Vote for the best Love song Ever

Subject: Lyr Add: QUARTER MOON (Cheryl Wheeler)
From: Jeri
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 09:07 PM

This song has always done it for me, and I don't think the word 'love' is in there anywhere. It still makes me cry sometimes.

QUARTER MOON

Cheryl Wheeler

And they seem to know each other very well
They speak across the garden and not a soul could tell
They can read the summer sky and they can hear the back brook swell
And they seem to know each other very well

And they drive up north on sunday afternoons
And he buys her wooden windmills and whales and quarter moons
She feeds the birds all winter and she knows them by their tunes
And they drive up north on sunday afternoons

(Chorus)
And all summer long, they make the garden grow
Keep the green so strong
Oh, wish them well, for standing on their own

And they buried their old dog in their backyard
With a fence and plastic roses
And St. Francis standing guard
She speaks of him quite often to this day she takes it hard
And they buried their old dog in their backyard

She brings me plants and flowers all the time
And we dig the holes together she has to help with mine
When she pats the soil around them oh my god, her eyes can shine
She brings me plants and flowers all the time

(Chorus)

And they speak about their lives as almost gone
Waiting for the sunset from an old and distant dawn
Selling off the land except the part they're living on
And they speak of their lives as almost gone

And they seem to know each other very well
They speak across the garden and not a soul could tell
They can read the summer sky and they can hear the back brook swell
And they seem to know each other very well

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: campfire
Date: 28 Jul 99 - 02:01 PM

I was just listening to Tom Paxton singing "Bad Old Days" and it wins for me, this week anyways.

campfire

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: AlnBooth (inactive)
Date: 05 Jul 99 - 10:14 PM

To me it is clear cut - Highland Mary, by Robert Burns; I don't know whats in second place, but Burns probably wrote it!

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Peter T.
Date: 05 Jul 99 - 04:36 PM

"If I Loved You" from Carousel.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: amo
Date: 05 Jul 99 - 01:38 PM

I have to add my favorite: "I don't kno how to love him ..." from the musical Jesus Christ.

amo

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Sumac
Date: 04 Jul 99 - 07:00 PM

I vote for "Joy of Living", absolutely one of the finest songs ever, written by Ewan MacColl in his old age and declining health, his "...farewell to the world and the people he loved." *sniff* brings a tear to my eye every time. Track #20 on his "Black and White" cd. I know that for a fact, I've worn it out! cheers, Sumac

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From:
Date: 04 Jul 99 - 04:24 AM

Elvis took more than Plaisirs d'Amour (Falling in Love With You). He had real good taste. He found a beautiful old Civil War tune, Aura Lee, and (he or someone he believed in) transformed it into "Love Me Tender".

"Aura Lee" has the distinction of having been mentioned in "Yellow Rose of Texas" "You Can talk about your Clementine or sing of Aura Lee / But the yellow rose of Texas is the only girl for me.

I've been thinking about Aura Lee in another context.

Same tune:

As the interns in the spring Traveled to DC. One knew how to get ahead, She do it Aura Lee

Well, that's as far as I've gotten.

Sourdough

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From:
Date: 03 Jul 99 - 09:12 PM

"When It's Sleepy Time Down South", sung by Louis Armstrong.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: skarpi
Date: 03 Jul 99 - 08:20 PM

I just saw this thread and the love songs are so many that I like, but one off many is this one.

it is called " MORE THAN YOU´LL EVER KNOW " sung and written by Travis Tritt.

bless skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: kayti (inactive)
Date: 03 Jul 99 - 08:09 PM

You should know by now, sung about 20 years ago by Angela Bofill, no idea who wrote it, or Clint Black's song about his wedding "Something that we do" an awesome song, and what about betty carter's rendition of Beware My Heart? OR /Frank S; All the Way, or My One and Only Love? How can there be one best love song? we love each person so differently, and each of us redefine love, that's probably why we write about it so much!!!

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From:
Date: 03 Jul 99 - 02:27 AM

Hey, this is slightly off topic - I apologize but I'm desperate. Someone mentioned "P Stands for Paddy" - is there anyone out there who could send me the words for this song? I know just the chorus and I love it. Thanks in advance!

