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Henrie's Recipes
Indulge in the mushiest love songs
Rebekah Kendal
Posted Thu, 08 Feb 2007
It would be great if life had a soundtrack. And no, I’m not talking about an iPod. I mean a real soundtrack, which plays scary music when something bad is about to happen and sweeping symphonies when you meet the love of your life.
An idle fantasy perhaps, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pick out a few mushy love songs to play at appropriate moments during that romantic Valentine’s dinner. Okay, just to set the record straight, I am talking about mushy songs of the Dianne Warren and Mutt Lange variety, not great love songs. You know, those songs that misguided couples insist on playing at their weddings.
The trick to a great soundtrack is not only the right song, but also the right moment. To help you, the budding soundtrack producer and connoisseur of lurve, we have compiled a list of the mushiest love songs we could find and appropriate moments for use.
The Smitten Lover
A rule of thumb for these songs is that they might not be appropriate for a first date – you may give the impression of coming on a bit strong. Perfect for that period of infatuation (the falling in love phase) these songs are best played before a significant event or when you are reunited with your lover after a time apart.
Narrowing this list was challenging, but in the end we settled on Aerosmith’s ‘I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing’ from the movie ‘Armageddon’ (note: significant event) and Bryan Adams’ ‘(Everything I do) I do it For You’ from the soundtrack of ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’.
Looking at the grand scheme of your life, these songs would best fit the period of adolescence – when sleep and life for that matter are not that important when compared to the object of your affection.
The Casanova
Not quite the Smitten Lover, the Casanova is more interested in telling his love what he will do/mean to her. Try playing this at the beginning of the evening – a promise of things to come. When it comes to the Casanova however, there are two varieties.
On the one hand, there is the ‘Truly Madly Deeply’ (Savage Garden) variety. Fairly innocent, lines like “I’ll be your dream/wish/fantasy/love/hope” just let the recipient know about all the wonderful things in store for them.
‘I’ll Make Love to You’ by Boyz II Men, on the other hand is loaded with sexual innuendo: “Baby tonight is your night/ And I will do you right/ Just make a wish on your night/ Anything that you ask/ I will give you the love of your life.” Arrogance aside, you might want to hold off on this one until you are a little more certain about whether it will elicit a slap in the face or crazed clothes removal.
The Vow
Okay, if you plan on proposing this Valentines, one of these songs should do the trick. If however you’re more into a casual fling, these may give the wrong impression. The songs should be accompanied by deep earnest gazes, tender hand-holding and perhaps a slow dance.
We opted for ‘This I Promise You’ from N Sync and ‘From this Moment on’ by Shania Twain (who incidentally is married to the aforementioned Mutt Lange who co-wrote this song). Both contain promises of eternal love and nuptial bliss.
The Conqueror
Love the Conqueror – a great and timeless theme. This is quite a flexible type of song. It works well for marriage, overcoming hard times and even, in the case of ‘Titanic’, death.
Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes’ ‘Up Where We Belong’ is the kind of elevating song that works well at the end of the movie or after some sort of adversity has been overcome (it might work well to patch things up after a fight).
A brief aside: don’t play this song if you are eating burgers or in a teepee, because the “where the eagles fly, on a mountain high” line may remind you a little too much of the Spur ad, consequently ruining the poignancy of the moment.
Another favourite, Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’ is perhaps a tad sombre, but nevertheless promises eternal love, even after death. This may work better at a funeral.
The Failed Love
Mmm…I agree it’s not an ideal theme song for Valentines Day, but sometimes things just don’t work out. If the 14th happens to be the day on which you leave the love of your life, you might want to leave them to the dulcet and heart-wrenching notes of Whitney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’. Yes, I know what the title suggests, but the excluded part in brackets reads: ‘from far far away’.
You don’t believe me. Well, I think the lines “Bittersweet memories/That is all I’m taking with me/ So, goodbye. Please, don’t cry/ We both know I’m not what you need” make it pretty clear. Fine then, play it at your wedding, but I warned you.
If you are still hoping to salvage your failing love, Air Supply is the answer. Yip, ‘All Out of Love’ says it all – the yearning, the self-chastisement and the appeal for forgiveness.
The Stalker
So, perhaps you aren’t having that romantic dinner because the love of your life is just not that interested. If you find yourself in this predicament, your best bet is blare Police’s ‘Every Breath You Take’ loudly outside his or her window whilst simultaneously spying on the object of your obsession through binoculars. This is the ultimate stalker song, but suggested actions may result in arrest and a restraining order.
Please note that iafrica.com will not be liable if following the above ‘soundtrack guide’ results in marriage, divorce, loneliness or criminal action.
