I’ve got this burning, burning, yearning feelin’ inside me/
Ooh, deep inside me, and it hurts so bad.

In the mid to late 60s The Supremes were a juggernaut. “Where Did Our Love Go” is one of their first hits. Ross sang lead. The song is a great production. There are so many unique elements that would not appear in a lesser version. Note the footstomping. It works and adds a ton to this song. The sax solo is another nice touch. Sometimes a sax solo can ruin a song, but sometimes it can help make it. Choosing the instrument for the solo is what makes a song go from an A- to an A.

As with all Supremes songs, the interplay between the lead vocal and the background vocal is their signature sound. The song is about a girl asking her man what happened to their love. The background singers are like that great friend who are backing you up singing “why are you such a loser?” to the guy.

Where Did Our Love Go? Lyrics

Baby, baby, baby don’t leave me
Ooh, please don’t leave me all by myself
I’ve got this burning, burning, yearning feelin’ inside me
Ooh, deep inside me and it hurts so bad

You came into my heart (baby, baby) so tenderly
With a burning love (baby, baby)
That stings like a bee (baby, baby)
Now that I surrender (baby, baby) so helplessly
You now want to leave (baby, baby)
Ooh, you wanna leave me (baby, baby)
Ooh (baby, baby)

Baby, baby, where did our love go?
Ooh, don’t you want me?
Don’t you want me no more (baby, baby)?
Ooh, baby

Baby, baby, where did our love go?
And all your promises of a love forevermore!
I’ve got this burning, burning, yearning feelin’ inside me
Ooh, deep inside me, and it hurts so bad

Before you won my heart (baby, baby)
You were a perfect guy
But now that you got me
You wanna leave me behind (baby, baby)
Ooh, baby

Baby, baby, baby don’t leave me
Ooh, please don’t leave me all by myself (baby, baby)
Ooh baby, baby, baby

Songwriters: Edward Jr. Holland / Lamont Dozier / Brian Holland

‘Cause nothin’ lasts forever/
Even cold November rain.

“November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses is about a relationship that is facing strain. The man and woman know it. What they do next will probably determine if they last forever or break apart. Axl seems to be wanting the girl to jump in and give her all to the relationship. In his mind that would seal the deal.

But he equivocates: sometimes people need some time on their own to figure their shit out. “Which way do you want to go” he is asking the girl. Yes, you’ve been burned in the past, do you need time to heal? Or what? His love is like a flame in the cold November rain…it’s unlikely to last long unless things change.

The piano and orchestration in the beginning of the “November Rain”…and throughout, is especially beautiful. As is the choir that sings background. They are used sparsely– just the right amount. It sounds like the Angels lighting the way through the November rain. Axl’s voice is clear and we still have an iconic lead guitar solo as is customary in a Guns N Roses song. This is one of their best overall performances. I would have loved to have heard more songs from GNR in this vein. Cool outro.

Lyrics November Rain
When I look into your eyes
I can see a love restrained
But darlin’ when I hold you
Don’t you know I feel the same

Nothin’ lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it’s hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain

We’ve been through this such a long long time
Just tryin’ to kill the pain, oo yeah
But love is always coming and love is always going
And no one’s really sure who’s lettin’ go today
Walking away

If we could take the time
To lay it on the line
I could rest my head
Just knowin’ that you were mine
All mine
So if you want to love me
Then darlin’ don’t refrain
Or I’ll just end up walkin’
In the cold November rain

Do you need some time on your own
Do you need some time all alone
Everybody needs some time
On their own
Don’t you know you need some time all alone

I know it’s hard to keep an open heart
When even friends seem out to harm you
But if you could heal a broken heart
Wouldn’t time be out to charm you

Sometimes I need some time
On my own
Sometimes I need some time all alone
Everybody needs some time
On their own
Don’t you know you need some time all alone

And when your fears subside
And shadows still remain, oh yeah
I know that you can love me
When there’s no one left to blame
So never mind the darkness
We still can find a way
‘Cause nothin’ lasts forever
Even cold November rain

Don’t ya think that you need somebody
Don’t ya think that you need someone
Everybody needs somebody
You’re not the only one
You’re not the only one
Don’t ya think that you need somebody
Don’t ya think that you need someone
Everybody needs somebody
You’re not the only one
You’re not the only one
Don’t ya think that you need somebody
Don’t ya think that you need someone
Everybody needs somebody
You’re not the only one
You’re not the only one
Don’t ya think that you need somebody
Don’t ya think that you need someone
Everybody needs somebody

Songwriters: Saul Hudson / Izzy Stradlin / Duff McKagan / Darren A Reed / Matt Sorum / W. Axl Rose

Love will tear us apart, again.

Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” has a lot of contradictory concepts going on. Ultimately it is an upbeat song in a major key (two uplifting sounding things), sung in a depressing manner about a love falling apart (two depressing things). That is why the song creates so much dissonance when we listen to it. It has the effect of forcing us to listen to the lyrics.

The lyrics of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” tell the story of a man analyzing his relationship in a fairly detached manner. Once there was love here…he thinks he remembers it. It was so long ago, and this is so far removed from a loving relationship that he questions himself. What did he do? Is he really that repulsive that he doesn’t at least deserve respect? Why does she cry when she sleeps? He is lost.

The most interesting word in the song is the word “again”: “Love will tear us apart, again.” Apparently, he has experienced this pattern with other women. Or perhaps, these two keep hurting each other. Either interpretation works. Because of his inability to break free when the love leaves, he is beginning to associate love as a negative thing.

The sound of the song is unique. Ian Curtis’ vocals are clear and dark while the keyboards almost sound like a psychedelic fairground. This song has one of the most tragic stories behind it. The lead singer, Ian Curtis, hanged himself a couple weeks before this song was released. The lyrics are about his marriage.

Love Will Tear Us Apart Lyrics

When routine bites hard,
And ambitions are low.
And resentment rides high,
But emotions won’t grow.
And we’re changing our ways
Taking different roads.

Love, love will tear us apart again.
Love, love will tear us apart again.

Why is the bedroom so cold?
Turned away on your side.
Is my timing that flawed?
Our respect run so dry?
Yet there’s still this appeal,
That we’ve kept through our lives.

But love, love will tear us apart again.
Love, love will tear us apart again.

Do you cry out in your sleep?
All my failings exposed,
Gets a taste in my mouth.
As desperation takes hold
And it’s something so good.
Just can’t function no more?

Love, love will tear us apart again.
Love, love will tear us apart again.
Love, love will tear us apart again.
Love, love will tear up apart again.

Songwriters: Bernard Sumner / Ian Kevin Curtis / Peter Hook / Stephen Paul David Morris