In the annals of pop music, as we all know, love reigns supreme. Love: the seeking, the finding, the disappearance, the reappearance, the lack, the deluge. They are all fit topics for a song. It is that which we will dig up today. To create an analogy of scope, the number of love songs on record could fill up this giant hole (aka Diamond Mine), so we are just barely scratching the proverbial surface today.
First, take a listen to “Babe, You Turn Me On,” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. Mr. Cave is an indomitable spirit whose creativity knows no bounds. In addition to fronting a wildly successful and critically acclaimed band, this Aussie has penned books, acted in films, and wrote screenplays. The aforementioned tune is from a 2004 double album “Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus.” It offers an interesting twist to the love song genre: a distraught narrator’s memorial to a lost lover. There is such bittersweet hopelessness throughout the work (side note: given the title of the album, “The Lyre of Orpheus,” it could be interpreted as a Orpheus’ lament to his dead Eurydice).
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Babe, You Turn me On
With that thorough explanation, the prior song may or mayn’t beckon you to the bedroom…to each their own. Burt Bacharach, however, is quite the composer of love songs. This should come as no shock to discerning music lovers, nor should it be a shock to those familiar with his association to the Austin Powers films. One particular song he had a hand in creating is “Baby, It’s You.” Originally performed by the Shirelles in 1961, it was also a regular component of live sets by the Beatles in the early 60s (as well as appearing on their album, “Please Please Me”). Despite the association the song has with these two lofty musical groups, we’re featuring a version by Elvis Costello. This particular track appeared on a two-disc rarities compilation titled “Out of Our Idiot” released in 1987. Performed and recorded with Nick Lowe, the song is a lovely confection of pure devotion.
To wrap it up, we’ll swerve off into some country via Guy Clark. For my money, you’d be hard pressed to find a more evocative lyricist. His greatness is the minimal amount of words in which he is able to evoke such feeling and paint such breathless pictures of life. Though both lovely and poignant, the song in question (“Anyhow, I Love You”) probably fails to rank as one of his true greats. Despite this, I have to admit it’s one of my favorites. Give it a close listen. That plaintive warble that wafts through towards the end? Waylon Jennings. Never has he sounded so beautiful and so vulnerable on a recording.
Wonderful Wednesday: Love, Love, Love
Which Way to the Bedroom?
In the annals of pop music, as we all know, love reigns supreme. Love: the seeking, the finding, the disappearance, the reappearance, the lack, the deluge. They are all fit topics for a song. It is that which we will dig up today. To create an analogy of scope, the number of love songs on record could fill up this giant hole (aka Diamond Mine), so we are just barely scratching the proverbial surface today.
First, take a listen to “Babe, You Turn Me On,” by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. Mr. Cave is an indomitable spirit whose creativity knows no bounds. In addition to fronting a wildly successful and critically acclaimed band, this Aussie has penned books, acted in films, and wrote screenplays. The aforementioned tune is from a 2004 double album “Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus.” It offers an interesting twist to the love song genre: a distraught narrator’s memorial to a lost lover. There is such bittersweet hopelessness throughout the work (side note: given the title of the album, “The Lyre of Orpheus,” it could be interpreted as a Orpheus’ lament to his dead Eurydice).
03-Babe-You-Turn-Me-On.mp3
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Babe, You Turn me On
With that thorough explanation, the prior song may or mayn’t beckon you to the bedroom…to each their own. Burt Bacharach, however, is quite the composer of love songs. This should come as no shock to discerning music lovers, nor should it be a shock to those familiar with his association to the Austin Powers films. One particular song he had a hand in creating is “Baby, It’s You.” Originally performed by the Shirelles in 1961, it was also a regular component of live sets by the Beatles in the early 60s (as well as appearing on their album, “Please Please Me”). Despite the association the song has with these two lofty musical groups, we’re featuring a version by Elvis Costello. This particular track appeared on a two-disc rarities compilation titled “Out of Our Idiot” released in 1987. Performed and recorded with Nick Lowe, the song is a lovely confection of pure devotion.
12-Baby-Its-You.mp3
Elvis Costello – Baby, It’s You
To wrap it up, we’ll swerve off into some country via Guy Clark. For my money, you’d be hard pressed to find a more evocative lyricist. His greatness is the minimal amount of words in which he is able to evoke such feeling and paint such breathless pictures of life. Though both lovely and poignant, the song in question (“Anyhow, I Love You”) probably fails to rank as one of his true greats. Despite this, I have to admit it’s one of my favorites. Give it a close listen. That plaintive warble that wafts through towards the end? Waylon Jennings. Never has he sounded so beautiful and so vulnerable on a recording.
12-Anyhow-I-Love-You.mp3
Guy Clark – Anyhow, I love you