Romantic Mix-Up Feb 22 '03    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 Mai by Eri Sugai From $4 The Bottom Line When I mix, I MIX. After I left a comment on aerocat's review of her favorite romantic mix, I realized this was a great opportunity for me to play Rob from "High Fidelity" (He was Rob Fleming in Nick Hornby's book, but Rob Gordon when played by John Cusack in the movie). Romance in my life is not a reality at this time, but these songs can take me there for a few minutes. I could easily have named a number of other songs for this mix, and I chose to stay away from some very obvious and popular ones, such as "My Girl" by the Temptations and "Colour My World" by Chicago. Other popular songs simply could not be excluded because I connect them to some significant event in my life. For the purposes of this Epinion, I have chosen to limit my choices to the approximate length of a compact disc. On another day, I could easily make this list very different, or simply make equally strong collections of romantic music. 1. Some Enchanted Evening - Ezio Pinza. When I was in high school, I was in the school's production of "South Pacific." I found a copy of the original Broadway cast recording, and absorbed this album and all of its tunes. Usually, opera singers, such as Pinza, give too much vocal power to any song that's not an aria. Pinza does not overpower the words of Rogers and Hammerstein; he brings his strength to the words in a way most singers cannot. It's a song that says no barriers should stand in the way of true love. Pinza ends the song at an emotional high point as he makes the message clear: "Once you have found her, never let her go." 2. Unforgettable - Nat "King" Cole. Even though I've lived on a steady diet of rock, Cole was one of the first singers I came to admire. His sound was cool and confident and very soulful. He holds the notes masterfully, and his pauses are timed perfectly. The closing lines, "That's why, darling, it's incredible/ That someone so unforgettable/ Thinks that I am...unforgettable, too," are vocal ecstasy. The reworking that allowed Natalie Cole to sing with her father is very nice, too. 3. True Love Ways - Buddy Holly. The only singer whose fan club I have ever joined is Buddy Holly. When new Buddy Holly songs become available, I still add them to my music collection (Every once in a while, someone still reworks Holly's final recordings, or other Holly tracks see the light of day for the first time). During his final studio session, he departed from his usual string arrangements of guitar and bass for the strings of violins, and made some of his best ballads. It's a song that celebrates the joy of being a couple, and says the best is yet to come. "Just you know why/ Why you and I/ Will by and by/ Know true love ways." Other Holly songs that could easily have been included are "Rave On" and "Everyday." 4. The Masochism Tango - Tom Lehrer. No romantic mix tape of mine would be complete without a little humor. Lehrer usually accompanies himself on the piano (and did precisely that on a different recording of this song), but I prefer the version he recorded with an orchestra that gives it a tango feel. He makes fun of romantic convention from start to finish with lines like, "Before you here I stand/ My heart is in my hand - ick!" Lehrer redefines the fun in romance, and is always good for a laugh. 5. Gina - Johnny Mathis. Mathis has one of the purest romantic voices I've ever heard. If I ever wanted to sing a love song to someone, I'd want to pattern my self after Mathis. His tenor voice hits the highest notes with the greatest of ease, especially in the chorus lines, "Look at me, oh look at me/ I can't believe that I'm such a lucky guy." Plenty of other Mathis songs could easily be here, like "Chances Are" and "Misty." 6. She Loves You - The Beatles. The British Invasion of the sixties took youthful enthusiasm to a whole new level. One example of such enthusiasm is in one of the Fab Four's early #1 hits. It's a simple song on the subject of making up with someone. The Beatles practically sing their cheer, "She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah." It's one of two songs (along with "I Wanna Hold Your Hand") that the band also recorded in German for the fans who took notice of them early. 7. I'll Never Find Another You - The Seekers. This band, fronted by lead singer Judith Durham, also rose to fame during the British Invasion, but they invaded from Australia. Their first success in the USA was this Top 10 ballad from 1964. If I ever get married, I would like for this song to be included. It's the essence of what all couples want from their lives. It acknowledges that life isn't always easy, with lines like, "It's a long, long, journey, so stay by my side/ When I walk through the storm, you'll be my guide. Be my guide." 