As much as I enjoy love songs, and as much as every man has undoubtedly relied on one at some point for a courtship shortcut, I think we can all agree that these commercialized "love" songs are becoming quite clichéd with their vague lyrics and overdone melodies. It seems all Justin Bieber had to do was say "baby" a million times over and he shot right to superstardom seemingly overnight. And if Bruno Mars was really so stricken by the girl in "Just The Way You Are," don't you think he could have come up with a more descriptive adjective than "amazing"? But despite this recent trend of overused love songs, some artists and bands out there still find ways to express love in all its wondrous facets with a refreshing dose of originality. Here are four of my favorite, unexampled love songs.
"Black Is The Colour" by Gaelic Storm
This song is actually a traditional Irish folk song, but Gaelic Storm does by far the greatest interpretation I have ever heard. Gaelic Storm is a Celtic band that masterfully blends modern rock instruments with traditional Irish and Scottish music and lyrics. Both Gaelic Storm's cultural heritage and brilliant musicianship shine through in this traditional Irish love song. Classical guitar, flute, violin, and bongos create a hauntingly reverent tone that highlight's the singer's passion and deep emotion. But unlike most love songs of today, this song explores not only the joy of being together, but also the pain of being separated. When I showed this song to my mother, it actually made her cry.
"Every Other Freckle" by Alt-J
Admittedly, this song seems more about lust than love, but it's too good not to include on this list. Alt-J never fails to deliver refreshingly creative songs with brilliant, unique lyrics and the music to match. The genius musicianship of this band lies evident in the sheer variety of their songs and instruments (like wood block and xylophone on this track). Not to mention the lead has one of the most unique singing voices I've ever heard. "Every Other Freckle" makes this list for a variety of reasons. If you play guitar, you will appreciate the use of drop-D tuning to produce a deep, rich sound that drives the song and provides a flavorful twang of the loosened top string. But my favorite aspect of the song is most definitely the lyrics. I've listened to this song so many times I have almost the entire thing memorized and I still can't figure out the meaning behind all of the lines. Alt-J finds a way to explore even the most clichéd subjects with new perspective and refreshing descriptions. My favorite line from this song is, "Turn you inside out and lick you like a crisp packet." I'll let you figure that one out.
"When I'm Gone" by Eminem
I was never a fan of rap music until I found Eminem. Listening to him, I could tell that he was drawing from his own struggles to express himself through his music with raw emotion in a way very few artists could do. While I always enjoy Eminem's clever lyrics and unique style, my admiration and appreciation for him really stem from the brutal honesty on his tracks. He is not afraid to point out the wrong he sees in the world, in others, and even in himself. "When I'm Gone" is, in my opinion, one of Eminem's most emotionally intense songs, which is why number three on this list comes with a warning: This is not a happy song. This song will make you cry. Some may even find it disturbing. Eminem's "When I'm Gone" shows how love is not always easy or blissful. Sometimes it can be painful or even terrifying. This is the love that tears apart your insides at the mere thought of hurting that person you love (in this song, it's Eminem's daughter). On this track, Eminem reflects on the mistakes he made as a father and offers advice to his daughter for when he passes away. But under all the pain, fear, sadness, and self-loathing in the lyrics, the underlying driving force is his deep fatherly love for his daughter. This song may not be happy, but it's important and I seriously encourage everyone to listen to it.
"Night Vision Binoculars" by Passenger
This list would not be complete without adding at least one Passenger song. I must admit that I am a bit biased with this one, as Passenger is one of my all time favorite artists. But for those of you without an all-consuming Passenger addiction, Passenger was the artist behind the number one hit, "Let Her Go," which reached number one in 18 countries and shot Passenger into the limelight in 2014. When Passenger was still a whole band back in 2007, they released "Night Vision Binoculars" on their album "Wicked Man's Rest." Although this song does have a poppy edge to it, the lyrics separate it from the clichéd pop "love" songs of today. Passenger delves into the realm of intense infatuation, obsession, and stalking to the tune of a surprisingly upbeat melody. Just listen to the lyrics when you hear the song and you will understand what I mean. In this song, Passenger walks the line between sweet and creepy and keeps you guessing and thinking until the final note. Definitely give this one a try.
