, I love Roberta Flack, she has such a beautiful voice. I also love Louis Armstrong, his voice is unforgettable. One of my very favorites is At Last by Etta James, another timeless classic.
I am not dure how you narrowed this down to ten, I don't think I could have done it. Great job.
The thing about love songs is that everyone has their own opinion because different songs bring different memories or have different emotional ties that makes a song special to them. I just love love songs.
You got me gwendymom "at last" definitly a classic. heres a link if anyone would like to hear it.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=1fSY_S45rZ4Ag, I have been trying to get a list of ten, and just couldn't do it, but here are some of my favorites.
Caught up in you-38 special
One more day-Diamond Rio
But I do love you-Leann Rimes
Everything I do- Brian Adams (we consider this to be one of our songs)
Bless the broken road- Rascall Flatts
At Last-Etta James
Angel eyes-Jeff Healy band ( my husband used to sing this sonng to me.)
Making memories of us- Keith Urban (one of the sexiest mans alive!)
Keeper of the stars- Tracy Byrd (another of our songs)
Umbrella- Mandy Moore
Angel-Aerosmith (My favorite band)
Don't want to close my eyes-Areosmith
Linger-The Cranberries (song I sing to my husband)
Just thoguht you might enjoy them.
:)
Thanks agvulpes for this beautiful hub - I really like The Shadow Of Your Smile which is romantic and sad - unfortunately no one seems to know it. I also like And I Like You So plus The First Time ever I Saw Your Face - so many songs and not enough time to listen to them. cheers.
Gwendy thanks for that great list. I'll check them out. Your sure have a thing for Aussie blokes!
Yes I do, I think it is the accent, and besides he is just beautiful. Oh the things I would do with that man, it might even make you blush. LOL.
Oh gwendy you do have such a sexy laugh. There's not too much that would make me blush! I'll bring the Bundy?
LOL, ag, your so funny! (blushing)
ag, I forgot one,
What abeautiful mess I'm in -Diamond Rio
Why gwen if I didn't know better I would say you were flirting?
Your cheeks do look rather flushed, has that Chris Reilly been talking to you again?
Ag, I am the worlds biggest flirt, always have been, always will be! That's just the way I am.
Chris is a great flirt partner! I'll flirt with him anytime.
I love every minute of it, wouldn't be anywhere else for Quids!
Quids?
Sorry. Quids = Pounds (don't know why its an old pomy saying)
Pound was our old currency before we changed to dollars.
Somehow the saying "Wouldn't be dead for Quids" stuck in the vernacular and sounds much more quaint than "Wouldn't be dead for Dollars" right?
oh, thanks for clearing that up for me. I wouldn't be anywhere else either!
I have to get to bed now, I'll be back to flirt some more tomorrow. :)
Good night and sweet dreams.
Pleasant dreams sleep tight, dont let the bed bunnies bite!
ajcor, I love the shadow of your smile. I mean the song! Oh the shadow of your smile is probably pretty good too, Oh you know what I mean.
I found a nice version by Lou Rawls if anyone wants to check it out :-
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=_Il4gNHiaa0
Love them,!! Bought back lots of nice memories
Thanks!:)
thank you agvulpes for my lovely link to the Shadow of your Smile and on Melbourne Cup Day too.(guess everyone is going for Claire! the glass ceiling breaker.) I have been playing it on and off all morning. cheers.
ajcor as a matter of fact I have backed Moatize. Although this would be the worst race in the world to pick the winner?. It's a great song!
shame we both lost then! should have guessed Bart would do it again. cheers
I backed the second horse Beaur as well, so I finished just in front.
I LOVE MUSIC HUBS .EXCELLENT HUB !!!! GREETINGS FROM GREECE.
meteoboy thanks for dropping in I'm glad you enjoyed the music as much as I did compiling the Hub?
yes I have written two music hubs, one with love songs and one with xmas songs but your hub is better.
well done - mine are still running! my other was ice charriott - michael rodd.
Beautiful songs. My favorite is Unchained Melody -I hated the film Ghost, but I love the song.
G'day Princessa, thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment. I agree with you about the movie . About the only good part in the movie was the song.
As I went through the article I heard so many in my head, I love Bette Midler and some of the ones that come to mind although not my era is " Love is a many splendored thing"and "L-O-V-E sung by Natalie Cole. :)
AEvans thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment. Sometimes we should just take the time out to smell the roses and have some "me" time. It helps to recharge the batteries and help to gain perspective.
It is possibly a reflections of the times in which we live that songs like "Love is a many splendoured thing" are not being written.
Natalie Cole and her father Nat are both favourites of mine, especially their compilation "Unforgettable"
Wonderful list agvulpes. Like many others I would find it very hard to pick just ten, and I am happy you will grow the list. As you know I am not religious but a couple of songs with religious titles really move me. two of these favorite are not romantic at all in some senses, but the music and vocals move me.
Hallelujah written by leonard Cohen in 1984 and covered recently by Jeff Buckley and several other people is one I truly love.. My 19 year old son does a beautiful cover version.
The other one is How great thou art sung by a famous base baritone who's name escapes me, but it makes the floor boards move on the lower notes and is a beautiful song.For the rest, like you I enjoy a wide range of music and still break out my old 1977 Martin D28 when I hear something I would like to sing and play to feed my soul.
Perry Como makes me want to slow dance and drink champagne under the stars, ohh man.
Oh yeah I've had many a slow dance to that silky voice, he was one cool dude, in real life as well. He was just so 'cooool'
Guys today just don't "get it"!
I just had another listen and it is still a great song.
coloruz. Would you care to dance.? :-)
I came searching for another hub and I didn't find one, but I will come back and search again. This one is etched in time and again I enjoyed. :)
AEvans, thank you for you visit.Just like old songs , friendship can just bubble along under the surface. Every now and again coming to the surface to once again be enjoyed.:-)
Amanda Severn says:
13 months ago
Hi Ag,
I'm with you all the way on the Roberta Flack song which is one of my all time favourites. I also love Bob Dylan's Lay Lady Lay, and Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing, although maybe that ones not so much about romantic love, as sensual love! Good choices though.