Love and V.D. go hand in hand. Why it’s hard to fall in love these days without being exposed to V.D., with all the expense and discomfort that entails. I’m speaking, of course, of Valentine’s Day.
Here is my question du jour. What song do you secretly wish that a partner (whether real or hypothetical) would sing to you on Valentine’s Day — or any day for that matter? Come on, I’m betting you have one.
Okay, I’ll go first. My pick is this track by Lucinda Williams from her Little Honey CD. It’s sexy and then some:
Williams was inspired to write it after meeting a man named Tom Overby, who happened to be getting a haircut at the same time as her in a Hollywood salon. She was initially ambivalent about his low-key demeanor. After all, she was used to having tumultuous relationships with rock musicians. But he had a calming influence that helped center her, and when her long-time manager died, he took over the role. A few years later, in 2009, following a performance in Minneapolis, she surprised the general audience by marrying him onstage. She was 56 at the time.
In their vows, Lucinda and Tom took one another “as my friend and love, beside me and apart from me, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, asking that you be no other than yourself, loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not yet know, in all the ways that life may find us.” I think that’s beautiful. But don’t worry that the Dog is going all mushy on you.
To underscore that point, I’ll share another favorite Williams songs. This is her classic tribute to Blaze Foley, a minor country music singer (and disciple of Townes Van Zant) who was fatally shot while intoxicated.
Now let’s return to my question. What’s your fantasy love song? The Dog Wants to Know.
Pick 1? I’m not that good at coloring in the lines.
This is the first Valentines Day in a long time that I’m feeling particularly in the spirit, so I’m not going to pick just one for a partner- real or imaginary- to sing.
In no particular order and for various reasons perhaps best explained over a bottle of merlot, I’m going to go with:
1. Can’t Help Falling in Love – I will go with the UB40 version, I think. Although, if I’m feeling particularly swoony I’ll take Michael Buble’s.
2. After the Lovin – Is there any voice sexier than Englebert Humperdinck? I don’t think so.
3. Truly Madly Deeply – Savage Garden
4. A Thousand Years- Christina Perri – If I had any writing talent whatsoever I would have written these lyrics.
5. Fine By Me – Andy Grammer – Not technically a love song, I guess. But, it’s my list and I’m leaving it here.
I’m partial to Love Song by The Cure. Very simple lyrics but moving.