Top Valentine's Day songs for lovers and haters of the holiday
Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Here's the Star's top five love songs followed by our picks for the five best anti-love songs - the perfect antidote for those who rather sleep through the rosy holiday. Because as the J. Geils Band once sang, "love (sometimes) stinks".
Top 5 Valentine's Day songs:
1. "At Last" by Etta James. The 1960 song put blues singer Etta James on the map.
2. "Love Me Tender" by Elvis Presley. The list wouldn't be complete without this song. The hit was adapted by Elvis from the 1861 U.S. Civil War ballad "Aura Lea".
3."Let's Stay Together" by Al Green. Soul singer Al Green's 1972 song is still one of the most popular requests at weddings. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Green in 1995, referring to him as "one of the most gifted purveyors of soul music."
4. "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers. The 1965 iconic love song regained popularity when it was used in the 1990 movie Ghost.
5."The Power of Love" by Celine Dion. With lyrics like "I hold on to your body/ And feel each move you make/ Your voice is warm and tender/ A love that I could not forsake", how could we not include a Canadian hit on this list?
Top 5 Anti-Valentine's Day songs:
1. "Love Stinks" by J. Geils Band. "Love Stinks" is off the 11th album by American rock band J. Geils. Released in 1980, the song has been covered by industrial metal band Bile, in the film Love Stinks, by Joan Jett in the film Mr. Wong and most recently by Adam Sandler in the flick, The Wedding Singer.
2. "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell. Originally recorded by American singer/songwriter Gloria Jones in the early 1960s, "Tainted Love" didn't reach international fame until British synthpop band Soft Cell covered it in 1982.
3. "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor. Gloria Gaynor's disco hit is the No. 1 female-empowerment anthem. It's so popular that it has been recorded in 20 languages, including Arabic.
4. "My Favourite Mistake" by Sheryl Crow. The song is rumoured to be about Eric Clapton, who Crow once dated. Crow has remained mum on the song's subject only saying the song was influenced by Carly Simon's "You're So Vain."
5. "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon
So how could we compose a list of anti-Valentine's Day songs and not include Carly Simon's "You're So Vain"? Simon has never said who the song is about. Some of the rumours are Cat Stevens, Warren Beatty, Kris Kristofferson and Mick Jagger.
how about 'Love Story' by Andy Williams?
Posted by: Leon Li | 02/10/2011 at 04:03 PM
How about Song for the Dumped by Ben Folds Five - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVk_e31dnlE
Posted by: Mark | 02/10/2011 at 04:11 PM
How is You Oughta Know by Alannis Morissette not on the Hate list?
Posted by: Jimi Mac | 02/10/2011 at 05:43 PM
How about "Could You Ever Love Me Again" by Gary and Dave
Posted by: Bob Cretney | 02/10/2011 at 06:26 PM
I can't believe there are no country songs on your top 5 hate songs! How about the classic "Thank God and Greyhound you're gone". ?
Posted by: johnneu | 02/10/2011 at 07:07 PM
"Your Woman" by White Town: loved by spurned women and dumped gay guys everywhere.
Posted by: Counsellor 44 | 02/10/2011 at 07:34 PM
As Time Goes By
Posted by: robert | 02/10/2011 at 07:42 PM
I will never forget "The Power of Love" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Posted by: Ted | 02/10/2011 at 08:25 PM
Link to a Valentine Day's blues: "Chocolate Valentine". Genie Swinson brings the lyriucs, the mood of the protagonsit to life perfectly, Levon Helm was the drummer and the band delivers the mood. I wrote & produced the song. Guess I'm shameless.... hope you dig it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIJTTR6yVkw
Posted by: Jeff | 02/11/2011 at 12:34 AM