8. Let It Be Me - Jerry Butler & Betty Everett. I also have lovely versions of this song by the Everly Brothers and Petula Clark, but Butler and Everett raise the bar on this tune, which was a 1965 hit for the duo. They belt out this song, sharing and trading lines with amazing beauty and power. This is the version that I prefer. This could sweep someone off their feet: "Now and forever, let it be me." 9. A Sign Of The Times - Petula Clark. I still like this song, even though it was used in TV ads for Target stores. Lively horns and a lively voice celebrate the growth of something special: "It's a sign of the times, that your love for me has gotten so much stronger." Target may have reworked and found covers of the song, but nothing beats the original. 10. Try A Little Tenderness - Otis Redding. Redding was one of the most dynamic soul singers who ever lived. This song shows his range, building from a soft tone to a full-fledged, full-voiced proclamation, with the emphasis on every action: "You've got to HOLD her, SQUEEZE her, NEVER LEAVE her." It's one of the most memorable moments from the era of the Memphis sound, where Booker T. (Jones) and the MG's were the Stax/Volt equivalent of Motown's Funk Brothers, making their mark on an era of Southern soul. This rendition is so popular, Three Dog Night and The Commitments did their covers a la Otis. 11. It's No Secret - Jefferson Airplane. This track comes from the pre-Grace Slick era. I like the gradual build-up of excitement in Marty Balin's voice as he explains, "It's no secret/ Girl you got me jumping up and down...I love you, yes I LOVE YOU!" Signe Anderson, who left the band to start a family, provides equally exciting harmony to Balin's lead. 12. I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten - Dusty Springfield. Many people are familiar with Springfield's romantic hits like "The Look Of Love" and "Son Of A Preacher Man," but probably aren't familiar with this song from her from 1968. This song has more of a dramatic feel than her pop hits, with piano and strings dominant in the arrangement. However, Springfield shows more of her range here as she watches romance grow in her life: "I close my eyes, and count again, I can't believe it, but you're still here." It's one of her most rousing performances. 13. I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever) - Stevie Wonder. This is one of the songs that announced that the singer once called Little Stevie was now an adult. It was originally on the "Talking Book" album, which contained the #1 hits "Superstition" and "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life." Thanks to its inclusion in the movie "High Fidelity" and on its soundtrack, more people have been introduced to this moving song of hope and determination in the affairs of the heart. It even has an ending much like The Beatles' "Hey Jude." The final two minutes of the song have Wonder repeating his determination, "I believe when I fall in love this time, it will be forever." 14. The Right Thing To Do - Carly Simon. This song was the follow-up single to Simon's #1 hit, "You're So Vain." "The Right Thing To Do" is a song of unabashed and unconditional love. Simon lovingly proclaims, "There's nothing you can do to turn me away/ Nothing anyone can say." Her voice swells with joy as she knows she has found someone more special than any other lover in her life. 15. My Love - Paul McCartney and Wings. Believe it or not, this was the first song the former Beatle wrote that he owned outright. He shows his penchant for being the most romantic of the Fab Four as he tells his love she's with him in spirit wherever he goes: "And when I go away/ I know my heart can stay with my love/ It's understood." 16. I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song - Jim Croce. Croce was known for his story songs, and this song, a posthumous release from 1974, is the story of a romance. It's the story of a man looking to find the right words to describe his affection. He finds them in the way he knows best - through his music: "Well I know it's kinda late/ I hope I didn't wake you/ But what I got to say can't wait/ I hope you understand." Croce's albums were among the first I ever acquired, and still have. His ability to tell a story still endures. 