For me it's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack, from her CD "Softly with These Songs, the Best of Roberta Flack", on Atlantic. I'm looking for LOVE SONGS. Thanks and Cheers. Craig
Gotta agree with one of the first posts, by elgordo: Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust sung by Nat King Cole. Best voice there ever was, rendering an exquisit extended melody by one of America's best song writers, and with lyrics of a refined sensibility not heard in popular culture in decades. IMHO, it just doesn't get better than this. If you've never heard it, have a listen.
The Flying Burrito Bros. Hot Burrito #1 aka I'm your Toy. You can hear Gram Parson's heart breaking as he sings.I have a couple more but you did say one...sigh.
how about joe tex (ca. 1965) : you got what it takes (to take what i got).
the cover by marti jones with don dixon (her husband) from the "my long haired life" album is great - my wife and i used this arrangement for our first dance.
Love songs also exist in personal context. When my wife was pregnant with our first child (a boy), we had our first quality system (Thiel, Hafler, Thorens). We danced and dreamed and cried over our happiness to Loggins & Messina Danny's Song. Man, that was a love song to us. Maybe I'm OP, but nice to recall that song, those feelings. He's now 22....
Lots of good ones already posted. Picking only ONE is impossible but I'd have to give strong consideration to those from the Doo Wop era, when many of the greatest love songs were recorded, including, without limitation:
I Only Have Eyes For You (The Flamingos) For Your Precious Love (Jerry Butler) Let It Be Me (Betty Everett & Jerry Butler) Only You (The Platters) When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge)
Not from that era, but have to include Crazy Love (Van Morrison) and Ribbon In The Sky (Stevie Wonder).
Oh, and almost every song performed by Nat King Cole.
(I'll) Love You Forever by The Monkees. It is on their 1987 reunion album "Pool It!" My wife & I got married to this song back in '92. If you haven't heard it, you should give it a listen. It is a beautiful song.
I liked all of the Neil Young selections and the Lenny Welch (Since I Fell For You) is really outstanding. As far as love songs go, I think we are all influenced by the music that corresponded to some of our significant life events. For me, that takes me back to the '60's so I nominate two by the Righteous Brothers: "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and "You're My Soul and My Life's Inspiration.
A lot of good songs mentioned in this thread, some bringing back some really great old memories... I am just finishing reading "Shout" right now, so I am especially partial to the Beatles choices named...
But I want to mention possibly the most underrated super group of all time - Dire Straits - Mark Knopfler is a stunning musician as well as songwriter. My vote - "Hand in Hand" from the Making Movies album...if you don't remember it, check it out, the words are great and the song is stunning, still gets me choked up virtually every time I listen to it...
Upon further reflection,(and a recent listening again after a long spell without hearing them)I would have to declare a 3 way tie,imho.The other 2 would be Forever Autumn, and Bless the Wings,both Moody Blues pieces.
june tabor's version of "waltzing's for dreamers". it sorta melts in following this incredible string piece. closes with the string piece too. so sad and pretty.
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