Top Ten Real Love Songs

Romance is alive and well but love isn't about romance alone. Love is all sorts of things to all sorts of people and the perception of love changes as it grows. I have compiled a list of ten love songs, in no particular order, which describe love, the reality, rather than love, the concept. In any case, lists are fun to write and fun to read so please enjoy!

Savage Garden- Truly Madly Deeply

Not because I want to but because I should. Over played, over stated, over emotional, and at every damn wedding since its 1997 release. Savage Garden's Truly Madly Deeply really does say it all and it says it just like we want to hear it. I want to be close to you, always, and all over the place. I love you, like crazy, possibly more, and to my complete core. Well, I want to hate this song with all I've got, I cannot, it's true. Why? Because just like the popular high school jock in his hatchback under moonlight, Truly Madly Deeply promises this will be forever...that is all I needed to hear to know that everything would be alright...forever.

Goo Goo Dolls- Iris

An angel is considering relinquishing his status in heaven for love? Whoa, that's heavy! This song puts every guy who thinks he is going out if his way for his significant other, to shame. How can anyone compare to giving up Heaven for someone? Honestly, how many gentlemen think that opening a door once in a while or giving up a coat in cold weather is giving all they got? Those attempts at chivalry are a big deal to some people; to the Goo Goo's Johnny Rzeznik it must mean little. All males of this species are now officially held to a higher standard. Note to self, offer giving up a life in Heaven for a life on Earth with Fiancé, really mean it, and then prove it for the rest of our lives. Chivalry will refuse to die as long as Iris exists.

Dolly Parton- I Will Always Love You

If one knows love one must also deeply identify with sacrifice. In I Will Always Love You Mrs. Dolly describes leaving a lover, not because she wants to, but because it will improve his or her life to be without. Sometimes what we want is not what we need and sometimes we are just oblivious. When a true love leaves, all is not lost. If a particular relationship is meant to be the former companion will show up in your life once again...after all, they will always love you as much as you love them. Everyone wants a fairytale.

Aqualung- Strange and Beautiful

Brilliantly haunting and lyrically creepy, Strange and Beautiful is a stalker love song if there ever was one. It seems that the delusions of grandeur contained within the chorus,

You'll fall asleep and I'll put a spell on you.
And when I wake you
I'll be the first thing you see

And you'll realize that you love me

seems a bit strange to say the least. I am not sure if waking up to someone whom you were not aware was in your home and has attempted to change your emotions with magic, is something I ever want to see. Regardless, the persistence is what is important here and I hope this individual gets the object of their desire. Love can be overwhelming...let's just hope it doesn't turn obsessive.

Frank Sinatra- I Couldn't Sleep a Wink Last Night

All is fair in love and war. Being in love means that there will be disagreements, strong ones too, and the worry associated with those moments is worth note. Restlessness, nausea, tears, and ultimately forgiveness, a process that needs to happen from time to time to remind us how much we appreciate one another. Ol' Blue Eyes reminds us that it is ok to say "I'm Sorry." In fact, it is necessary. Besides, making up is certainly an exercise that we can all enjoy.

Red Hot Chili Peppers- Suck My Kiss

Who said love can't be dirty & sexy & passionate? A funky, danceable song that pretty much produces every primal, sexual urge to get close, get nasty, grind it out, and head to the bedroom. I don't care who you are and how much you need romance, when you are seeking "sweet sacred bliss" and your partner's mouth was made exclusively for sucking your kiss, the Chilies know that when the process is done you will want to be "perverted". The chorus,

Hit me you can't hurt me suck my kiss
Kiss me please pervert me stick with this
Is she talking dirty
Give to me sweet sacred bliss
Your mouth was made to suck my kiss,

is just stating fact...this is what we want, at least part of the time. Love is complicated, sex is isn't, and when your opposite sex counterpart has a mouth made for your kiss, you better get to having them suck it.

The Drifters- Some Kind of Wonderful

When there are no words to describe the connection & feelings of love that you may have with your partner, The Drifters come along and explain exactly, though ambiguously how to describe it. It is good, really good, so good it could be called wonderful, what kind of wonderful? Some kind, that is for sure. Most of us on this planet wish to someday feel a love so strong that it is indescribable. Until then, we will just have to take The Drifters word for it and believe that true love really is Some Kind of Wonderful.

Otis Redding- These Arms of Mine

All he wants is to hold you, just to have you reside in his tender embrace and be his girl. Otis Redding could not have put tenderness into words better than he did with These Arms of Mine. Though Redding passed away, due to an airplane accident, in 1967, These Arms of Mine was used in the film Dirty Dancing. The inclusion helped introduce Redding to a whole new generation of young ladies who are more than willing to cuddle to this affectionate hit.

Cheap Trick- The Flame

Released in 1988, Cheap Trick's The Flame brought the Dream Police back from the brink. Reaching number one on Billboards Hot 100 chart, the ladies in this great nation could feel the emotion emanating from Robin Zander's oral cavity. "You were the first, you'll be the last", lyrics like that prove that this is hurt material for a lifetime. Everyone has had a heart break or been a heart breaker; I think we can all relate to the desperation.

Journey- Faithfully

How could this not be number one, really? When it comes to instant panty droppers Steve Perry & company are not only the pioneers, they are greatest love song architects ever. Faithfully describes the hard life on the road while missing the love of your life. Speaking of a strong woman, left alone by her man, taking care of the family, & wishing she had him by her side, the longing doesn't get any more dire than this. We all know that every woman loves to be catered too and cared for. Her knight in shining armor returns occasionally to "rediscover" falling in love with her, to make her feel loved & needed prior to heading off into the night to do man things that men do. Faithfully says all the things a woman needs to hear as well as alluding to the male attitudes of being the family provider. Man tears & swooning woman, this is real love song.

Be sure to get your downloads of these hits at amazon.com or on itunes.com!

Source: billboard.com, wikipedia.org, amazon.com