Love is complicated and risky, but totally worth it.

Every. Single. Time.

Love is…

Forever.
Pure.
Everlasting.
Passionate.

Its characters can be beautiful and relentless.

It can also be…

Broken.
Forbidden.
Lost.
Forsaken.

That’s really what makes love so rare. It can twist and turn you into so many places, both good and bad.

Music.

It moves.

It has a strategic way of burying itself deep in your soul and wrapping its way around your memories. A love song is the perfect way to render pure bliss and absolute heartbreak all in one note change.

A lullaby.
A ballad.
A praise anthem.
A wedding song.

I’ve always known about their love song. It brings tears to his eyes and makes her blush within the first few chords. I remember the first time I saw them dance to it. We were at a wedding. He quietly sang the words in her ear as he spun her around the room. I knew he meant every word.

When A Man Loves a Woman

Percy Sledge

When a man loves a woman

Can't keep his mind on nothing else

For the good thing he's found

If she's bad he can't see it

Turn his back on his best friend

He'll trade the world

She can do no wrong

If he put her down

When a man loves a woman

Spend his very last dime

Trying to hold on to what he needs

He'd give up all his comfort

If she said that's the way it ought to be

Well, this man loves a woman

I gave you everything I had

Trying to hold on to your precious love

Baby, please don't treat me bad

When a man loves a woman

Down deep in his soul

She can bring him such misery

If she plays him for a fool

He's the last one to know

Loving eyes can't ever see

When a man loves a woman

He can never own some other girl

Yes when a man loves a woman

I know exactly how he feels

'Cause baby, baby, baby, you're my world

When a man loves a woman

Sleep out in the rain

He can do no wrong

The Rev and Red know how to live out their love song, even after forty-two years of marriage. I wrote about their love story here. It seems like a long time ago. I was a young girl desperate to find my own love song. I remember belting out the words of Bon Jovi while mowing our lawn. I could only imagine some hot, blue-eyed New Jersey rocker singing about his undying love for me. While Jon never paid a visit to Route 5 and 20, I’ve learned a great deal about love from the music in my life.

Late night radio dedication. (Colour My World ~ Chicago)
A boy with a guitar. (Patience ~ Guns N Roses)
He asked me to dance. (Crush ~ DMB)
Golf with a country boy. (When You Say Nothing at All ~ Keith Whitley)

I recently decided to survey everyday people to see what song captured the essence of love for them. I asked strangers. I asked friends.Heck, I even asked social media.

What is the Great American Love Song?

It does not discriminate --- age, distance, or differences.
It has no boundaries --- fast or slow, swooner or rocker, mainstream or off the beaten path.
It has many destinations --- a child, a partner, a savior, a friend.
It can be found anywhere --- a series finale, a wedding, favorite movie, or a roller skating rink.
It is not fleeting --- a smile, a sparkle, a moment, a memory.

There’s a universal language when it comes to a beautiful melody and lyrics that seem to be written straight from the heart. It can be found around every corner.I gathered a collection of songs from my “research” on Great American Love Songs. I had to throw in a few non-Americans because they were too good to pass up. I mean, who can say no to the Beatles?

Every person I asked had the same reaction. Love and music have that effect. Snuggle up with your people and press play. You’ll find yourself smiling too.