You should have started a new thread, but we'll let you go this time. A forum search for "paddy" will bring it up, or you can click here
-Joe Offer (sent by e-mail, too)

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: LEJ
Date: 02 Jul 99 - 05:33 PM

Andres...thanks for bringing up My Old Kentucky Home . I never really thought of it as a love song, but you are right. For those of us who have left her, the tears always come when singing this song.

LEJ

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Leslie
Date: 02 Jul 99 - 05:11 PM

And Loving You by Tom Paxton...Tomorrow Is A Long Time by Bob Dylan...The Dutchman by Michael Smith...

Leslie

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: thosp
Date: 02 Jul 99 - 07:59 AM

i agree Fair Youngmaid -- how could Leonard Cohen be overlooked --- i don't remember the title of the song --but the line ---"her hair upon my pillow,like a sleepy golden storm" and so much of his work is such beautiful love song

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Rita64
Date: 02 Jul 99 - 05:04 AM

Vulva ploughing - tee hee hee!

There are three songs I can think of that always make me wistful and dreamy ... they are simple but so powerful ...

The Very Thought of You - Ray Noble
Black is the Colour of My True Love's Hair
Hey That's No Way to Say Goodbye - Leonard Cohen (can't believe he hasn't been mentioned yet on this thread)

~FYM~

Subject: ADD: Featherbed - John McCutcheon
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Jul 99 - 03:23 AM

I'm not much for lists of the "best" and the "greatest," but I'd like to say that this is a very nice love song, especially when McCutcheon sings it with his hammer dulcimer.
-Joe Offer-

If I Were a Featherbed
©1984, John McCutcheon

If I were a featherbed, in your house so fine
I'd hold you in my arms each night, keep you warm in the wintertime

If I were an old banjo, felt your finger on my strings
I'd play the sweetest little song that a banjo e'er did sing

If I were a drop of rain that trickled down your chin
I'd run right up and kiss your lips, and kiss them twice again.

If I were a breath of wind on your cheeks as you walked by
I'd pick you up upon my back and teach you how to fly.

If I were a hair ribbon, and my color it was blue
I'd be ten times as beautiful, 'cause I'd be wearing you.

And if I were a big wool rug sitting in your front hall
I'd tickle your feet and make you laugh if you stepped on me at all.

If I were a featherbed, in your house so fine
I'd hold you in my arms each night, keep you warm in the wintertime
^^
JRO

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Andrés Magré
Date: 02 Jul 99 - 02:02 AM

May I vote too ? There is an old song very well known to many of you. I can't assure that it is the best, but I think it is the deepest love feeling ever expressed in a single phrase. It is My Old Kentucky, and the phrase is:

"Weep no more, mah Lady oh, weep no more today ! We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home.. for the old Kentucky home, far away.. "

From the worst poverty, near to slavery, this black man respectfully calls his beloved "Mah Lady" (not my honey, not my impossible dream, not my madness, just mah Lady, just our home) This is the only song I could never sing, because I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to open my throat. Best regards - [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 01 May 99 - 09:56 PM

Hello Mick,

Well, I was simplifying my potentially endless list by choosing one song...Yes you should know why I chose the Saw Docs song...suppose the entire cd could be cited.

Ah yes, Gary Moore...mmmmmmmmmmm I can think of several of his that would suit my fancy depending on mood. "Supernatural" for instance...And you, Mick, have named lots of good ones by several artists.

I would have listed a certain "We Will Always Be As One" but didn't because I felt it too much a private matter, though I definitely thought about it. (Besides, only one other person has ever heard the song: the songwriter/artist.)

There are lots of oldies tunes I love...ie balads from the 30's, 40's and 50's...One that comes to mind was sung by Nat "King" Cole: "A Thousand Thoughts of You"

Sláinte!

Mary (well, my name was mentioned in a couple other threads, so WHY NOT! Mick you got me on that one!)

