Check out this roster of best and worst love songs of all time, then enter the “Spins on Music is My Valentine” contest to win tickets to 12 concerts.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The contest deadline has passed. Winners will be announced at Spins on Music on Friday, Feb. 15.
Spins on Music really is your Valentine hot spot … especially if your heart beats a little faster for live music.
That’s because to celebrate our first anniversary of covering West Michigan’s music scene, we’re giving away pairs of tickets to 12 sensational and diverse upcoming concerts and events at a host of area venues, from Keb’ Mo’ at The Intersection in March to Founders Fest in June. See the full list here.
But you’ve only got one more day to enter: All entries must be received by 5 p.m. Thursday, Valentine’s Day.
Just email me at jsinkevics@gmail.com with “Spins on Music is My Valentine” in the message field and tell me why you love Spins on Music. One lucky winner will snag tickets to all 12 of the concerts listed online here in a package worth more than $500, and one second-place winner will receive a “Local Spins Live” package for three concerts and other goodies.
And while you’re mulling all those fabulous things to say about Spins on Music, here are my picks for the best and worse Valentine’s Day love songs of all time.
Over the years, I’ve compiled various lists of holiday-related tunes, so I’ve had plenty of time to mull the merits of schlocky versus poignant, mushy versus tender, sappy versus sentimental, groan-inducing versus thought-provoking.
So, in tribute to Sam Cooke’s terrific “Cupid” (which could easily have made my ‘best of’ list), here’s where the musical cupids went right and wrong.
Track No. 7 on this greatest hits album; Track No. 2 on the worst love songs ever list.
ARROW IN THE FOOT (OR BACK)
1. “Sometimes When We Touch,” Dan Hill (1977) – Schmaltz never sounded so, well, schmaltzy.
2. “Muskrat Love,” Captain & Tennille (1976) – Not only one of the worst love songs of all time, but competing admirably for worst song, period.
3. “All Out of Love,” Air Supply (1980) – Needs no explanation. Actually, there is no explanation for this tune.
4. “Afternoon Delight,” Starland Vocal Band (1976) – Nothing delightful in this pop dreck. And just think, it earned this band a Grammy for best new artist.
5. “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” Taylor Swift (2012) – Fine, this is more of an anti-Valentine’s Day song, though Swift does walk through a giant Valentine’s heart in the video. I had to put this on the list because after 125 million You Tube views and, argh, a Grammy nomination, this could be the most over-rated pop song ever.
6. “I’m a Slave 4 U,” Britney Spears (2001) – Oops, I did it again. See No. 9 above. I guess it’s a tie.
7. “Little Green Apples,” O.C. Smith (1968) – With a ridiculous rhyme that could have been concocted by a 5th-grader.
8. “You’re Having My Baby,” Paul Anka (1974) – If I ever reflect on the sappiest tunes of the ’70s, I end up thinking about this and Bobby Goldsboro’s “Watching Scotty Grow.” I’ve gotta stop thinking about that.
9. “Feelings,” Albert Morris (1975) – Can you say, ‘Hokey’? I thought you could.
10. “You’re Beautiful,” James Blunt (2005) – This cheezy tune is mostly on the list because it was played everywhere, inescapably for about four years straight. And it sparked one of the most eloquent diatribes I’ve ever received from one of my Press readers: “This droll, insipid, redundant caterwauling exudes the stench of cheezy emotion and commits tactless pandering to someone of low self-esteem.” So there.
Elton’s “Your Song” from this album helped launch his stellar career.
ARROW STRAIGHT THROUGH THE HEART
1. “Your Song,” Elton John (1970) – A timeless classic covered by many.
2. “Falling Slowly,” Glen Hansard/Marketa Irglova (2006) – A small and powerful ditty from a small and powerful movie (“Once”).
3. “Howlin’ for You,” The Black Keys (2010) – A masterpiece of a garage-bred blues-rock love song.
4. “Whole Lotta Love,” Led Zeppelin (1970) – Love never rocked so good.
5. “When It Don’t Come Easy,” Patty Griffin (2004) – From one of Americana’s best songwriters, who just happened to find a “Whole Lotta Love” with Led Zep’s frontman.
6. “I Will Follow You Into the Dark,” Death Cab for Cutie (2009) – Dark, poignant, piercing.
7. “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Simon & Garfunkel (1970) – Brilliant tune, brilliantly performed and produced.
8. “Wild Horses,” The Rolling Stones (1971) – One of the Stones’ most under-rated gems.
9. “I’m Still In Love With You,” Al Green (1972) – From a voice that oozes soul and romance.
10. “When I Fall,” Steve Earle (2000) – When this guy writes and sings about love, you can literally feel it.
One of the worst
One of the best
Email: jsinkevics@gmail.com
“Sparkle and Shine” Steve Earle