A Playlist For People In Love
By Gaby Dunn
1. Atlanta Rhythm Section – So Into You
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpPdLb69-qk&w=600&h=350]
You gotta get funky when you’re in love since you kind of feel like dancing with joy anyway. Get into it with Atlanta Rhythm Section. The part I love is when they accuse their beloved of having voodoo in their eyes, because love’s a little bit bewitching, right?
2. The Band – Out of the Blue
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upQk-O2k67U&w=600&h=350]
I’m gonna dance to this song at my wedding if I ever get married. It’s so, so beautiful. “Out of this world / out of my mind / out of this love for you / out of this world / out of the blue / out of this love for you.” Guh. No one steal this for their weddings okay? It’s mine.
3. INXS – Never Tear Us Apart
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imr8GLO9uNQ&w=600&h=350]
“I was standing, you were there / Two worlds collided and they could never ever tear us apart.” It’s that simple, isn’t it? Lovely.
4. Fruit Bats – When U Love Somebody
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZJJiW1z3QY&w=600&h=350]
Aside from the catchy tune, my favorite lyric in this song is: “When you love somebody, it’s hard to think about anything but to breathe.” If you’ve fallen hard, your mind is a blank slate of that person’s dumb face and all you can do is concentrate on breathing. I’ve definitely felt this way before and this song totally captures the euphoria and the insanity.
5. The Zombies – The Way I Feel Inside
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QG1frfRywc&w=600&h=350]
A simple, lovely little ditty. More about unrequited love, maybe. But it could end up with a happy ending. The sweet voice of the singer, the uncomplicated heartfelt lyrics. I love this song. If someone sang this to me a cappella, I’d be theirs.
6. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Yer So Bad
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdRViFCvvUo&w=600&h=350]
One of my favorite songs to put on mixes for people I date. “But not me, baby. I got you to save me. Oh! Yer so bad. Best thing I ever had. In a world gone mad, yer so bad.” I love the use of the word “bad” to mean “good” and I love the idea that someone is so “bad,” you need them to save you. It’s adorable.
7. The Bangles – Eternal Flame
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpnaLJ-jn1k&w=600&h=350]
Maybe also about unrequited love, though she is watching him sleep so there’s definitely something going on. (I hope! Otherwise, creepy!) But who can’t relate to knowing the heat is there but wondering if it’s an eternal flame? The eternal flame of true love.
8. George Harrison – Something
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nXDodaqHkM&w=600&h=350]
THE love song. The best one, in my opinion. It’s so beautiful and simple. George Harrison wrote this about rock n’ roll muse and his wife, Pattie Boyd. (It’s crazy that one woman inspired so much music.) Anyway, it’s such a romantic song. Just lovely.
9. Hootie and the Blowfish – I Only Wanna Be With You
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln6WQqRDrCo&w=600&h=350]
A cheesy choice maybe, but it’s the straightforward message I like here. Look, whatever else is going on, whatever else is in our heads or lives, I only wanna be with you. That’s it. So yeah, corny and silly and Hootie, but if you’re in love, try not to listen to this and smile. It’ll melt ya.
10. Jeff Mangum – I Love How You Love Me
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=001VqAwIDn0&w=600&h=350]
One of my favorite acoustic renditions ever. Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel captures the sweet innocence of this song. When your love’s requited, you can revel in the look of love on someone else’s face toward you and it’s special and precious and amazing. It’s “I love how you love me” and it’s beautifully sung here.
11. Paul McCartney – Maybe I’m Amazed
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84zXffLRKwQ&w=600&h=350]
Classic. So beautiful. Covered by like, everybody. Written by Paul for his wife Linda, who ruled. It’s a quintessential love song.
12. The Lovin’ Spoonful – Darling, Be Home Soon
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXjzOpz4Cyw]
This is a love song that I think best encapsulates the everyday feeling of being in love. “The great relief of having you to talk to” is a lyrics I always think of when I imagine real love. That’s it. You feel relieved to talk to them. You want them to come home and be with you. It’s simple and lovely.