17. You Make Me Feel Brand New - The Stylistics. This is a love song made for slow dancing. It was a hit at graduation parties after I finished eighth grade, and one of the last for the Philadelphia quintet led by Russell Thompkins, Jr.. Its release came at a perfect time in my life, where one era of identity was ending, and another was about to begin. Tompkins's falsetto voice is beautiful as he intones, "God bless you, you make me feel brand new." 18. Here, There, And Everywhere - Emmylou Harris. This is one of the best Beatles covers I've ever heard (Kenny Loggins also did a nice cover). Harris gives this song an unmistakable country flavor with the sounds of gentle acoustic and steel guitars and a clear voice that rings with the pride of a southern upbringing. Her performance is intimate, as she makes the words of Lennon and McCartney her own: "I want him everywhere/ And if he's beside me I know I need never care." 19. How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees. Of all of the songs from the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack, I'm fondest of the one that doesn't embody disco. At least I'm not alone, as this song was the first of six consecutive #1 hits for the Brothers Gibb. Disco may have brought them their biggest recognition, but they always had time for the ballads, at which they excelled. The blend of falsetto harmonies is at its best here, as they paint a picture of intimacy: "I know your eyes in the morning sun, I feel you touch me in the pouring rain/ And the moment that you wander far from me, I want to feel you in my arms again." 20. Always And Forever - Heatwave. For those who like a long slow dance, Heatwave provides one in a tune that runs over six minutes. It's a song that became popular at weddings and proms. A gentle organ and a pretty string arrangement complement Johnny Wilder, Jr's. vocals, which pay tribute to the romantic ideal: "There'll always be sunshine, when I look at you/ Something I can't explain, just the things that you do." 21. Who Needs Words - Carlene Carter. Music runs in Carter's immediate and extended families. She's the daughter of June Carter, who married Johnny Cash (Cash, though, is not Carlene's father). Carlene Carter was once married to Nick Lowe, and has performed on tour with the band her ancestors had started, The Carter Family. Carlene made her debut as a solo artist with her 1978 release, "Carlene Carter," which may never make its way to a compact disc in the USA (It was once released on CD overseas, though). It was a great find for me, though, when I found this vinyl in a Venture store for 50 cents. "Who Needs Words," the album's final song, is a simple and joyful celebration of infatuation. A piano and bass are the only accompaniment to Carter's words: "There's no friends like old lovers, and there's no one like you." It's the perfect finish to a pretty good debut. 22. Woman - John Lennon. One of Lennon's best love songs was, sadly, one of his last recordings. It's an apology and a celebration of a love that endures, in spite of all the hurt and misunderstanding. Lennon's voice seems on the verge of breaking as he sings, "Woman, please let me explain/ I never meant to cause you sorrow or pain." He sings the hurt and the passion of any man who tries to make a relationship work well. 23. Message Of Love - The Pretenders. There's nothing pretty here, save for the message. Chrissie Hynde's early work was filled with themes of people putting their cards on the table. In this 1981 release, Hynde pulls back a little from the explicit lyrics that helped make her first album so noteworthy. However, band mates James Honeyman-Scott, Pete Farndon, and Martin Chambers still provide full-throttle support, and each has moments that focus on their individual efforts. Hynde gives her best romantic growl as she belts out, "When love walks in the room...Say I love you, I love you, I love you." 24. Mr. Harris - Aimee Mann. Mann, like contemporaries Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson, often looks at the world from a cynical point of view. Romance is no exception, as this poignant ballad from her 1993 solo debut, "Whatever," demonstrates. It's a tale of May-December love which meets with some degree of scorn. Mann's feelings are best summed up with these lines from the song: "And honestly, I might be/ Stupid to think love is love/ But I do." 25. What A Wonderful World - Joey Ramone. To paraphrase the title of an early Ramones song, Joey Ramone always was, and will be remembered as, a punk rocker. I like the rendition that became a hit for Louis Armstrong, but I also like the spirit of Ramone's version. Impending mortality did not mellow him musically as he brought out the punk for what proved to be the last time on his solo debut, "Don't Worry About Me." It's a memorable curtain call as he reminds his fans in his own special way that life itself is a special experience: "I see trees of green, red roses, too...And I think to myself, what a wonderful world." This is a mix that, I think, works better in print than in a real mix. If I were creating a mix, I would separate these songs by era and genre. Certainly, music is a wonderful world, and these are just some of the songs of love and romance that have touched my life. As Rob found out, though, everyone has different tastes. What's more important in romance than my songs? Maybe someday, some of my songs will become our songs with someone. I can at least hope things will go that way.

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