Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Love Songs and Romance Novels

I repeatedly have noticed that music, specifically love songs, typically is a potent part of romance. It’s not uncommon, for example, for a couple to have an “our song.” I trust that there are many love songs that not only ring a bell for you but also engender a warm feeling in your heart. For example, in your mind can you hear “Grow old with Me” by John Lennon, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley and “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole? And for some of us more vintage music lovers, “I’ve Got a Crush on You” by Frank Sinatra indeed can be softening. If you want to peruse some of your favorites, especially the lyrics, here are two Websites that I enjoy: romantic-lyrics.com and theromantic.com/lovesongs

Possibly because I’m a musician (I use to play in bands– guitar, base and piano; and a little piano bar), I always involve music in my novels. For example, in My Sweetpea: Seven Years and Seven Days (barnesandnoble.com), while driving back from Key West in Troy’s Corvette convertible, Troy calls a local radio station and has a song played over the air “from Troy to Sheila” – Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.” In my soon-to-be-released contemporary romance novel, Fear of Feeling Loved, as a stocking stuffer, Marcia gives her main squeeze, Jack, Jack Johnson’s latest CD with “You and me” penned next to the song, “Better Together.” And in the novel I currently am writing, If Ever Again…It Will be for Love, while dancing with Michael in a lounge in Jamaica, Diane is crooned and swooned by an old standard originally by Kate Smith and later by Bette Midler, “Mr. Wonderful.”

Being an old fraternity brother, “The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi” will always have a warm place in my heart. If you have an “our song,” I’d enjoy knowing what it is.

Thanks, Bill

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

My wife and I have many songs. One in particular is "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from The Lion King - our first date. As for the frat days - "Friends in Low Places" by Hank Williams, Jr and "Goin' Straight to Hell" by Drivin' and Cryin' remind me of the good ol' days. Funny how songs remind you of certain things. You should listen to Kenny Chesney's song "I Go Back". It's a song about songs that remind you of certain places and times. I think you would like it.

Anonymous said...

Ooops - my wife corrected me. "Friends in Low Places" is actually sung by Garth Brooks. My frat did have a Hank, Jr song called "Family Tradition".

Dr. Bill Emener said...

Hey there Manacole,
Thanks for the update and correction. And what a compliment to your marriage -- not only did your wife feel comfortable enough to correct you, you felt comfortable in admitting your error. Consider yourself a lucky man!
Thanks again,
Bill