Category Archives: young love

Songs about young love lasting and ending and first love. How do the artists handle these first time experiences? Great teenage love songs.

2000s songs, young love

#360 Daydream Believer- Monkees/Mary Beth Maziarz

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Cheer up sleepy Jean, oh, what can it mean to a/
Daydream believer and a Homecoming queen?

Admittedly, I didn’t hear “Daydream Believer” as top 500 material until I heard Mary Beth Maziarz’ cover of the song. It reminded me of what a beautifully composed song it is. The Monkeys’ version can get in the way with the goofiness. That is not really what I am looking for in a rock/pop song.

The lyrics are simple: a couple that were high-school sweethearts are looking at themselves later in life. Life is mundane and they are poor, but at least they have each other (and she used to be a homecoming queen). How bad can things be?

Daydream Believer Meaning — Mary Beth Maziarz

I think the lyrics of the song are kind of depressing, which makes the Monkey’s version that much weirder. Does a song need to match its lyrics? I think so. It makes for a better song. The melody is classic, which is why it belongs on this list. I think the Maziarz version truly captures the spirit of the song the best.

Daydream Believer Lyrics

Oh, I could hide ‘neath the wings,
Of the bluebird as she sings.
The six o’clock alarm would never ring.
But six rings and I rise,
Wipe the sleep out of my eyes.
My shaving razor’s cold and it stings.

Cheer up, sleepy Jean.
Oh, what can it mean to a
Daydream believer and a
Homecoming queen?

You once thought of me
As a white knight on his steed.
Now you know how happy I can be.
Oh, our good time starts and ends,
Without dollar one spend.
But how much, baby, do we really need?

Cheer up, sleepy Jean.
Oh, what can it mean to a
Daydream believer and a
Homecoming queen?

Cheer up, sleepy Jean.
Oh, what can it mean to a
Daydream believer and a
Homecoming queen?
Cheer up, sleepy Jean.

Oh, what can it mean to a
Daydream believer and a
Homecoming queen?
Cheer up, sleepy Jean.

Songwriters: John Stewart

1960s songs, young love

#310 Son Of A Preacher Man- Dusty Springfield

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The only boy who could ever teach me/
Was the son of a preacher man.

I think Dusty Springfield’s version of “Son of a Preacher Man” is considered the better version, but if you prefer Aretha’s I won’t fault you. Dusty’s interpretation is much more reserved. There are no vocal theatrics. I prefer her sultry voice to Aretha’s gospely voice.

Son of a Preacher Man Meaning — Dusty Springfield

The song is an ode to Preacher’s Sons. I have known several preacher’s sons in real life, and what is described in the song is what really happens. The respectability that their father has gained and earned is associated with them (usually for no reason). Coupled with the communal aspect of Christianity, many of these Preacher’s sons turn out to be “smooth talking” boys who are good with the ladies. Young girls trust them because they trust their dad. What could go wrong?

It is a fun song. I don’t think the meaning of Song of a Preacher Man is what people think it is. It is not saying preacher’s sons are good because Christian boys are good. It is saying be careful of preacher’s sons, they’re the real ladies men.

Son of a Preacher Man Lyrics

Billy Ray was the preacher’s son
And when his daddy would visit he’d come along
When they gathered ’round and started talkin’
That’s when Billy would take me walkin’
Out through the back yard we’d go walkin’
Then he’d look into my eyes
Lord knows, to my surprise

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes, he was, he was, ooh, yes, he was

Being good isn’t always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talkin’ to me
He’d come and tell me, “Everything is alright”
He’d kiss and tell me, “Everything is alright”
Can I get away again tonight?

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes, he was, he was, ooh, Lord knows, he was (yes, he was)

How well I remember
The look that was in his eyes
Stealin’ kisses from me on the sly
Takin’ time to make time
Tellin’ me that he’s all mine
Learnin’ from each other’s knowin’
Lookin’ to see how much we’ve grown and

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes, he was, he was, oh, yes, he was

He was the sweet-talkin’ son of a preacher man
(The only boy who could ever teach me)
I kissed even son of a preacher man
(The only one who could ever reach me)
The sweet-lovin’ son of a preacher man
(The only one who could ever reach me)
(Was the son of a preacher man)
(The only one who could ever reach me)
(Was the son of a preacher man)

Songwriters: John Hurley / Ronnie Wilkins

1960s songs, young love

#238 A Summer Song- Chad and Jeremy

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But don’t you know that it hurts me so/
To say goodbye to you.

Chad and Jeremy’s “Summer Song” is a beautiful song about a man reminiscing about a former summer fling. This is not the song of a bitter breakup or of a deep sorrow. The narrator feels a bittersweet pang for his youth while remembering the fun time he had with a girl one summer when he was younger. Chad and Jeremy sing of the new love of summer with its soft breezes and soft kisses and beautiful leaves.

But then Autumn came–and with it the rain, and the end of a love. Perhaps due to school, we don’t know. The lyrics are simple and express a common motif—the transition of summer to autumn is similar to the way a new love can turn to an old love. Paul Simon was fond of this imagery: he used it in Leaves that are Green and April Come She Will.

The chord progression on “Summer Song” is simple and this is a fun song for a beginning guitar student. The magic comes from the harmonies between Chad & Jeremy and the lovely melody. They sing the song with tenderness. There is an innocence to the lyrics. This song has one of the best bridges of any song (“They say that all good things must end…”). It is a great transition and the mood is a contrast to the upbeat tone of the rest of the song. We feel as if the narrator is getting down but then springs out of the dark mood and ends with an overall positive memory.

A Summer Song Lyrics

Trees swayin’ in the summer breeze
Showin’ off their silver leaves
As we walked by

Soft kisses on a summer’s day
Laughing all our cares away
Just you and I

Sweet sleepy warmth of summer nights
Gazing at the distant lights
In the starry sky

They say that all good things must end some day
Autumn leaves must fall
But don’t you know that it hurts me so
To say goodbye to you
Wish you didn’t have to go
No, no, no, no

And when the rain
Beats against my windowpane
I’ll think of summer days again
And dream of you

They say that all good things must end some day
Autumn leaves must fall
But don’t you know that it hurts me so
To say goodbye to you
Wish you didn’t have to go
No no no no

And when the rain
Beats against my windowpane
I’ll think of summer days again
And dream of you
And dream of you

Songwriters: Clive Metcalf / David Stuart / Keith Noble

Top 500 Greatest Rock Songs of All-time