Must be love on the brain

Some of us don’t want another reminder of the red-and-pink-smothered holiday approaching in the next few days—unfortunately, I’m an unapologetic lover of love. From the grand gestures to the little acts of endearment, we have yet another excuse to celebrate what binds us all together. There are so many types of love to recognize, whether a friendship or a close bond, and it’s time to express it now more than ever.

There’s a reason why there are roughly 100 million songs about love; it’s a universal human experience that we continually seek to understand. It’s irrational, profound and reaffirms that there’s nothing we wouldn’t do to preserve that connection. Why? Well, when it’s right, it becomes something so honest and pure that nothing could ever compare.

“Love in the Time of Socialism” - Yellow House (2017)

Yellow House, a relatively underground indie-pop artist, crafts an unparalleled piece with lyrics so dense with intimate transcendence, that it’s been eternally etched into my soul. While that statement alone is wildly intense, such a song deserves praise for the themes it explores.

The initial part of the track begins with an individual on a path of self-discovery, questioning different areas of the world in which they may thrive; what will satisfy the desire for purpose? It’s answered by the verse, “I am home wherever you are near, there’s no life in anything when you’re not here,” alluding to the conclusion that life is simply existence without whom you love most.

Towards the end, the song turns into a plan to see the world alongside each other, with the last verse claiming, “Nothing can take my love away.” Aside from the stunning lyrics, the instrumental makeup is equally beautiful, with the peaceful strumming of an acoustic guitar, an echoing harmonica, and Yellow House’s dreamy reverberating voice.

“Till Forever” - Labi Siffre (1972)

While the last song visits immeasurable devotion, “Till Forever” by Labi Siffre approaches love in a much more simplistic fashion. The track is barely a minute long, with Siffre singing in the present tense about a moment between him and his lover.

It’s a sickly sweet piece where Siffre appears almost overwhelmed with how much affection he feels for his partner, stating, “I look up from my book and see you sleeping, sleeping on the sofa, wearing my pullover. Walking down the streets on little feet, I could almost eat you, lucky me to meet you.”

This candy-coated toothache of a song is one that centers around the little moments that are occasionally overlooked. Siffre reminds us how true love has the most life in moments like resting your hand on the other merely for physical touch, inside jokes still alive from three years ago, secret glances in a crowded room leading to a later debrief, and the list goes on.

“Waiting In Vain” - Bob Marley (1977)

Contrasting from the past two tracks, Bob Marley touches base with the opposing side of Valentine’s Day; those grappling with the frustrating and gut-wrenching reality of yearning for another. In this lighthearted, yet forward piece, Marley struggles with proving that he’s worth his lover’s time.

He is wholeheartedly convinced this girl is the woman he belongs with and patiently waits his turn (for three years…) in hopes he may be given a chance. These days, it’s rare to observe this level of pining, and while it may look pitiful, we can admit this is a common experience we’ve secretly endured.

One of the significant reasons this song receives such a notable nod is Marley’s verse proclaiming, “In life I know there’s lots of grief, but your love is my relief.” In life, we find that one person who we breathe deeply with, who becomes our source of tranquility whether we seek it out or not, and even against all odds fight for that feeling to remain.

In the spirit of our upcoming holiday, give this playlist a listen.

Dedicated to Tre Farrell, the person who made all these songs come to life.