favorite love songs
POSTED BY FRANNE GOLDE · FEBRUARY 12, 2021
Everyone seems to have a favorite love song. As my husband has declined from Alzheimer’s disease, music is one of the few things that completely brings us together and creates some of our most loving and emotionally beautiful moments. As I’ve said before it’s our way of connecting and having a conversation. Even though his short-term memory is all but gone, the minute he hears the opening of any song that he knows from the past, he lights up, tears up and becomes overjoyed as it stirs something deep within.
Music is so powerful and musical memories are often preserved in Alzheimer's disease because key brain areas linked to music memory are usually undamaged by the disease.
Lately, our favorite love songs or songs that create a deep emotional memory for both of us are, “IN MY LIFE” by the Beatles, “LOVELY DAY” by Bill Withers, “GUILTY” by Barbara Streisand and Barry Gibb, “AFRICA” by Toto and “SAILIN” by Christopher Cross.
Over the years I’ve asked some of my Award Winning, fellow songwriters and collaborators, “What’s Your Favorite Love Song?” Here are some answers to what Carole Bayer-Sager calls a nearly impossible question.
Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Franne golde
Songwriter - Nightshift, Dreaming Of You, Don't You Want Me
Hear it on Spotify“IN MY LIFE”
Hear it on Spotify“LOVELY DAY”
Hear it on Spotify“GUILTY”
Hear it on Spotify“AFRICA”
Hear it on Spotify“SAILIN”
JODY WATLEY
Songwriter, Performer - Don't You Want Me, Looking For A New Love, Everything, Friends, The Mood
“AS” - Stevie Wonder from his masterpiece Songs in The Key of Life. The lyric says it all. He knocked it out of the park with this one. One of the best songs not to mention love songs of all time, for me. His performance captures every word and note as well.
HARRY CASEY (k.C.)
Founder - K.C. and the Sunshine Band and songwriter - Get Down Tonight, That's The Way (I Like It), I'm Your Boogie Man
"ENDLESS LOVE" This song touches every emotion the mind and heart can feel. The words speak every truth of what true love really is. Love should always be endless and forever and absolutely unconditional.
DIANE WARREN
Songwriter - Because You Loved Me, If I Could Turn Back Time, Un-Break My Heart, How Do I Live
Jaded romantic. Hmmm I have a lot of favorite love songs. I think one of my all-time favorites is “YOU’RE ALL I NEED TO GET BY” by the great Ashford and Simpson. Rip Nick Ashford.
Allee Willis
Songwriter - The Color Purple musical, September, Boogie Wonderland, Neutron Dance
“AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH” - A totally joyful and jubilant expression of toe-tappin’
love. There can’t be a bad version of this song it’s so good. All love should be so good.
Ellen Shipley
Songwriter - Heaven Is A Place On Earth, Circle In The Sand, Body And Soul
My Favorite Love Song: "ANYONE WHO HAD A HEART" Ah! The passion, the drama, the yearning!! This is the real thing--
sing it at the top of your lungs!! Best melody and lyrics ever!!
CURT SMITH
Founder - Tears For Fears and songwriter - Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Head Over Heels
Favorite love song? Boy that’s hard. I’d have to go with “WITHOUT YOU" by Harry Nillson as a known one or “WINNING A BATTLE, LOSING A WAR" by Kings Of Convenience as a song that wonderfully encapsulates unconditional love.
“WITHOUT YOU"
Hear it on Spotify“WINNING A BATTLE, LOSING A WAR"
MELISSA MANCHESTER
Songwriter, Recording Artist - Don't Cry out Loud, Midnight Blue, You Should Hear How She Talks About You, Whenever I Call You Friend
One of my favorite love songs is "OUR LOVE IS HERE TO STAY." It was the last song written by George and Ira Gershwin. It’s touching, witty, thoughtful and peaceful and sure at its core. That said it is impossible for me to choose a number one favorite as there are so many sterling examples of great love songs.
Carole Bayer Sager
Songwriter - That's What Friend's Are For, The Prayer, Arthur's Theme, Don't Cry Out Loud, Midnight Blue
My favorite love song is, “SOMETHING” by George Harrison. Beatles.
Though choosing one is nearly impossible.
ALLan rich
Songwriter - Run To You, I Live For Your Love, I Don't Have The Heart
My all-time favorite song is “AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH” written by Ashford and Simpson.
SHELLY PEIKEN
Songwriter - What A Girl Wants, Bitch, Almost Doesn't Count
“AT LAST” I heard it on the radio the other day, and I thought to myself, if anyone ever asks me…that’s the one. :)
BRENDA RUSSELL
Songwriter - The Color Purple musical, Piano In The Dark, Get Here
One of my favorite songs is "ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE" by Stevie Wonder, I fell down when I first heard it. So well written!
LINDA THOMPSON
Songwriter - Miracle, Grown Up Christmas List, I Have Nothing
Hmmmm...Maybe "SOMETIMES WHEN WE TOUCH" by Dan Hill? That's the first one that came to my mind...Of course other than one of my own...which would be, "I HAVE NOTHING" ...
"SOMETIMES WHEN WE TOUCH"
Hear it on Spotify"I HAVE NOTHING"
PAUL FOX
Record Producer, Songwriter -
Our Time In Eden, 10,000 Maniacs Unplugged, Oranges and Lemons,
Top Gun
“SOMETHING”
George Harrison. Beatles.
A beautiful song sung by George Harrison of the Beatles.
Something in the way she moves, attracts me like no other
lover. That’s the truth, and to this day still is.
MATT WALLACE
Record Producer - Maroon Five, Faith No More, The Replacements, Blues Traveler
My favorite love song is “MY FUNNY VALENTINE” by Chet Baker. Former trumpet player turned into unpolished but deeply resonant vocalist who wore the song like a well loved and well worn overcoat. Natural, pure, unassuming, sensual, and sexy. Emotionally stunning. grounded, genuine, and real in every sense of the word.
JAY LANDERS
Producer, Record Executive, Publisher, Songwriter - Barbara Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Barry Manilow, Mary J. Blige
What a question! So many songs, so little space. I’m going to bend the rules and pick two: “IF I LOVED YOU” from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel. The song was introduced on Broadway by the great John Raitt (father of Bonnie) playing the role of “Billy Bigelow” and Jan Clayton as “Julie”. It’s one of the most beautiful melodies ever composed, with brilliant lyrics that allow the listener to eavesdrop on the inner-thoughts of the two characters. They’ve obviously fallen hard for each other, but neither is willing to admit it, even to themselves. Instead of saying the words, “I love you,” they’re only willing to suggest how things would be “IF I loved you.” The other favorite is “MARIE” by Randy Newman. The character singing to Marie is a bastard...a guy who has to drink in order to let his guard down. Newman has him grasping for clumsy expressions to explain his true feelings. With the most plain-spoken language possible, the lyrics are both ironic and profoundly honest.
“IF I LOVED YOU”
Hear it on Spotify“MARIE”
