thoughts on the news of the day: love songs

hmmm…..

            A good question to ask on Valentine’s Day is:  What is your favorite love song?  I’m not talking about break-up love songs like “Someone Like You”  by Adele.  I am thinking more of classic songs – the ones you think of as “old school” but somehow have endured the test of time.

            What are the ones you still hear … in jewelry commercials and when you are hanging out in the dentist’s office?  Stevie Wonder’s got a couple:  “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and “You are the Sunshine of My Life”.  Then there is one that especially comes to mind as we remember Whitney Houston’s musical career:  “I Will Always Love You”.  That song was actually written by Dolly Parton, who does a not half bad rendition of the song herself.

            Willie Nelson’s ‘You Were Always on my Mind” qualifies as a love song, although, given the lyrics, I wouldn’t want to be loved by someone who just thought about me, but took no action.  There’s two classics that are hard to forget:  "Are You Lonely Tonight” and “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley. 

            “You Are So Beautiful”  was first sung by Joe Cocker but my favorite version is by a Texas Hill country artist: Stoney Larue.  You can find it on you-tube or probably iTunes.

            I am guessing that you have your own favorites, just depending on the generation you come from … but no matter what you favorite, share it with your sweetie today – guaranteed they will love it!

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thoughts on the news of the day: whitney houston

hmmm…..

            “So good-bye …” Whitney Houston sang those words in the song, “I Will Always Love You” at the Grammy’s in 1993.  She waved her hand as she sang it as if it was a premonition of things to come.  It was a stunning performance and crowned her as Top Diva, if she wasn’t that already.  And now Whitney Houston is gone.  Early reports say drugs and alcohol took her away from us.  When you watch her sing on the videos recorded when she was at the top of her game, she seems so full life; she looks as if nothing could ever bring her down.  But it did. 

            I don’t know about you, but I have missed Whitney.  I missed her a long time before her death.  Tragically, while claiming on an interview that “crack is whack”; she found out that crack as well as many other illegal drugs are powerful and menacing even to those who seem to be bigger than life itself.  Whitney tried many times to make a come back.  I believe that she truly wanted to kick her habit; I have to believe that, otherwise drugs and the evil they bring wins.

            But Whitney lives on.  Her music will always inspire us.  We can always watch her sing her stunning version of “The Star Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl.  Her Grammy performance of “I Will Always Love You” is available on video any time we want to see it. 

And, Whitney, we will always love you!

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