1980s songs, no love song

#104 Every Breath You Take- The Police

Every single day and every word you say/
Every game you play, every night you stay, I’ll be watching you.

The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” is the most famous example of a song that sounds like a love song but really isn’t-it’s about a voyeur/stalker. We’ve had lots of these similar pseudo-love songs throughout the list. Half of the times I argue that the song would be better if the song were an actual love song, however, “Every Breath You Take” is better once we understanding the lyrics.

The primary reason is because of Sting’s excellent delivery of the lyrics. Upon further examination, he isn’t delivering these lines in a sultry (or loving) manner…it is in an intense manner that is appropriate for the lyrics. That is why it works so well.

Every Breath You Take Meaning — The Police

The guitar riff in the intro and throughout the song is iconic. The bass plays a big part too. Even though it is only repeated sixteenth notes, there is an intensity about them that push the song along and also mimic a racing pulse (somewhat). The bridge does a great job of reinforcing the message of an obsessive individual—and it is also a perfect fit with the rest of the song. As we get to the top of this list, we start to see songs that are basically flawless.

For another classic song you thought was a love song, but isn’t check here.

Every Breath You Take Lyrics

Every breath you take and every move you make,
Every bond you break, every step you take, I’ll be watching you.
Every single day and every word you say,
Every game you play, every night you stay, I’ll be watching you.

Oh, can’t you see you belong to me.
How my poor heart aches with every step you take.

Every move you make, and every vow you break,
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake, I’ll be watching you.

Since you’ve gone I’ve been lost without a trace.
I dream at night, I can only see your face.
I look around but it’s you I can’t replace,
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace.
I keep crying, “Baby, baby, please”.

Oh, can’t you see you belong to me,
How my poor heart aches with every step you take.

Every move you make and every vow you break,
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake, I’ll be watching you.
Every move you make, every step you take, I’ll be watching you.

I’ll be watching you,
Every breath you take and every move you make,
Every bond you break I’ll be watching you.
Every single day, every word you say,
Every game you play, every night you stay (I’ll be watching you).
Every move you make, every vow you break,
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake (I’ll be watching you).
Every single day, every word you say,
Every game you play, every night you stay (I’ll be watching you).
Every breath you take, every move you make…

written by Sting

1970s songs, breakup songs

#103 The Chain- Fleetwood Mac

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And if you don’t love me now,
You will never love me again.

Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” is a great breakup song. It appears that promises were made and now that couple is no longer together. The chain that held them together was supposed to stay like that forever.

These words that we speak to each other when we are together–of forever and permanence–do they lose all meaning when the love dies? Was it a lie? Regardless, the narrator says you will never have his love again. Buckingham has used this line before in Never Going Back Again. Apparently, you get one try with him.

“The Chain” was written on the famous Rumours album, in which everyone in the band was enmeshed in each other’s sex lives and it was crumbling apart. It made for excellent music, but perhaps not the best working environment. The album is a masterpiece and I cannot imagine anyone not having it in their top five all-time.

“The Chain” is one of the only songs written by everyone in Fleetwood Mac. You can hear the individual contributions of each performer if you listen closely. Most notable is John McVie’s contribution on the bass. The song is heavily driven by its distinct bassline. It has one of Lindsey’s best solos as well. He really rocks. If you have seen him play this live you can see he plays part of the lead while singing at the same time. It is ridiculous.

The Best Cover of The Chain- The Highwomen

This is one of those songs that you would think could never be covered well. However, The Highwomen deliver a captivating performance–worthy of the original–below.

The Chain Lyrics

Listen to the wind blow, watch the sun rise.
Running in the shadows, damn your love, damn your lies.

And if, you don’t love me now,
You will never love me again.
I can still hear you saying,
You would never break the chain (Never break the chain).

And if you don’t love me now,
You will never love me again.
I can still hear you saying,
You would never break the chain (Never break the chain).

Listen to the wind blow, down comes the night.
Running in the shadows, damn your love, damn your lies.
Break the silence, damn the dark, damn the light.

And if you don’t love me now,
You will never love me again.
I can still hear you saying,
You would never break the chain (Never break the chain).

And if you don’t love me now,
You will never love me again.
I can still hear you saying,
You would never break the chain (Never break the chain).
Chain keep us together (running in the shadow)…

written by Fleetwood Mac

1970s songs, couples songs

#102 If- Bread

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If a picture paints a thousand words
Then why can’t I paint you?

“If” by Bread is a beautiful, underrated song from an underrated band. Let me tell you about how I discovered Bread. I remember the scene perfectly, but it could be completely wrong. When I was young, I loved The Wonder Years. Wayne, the big brother, played by Jason Hervey, gets his first girlfriend Carla Gugino. They are sitting in a red car and Wayne turns to her and sings the line above.

That line and the tune stayed with me. Years later I asked my dad if he knew who sang this song (this was pre-internet), and I quoted him the above line. He said, “That’s the band Bread!’ I bought a Bread cd and they sing the song better than Jason Hervey (naturally). It turns out you know about ten of their songs, but you probably have never heard their name.

There are several things that make Bread’s “If” great. That guitar sound is one-of-a-kind. There are very few songs that can be identified based upon the strumming of the first chord, and this is one of them. The sound throughout is amazing. David Gates singing sounds tender yet intense. We wonder if he’ll be able to hit that final high note and it feels like an accomplishment. We’re happy and relieved. The lyrics are a bit over-the-top, but they are still well-written.

“If’s” melody during the bridge and the verses are both incredible. The song doesn’t have a chorus, which is why you might not hear this on the radio, sadly (though it did reach top 5 when it was released). But it is one of the most well-constructed and performed soft-rock songs of all-time.

If Lyrics

If a picture paints a thousand words,
Then why can’t I paint you?
The words will never show the you I’ve come to know.
If a face could launch a thousand ships,
Then where am I to go?
There’s no one home but you,
You’re all that’s left me too.
And when my love for life is running dry,
You come and pour yourself on me.

If a man could be two places at one time,
I’d be with you.
Tomorrow and today, beside you all the way.
If the world should stop revolving spinning slowly down to die,
I’d spend the end with you.
And when the world was through,
Then one by one the stars would all go out,
Then you and I would simply fly away…
written by David Gates

Top 500 Greatest Rock Songs of All-time