Like We Do

      Cyndi and I married on July 28, 1979, so this summer is our 41th anniversary. It will also be our 15,000-day anniversary in August, but I’ll write more about that later.

      A few years ago, I realized one way to celebrate our anniversary was to spread love around. We feel fortunate and blessed to have each other, and we want to share that with people close to us.

      So, in 2007 I started giving away love songs. I searched my archives and the internet and found twenty songs I wanted to share - twenty because that’s how many fit on a CD.

      I hope at least one of these songs will soften your heart and push you toward your own true love. This is my 14th collection to give away, and my first to give away mostly as a playlist rather than actual CDs.

      Burning CDs was time-consuming, but giving them away was satisfying. It reminded me of giving away mixed tapes back in the 1970s (My tape-of-choice? A 90-minute Maxell).

      This year I created my playlist on Spotify – I can and will burn a physical CD for anyone who wants one, but as Cyndi reminded me, most people don’t have easy access to CD players like they did when I started in 2007. She’s right. Neither do I. My sole source for playing a CD is my desktop computer in my office.

      The move from CDs to playlist was surprisingly and disproportionately difficult for me. Sharing a playlist instead of a CD is like giving an elbow bump instead of a handshake; it might be better and more in keeping with the times, but much less satisfying. At least when you listen to one of these songs on Spotify, the artists will receive a few pennies. I can be happy about that.

      The only way to stay together in love for 41 years is to constantly adapt to changes, and moving from CD to playlist is a tiny change compared to our lives these past months.

      Falling in love often feels like an accident, but staying in love is a learned response, maybe even a spiritual practice. If listening to love songs reminds us how to be in love, shouldn’t we all listen more often?

      I expect there will be many more of these since I intend to stay with Cyndi for a long time, so I need your suggestions. Send them to me. In the meantime, play these and dance with someone you love. It might give you that soulful strut.

      To find my playlists (I have them all, back to 2007), follow this link to Spotify, or this link to my webpage.

1.     (I Do) Like We Do, Harry Connick Jr., 2015. “I ain't much but this much is true, no one does 'I do' like we do. ‘

2.     While We’re Young, Huey Lewis & The News, 2020. “Now, here we are, getting older, wondering what we'll be, life is short, let's take advantage of every opportunity.”

3.     You Are The Best Thing, Ray LaMontagne, 2008. “You are the best thing, ever happened to me.”

4.     About You, Albin Lee Meldau, 2018. “I don't believe that anyone feels the way I do for you.”

5.     Soulful Strut, Young-Holt Unlimited, 1968.

6.     You Got Me, Colbie Caillat, 2009. “It's everything that I've been dreaming of, I give up, I give in, I let go, let's begin, cause no matter what I do, my heart is filled with you.”

7.     Anyhow, Tedeschi Trucks Band, 2016. “I would go anywhere, anytime; I would do anything, anyway, anyhow.”

8.     Bring It On Home, Little Big Town, 2013. : When your long day is over, and you can barely drag your feet, the weight of the world, is on your shoulders, I know what you need, bring it on home to me.”

9.     Can’t Hold Out On Love, Jason Mraz, 2017. “It's up to us to make sure there's enough, we can't hold out on love.”

10.  Here Come Those Eyes, Chris Rice, 2007. “Here come those eyes, there goes my ability to breathe, those legs are walking her to me.”

11.  L-O-V-E, Gregory Porter, 2017. “Love was made for me and you.

12.  By My Side, The Indomitable Soul Band & Kat Wright, 2016. “I never worry when you're by my side.”

13.  Fly Me To The Moon (Live), Diana Krall, 2002. “In other words, hold my hand.

14.  I Am Yours, Andy Grammer, 2019. “Still can't believe it when you say your mine.”

15.  Slow Down, Gone West, 2020. “You make me want to slow down.”

16.  I Like You, Ben Rector, 2013. “Life is not the mountain tops, It's the walking in between, and I like you walking next to me.‘

17.  A Love That Will Last, Renee Olstead, 2004. “So call me romantic, I guess that must be so, there's something more that you oughta know, I'll never leave you, so don't even ask, I want a love that will last.”

18.  Power of Two, Indigo Girls, 1994. “Adding up the total of a love that's true, Multiply life by the power of two.”

19.  Alright Okay You Win, Count Basie & Joe Williams, 1955. “Well, alright, okay, you win, I'm in love with you.”

20.  We Got Love, Walk Off The Earth, 2015. “That's the thing about us, we got love, love, love.”

“I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free.” Psalm 119:32