It’s written in the wind/
Oh everywhere I go…

There are some songs that seem to exist in our subconscious. Though we might not actively be a fan of a band, we know the song and the band, because the tune is so familiar. “Love is All Around” is an example of such a song. It is almost like a modern-day traditional song—where the song has no author and has just been passed down by oral tradition. But this was originally performed by one band, The Troggs and written by their lead singer, Reg Presley.

The song’s timelessness can be attributed to a few things. One is the theme of new love. This is common source of great material and gives great memories for listening to it. This is different than the feeling I get when I accidentally catch my workout song on the radio, or a sad song on the radio. I might love that they make me feel something, but I may not want to feel that something now. A random encounter with a song about new love is usually a good experience.

Also, the song has a simple structure in a major key that gives it that happy sound. More particular to this song is that swaying rhythm in the chorus from the strings section. It almost inspires you to dance if one were so inclined. The simple percussion is an interesting wrinkle.

The lyrics are very straightforward and that is fine; not everything has to be Dylanesque. The feeling of infatuation can bring about feelings of love that seem to permeate within you and spreads from without you. It can feel like there is love everywhere you look. It is a lovely time. Interestingly, this song was written during 1967–the year of the summer of love.

Love is All Around Lyrics

I feel it in my fingers,
I feel it in my toes.
The love that’s all around me,
And so the feeling grows.

It’s written on the wind,
It’s everywhere I go.
So if you really love me,
Come on and let it show.

You know I love you, I always will.
My mind’s made up by the way that I feel.
There’s no beginning, there’ll be no end.
‘Cause on my love you can depend.

I see your face before me,
As I lay on my bed.
I cannot get to thinking,
Of all the things you said.

You gave your promise to me and I gave mine to you,
I need someone beside me in everything I do.
Oh, yes I do.

You know I love you, I always will,
My mind’s made up by the way that I feel.
There’s no beginning, there’ll be no end,
‘Cause on my love you can depend.

I got to keep it moving…

Ooh, it’s written in the wind.
Oh everywhere I go, yeah, ooh yeah.
So if you really love me, love me.
Come on and let it show.
Come on and let it show.
Come on and let it.
Come on and let it.
Come on and let it show.
Come on and let it.
Come on and let it.
Come on and let it show.
Come on and let it show, baby.
Come on and let it show.

Songwriters: Reg Presley

How gentle is the rain, that falls gently on the meadow;
Birds high upon the trees serenade the flowers with their melodies.

The Supremes’ “Lover’s Concerto” is a bit of a cheat, since it is based upon one of the best classical songs of all time: Bach’s Minuet in G. If this song sounds familiar, that is why. There are slight differences in the tempo but it is still recognizable.

I am actually surprised this is not done more often. The only other times I can recall hearing something like this is I heard a bunch of people riffing on Canon in D.  I also heard Alicia Keys write a song to Moonlight Sonata and Barry Manilow will appear later on this list with a take on a classical melody. Neither was as successful as this song.

This is a “happy new love” song. The sky is blue, the sun is shining, flowers are blooming; everything is grand. There is a place for these songs but back in the 50s and 60s pop scene they were much more abundant than they are today. This is one of the best examples of this genre in terms of melody. And the lyrics fit the theme well.

Bach’s “Minuet in G” for Comparison:

Lover’s Concerto Lyrics

How gentle is the rain
That falls softly on the meadow?
Birds, high up in the trees
Serenade the flowers with their melodies

Oh, see there beyond the hill
The bright colors of the rainbow
Some magic from above
Made this day for us just to fall in love

Now, I belong to you
From this day until forever
Just love me tenderly
And I’ll give to you every part of me

Oh, don’t ever make me cry
Through long, lonely nights without love
Be always true to me
Keep this day in your heart eternally

Someday, we shall return
To this place upon the meadow
We’ll walk out in the rain
Hear the birds above singing once again

Oh, you’ll hold me in your arms
And say once again you love me
And if your love is true
Everything will be just as wonderful

You’ll hold me in your arms
And say once again you love me
And if your love is true
Everything will be just as wonderful

You’ll hold me in your arms
And say once again you love me
And if your love is true
Everything will be

Songwriters: Sandy Linzer / Denny Randell

Wow look at you now/ 
Flowers in the window/
It’s such a lovely day.

Most of Travis’ “Flowers in the Window” is a derivation of the above sentiment. There are flowers in the windows, it is a lovely, sunny day, everything is grand. But in the beginning of the song he is cold like snow. What happened? He met a girl (she is “one in a million”) and his outlook changed. He sees the flowers in the windows, and it is such a lovely day. We’ll see this again with Yo Lo Tengo’s “My Corner of the World” and several more songs on this list.

The mood of the song matches the authors viewpoint. In the beginning it is slightly down but then we get to the chorus and we hear a joyful chorus about newly discovered love. (We even hear birds singing in the background). The song is not necessarily saying anything specific about the woman, it is more like a song of celebration of new love.

The singer sounds almost giddy and it is refreshing and hopeful. The instrumentation sounds simple, but it is not. It has frequent chord changes and an excellent use of a banjo. I think that the banjo really provides the signature “frolic-y” sound of the song.

Flowers in the Window Lyrics

When I first held you I was cold
A melting snowman I was told
But there was no-one there to hold before
I swore that I would be alone for ever more
Wow look at you now
Flowers in the window
It’s such a lovely day
And I’m glad you feel the same
Cause to stand up, out in the crowd
You are one in a million
And I love you so
Lets watch the flowers grow

There is no reason to feel bad
But there are many seasons to feel glad, sad, mad
It’s just a bunch of feelings that we have to hold
But I am here to help you with the load

Wow look at you now
Flowers in the window
It’s such a lovely day
And I’m glad you feel the same
Cause to stand up, out in the crowd
You are one in a million
And I love you so
Lets watch the flowers grow

So now we’re here and now is fine
So far away from there and there is time, time, time
To plant new seeds and watch them grow
So there’ll be flowers in the window when we go

Wow look at us now
Flowers in the window
It’s such a lovely day
And I’m glad you feel the same
Cause to stand up, out in the crowd
You are one in a million,
And I love you so
Lets watch the flowers grow
Wow look at you now
Flowers in the window
Its such a lovely day
And I’m glad you feel the same
Cause to stand up, out in the crowd
You are one in a million
And I love you so
Let’s watch the flowers grow
Let’s watch the flowers grow

Songwriters: Francis Healy