Category Archives: love songs

The top 500 songs about love. Read artists expressing “I love you” through song lyrics. The best love songs from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s to today.

#101 In My Life- The Beatles

And these memories lose their meaning/
When I think of love as something new.

Should we think of each love as something new? That is, when you meet the love of your life, is it fair to say “this is different” or “I never knew what love was before I met you”? Lennon does not want to make this declaration to his new love because he knows that it diminishes the importance of his lovers and friends in the past.

In “In My Life” The Beatles argue that those people were important, and he would like to think of them fondly from time to time. It won’t change his love or affection for his current significant other. She shouldn’t feel the need to diminish his past by insisting he think of love as something she only experienced with her.

In My Life Song Meaning
Beatles

He has a point. And “In My Life” is one of the most popular Beatles songs, so I think many people echo his sentiments. I think a bit differently. I would like to think that when you find your forever-love it is a bit different. That there is a special aspect that makes it unique and truly worthy of the word “love”. Something beyond semantics.

This is the beginning of the transition from the middle to the late Beatles. Here, Lennon begins to tackle important topics with more nuanced and experimental music. The most interesting part is obviously the choice of solo instrument. George Martin played a harpsichord (I believe) in half speed and then sped it up when he recorded it. That would be wild to play in real-time (though it is doable).

In My Life Lyrics

There are places I’ll remember,
All my life, though some have changed.
Some forever, not for better,
Some have gone, and some remain.
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall.
Some are dead, and some are living:
In my life, I’ve loved them all.

But of all these friends and lovers,
There is no one compares with you.
And these memories lose their meaning,
When I think of love as something new.

Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before.
I know I’ll often stop and think about them;
In my life, I’ll love you more.

Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before.
I know I’ll often stop and think about them.
In my life I’ll love you more.
In my life I’ll love you more.

written by lennon/mccartney

#91 Kathy’s Song- Simon & Garfunkel

I know that I am like the rain/
There but for the grace of you go I.

Just as Springsteen had “Mary”–his go to muse–Simon has “Kathy”. Simon and Garfunkel’s “Kathy’s Song” is his love song to her– though she is not mentioned by name in the song (other than the title). He feels raindrops while walking outside and it makes him think of his girlfriend who is across the sea. He sends his kisses and love, but the distance is tearing him apart.

He is having difficulty working because all he can do is think of Kathy. But he remains steadfast in his love for her and their relationship, and he is grateful for her. The language he uses is quite poetic, beautiful really.

Kathy's Song Meaning
Paul Simon

If there is any doubt what a master Simon is, listen to this live recording. It is just him on guitar and he sings “Kathy’s Song” without Garfunkel on this track.  His voice is soft, it almost sounds embarrassed, but the emotions he is expressing are quite romantic. Listen to the way he captures the crowd with just him and a guitar. In this live version he adds a bit of a guitar solo at the end that wraps up the song quite nicely.

Kathy’s Song Lyrics

I hear the drizzle of the rain.
Like a memory it falls,
Soft and warm continuing…
Tapping on my roof and walls.

And from the shelter of my mind,
Through the window of my eyes.
I gaze beyond the rain-drenched streets
To England where my heart lies.

My mind’s distracted and diffused.
My thoughts are many miles away.
They lie with you when you’re asleep,
And kiss you when you start your day.

And a song I was writing is left undone.
I don’t know why I spend my time
Writing songs I can’t believe;
With words that tear and strain to rhyme.

And so you see I have come to doubt
All that I once held as true.
I stand alone without beliefs,
The only truth I know is you.

And as I watch the drops of rain
Weave their weary paths and die.
I know that I am like the rain,
There but for the grace of you go I.

written by Paul Simon

#82 Never My Love- The Association

You ask me if there’ll come a time/
When I grow tired of you.
Never, my love.

In “Never My Love” the narrator comforts his love repeatedly: She asks him will he grow tired of her, lose his desire for her, change his mind? No. “Never my love.” (He has asked her to spend his whole life with him).

It is not clear whether or not the author meant to portray the girl as clingy, and she doesn’t come across that way during a casual listen. However, when you examine the lyrics she does seem kind of insecure. Nonetheless, it is a pretty love song.

Never My Love Meaning
The Association

The Association is a very underrated band from the 60s. “Never My Love” was The Association’s best song, but they had several other songs that would crack any top 1000 list. One of the unique aspects of this song is the Hammond organ used for accompaniment.

It is an interesting choice as it is so in-your-face, but it works. During this time Dylan and The Animals were also using the organ. The signature riff is the intro on the guitar coupled with the great harmonies.

Never My Love Lyrics

You ask me if there’ll come a time,
When I grow tired of you.
Never my love,
Never my love.

You wonder if this heart of mine,
Will lose its desire for you.
Never my love,
Never my love.

What makes you think love will end,
When you know that my whole life depends
On you (on you)?
Never my love,
Never my love.

You say you fear I’ll change my mind,
And I won’t require you.
Never my love,
Never my love.

How can you think love will end
When I’ve asked you to spend your whole life
With me (with me, with me)?

Never my love!

written by: Richard P. Addrisi / Donald J. Addrisi