411mania.com: Music - The 411 Music Top Five 01.31.12: Top 5 Love Songs

Adam Hill

So here we are, it's nearly Valentine's Day so it makes sense that we are chatting about Love Songs. I'll get to that in a minute though; first I've a little bit of business to attend to.

This Top 5 column marks the end of an era as one of 411's favorite sons posts his last column. After six years at the top, the mighty Ben Czajkowski has decided to call it a day and ride off into the sunset, devil horns held aloft and rocking the fuck out.

In his time here Ben has, amongst other things, reported the news, covered rock music in the much missed All That You Cannot Live Without and had the most difficult job on the site in coming up with themes for Top 5 columns and getting our lazy and often recalcitrant asses to actually write something for them, on time, and proof read as well. No mean feat I can tell you.

He's always been a damn fine writer and certainly knows his stuff, as you can tell from his very first column. He would often tell me during discussions for end of year list features and the like, that he didn't have a clue who half the bands I was talking about were, but that was fine because I didn't know who 90% of his choices were! His knowledge of American rock in particular is second to none and it is little wonder we have been unable to fill his shoes since he stopped writing ATYCLW.

Ben will be missed by all of us here at 411 and, judging by the number of comments I have seen calling for the return of ATYCLW, by most of you as well. On a personal note, it has been a pleasure working with Ben during my two years here. More often than not he has kept me sane when I've been going a bit mad, offered advice and wisdom when needed and just plain let me blow off some steam when you lot have been riding my ass for posting a not-quite-as-hot-a-picture-as-some-others-that-I-have-seen of a hot chick in the 5&1. The site won't be the same without him and we wish him well in his future endeavors. *Rimshot*.

Ok, Love songs. As far as I am concerned, what constitutes a love song is more dependent on the interpretation of the listener, than the intention of the songwriter. Of course many are so blatantly a love song it's cringeworthy, while others take a more subtle approach. Some may not appear to be about love at all, but somehow manage to touch the heart and soul of the listener in ways you wouldn't have thought possible.

I am something of a morose bastard so my choices are largely about love that has been lost in one way or another and frankly, are open to interpretation in a number of ways. Here they are, you can tell me why I'm wrong later.

5. Sinead O'Conner - "Nothing Compares 2 U".

Talking of open to interpretation, I've heard about a billion different stories about what this song is about and what Prince meant when he wrote it. I choose to take it in the way I figure most of the millions who bought Sinead's version did, as a lament for a lost love and the heartache and pain she has endured since. It's a beautiful and poignant song that she delivers with heartfelt and touching grace and genuine emotion.

4. Dusty Springfield - "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me".

Dusty Springfield has one of those voices that you never tire of hearing. Beautiful, sensual and full of soul and emotion, Dusty sings of a love that has been lost like her heart is really breaking. Originally an Italian song (and we all know from stereotypes that the Italians know a thing or two about love) it has been covered a number of times, not least by Elvis, but it is this original English language version that remains the greatest. "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" is just a powerful, heartfelt and beautiful song that is sung by a singer with one of the most beautiful voices you will ever hear.

3. Prince - "Sometimes It Snows In April".

I love this song. It is quite simply stunning and one of my favorite tracks of all time. I first heard it when I was at university and was immediately struck by its melancholic poignancy. Stripped down and simple, it may well be about the death of a fictional character from a fairly average movie but it is still hands down one of the greatest ballads of all time. "Love isn't love until its past"

2. Etta James - "I'd Rather Go Blind".

Had Etta still been with us, would I have chosen this as one of my top 5? Perhaps not, though I probably would have had "At Last" instead. But her death has thrust this song back into the limelight and with good reason, as its despondency and dejection eclipses the subdued joy and warmth of "At Last". We've all been there, so in love with someone that to see them with someone else physically hurts, that it's too much to bear but you just can't let go of the feeling. It is so raw, so real and so goddamn beautiful.

1. The Righteous Brothers - "Unchained Melody".

For my money, the greatest love song ever written and The Righteous Brothers (well, Bobby Hatfield) did the best version. It is reportedly the most covered song in the world and was immortalized for yet another generation in the movie Ghost. Even efforts to ruin it, (I'm looking at you Robson and Jerome) have failed as its enduring charm and romanticism far outweighs and counteracts the most awful of singers.

Read more from Adam...

Ben Czajkowski

As Adam pointed out above, this is my last Top 5. I'm stepping aside and letting someone breathe some life into a column that I've let run stale. I'm also starting a whole new chapter in my life, and this column is something I feel the need to close the door on before I become to overwhelmed to keep it in front of me. It's hard to believe that I've been with 411Mania for more than 6 years running. There are a ton of people that I've thanked previously, and my feelings for them will never change. Thank you to everyone who has read every dry, painstaking word that I've written.

Horns up, kids.

Honorable Mentions: Every love song ever made. Except that one by Dashboard Confessional. It sucks.

5. Seal - "Kiss From a Rose".

I've mentioned, over the last six years, that this song is my all-time favorite, which might sound strange if some of you know that I'm a rock/metal guy. This song, though… it touched me in places that I had never been touched before. The lyrics are passionate and heartfelt, and it's clear that whoever this song is about brings light where there is none. Plus, it's from the best Batman movie ever (Fuck you, Dark Knight). It's a damn shame that Seal and Heidi Klum are divorcing; I wonder if he sits in a dark room, crying to this track.

4. Lionel Richie - "Hello".

When I was an early teenager, I was kind of in love/infatuated with a girl, as I'm sure most of you are. She sang like an angel, and she was sweet and compassionate to me when no one else was. I was like a teenage Ted from Scrubs, when in the first season, Carla is nice to him, and he makes weird comments to her. Or like Niles from Frasier, fawning over Daphe. Anyway, the lyrics are some of the incisive in my collection:

I've been alone with you
Inside my mind
And in my dreams I've kissed your lips
A thousand times
I sometimes see you
Pass outside my door
Hello!
Is it me you're looking for?
I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile
You're all I've ever wanted
And my arms are open wide
Because you know just what to say
And you know just what to do
And I want to tell you so much
I love you

3. Cyndi Lauper – "Time After Time".

This song has been done by dozens of other people (most notably to me by Matchbox Twenty (…Or was it Tabitha's Secret?). But it's such a special song. One about love that just cannot move on. Maybe about soulmates or just really loving someone. Just don't forget the good things…

Flashback, warm nights
Almost left behind
A suitcase of memories

2. Boyz II Men – "I'll Make Love To You".

Leave it to a quartet of hot black men to sing about making love. Whatever happened to good R&B? Is it still there? This is definitely one of my favorite love songs. It's focused, passionate, and everything that I aspire to be in a lover. Especially being able to last all night.

1. Whitney Houston – "I Will Always Love You".

Does one of the greatest songs in the history of music, radio, and movies even need an introduction? Maybe for all you that have yet to watch a decent movie about love because you still think girls are icky. Houston just kicks the shit out of every other female vocalist out there when it comes to range. Back when being a TALENTED singer still meant something (yeah, I'm looking at you Taylor Swift and Lady Googoo). Anyway, this song always gives me chills. Especially right at the pinnacle moment of the track when she sings "And I will always love you" over and over like 15 times. Seriously, if you're looking to get to second base with your special lady someone this Valentine's Day, watch The Bodyguard.