Compost Studios

Last week I posted on my top ten favorite sexy songs. This week, I thought I’d list my favorite romantic songs. You know the ones that make you want to dance in happiness, do a little twirl, get all gushy.

This has been a far harder list to come up with than the sexy songs; maybe I’m not a romantic Grrrl. A lot of love songs just make me want to slap some sense into the singer and tell them to get a grip, for God’s sake. Sigh. I’m not a woman who is easily swept away by sentimental ballads, but hey I’m not impervious. Here are my romantic songs

Moondance by Van Morrison—This song sets the standard for romance for me. The jazzy tempo and the vivid fall imagery always take me away to a terrace under starry skies.

True Companion by Marc Cohn—Heartfelt and earnest, this is an over-the-top proposal, completely romantic. My favorite part is how he sings of growing old together, “When the years have done irreparable harm/I still see us walking slowly arm in arm”

You Bring Me Joy by Anita Baker—Anita Baker has such a unique voice and when she croons “You bring me joy…,” it gets right to the heart of a good relationship.

Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen—This won’t seem like a romantic song to most people, but it’s a song of second chances. When Springsteen sings, “So you’re scared and you’re thinking that maybe we’re not that young anymore/Show a little faith, there’s magic in the night/ You ain’t a beauty but hey you’re all right/And that’s all right with me” this middle-aged non-beauty is ready to jump in the car and grab that “one last chance to make it real.”

Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young—“A dreamer of pictures, I run through the night, you see us together, chasing the moonlight, my Cinnamon Girl.” Wish that were me.

Something in the Way She Moves by James Taylor---Sweet baby James. Smooth, soft, and casual, love is like a great pair of jeans. “I feel fine anytime she’s around me…”

Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You by Stevie Nicks—A song I used to put on repeat and get lost in. Evocative. There’s nothing more meaningful to me than the idea of someone giving me a piece of themselves and their art. “Has anyone ever written anything for you?” So different from writing to someone. I’ve written for very few people. “Poet—priest of nothing.”

Beginning by Chicago—Chicago was a great band, and this song takes me back to a good time in my life. Love the contrast of laughter and silence this song addresses, because “mostly I’m silent.”

Groovy Kind of Love by Phil Collins—What a stupid, insipid song—why do I like this? Don’t know. Just do.

Soul Provider by Michael Bolton—I still remember the first time I heard Michael Bolton sing, “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You.” It hit a bit too close to home. I bought the CD, and discovered I loved the title track, “Soul Provider,” best. I liked the idea of someone feeding my soul, and I also loved the wordplay of soul provider vs. sole provider.

October 19, 2006