Chapter 10 Love and Romance

It is estimated that 80% of all songs are love songs. Lyrics – verbal messages set to music Love song without lyrics – “Melodies of Love” by Joe Sample https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET-QOotxfw8

Metaphor – a figure of speech in which one word or phrase is used to substitute for or designate another. Ex: “Cry Me a River” river is a metaphor for tears Symbolism – the use of one idea to represent or stand for another. Ex: “The Rose” by Bette Midler – love is symbolized by a flower

Prosody – the musical qualities of language (accent, phrase, meter, and melody) Hook – grabber phrase in a song (usually title of the song)

Themes in Love Songs Boundless Joy of Love – new/in-love songs; Ex: Stevie Wonder “You Are the Sunshine of My Life”, “A Whole New World” from Aladdin Musical Standard – stays in the public’s ear, very “singable,” often recorded many times; Ex: “Close to You” made popular by The Carpenters, “It Had to be You” by Frank Sinatra, Harry Conick, Jr., Michael Buble

A Sense of Belonging – the sense of love and belonging overcomes all situations; Ex: “Bess, You Is My Woman Now,” “My Girl” by the Temptations, “I’ll Be Watching You” by the Police Love that Lasts – Ex: classical composer Robert Schumann (1810-1856) wrote “Widmung” for his wife Clara for their wedding ceremony, “I Swear” by John Michael Montgomery/All 4 One, “Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis, “Then” by Brad Paisley

The Image of Perfection – people tend to see the object of their affection in very positive terms, Ex: “All the Things You Are” by Ella Fitzgerald and Willie Nelson, “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars Longing for Love – Ex: “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” Louis Armstrong, “Somebody to Love” by Queen, “Please Send Me Someone to Love” by Fiona Apple Cadence – breathing break (half or full)

Lost Love – many forms 1)not lost, only postponed for a while 2)gives up on recapturing love 3)expresses how much the person has been changed by former love, Ex: “Can’t Stop Loving You” by Phil Collins, “Stay” by Sugarland, “Never, Ever…” by Taylor Swift, “Someone Like You” by Adele, “Goodbye in Her Eyes” by Zac Brown Band

Madame Butterfly vs. Miss Saigon Opera Broadway Musical By Giacomo Puccini (1904) By Claude-Michael Schonberg and Alain Boublil (1989) Set in Japan Set in Vietnam “Butterfly” marries American Kim marries Chris Lieutenant who quickly (American Marine) abandons her city falls in war and Kim (unknown reason) is left at the US Embassy

In both stories, the women hold out hopes that their husband will return. They give birth to sons. Husbands return to the area with American wives. Butterfly/Kim commit suicide to ensure a better life for their son in America with his father. Lea Salonga – Filipina Singer/Actress, “big break” came when she played “Kim” in the opening productions of Miss Saigon, known also for roles Mulan and singing voice of Jasmine from Aladdin

Lost Love in the Blues – “I Can’t Help You Now” by Bonnie Raitt – she attended Harvard University and became active in antiwar and Civil Rights Movements, also performed in local coffee houses and blues festivals; won 9 Grammy awards, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Accepting the Loss of Love – Ex: “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton (originally written about Porter Wagner), duet with Vince Gill, popular release by Whitney Houston Dolly Parton is 1 of 12 children raised in TN, by 13, she had performed at the Grand Ole Opry, movie debut in 1980 with “9 to 5”, received 41 Grammy nominations and 7 wins, worth over $100 million with recordings, film, TV, and Dollywood