Amerucan love songs

[ishmael]

Say what you want about us Yanks, but don't ever be dissing our sense of tragic love.

For some reason, Hank Williams has been running around my brain this morning.

I Can't Help It (if I'm Still In Love With You)

Today I passed you on the street
And my heart fell at your feet
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
Somebody else stood by your side
And you looked so satisfied
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
A picture from the past came slowly stealing
As I brushed your arm and stood so close to you
And suddenly I got that old time feeling
I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
It's hard to know another's lips will kiss you
And hold you just the way I used to do
Heaven only knows how much I miss you
And I can't help it if I'm still in love with you
No I can't help it if I'm still in love with you

[brad9798]

I always liked Don Williams' My love for you will never die.

[John Smith]

Interesting thing about love songs; most of them are love gone wrong songs.

I can think of a few love songs of a positive nature

More
Can't Help Falling in Love
Loving You

and such,

but most are love gone wrong:

For the Good Times
Tip of my Fingers
Crazy
Faded Love
I Fall to Pieces
By the Time I get to Phoenix
Cheating heart
Never Fall in Love again

We can all make our own list.

The guy who wrote "What Now My Love" was on (I believe) Merv Griffin's show. Having written a song that was recorded by many, he was asked who had done it best.

His answer was interesting. At the time, he said that Elvis was the only version he had heard where it was done as the song of passion it was written to be, with some anger.

[Chris Coose]

**** kickin compared to Cole Porter.

[Hwyl]

It would be criminal to overlook Billy Strayhorn, perhaps the greatest American composer, generally overlooked by the mainstream because he was black and gay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe1vn_9Ms1Y

[downthecreek]

I can think of a few love songs of a positive nature

Greatest love song ever written (also a breathtaking fragment of musical drama when heard in context)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVa8zHqPtDU

For those who know not - the song starts after a brief preamble

Oh, and if you prefer tragic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmHyA4WsJAM

Mind you, if these really aren't your thing, may I recommend the BBC's "Transatlantic Sessions"? Absolutely cracking series of programmes with Scottish, Irish and American musicians "jamming" in a big old house in the highlands. All the love songs you could want - happy and sad, and a lot more besides. Led the magnificent Gerry Robinson and the fine Orkney fiddler, Aly Bain. Top quality music. Positive love song? Look for Paul Brady's "Rainbow"!

Earlier series were called the Highland Sessions - just Scottish and Irish music. Superb, but, alas, not available on DVD, as far as I can tell. I'm a great admirer of American music - one of America's great gifts to the world. But, I'm telling you - those Gaels knew a thing or two about love songs as well. :)

Lots on the net but you don't really get the full effect through computer speakers. DVDs also available. No music lover of any persuasion could fail to enjoy!

[Cuyahoga Chuck]

It would be criminal to overlook Billy Strayhorn, perhaps the greatest American composer, generally overlooked by the mainstream because he was black and gay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe1vn_9Ms1Y

He may be overlooked in Maine but he and others of his era are alive and well here in the Cleveland area. Strayhorn by way of Ellington's records still gets plenty of play.

If you wanna' hear some 24 hours a day go to;
http://www.wkhr.org/live/select.htm