I first thought of this assignment as a bit invasive as love songs are very personal and intimate instruments of expression chosen for specific reasons and valued by differnet individuals. However, my thoughts have changed... its an activity that allows for an exploration and evaluation of the human spirit at its purest- when it thinks of love. The three songs I chose are not inclusive of my love song listing, but it allows for the best expression of those I truly value in my life. My love songs are for my husbnd and my mother- the two people to whom I am the closest.
I am a bit of a renaissance child in that I am at the tail end of generation X- the ones who could care less and don't value anything older than myself however, I was raised by an older set of parents with older values and southern hospitality. My musical tastes reflect this as well.
Flaws and All by Beyonce Knowles- Carter
Just the Two of Us by Bill Withers
Ribbon in the Sky by Stevie Wonder
Flaws and All-
I'm a train wreck in the morning
I'm a bitch in the afternoon
Every now and then without warning
I can be really mean towards you
I'm a puzzle yes indeed
Ever complex in every way
And all the pieces aren't even in the box
And yet, you see the picture clear as day
I don't know why you love me
And that's why I love you
You catch me when I fall
Accept me, flaws and all
And that's why I love you
And that's why I love you
And that's why I love. . . mmmm
I neglect you when I'm working
When I need attention I tend to nag
I'm a host of imperfection
And you see past all that
I'm a peasant by some standards
But in your eyes I'm a queen
You see potential in all my flaws
And that's exactly what I mean
I don't know why you love me
And that's why I love you
You catch me when I fall
Accept me, flaws and all
And that's why I love you
And that's why I love you
And that's why I love. . .you
I don't know why you love me
And that's why I love you
You catch me when I fall
Accept me flaws and all
And that's why I love you
And that's why I love you
And that's why I love you
You, you, you
I feel as though Beyonce and I grew up together and each phase of my life she chose to write a song about. Each phase of her life and music mimicked where I was in my own life. She thanks her partner in the wong for loving her through life's growing pains and understanding her. It's comfortable space she is in, which places the listener in the same space as she is. I see myself in all of her words- "I'm a host of imperfection" - acknowledges humility, honesty, and humanity at its core and thanks another person being accepting, loving, and patient. It evokes a calmness that is accepting of all flaws which makes us perfect. It was released in to circulation as my relationship with my then- boyfriend and now- husband was blossoming and met me emotionally where I was at that time. It stays with me to the present because I am thankful for everything that the song declares- I'm flawed but I don't care beacuse I'm loved.
Just the Two of Us
I see the crystal raindrops fall
And the beauty of it all
when the sun comes shining through
To make those rainbows in my mind
When I think of you some time
And I want to spend some time with you
CHORUS:Just the two of us
We can make it if we try
Just the two of us
Just the two of us
Building castles in the sky
Just the two of us
You and I
We look for love, no time for tears
Wasted waters's all that is
And it don't make no flowers grow
Good things might come to those who wait
Not to those who wait to late
We got to go for all we know
CHORUS
I hear the crystal raindrops fall
On the window down the hall
And it becomes the morning dew
Darling, when the morning comes
And I see the morning sun
I want to be the one with you
Just the two of us
We can make it if we try
Just the two of us
Just the two of us
Building big castles way on high
Just the two of us
You and I
Just the two of us
Let's get together, baby
Just the two of us We can make it
Just the two of us
We can make it
Just the two of us
Just the two of us we can make it
My mother had a record collection that rivaled a DJ's and my favorite record was always Bill Withers's Managerie. I often took the record out, placed it on the record player, carefully placed the needle on the record like I watched my mother do countless times, and waited for my favorite song to play. When Just the two of us came on, a calm would wash over me, the beginning melody always tuned me in. My mother would sing and while the song symbolized the love of a relationship, i always equated this with her declaring her support and never ending love as my mother. It was her love song as a parent to her child and her expectation for the man who would marry me. The security and warmth I felt every interaction this song brought was immeasurable and continues with me today. I've matured and understand the deth of the song now... and I love that it describes a marriage. Not perfect, complex, unstable at time but willing to withstand anything to win.
Ribbon in the Sky
Oh, so long before this night I prayed
That a star would guide you my way
To share with me this special day
Well, ribbon's in the sky for our love
If allowed, may I touch your hand
And if pleased may I once again?
So that you too will understand
There's a ribbon in the sky for our love
Do do
Do do do do do
Hmm hmm
This is not a coincidence
And far more than a lucky chance
But what it is that was always meant
Is our ribbon in the sky for our love, love
We can't lose with God on our side
We'll find strength in each tear we cry
From now on it will be you and I
And our ribbon in the sky
Ribbon in the sky
A ribbon in the sky for our love
Do do
Do do do do do
Hmm hmm
There's a ribbon in the sky for our love
I don't think anyone could ever evoke the spirit of love more than Stevie Wonder. His ability to write a song that explains his love for his partner trascends words, its rapturous in its effort to explain what that person means in his live. Ribbon in the Sky was the song my husband and I used for our first dance and it's the song I always knew from childhood would play at my wedding. While in my wedding dreams, Stevie Wonder would have been singing the song himself, my brother in law was a wonderful substitute and I couldn't have treasured that moment anymore. The song is a dichotomy of self-explanation and inability to be explained. The imagery portrayed marks the beauty of love in a relationship. I love it for what it means to any person who listens to it- an unbreakable bond willing sustain bouts of pain to experience full joy.
When I listen to these three songs, they belong only to me and my intended person and I couldn't value the experience of listening to music. I am grateful for the blessing of sound, my ability to hear, and my cognitive reasoning to understand what the artist meant.
What does a love song mean to you? And is it all you need?