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Mick Lowe
Date: 01 May 99 - 09:20 PM

Yes I am reading this Singsirish.. Now I would have thought you might have chosen some others.. namely Gary Moore's rendition of Peter Green's "Need Your Love So Bad" or even that very obscure musical version of Roger McGough's Poem " Love Is"
But than I guess I know why you chose the Saw Docs
My own list would go on forever depending upon who my favourite artist is/was at the time and the mood I am/was in.
For unrequitted love the Moody Blues and Go Now is a must
Shakespeare's Sister and Stay is up there in the top ten
Love Hurts by the Everly Bros
Loads by Roxette, not forgetting The Day Before You Came by Abba but covered by lots of other groups
But probably the best are the ones I've written because they have a very special meaning, none more so than one entitled.. "We are as one".

Cheers
Mick

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: SingsIrish Songs
Date: 01 May 99 - 02:36 AM

There are sooooooo many! The one that is fondest in my heart for many reasons is "Share the Darkness" by the Saw Doctors...(Mick Lowe, I hope you're reading this as I know your fondness for the Docs!!) I love the Gaelic (Irish) lyrics...

"Tá an dorcheadas ag teacht anuas
tar abhaile liom, a ghrá"

which a friend translated for me more literally/poetically than in the sleeve notes as

"The darkness is coming down, come home with me, my love."

~SingsIrish

(I've just started reading the thread about HTML...hope the breaks worked....I'm trying!LOL)

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Reta
Date: 30 Apr 99 - 05:18 PM

No doubt about it. Bob Dylan's "Love Minus Zero, no limit."

Blessings

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Camilla
Date: 25 Apr 99 - 07:26 PM

I wouldn't think there's only one best lovesong, there are many.

But one of the best I know may be "Black is the colour of my true love's hair"

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Arne Langsetmo
Date: 18 Apr 99 - 01:40 PM

Oooops. When I said Garnet Rogers's tune "Frankie and Johnny" was on "Small Victories", I was wrong. It is on "Summer Lightning" (although I'm still not 100% sure on the title).

But I've been trying to go to the Garner Rogers website (http://www.daddyo.com/SnowGoose), and keep timing out. Hope this is just transient.

Cheers,

-- Arne

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: amy
Date: 17 Apr 99 - 10:17 PM

well, my personal favourite is "always be warm" from joanne rand. but that may be a little obscure for y'all.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From:
Date: 17 Apr 99 - 03:04 PM

Waddaya mean, "Best ever"? There are sooooo many "best evers". . . .

I do vote for Dick Gaughan's "Different Kind of Love Song". I know it's not all that romantic, but it needs to be heard. ;-)

For stuff from Bruce "Utah" Phillips, might I nominate "Nevada Jane". Has the virtue of being not only touching, but (mostly, I suppose) true.

Garnet Roger's "Frankie and Johnny" (AFAIK; it's on the "Small Victories" CD) is interesting for a slightly different take on love.

I could go on and on. . . .

Cheers,

-- Arne Langsetmo

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: bbc
Date: 17 Apr 99 - 09:41 AM

This one used to just *kill* me in my divorce phase--Stars in Their Crown by Garnet Rogers, on his Small Victories recording--another great song about commitment through the years. Now that I've found my life-partner, I'm looking forward to that kind of long-term love.

bbc

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 16 Apr 99 - 01:37 PM

How about Harry Nilsson's "You're Breaking my heart, you're tearing it apart, so F#@* You?

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Dan
Date: 16 Apr 99 - 09:19 AM

"She Was to Good to be True" from the great Kingston Trio album, "Time to Think."

"Danny Boy," as sung by Kate Smith and other greats.

"That's a Sad Song" as sung by Paul Williams in a Muppet movie.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Frank Of Toledo Oregon
Date: 15 Apr 99 - 10:51 PM

Guy Clark's "Comfort and Crazy"

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Tucker
Date: 15 Apr 99 - 10:33 PM

Marianne Faithful did a very good version of Pleasures of Love (My french sucks too). I'm with Ronn too, Paradise by the dashboard light and Why don't we get drunk and Screw have to be on the list. Meat Loaf and Jimmy Buffet are the Oscar and Hammerstein of our age.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 14 Apr 99 - 11:24 PM

Well I ain't no Frenchman, ain't no Frenchman's son, but I can phonetically write the way I hear it in my head in pidgin french:

Plasir d'amour, ne dure q'un moment
Chagran d'amour dure tu
la vie

Joys of love are but a moment's time
the pain of loving you lasts the whole life through
.

