The connection between St. Valentine and his namesake lover’s holiday is tremulous.
The Kiss-Alfred Eisenstaedt
It is based more on myth and embellishment than actual knowledge. Of course, I’m not the first to point this out. And I don’t say this to be sour. I am merely noting that the holiday is an utter creation. However, since it is such a widespread celebration these days, I’m putting away my own (small) personal qualms to lay out a list of wonderful love songs. Pour the champagne and cuddle up to your man.
Nothing says love like the Queen of Soul. It’s paradoxical, but seminal artists like Aretha are often overlooked. They exist as the purveyors of these cross-cultural hits that everyone knows. The amazing depth and breadth of their body of work is shrouded by their status as an icon or star. For too long, Aretha existed this way in my world. I knew her tangentially at best. Over the past few years, this has thankfully changed. And there is no better way to kick off a V-day post than with her great song from 1967, “Baby I Love You.”
Aretha tries to entice. She tells the boy to just stretch out his arms if he really wants her and she’ll bestow her love. “If She Wants Me,” by Belle & Sebastian, could very well exist as an amorous parallel to Aretha’s track. In the chorus it’s that boy, full of uncertainty about whether that girl does want him.
But it is very much larger than that too. The boy in question seems to have run off in pursuit of something larger than himself. He quests for some level of perfection, but in the same breath is seemingly ready to reject that quest in favor of being with his love. That is, if she wants him. It’s a beautiful thought.
Nothing, however, gets more beautiful than a life spent together. Which, while morbid as it may be, is the seeming aspiration of love, to become so carefully entwined with another person that the sharing of experiences passes from days to months and on through the years until one’s time on earth is eclipsed. Whether that is the truth behind this next track is anyone’s guess, but I have long believed it to be so. Even after all these years, the resonance of the track continues to affect me deeply.
Be There When You Die is, as you probably already know, one of my absolute all time favorite songs. There is something about Jim James voice that no matter what the lyrics, if affects me deeply. I do agree with you on your take of the song. I think its beautiful!
Jonny
that MMJ tracks does work up a feeling. i guess that was before mr. james had honed down his singing style to what it is today. he was a little more opened up. sounds really nice.
thebluebird
"it ain't like it used to be."
the track was from their debut album, Tennessee Fire. I suppose it's all very "too cool for school" to say, but that remains my favorite MMJ album.
Wonderful Wednesday: Hearts on Fire
The connection between St. Valentine and his namesake lover’s holiday is tremulous.
The Kiss-Alfred Eisenstaedt
It is based more on myth and embellishment than actual knowledge. Of course, I’m not the first to point this out. And I don’t say this to be sour. I am merely noting that the holiday is an utter creation. However, since it is such a widespread celebration these days, I’m putting away my own (small) personal qualms to lay out a list of wonderful love songs. Pour the champagne and cuddle up to your man.
Nothing says love like the Queen of Soul. It’s paradoxical, but seminal artists like Aretha are often overlooked. They exist as the purveyors of these cross-cultural hits that everyone knows. The amazing depth and breadth of their body of work is shrouded by their status as an icon or star. For too long, Aretha existed this way in my world. I knew her tangentially at best. Over the past few years, this has thankfully changed. And there is no better way to kick off a V-day post than with her great song from 1967, “Baby I Love You.”
Baby I Love You-Aretha FranklinAretha tries to entice. She tells the boy to just stretch out his arms if he really wants her and she’ll bestow her love. “If She Wants Me,” by Belle & Sebastian, could very well exist as an amorous parallel to Aretha’s track. In the chorus it’s that boy, full of uncertainty about whether that girl does want him.
If She Wants Me-Belle & SebastianBut it is very much larger than that too. The boy in question seems to have run off in pursuit of something larger than himself. He quests for some level of perfection, but in the same breath is seemingly ready to reject that quest in favor of being with his love. That is, if she wants him. It’s a beautiful thought.
Nothing, however, gets more beautiful than a life spent together. Which, while morbid as it may be, is the seeming aspiration of love, to become so carefully entwined with another person that the sharing of experiences passes from days to months and on through the years until one’s time on earth is eclipsed. Whether that is the truth behind this next track is anyone’s guess, but I have long believed it to be so. Even after all these years, the resonance of the track continues to affect me deeply.
I Will Be There When You Die-My Morning Jacket