You Send Me
/Cyndi and I married on July 28, 1979, so this summer is our 45th 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 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, motivation, or lifestyle 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 – I played trombone, Cyndi played percussion. We rediscovered each other and started falling in love at a North Texas State University One O’clock Jazz Band concert featuring Bill Watrous, in Denton, TX, in 1976. We’ve been playing music together ever since – in our church orchestra, in the Midland College Jazz Band, and on several mission trips with Global Missions Project. It’s impossible for us to separate love from music.
The Bible says we have eternity in our hearts. I believe that refers to our capacity and longing for transcendence; our need to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Surely music is part of that … as if God said, "Here take this, you’ll like it, it’s some of my best stuff.”
In 2007, as a project for Iron Men, I collected my favorite love songs into playlists and gave them away. This is my 18th list. I initially made CDs and gave them away, but starting in 2020 I just created playlists. Mostly because, it was pointed out to me, few people had CD players anymore. (I can and will burn a physical CD for anyone who wants one. It’s more satisfying to give away something tangible.)
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. I hope at least one of them will soften your heart and push you toward your own true love.
Also, I need your suggestions and recommendations for next year’s list. My ears are always open for love songs.
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Got To Get You Into My Life, Blood Sweat & Tears, 1975 … I used the Earth Wind and Fire version in my 2016 edition. Both versions are better than the Beatles’ original.
Know That I Know, Lake Street Dive, 2021 … How can I NOT use lyrics like these: We're like baseball and hotdogs; You're Ferris Bueller, and I'm your day off; The E Street Band and the Boss; You know you're my happy clouds, and I'm Bob Ross.
Slow Dance, The Lighter Side & Cody Carnes, 2012 … to be honest, I couldn’t find anything about The Lighter Side. However, Cody Carnes is married to Kari Jobe, and writes songs for almost everyone in CCM.
Just Remember I Love You, Firefall, 1977 … With my 50th high school reunion approaching I’ve been channeling the 1970s. And besides, we too often forget how powerful it is to know, Just remember, I love you, and it’ll be alright.
Night And Day, Diana Krall, 2017 …I like the lyric, under the hide of me, similar to another song, I‘ve got you under my skin.
How Would You Feel, Ed Sheeran, 2017 … The song asks, How would you feel; If I told you I loved you? The first time I told Cyndi I loved her, we were sitting on the grass at the Lea County Park in Lovington, NM, probably in August 1978. I should have told her months sooner.
Anchin Kfu Ayinkash, Hailu Mergia & Dahlak Band, 2016 … This song makes me smile. It was originally released in Ethiopia on cassette in 1977, and rereleased digitally in 2016. The title, Anchin Kfu Ayinkash, loosely translates to: 'may the lord keep you from harm'. In 1977, during the military dictatorship in Ethiopia, if you had words in your music, they had to praise the government; instrumental music was a subtle act of protest.
Let’s Dance, Chris Rea, 2007 … One of the biggest surprises of my adult life is that, because of Cyndi, I enjoy dancing. And Cyndi always wants to dance with me in spite of the fact I can’t dance without overthinking and counting beats.
Made My Heart A Home, High Dive Heart, 2024 … People often ask, “Where is your home?” and my standard answer is, “Wherever Cyndi is.” For me, home is relationship rather than geography.
You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me, Frank Sinatra, 1956 … I like the fact that what was once new is now normal life.
Love at First Site, Jordan Mackampa, 2020 … Didn't know that I was looking; It took me by surprise. I had no idea what was coming when I went to the NTSU jazz concert.
Maybe So Maybe No, Mayer Hawthorne, 2009 … Could it be that your love was meant for me?
Maybe so, maybe no. Cyndi and I have wondered whether falling in love was destiny, but we no longer really care. Here we are, and I am a happy man.
Then Came You, The Spinners & Dionne Warwick, 1974 … Once again, channeling my high school days. I never knew love before, then came you.
Quite the View, Luca, 2018 … You make me smile it's what you do; I'm looking in your eyes, it's quite the view. That’s a nice lyric. Brilliant.
Three, Cameron Ernst, 2013 … 'Cause when it's a trio, you can't defeat 'em; One, two, three, you and me and some L-O-V-E; Together we could be the true story of how all good things come in threes.
You Send Me, Sam Cooke, 1957… This song makes Cyndi come looking for me, to dance.
You Are My Person, Kyle Andrews, 2021 … Hey, let's go, walking on the sidewalk; I'll listen to you talk whenever you want. One of my favorite times nowadays are our morning walks around the neighborhood pond.
I Am Always Gonna Love You, Jon McLaughlin, 2015 … I'm never gonna go away.
Give Me That Feeling, L.A.B., 2024 (a New Zealand reggae band formed in 2016.) … Without you here, I just can't carry it all.
Extraordinary Magic, Ben Rector, 2018 … Out of thin air, you appeared in my life; Like a burst of Technicolor in a world of black and white. Cyndi may have had a plan to put us together back in 1976, she was always ahead of me, so you’ll have to ask her, but falling in love was a big surprise to me.
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“I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free.”
Psalm 119:32
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