But I'm sure you can easily find it with correct spelling.

Mark

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From:
Date: 14 Apr 99 - 05:58 PM

Mark, Andy, how can I get the French words? Been brushing up on my French after a Christmas trip to Quebec and would love to try singing it.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 14 Apr 99 - 04:38 PM

Wow! I've sung both those songs for decades and never noticed they had they same tune. Except the Elvis one has the "Like a river flows" part with a different tune.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Andy A.
Date: 14 Apr 99 - 12:11 AM

I have to say I like the Elvis Song, "Falling in Love With You." ....BUT isn't this an old French (possibly traditional, I don't know) love song "Plasid d'Amour" (or however you spell that.) Heard it sung by a Welsh lady. It's the same tune. Folkies gotta remember to take credit for everything the pop world doesn't acknowledge credit for...!

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Walt B.
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 10:52 AM

"Seven Daffodils" by Lee Hays is so pure, sweet, sentimental and timeless in its simplicity ... and it has such a haunting melody.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Sophie
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 09:58 AM

Is "P" Stands for Paddy, I suppose", a lovesong? A bit cryptic, but I think it is. Anyway, I love that song so much I'd try to cram it into any category. Also "The Flower of Magherally" is very lovely, but if I go down that road I'll have to mentioned about 10 more. I'll stick with "P" stands for Paddy, then. Sophie

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Frank Howe
Date: 13 Apr 99 - 09:46 AM

Phil Ochs musical rendition of "The Highwayman" has to be on the list

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Ronn
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 10:55 PM

Many of my favourites have already been mentioned, but a few that have not include "Moonlight Serenade", "Under The Boardwalk", & "When A Man Loves A Woman".

In a totally different vein, one might want to consider "Why Dont We Get Drunk And Screw" and "Paradise By The Dashboard Lights". Then again, one might not.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Bud Sherman
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 10:50 PM

I agree with those who feel that a long term committment is important in a love song. In that category is the German song that the Irish have adopted, "I'll take you home again, Kathleen."

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Tucker
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 09:47 PM

Hi Sail and all. I have to put unchained melody in the top five but an earlier version than the righteous brothers was much better in my opinion. Too many ooohs and ahhhs in the latter. An additional note. Ghost lover defineatly in top 3. Since rose of tralee was mentioned often both here and in other threads I am going in search of it in a midi format to hear it. I may know it but not recognize the title and if it's that good I want to learn it.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Tucker
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 09:40 PM

Hi Sail and all. I have to put unchained melody in the top five but an earlier version than the righteous brothers was much better in my opinion. Too many ooohs and ahhhs in the latter.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Bri
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 06:53 PM

I think the ones that come to me right away are from my other music love...showtunes.

All I Ask Of You- Phantom of the Opera (sung by Christine and Raoul.

On My Own- Les Miserables (sung by Eponine)

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Tony Burns
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 05:40 PM

Stan Rogers, Lies. Best love song ever. One of the few that can reduce me to tears.

"She'll look up in that weathered face that loves hers line for line and see the maiden shining in his eyes"

I get goose bumps just typing it.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Shula
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 05:09 PM

Dear folks,

Really tickled to see this thread resurrected. What a treat! My only regret is that many of my favourites have been already cited. I will post my list a little later, after I have a chance to compare it with Akiba's. I think he'll be posting his list as well, so I don't want to mention all our mutual favourites before he takes a whack at it.For now I just want to share a few critical thoughts on specific performances that have been cited. (Maybe we should consider our favourite renditions, as well as songs?)

Three of the songs mentioned, while unexceptionable love songs of their particular genres, have been largely spoilt for me by their most famous presenters. To start with the least of them, "Loving You," by Minnie Riperton, is utterly ruined by the high notes for which she is famous. Her rendition is nothing short of embarrassing. No competent singer would consider notes that must be screeched, part of her vocal range, much less feature them in her performances. Ms. Ripperton is said to have had operatic training, she should have known better.

