Never Ending Song of Love
/Cyndi and I married on July 28, 1979, so this summer is our 43rd anniversary. A few years ago I realized one way to celebrate was to spread love around, give love away. We feel fortunate and blessed to have each other, and we want to share that with people close to us.
Falling in love often feels like an accident, but staying in love is a learned response, maybe even a spiritual practice. Staying in love is an act of the will, intentional and specific. We all must find our own methods and practices to keep love fresh and alive.
One of my practices is listening to love songs. I’m drawn to love songs on the assumption that they were all written about Cyndi and me. I don’t always agree with every lyric, or even the motivation of the composer or performer; I just want to enjoy the song and appreciate the fact they wrote it just for us.
Music is a deep root for Cyndi and me. We first met in a high school band hall in 1973 in Hobbs, NM; we rediscovered each other and started falling in love at a NTSU One O’clock Jazz Band concert featuring Bill Watrous, in Denton, TX, in 1976. We’ve been playing music together ever since. It’s impossible for us to separate love from music.
A few years ago (2007 to be exact) I started collecting love songs into playlists and giving them away. This is my 16th list. To find my playlists (I have them all, back to 2007), follow this link to Spotify, or this link to my webpage. It will make me happy if you listen to them, and let me know which are your favorites.
Good Lovin', The Young Rascals, 1966 … Every time I watch the movie, Joe vs. The Volcano, which is often, I wonder why I never included this song in one of my lists. Well, no longer – here it is!
How Do I Love Her, Steven Curtis Chapman, 2003 … Surprisingly, even after 43 years of marriage and at least 45 years of being in love, I still ask this question.
Just the Two of Us, Grover Washington & Bill Withers, 1981 … Just the two of us, we can make it if we try, just the two of us, building castles in the sky, just the two of us, you and I
Good Day for Marrying You, Dave Barnes, 2015 … It's good day, it's about to get better, every dream is about to come true, no reason to wait, we got the weather, we just need our "do's"
The Minute I Heard of Love, Jason Mraz, 2020 … No matter where I find myself, I find myself looking for you, yes I do
This Guy's In Love With You, Herb Alpert, 1968 … I’ve liked this song for a long time – I suppose since I first heard it in 1968
I Came to Love You, Alexander Rybak, 2016 … But then I see your smile, and suddenly I feel stronger, I feel proud, that's when I man up, and girl, there's a thing I gotta say out loud, you got my heart
How Sweet It Is, Stephen Day & Scott Mulvahill, 2019 … a nice version of a classic love song by James Taylor
Grazing In The Grass, Hugh Masekela, 1968 … I reengaged with this song while watching the excellent documentary: Summer of Soul. I know it isn’t technically a love song, but it makes me smile whenever I hear it, and that’s close enough
Just You 'N' Me, Chicago, 1973 … It’s possible I fell in love more than once while listening to this song.
For Sentimental Reasons, Glenn Fry, 2012 … a great song and a great singer.
I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me, Dean Martin, 1960 … I look for a Dean Martin song every year, in honor of my friend Rabon Bewley.
Everything To Me, Mark Wilkinson, 2015 … Every time you smile, you take me on a ride, to where I want to be, because you're everything, everything to me
Never Ending Song of Love, Delaney & Bonnie, 1971 … Cyndi went backpacking last May and was surprised to learn the other couples on the hike didn’t sing to each other on the trail. We’ve been singing this song to each other, especially on ski slopes, for 43 years.
Fever, A Fine Frenzy (Alison Sudol), 2007 … from the soundtrack to the movie, Dan in Real Life
A Wink and a Smile, Harry Connick, Jr., 1993 … from the soundtrack to the movie, Sleepless in Seattle
Keep On Lovin' You, Steel Magnolia, 2009 … I’m gonna keep on, keep on, keep on loving you
Forever Like That, Ben Rector, 2013 … Well, I'll be your shade tree in summer, if you'll be my fire when it's cold, and whatever the season, well, we'll keep on breathing, 'cause we'll have each other to hold
You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To, Ella Fitzgerald, 1964 … Cyndi used this in a school project when studying music education at Texas Tech. We’ve liked it every since then.
Do Friends Fall in Love?, Rachael & Vilray, 2019 … I love the harmonies and laid back feel of this … reminds me of Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks.
“I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free.”
Psalm 119:32
Please forward this blog to others; I need your help to spread it around. Thanks.
