Valentine’s Day approaches as Examiner often asks your randy writer to produce a piece for the occasion. Having no intention of posting the standard stuff, he enlisted the aid of musicians and singers to suggest songs for your personal playlist. Here then, is the first group of suggested songs:
Songwriter/Singer/Musician Laurie Biagini opens with her suggestion of the 1963 hit song "Surfer Girl" by The Beach Boys.
Songwriter/Arranger/Producer David Mobley formerly of CroSSwindZ said: “I used to know and talk with David Gates from Bread quite often. We often talked about this song. It would have to be one of the best songs he's ever written called 'IF'.” (It’s from 1971.)
Mobley had to add a “second choice” which he states “is a little more unknown song from a group called The New Colony Six. (It’s) called 'Things I'd Like To Say'. It broke onto the charts in (1968). (It’s a) beautiful song. One of my buddies Ronnie Rice in that group wrote and sung it. Those would be my two all-time fave Valentine songs.”
Songstress Deedra Patrick submitted the song “I Want To Know What Love Is” by Foreigner. (This hit power ballad is from 1984 and your rascally writer has had great success with it!)
Singer/songwriter Steve Moramarco of The Abe Lincoln Story likes the 1970 Lou Reed composition “I Found A Reason” by the Velvet Underground.
Brooke Trout, lead singer/guitarist of Red Herring, said: “My favorite love song is Laura Branigan's ‘Power of Love’ from her (1987) album Touch. Celine Dion did a cover of it (in 1993) that in my opinion doesn't come close. I tell you Laura's passionate soulful voice is untouchable.”
Dan Hazard of The Paper Crowns and author of the music industry blogzine “The Hazard Report”, likes The Beatles’ (1964 hit) “And I Love Her” because it includes “great changes, beautiful arpeggios, soulful lyrics, brooding romantic melody and ends on a terrific major chord and lifts it all up”.
Sarah Blacker, singer-songwriter for The Blacklisters, favors Ray LaMontagne’s 2004 track “Hold You in My Arms”.
Multi-instrumentalist and composer David Vito Gregoli likes Michael Tomlinson’s 1987 song “Sunlight”.
Glen Laughlin, guitarist/multi- instrumentalist/songwriter, for The Cherry Bluestorms couldn’t decide on just one and suggested the 1994 song “Beeswing” by Richard Thompson and the 1999 cut “My Beautiful Friend” by The Charlatans.
Singer-songwriter Demetra enjoys the track “Try A Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding. The song harkens back to 1932 and Redding made it a hit in 1966.
Guitarist/singer-songwriter Dave Widow submitted the 1972 tune “Love And Happiness” by Al Green adding that “nothing’s better than some good ole' Al Green to help celebrate your love on Valentine’s Day" .
Singer-songwriter Lauren Adams prefers “Love Songs” by James Taylor. This one was released in 1975.
Finally, musician/singer-songwriter Anthony Pomes prefers Frank Sinatra's 1953 recording of "My One and Only Love" noting that it “is an absolutely beautiful love song and the recording is top-rate.” He adds that “the song has just the right balance of joy and melancholy”. Pomes points out that He concludes that “love can so often be both at the same time.”
So there you have it, guys and dolls, love songs for Valentine’s from the mouths of the pros. You should even be able to add your own personal picks to the mix. Have a hot holiday and go get yourself some lovin’!
My name is Phoenix and . . . that's the bottom line.
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