Next, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," sung by Roberta Flack, is not exactly bad, but the arrangement is self-consciously drawn out, again, I believe, to demonstrate a feature of the singer's voice, in this case, her ability to sustain a note. I have heard this song done less melodramatically and more straightforwardly. It was thus more affecting, since the words and tune are lovely enough to require little embellishment and no over-arrangement.

Finally, and I am so glad Mark. C. mentioned it first, "I Will Always Love You," Dolly Parton's heartfelt ballad to a love on the occasion of its loss, has been subverted by Ms. Houston in the service of overweening self-importance. What do those belligerently belted "I's" have to do with the *meaning* of this song? Houston is clueless. Maybe a better acquaintance with sorrow is required to do this piece justice. The song records the self-effacement of real love. Even Ms. Parton, whose work usually holds little charm for me, surprised me with this one. Her first popular recording wasn't bad, but when she sang it, many years later, awkwardly interpolated into the movie version of "Best Little Whorehouse In Texas," it was a revelation. Her voice had lost the smoothness of youth, but her interpretation had the depth and poignancy of genuinely painful experience. It was so moving, in spite of the absurd setting and wildly caricatured costuming, that it brought a ridiculous farce to a devastating, sob-in-the-throat full stop. The film never recovered; but the SONG was wonderful.

Which brings me all the way 'round to my point. The latter two of these songs have some merit (the first is sniggeringly suggestive, trite and tacky tripe, end to end), but it is the singers' vanity that appalls me. Prima donna displays have no place in the performance of love songs. There is an intolerable cognitive dissonance of medium and message in these self-indulgent performances. Love, the genuine article, doesn't sing of self. There are hundreds of love songs I like; the ones I love are humble.

Adieu jusqu'à demain,

Shula

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Dr John
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 02:27 PM

Several. I'm glad the Carter Family's "You've Been A Friend To Me" was cited; beautiful. "She Moves Through The Fair" has wonderful imagery. Cisco's "Girl in the Wood" is magic. Doc Watson's sad "Alberta" I like too. Another sad one but with hope is Jez Lowe's "Last of the Widows". But my favourite must be Phil Ochs singing his own composition "Celia". "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is mentioned by many: a bit crude I think, needs a bit of folk process!

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Gilly
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 02:20 PM

The most beautiful love song I've heard is "Nanna's Song" by Ralph McTell. -Gilly-

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: Mark Clark
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 02:04 PM

Whew! What a great list of love songs. Although given the traditional bent of "The 'Cat" and most of the folks who post here, I'd have expected fewer pop hits than we are getting.

Someone suggested "I Will Always Love You" and mentioned Whitney Houston but I believe Dolly Parton had it out long before Whitney. I think Dolly is the composer as well. If you like the song you really must hear Dolly doing it.

Favorite love song of mine and of friends include the old country tune "When The Bees Are In The Hive", the Carter Family's "You've Been A Friend To Me" and Bob Dylon's "Girl From The North Country." Another great love song is Don Williams' song "You're My Best Friend."

Now tell me the truth, is Ariel about to edit a book of love songs and just started this thread to troll for material?

- Mark

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: The Shambles
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 02:03 PM

Dick Gaughan's. A different kind of love song.

I thought I have already voted?

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: AlistairUK
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 02:00 PM

My votes go to Spancil Hill and She mMoves through the Fair. Both lovely bittersweet lovesongs. Plus 'I hope That I don't Fall in Love with You'by Tom Waites...really gets to the heart of the matter.

Subject: RE: Vote for the best Love song Ever
From: guitar dan
Date: 12 Apr 99 - 01:27 PM

First of all, thanks for putting me on this thread: it's a treasure. My favorites are--

"The Rose of Tralee,"

(And two that no one has mentioned:)

"Have I Told You Lately that I Love You," and

"Red River Valley."

I did not appreciate the latter until I heard George Stait's rendition on "Horse Whisper." It's a knockout.