Don't it Make My Brown Eyes Blue - Crystal Gayle

I don't know many singers with hair this long. And the song itself is great. Need I say more about the great Crystal Gayle? Enjoy!

James Taylor: You've Got a Friend

When James Taylor recorded the song Carole King wrote, You've Got a Friend it became an instant classic of love and friendship. I love the song and although played a lot over the decades since it came out, its sentiments and JT's voice, never grow old. I hope you enjoy it like I do. What a great live performance! This is for you.

Ringo Starr's Photograph

Ringo Starr is commonly thought of as the least talented Beatle, the dumbest Beatle, or the goofiest Beatle. Frankly though, my thoughts on Ringo is that he ended up being the most contented Beatle. In my mind, that makes him the smartest. Much of his music is very playful and often humorous, from "The No No Song" to "Octopus's Garden". But he could also write a good sad song. The song "Photograph" (which he co-wrote with George Harrison, who also got out of the way of the often feuding Lennon and McCartney) captures the heart of someone pining for a lost love, someone who only has a "photograph" to remind himself of the love that once was. When you think about the words, it's heartrending: I want you here to have and hold, as the years go by, and we grow old and gray...I thought I'd make it, the day you went away, but I can't make it 'til you come home again to stay. Keep staring at the photo you have as you listen to this song. Unless you want to read the lyrics. But look at the photo anyway--and I'm not talking about the pics in the video, unless of course, one of them your lost love. Photograph--it's an oldie, but a goodie.

The Rose: Still an amazing song

The moment I heard Bette Midler's hit song The Rose, I loved it. I cannot read the words without applying them to my own life. They are powerful words that stand reach down to the depths of my soul. It's a song that stands the test of time. I have loved other versions of this song as well, including, but not limited to, Conway Twitty's version. Still great after all these years, and quite possibly in my top ten all time. Enjoy!

Here's the Conway Twitty version.

And then this wonderful performance, a duet with Bette Midler and Wynona Judd.

Lay Down Beside Me...another Don Williams classic!

Don Williams did a number of great songs back in the day. This is one of his best. Lay Down Beside Me has also been covered by the likes of Alison Krauss and Kenny Rogers, and frankly, I love Alison Krauss's part of the duet she sings with John Waite. I'm not so fond of the John Waite part though. Anyway, no one does it like the Gentle Giant, Don Williams. Take it away big guy!

When My Heart Finds Christmas

When Harry Connick Jr. penned the song, When My Heart Finds Christmas in 1993, little did he know it would become a classic among Christmas songs, let alone Christmas love songs. Although Michael Buble has gone on to become perhaps a better crooner than Connick, Connick's biggest Christmas hit ranks right up there with the best of Buble's Christmas offerings. (Sorry, I can't figure out how to do the accent on the "e" in "Buble".) The words to the song are simple, however, the music is sentimental and filled with feeling and when Connick sings it, it sounds like he means it. It is on all of my Christmas favorites lists. The video is of a much more recent performance of Connick doing the song. Happy Christmas Eve!

Rod Stewart: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You

Written by Van Morrison and recorded by Rod Stewart, Have I Told You Lately That I Love You is simply one of the greatest love songs ever. Not only because it's highly romantic as a love song, but because it also is widely interpreted as a song about Van Morrison's relationship with God. I like listening to it in both lights--as a love song to a woman---and also as a praise to God. I hope you like this as much as I do.

Love Me Over Again: A Don Williams Classic

Back in 1980, the voice of "the Gentle Giant", Don Williams was heard frequently on the country radio stations. He actually had quite a few big hits, such as Some Broken Hearts Never Mend. Good Ole Boys Like Me, and many more. This classic, Love Me Over Again is one of his best. I'm posting two versions, because I can't find a live video of him singing it, except when he's older--and the recording is a little hard to hear. Anyway, here's the earlier recording and a later live recording. Enjoy!

The Story of My Life - Neil Diamond

Every so often a song comes along that touches my heart deeply. The Story of My Life by Neil Diamond is one such song. I have always loved this song. I believe it is Diamond's greatest song, and is probably in my top ten of all love songs. Enjoy!

