The Great Love Song.

[hypehat]

What is it?

Inspired by recent talk, and my own longstanding love for it as a quality piece of music, I nominate

I Only Have Eyes For You, by The Flamingos.


Your mileage may vary 

[Eireannach]

Earth Angel by The Penguins has to be up there.

[Alex]

J. Giels Band-"Love Stinks"

[MyGlove]

Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton

[Newguy562]

i'm definitely agreeing with only have eyes for you ...or maybe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu9moZvdUTA

[Alan Smith]

A low fat offering to assist in maintaining a healthy heart.

Not Given Lightly - Chris Knox

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaSV0ymL8jk

[stack-o-tracks]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0  a personal favorite

[Lowbacca]

Setting aside the fact that almost every pop/rock song is a love song......   

1) Beach Boys - PLMW
2) Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody
3) Penguins - Earth Angel [and maaaany more doo wop songs]
4) Beatles - I've Just Seen A Face
5) Coldplay - The Scientist
6) Herbert Grönemeyer - Bochum ( )

[Paulos]

Dream Lover - Bobby Darin

[Lowbacca]

Dream Lover - Bobby Darin

Oh yes! I like the versions of Ben E. King, Dion and Johnny Burnette also. Oh, and the Misfits cover. 

[Paulos]

Dream Lover - Bobby Darin

Oh yes! I like the versions of Ben E. King, Dion and Johnny Burnette also. Oh, and the Misfits cover. 

Never heard any of the other versions but I love this song so, so much, this thread has caused me to go on an oldies kick - been on youtube listening to many of the songs posted here, I Only Have Eyes For You and Earth Angel are indeed glorious, these sort of songs really appeal to the hopeless romantic in me!

I'm gonna throw Only You - The Platters into the ring aswell.

[Lowbacca]

Dream Lover - Bobby Darin

Oh yes! I like the versions of Ben E. King, Dion and Johnny Burnette also. Oh, and the Misfits cover. 

Never heard any of the other versions but I love this song so, so much, this thread has caused me to go on an oldies kick - been on youtube listening to many of the songs posted here, I Only Have Eyes For You and Earth Angel are indeed glorious, these sort of songs really appeal to the hopeless romantic in me!

I'm gonna throw Only You - The Platters into the ring aswell.

Everything by the Platters is glorious. 

As for the above mentioned covers of "Dream Lover", there's only the Misfits version on YT. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmhgc-LpqQo

 

[OneEar/OneEye]

how about In The Still of The Night?

(stack-o-tracks...where is that avatar from?    i can't stop looking at it.   it's super creepy.   i may have to sleep with the light on. )

[hypehat]

I don't know whether it's just the fact I started the thread with a a 50's doowop song, but the overwhelming majority of songs you guys posted are 50's/60's doo-wop or similar (i liked your song Alholio!). I wonder why that is?

[Lowbacca]

I don't know whether it's just the fact I started the thread with a a 50's doowop song, but the overwhelming majority of songs you guys posted are 50's/60's doo-wop or similar (i liked your song Alholio!). I wonder why that is?

That's because because Doo Wop is magic. Awesome voices, authentic emotions, words from the street. That's what makes a great "love song" [I still find that term difficult, though...].

[hypehat]

Well, in terms of what you're saying, yeah lots of pop songs are love songs, ranging from wanting to bone people to your first kiss, getting married, breaking up, and so on. But lots of pop songs aren't 'I Only Have Eyes For You', which achieves something that, oh IDK, 'Leader of the Pack' doesn't. Both are pop songs about love, but I'd call one a Love Song. There's something in the emotions therein. Maybe that's why everybody's picking doo wop, it's very emotional and straightforward with it.

[Lowbacca]

Well, in terms of what you're saying, yeah lots of pop songs are love songs, ranging from wanting to bone people to your first kiss, getting married, breaking up, and so on. But lots of pop songs aren't 'I Only Have Eyes For You', which achieves something that, oh IDK, 'Leader of the Pack' doesn't. Both are pop songs about love, but I'd call one a Love Song. There's something in the emotions therein.

Good definition for the "real kind" of "love song".

Maybe that's why everybody's picking doo wop, it's very emotional and straightforward with it.

... and in a sense, it's very innocent about it. I guess that's what I like about Doo Wop - apart from the mere musical beauty. Two aspects one could also apply to much of the Beach Boys catalogue, obviously.

[meltedwhiskeyinmyhand]

My 2 current favorites

James Carr - Dark End of the Street  (The Flying Burrito Brothers version is awesome as well)

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


Clarence Carter - Slip Away

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2GYo9QDoRU

[Rocker]

Do love-gone-wrong songs count ?
BTW I thought this was very fitting:


Hank Williams Jr - (I Don't Have) Anymore Love Songs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICLIKyc90kA



Don't worry baby is one of my favorite love songs. GOK too.

[hypehat]

I nearly picked God Only Knows, but it seemed an obvious choice around here 

The greatest Hank Williams broken hearted song will always be 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry'. That song is devastating.

I Can't Help Falling In Love With You by Elvis is another all-time one. It's like a hymn. And the lyrics are perfect. You could not improve them.

[Ron]

Dream Lover - Bobby Darin

Preach it brother.  It's nearly perfect; also I think it really says a lot about Bobby Darin and where he was in his life when he wrote it.  A year later, he met Sandra Dee... famously, even though they divorced, and he even later remarried, she took care to always look after him, even visiting him in the hospital... after his death she never remarried, until her passing 30 years later. 

Yeah.  I still believe in stuff like that. 

[feelflows]

"I've Been Loving You Too Long."  Otis Redding's version of course, but Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks' unreleased version also packs a special punch, for obvious reasons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYoEXBEIXj4

[Paulos]

Dream Lover - Bobby Darin

Preach it brother.  It's nearly perfect; also I think it really says a lot about Bobby Darin and where he was in his life when he wrote it.  A year later, he met Sandra Dee... famously, even though they divorced, and he even later remarried, she took care to always look after him, even visiting him in the hospital... after his death she never remarried, until her passing 30 years later. 

Yeah.  I still believe in stuff like that. 

It is indeed a near-perfect song and one I wish the Boys had covered. Bobby Darin never seems to get the accolades that he deserves, he could sing brilliantly in so many different styles and always sounded wonderful.

[Wild-Honey]

This guy's in love with you.  There are a few versions but think I prefer Herb Albert
You were always on my mind - Elvis
Amoureuse - Kiki Dee.

[Lowbacca]

Elvis - Love Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyxg8TYV7ZQ