Happy Valentine's Day!

Dateline: February 14, 1998

On this day, thoughts of people from around the world turn to love. When romancing that special someone, we often use music for ambience, to set the right mood.

Sometimes it is the soothing soft sound of a delicate harmony or melody line, other times it is the lyrics which are able to say the very words that we are thinking. In either case, I thought it would be fun to share with you some of my favorite love songs from some of my favorite artists. I hope that no matter where you live in this world, some of these songs speak to you as well.

"Until It's Time For You To Go" by Buffy Sainte-Marie
For a long time, I was deeply attracted to someone who did not return the feelings. Every evening I would come home and listen to this song and cry, because it summed up the situation so beautifully.

"Nights in White Satin" by The Moody Blues
In addition to being a heart-wrenching song about tormented love, with an almost waltz-like beat, this was one of the first songs I ever learned how to play on guitar.

"Annie's Song" by John Denver
So simple, yet so elegant, this song from an artist who left us much too soon definitely does "fill up my senses."

"Was ich an Dir mag" by Konstantin Wecker
Wecker is a German singer/songwriter with a gift for his precise choice of words. Of course, it sounds best in German, but my translation is about as close as you'll get in English.

"Les Deux Printemps" by Daniel Bélanger
The music has a hard edge for a love song, but it is the title's central metaphor that demonstrates the brilliance of this song: the two springs are his lover's eyes.

"L'Escalier" by Paul Piché
It's not exactly a typical love song, but set against a delicate piano melody, Piché's declarations about needing to live a life filled with love is one of the most romantic things I've ever heard.

"In A Country Churchyard" by Chris DeBurgh
There's nothing more romantic than a wedding, and DeBurgh's contrast between the young couple on their special day and the current state of the churchyard so many years later, makes me reflect upon a different time and place.

"I Want To Know What Love Is" by Foreigner
True confessions are what romantic moments are made of: right now, mine is that Foreigner was my favorite band in junior high!

Well, those are just a few of my favorite songs. It's time now for me to break out the brandy and candles -- and to wish all the lovers out there a happy Valentine's Day!