The Ribbon in Your Hair- Tim O'Brien

I always like introducing people to this very talented singer song-writer. Tim O'Brien is well-known among bluegrass/folk fans, but a lot of people have never heard of him. The song The Ribbon in Your Hair is a wonderful tribute to true love. Here are the complete lyrics to the song.

Strollin' on the strand one day
Back in the fall of '49
The sun was sinkin' in the west
When somethin' caught my eye
And through the dim and misty light
I saw the ribbon in your hair
As you turned around I found true love then and there

We never even met that day
Fate kept you and I apart
And though I traveled far and wide
Your vision filled my heart
Through the dark and stormy nights
Deep inside I always knew
I'd find the path that would lead me back to you

Now as I behold your bright eyes smilin' back at me
It's as if by fate's decree that we have this love to share
You only have to take my hand
To take me back in time
To the picture in my mind
The way the twilight shined
Upon the ribbon in your hair

Now our home's a holy place
Bathed in love's abiding light
It warms my heart to hear you tell me
How it feels so right
And may all lovers be like us
And never rest until they find
The lasting love that can bring true piece of mind

Now, give it a listen, and let me know what you think.

Baby Come Back by Player--just a great song

This is one of those songs that you used to sing as a kid when you were sad. I guess you could sing it as an adult too. Just a great lost love song.

I'm Not in Love - 10cc

I'm Not in Love by 10cc is perhaps one of my favorite songs ever. The reason being is that to me it seems like the words of the lead vocalist mean the exact opposite of what he's singing. When he says "I'm not in love" he's really desperately in love, and when he says "that doesn't mean you mean that much to me" what he's really saying is "You are all I've got. Don't ever leave me".  The feeling behind the song is strengthened by the background vocalist saying, "big boys don't cry" over and over again. The guy is definitely head over heels in love and that's what makes it so wonderful. Because love is. The actual story of the writing of this song is awesome and can be found here: clickety-click

Hal Ketchum: Past the Point of Rescue

Hal Ketchum's Past the Point of Rescue, from 1991 is a country classic love song. I am learning this song right now on guitar. If you have never heard it, you're in for a treat.

Kenny Rogers' "Lady" is a truly great love song

Kenny Rogers was once at or near the top of the popular music market. This is one of his greatest songs. I think my favorite line is You're the love of my life, you're my lady. Listen and enjoy.

Barry White's classic "You're the First, You're the Last, My Everything" a great love song

Barry White isn't known for subtlety when it comes to love songs. This is one of his best. I hope you like it.

John Denver: How can I leave you again?

How Can I Leave You Again? by John Denver is an awesome song. Denver was in his prime at the time this song was performed and you can tell. If you keep watching you get even more great songs by him. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas, Darling--Karen Carpenter could really sing

Leave it up to me to have a favorite Christmas song that is also a love song, but that's just what Merry Christmas, Darling by the Carpenters is. Not only is it a great song though, it is also hugely representative of the reason losing Karen Carpenter was so sad. What a voice! I've never actually seen this video, but it too is a treasure. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Love you inside out--the Bee Gees rocked it back then

Some of my formative years occurred during the 1970s, which at the beginning was a decade of hippies and the peace/love thing, but by mid-decade had begun morphing into disco. By the late seventies, disco ruled. King of the disco bands in those days were the Bee Gees, who had quite a few big hits. One of my favorites was this one, Love You Inside Out which topped the charts at number one for one week in June of 1979. Here is this classic from the disco era.

Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour" a classic!

This may be Stevie Wonder's greatest hit, and he had a lot of them. Anyway, it's a great love song, and really high amongst my favorites. Enjoy!

Barry Manilow hate him now, thank him later

Someone who once went to a Barry Manilow concert told me that Barry, as he looked around at all the husbands, boyfriends, or other men who had been dragged by their wives, etc. to the concert quipped, "you guys out there are hating me now, but you're gonna thank me later". Of course, he was referring to how his love songs might affect each relationship in a positive way. I always made fun of Barry as I was growing up, but then, I always knew the words to his songs. Here's one that's a classic--Looks Like We Made It.