I took quite sometime to come up with this list… My criteria for selecting my five best
English love songs?
If I can hear the song anytime, anywhere, any number of times… and be lost in wonderland, then it got its vote to the elite list!
You’d find that songs that have more passion and depth in the vocals would be higher up
in the list… but ain’t that what love is all about?!;)
1) Now and Forever (RICHARD MARX!)
His very name brings up memories of smashing love ballads…
This one tops my list due to its simplistic rendition, very powerful lyrics combined with his amazing voice…
His voice depicts pain, yearning, and of course, the * Love *, in a beautiful rendition coupled with soft guitaring…
To sum it up:
“Whenever I’m weary from the battles that rage in my head
You make sense of madness when my sanity hangs by a thread
I lose my way but still you seem to understand
Now and forever I will be your man.
“
- The guitar solo is the most amazing piece I’ve ever heard, perfect compliment to the mood of the song!… am yet to perfect playing this piece on my acoustic…
2) Come Undone (DURAN DURAN)
The history of Duran Duran dates back 20 yrs, I guess…
The band that had made MTV “culturally cool”!
Come undone, is an addictive love number from this band… from the ‘wedding album’
Released in 1993…
Though I’ve grown up listening to this song, I’ll never ever tire of listening to this one…
Conjures up the moods of an entire decade!
Check out a part of the lyrics…
“We’ll try to stay blind
To the hope and fear outside
Hey child stay wilder than the wind
And blow me in to.
Cry
Who do you need
Who do you love
When you come undone
“
The beginning of this song is a major highlight, with a * mysterious piece(haven’t figured out completely what instrument they used for that) and the drums adding a seductive effect… * BUT, make sure you listen to this one on a hi-fi music system only!
The vocals are also addictive, especially the depth in the male singer’s voice…
If you can access the video, that’d be a really great bonus!
3) Hero - ENRIQUE IGLESIAS(Not to confuse with Mariah Carey’s Hero)
Album: Escape
You simply have to listen to this song, to get hooked to it! It’s really THAT simple!
The passion in Enrique’s voice is just unbelievable… especially when he says the title words ‘I can be your hero, baby’…
Just for his voice modulation skills, this song is worth listening to!
Not to mention superb lyrics and a terrific solo to combat that!
The song begins softly with
“
Would you dance
if I asked you to dance?
Would you run
and never look back?
Would you cry
if you saw me cry?
And would you save my soul, tonight?
“
The bait has been laid right here!
Just check out the lyrics at
https://geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Backstage/1687/Heroei.html
- Once again, this would sound best in a terrific music system in closed space where you can even feel his whispers… preferably a good car stereo…
4)
Annie’s Song(You fill up my senses) - John Denver
You can just plain sing this song at home, without any accompaniments and still get the effect!
Simple and powerful!
- Now that’s what I’d call a powerful composition, especially in the context of love songs!
The lyrics and the vocals should do most of the talking… with other effects just complimenting the score!
The rules for other genres like Rock are different, though…
5)
Too many competitors for the number 5 spot…
I’ll list a few, and see if I can pick one… I’ll go through the list once again and whichever song I feel like listening immediately, is the winner!
a) Every breath you take - Sting & Police
A fast paced song with good romantic lyrics and nice background effects makes for anytime listening!
Nice guitaring, once again… sets up the mood for the song!
b) Love is all around - Wet Wet Wet
One of the songs that made me go deep into the domain of English music… the song is refreshing for its smooth pace and the mood it sets in!
Sure, Love is bound to be all around, when you listen to this one!
Some pieces from this gem:
“It’s written on the wind
It’s everywhere I go
So if you really love me
Come on and let it show
“
I’m not sure if Wet Wet Wet has come up with any album recently, if so, would sure like to know!
c) Nothing’s gonna change my love for you- Glenn Madieros(?)
Eternal classic….
Vocals are the best part of this song!
Somehow I’m not too passionate about this one, although the song is very very good…
Might be because of some bad memories associated with this one?(you can never know the subconscious too well, my friends!)
d) Back for Good - Take that
Album: Nobody Else
Simple number but the beauty is that you feel like listening to it again and again!
The other songs in the album can’t even match a shade of this song, so best buy a CD rather than a tape!
The part where he says the lines “Got a fist of pure emotion” is a treat to polluted ears(!)
and is well worth the money on the album!
“Got a fist of pure emotion
Got a head of shattered dreams
Gotta leave it, gotta leave it all behind now
Whatever I said, whatever I did, I didn’t mean it
I just want you back for good
“
e) Rock and Roll dreams come true – MEAT LOAF
From Bat out of Hell2
I didn’t like any song from his earlier album Bat out of Hell1.
But his second one was such a major hit i’m still recovering from its after shocks!
The album is full of Epic ballads!
There’s a song called’Objects in the Rear View Mirror’ that is ballad personified!
Coming to this song, Rock and Roll dreams come true. it’s a haunting piece that keeps coming back to you.
The beginning of this song is magical, with the keyboard going overboard with the electric guitar slashing in the background.You have to hear it to believe it!
The mood of the song keeps getting deeper and deeper till the song fades into a chorus.
Truly haunting.
f) I’d do anything for love - - MEATLOAF(need I say that?)
This song is a cult classic, according to me.
Some of them despise the loud raving, but those who like it are toooooo passionate about this one!
The guitaring reeks of heavy metal stuff…
The highlight, though is Meatloaf’s powerful rendition…
Here’s one song that never dies! When you thought it’s ended finally, after 5 minutes, it comes back for a long round two!
The lyrics are great and the overall mood of the song is dark!(atleast that’s my association with this song, maybe after seeing meatloaf in his getup in his videos).
g) Give in to me - MJ
This song is elevated to superstardom mainly because of MJ’s amazing vocals, coupled with some heavy guitaring by the Master himself(SLASH!). must have been on drugs to play such stuff, especially the solo in the beginning!
The video is high voltage stuff.
The lyrics are worth mentioning, which is why this song would do for anytime listening!
contd in comments section.