Why do humans insist on torturing themselves with memories of love lost? It has long been a favorite subject for poets and there are hundreds of songs that use the emotional ecstasy or agony of falling in love as a theme.

In the movie, when ultra-cool “Hitch” (professional dating consultant) finally realizes he can’t live without Eva Mendes he comes completely undone talking to her through her closed apartment door – as he tries to explain the gut-level emotions that he’s experiencing for the first time. By contrast, In “Jerry McGuire”, Renée Zellweger kept it simple – “You had me at hello”.

So, here we go… a few tunes from the many thousand that fit the theme.

LEGENDS AND GIANTS: – Gordon Lightfoot – If You Could Read My Mind

Of course we have to open with a song from Canadian legend, Gordon Lightfoot. His passing May 1st marks the end of an era – one of the most significant contributors to folk music of all time – although he said in an interview that he never considered himself a folk artist but rather he saw his material as “adult contemporary”. Gordon hit it out of the park with the poignant lyrics of this one.

The #1 Canadian Single in 1970 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b35XdQxvVJ0

If you prefer no video but the best audio… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4-5wk4FubU

POWER BALLAD: Hard to Say I’m Sorry/Get Away – Leonid & Friends feat. Arkady Shilkloper

Great cover of a great song from a great band (Chicago 1982). It was written by bassist Peter Cetera, who also sang the lead vocals on the track, and Canadian producer David Foster. Interestingly, this production is done by my favorite cover band, who are all Russian – except for the lead singer, Arkady Shilkloper who is (you guessed it) Ukrainian. Hmmm… maybe musicians should run the world… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKhauqqEYpo

SOFT ROCK: Rhythm Of The Rain – Dan Fogelberg

“Rhythm of the Rain” (tellin’ me what a fool I’ve been) was written by Cascades band member John Claude Gummoe, first performed and released in November 1962 and making #1 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart. Of course great songs get covered by great artists. “Rhythm Of The Rain” was recorded by over 80 artists at last count! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5Pit2WJ6dI

COUNTRY: Today I Started Lovin’ You Again – Sheryl Crow & Willie Nelson

And then there’s the heartbreak of lovers separating only to find out that at least one of them didn’t really mean it. Merle Haggard – the most prolific songwriter/performer of triple-A country songs of all time – receiving a welldeserved tribute. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wWeLRdQVGA

BALLAD: Did I Remember – Catherine Russell

And now – a couple of actual love songs. “Did I Remember” is a song from the film melodrama Suzy , composed by Walter Donaldson and with lyrics by Harold Adamson . It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song at the 1937 Academy Awards. If you want to know more about Catherine, her bio is on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Russell_(singer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uHq7mH_FLs

BALLAD: You Don’t Have To Be A Star – Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.

This story grabbed my attention some years ago… Marilyn and Billy were members of THE FIFTH DIMENSION, who charted twenty “top 40” hits between 1967 and 1973. Although they had no romantic interest in each other for years, they eventually discovered their mutual admiration and have been married now for over half a century! I guess that qualifies them to sing love songs now and again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6uqSJ5B2Xc

A study on the “psychology of music” determined about 67% of lyrics in every song, every decade since the ’60s, were somehow about love. Close seconds were money, partying and depression – which I’ll cover in future articles.(just kidding, just kidding)