Why is music so important? Well, the Bible says we have eternity in our hearts. I believe that refers to our capacity for transcendence, our need to be part of something bigger than ourselves, and surely music is part of that. It’s as if God said, “Here take this, you’ll like it, it’s some of my best work.” Music must’ve been one of the many longings He put in our human hearts.
Cyndi and I married on July 28, 1979, so this summer is our 47th anniversary. A few years ago, I realized one way to celebrate was to spread love around. We feel fortunate and blessed to have each other, and we want to share that with people close to us, so in 2007 I started giving away love songs.
So why love songs, you may ask? Because being in love is not something that happens to us, it’s something we do. Falling in love may be pure emotion, random and unpredictable, but staying in love is an act of the will, intentional and specific. If listening to love songs reminds us how to be in love, well, shouldn’t we listen to more, more often?
I’m aware that a couple of my choices for this year’s playlist might not meet the strictest criteria for love songs, but they make me smile when I hear them, and that’s close enough. And I may not agree with every lyric, but I can enjoy the song and appreciate the fact they wrote it just for us. (At least, that’s what we told our kids back when they were young … all love songs were written for us!) I hope at least one of these songs will speak to your own heart and push you closer toward your own true love.
And another thing – I intend to stay with Cyndi for many more anniversaries so I’ll be cobbling together another collection for our 48th in 2027. Since I don’t hear a lot of current music unless they play it on NPR or at Whataburger, I need your suggestions.
To listen to the playlists (I have them all, back to 2007, on Spotify … and you don’t have to join or pay money to listen to them), follow this link. It’ll make me happy if you listen to them. Let me know which are your favorites.
* * * * *
2026 Playlist of Love Songs:
Some Kind Of Wonderful, Grand Funk Railroad, 1974, … This is from my senior year in high school, the year I first met Cyndi. Even though I was a sophisticated senior and she was a bubbly young sophomore, I knew there was something fun and infectious about her. It took several years, however, before I recognized she was some kind of wonderful. I’ve known it ever since.
It’s so Easy, Linda Ronstadt, 1977, … I couldn’t help but join in celebrating Linda Ronstadt’s 80th birthday, and this song written by Buddy Holly describes love well. I doubt whether either Cyndi or I fell in love on purpose, but looking back, it seems so easy.
Why Don’t We Just Dance, Josh Turner, 2010, … Cyndi taught me how to two-step, and few things make me happier. I don’t even mind being the first (and often only) couple on the dance floor. When people compliment us as dancers, I remind them I only have one good dance move, and that was choosing the right partner.
What A Wonderful World, Sam Cooke, 1960, … This song seemed appropriate as I begin my new career as a college professor. I’m brave enough to try almost anything knowing Cyndi is always on my side. (At least Sam Cooke doesn’t mention engineering in the song as one of the things he doesn’t know much about.)
Love You So, The King Khan & BBQ Show, 2005, … Sometimes – not always – I get overwhelmed by highly produced perfect music, and I need something loose and wild and jangly. Like this.
Every Beat of My Heart, Chris Rea, 2007, … Every beat of my heart …
The Very Thought of You, Doris Day, Harry James, 1945, … When Cyndi was in high school, the Hobbs Rotary Club hired her to work at the check-in desk for each meeting. Her instructions were: (1) wear a dress, and (2) smile a lot. The Rotarians often told Cyndi she reminded them of Doris Day. And so, to this day, I can’t resist Doris Day songs.
1-2-3, Miami Sound Machine, 1987, … Well, (1) the dance groove alone reminds me of Cyndi, and (2) the lyric, “Come out of your shell, boy, you know we go like hand in glove.” Cyndi has been pulling me out of my shell for 50 years.
Texas, Me And You, Asleep At The Wheel, 2003, … Cyndi spent her first twenty-one years living in New Mexico (with a short interval in Iowa). I lived in New Mexico only five years, and Oklahoma three years … all the rest in Texas. I’ve often said Cyndi’s family might have tossed me aside if they’d known my New Mexico roots were so shallow. As it happened, they allowed the oldest granddaughter, first of her generation, to marry a born and bred Texan. And now, for the past forty-seven years, all there’s been in this whole wide world is Texas, me and Cyndi.
How Does It Feel, Adam Watts, 2004, … “I’m hearing your heartbeat, I’m watching as you steal mine.”
The Sound Of Sunshine, Michael Franti & Spearhead, 2010, … Not many things make Cyndi happier than the sound of sunshine coming down on her.
Oh Love, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, 2007, … “Oh love, Oh the many colors that you’re made of.” I love and cherish the unpredictability and randomness of lifelong love.
If I May, Nat King Cole, 1965, … I’d never heard of this song until it was included on our playlist when the MC Jazz Band joined the OC Jazz Band and the UTPB Jazz Band for an excellent, swingin’ concert. I’ve liked it ever since. I’d like to love you, night and day, if I may.”
No Me Without You, Ron Boustead, 2013, … Even though I’m a solitude-loving guy, and I’m good at entertaining myself, I have very little interest in life without Cyndi. “There’s no me, without you.”
Orange Colored Sky, Lindsey Benedict, 2015, … I had planned to attend the NTSU 1:00 Jazz Band Concert in the fall of 1976, my first semester at OU, joining my band friends who were still at NMJC. It never occurred to me that a girl I had known for three years would be there and would take over my imagination and my future and my life. It happened all at once. Flash, bam, alakazam.
Love Like This, Ben Rector, 2018, … I love this lyric, “It’s the way I’ve watched you change me.” Cyndi and I talk often about how we have both changed because of each other. Partly because we were 23 and 21 when we married and we raised each other into adulthood. We can’t know who we’d’ve been if we hadn’t met, but I know I am better, braver, stronger, and happier because we did.
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Bossa Nova Brain, 1970, … This was one of my dad’s favorite songs, especially the version sung by Vickie Carr on countless 1960s variety shows. I’ve loved it as well, no matter who sings it. Ever since we were in Brazil last summer, I can’t pass up the bossa nova sound. And besides, it’s true, after 47 years (50 years of dating), I still can’t take my eyes off.
Only One, James Taylor, 1993, … You always have been, and always will be, my only one
Easy to Love, Couch, 2019, … We were in Blue Sky, our standing Friday date, and the restaurant played a song and the singer kept singing, “I’m hard to love.” I thought, well grow up and learn to be easy to love; stop hiding your little boyness behind that phrase. I know, I was a bit judgmental, but we can choose to be easy to love. It is a skill we can learn and practice.
What I Like About You, The Romantics, 1990, … I never danced more than twenty cumulative minutes before I started dating Cyndi. I quickly learned how her eyes smiled when she danced, and I knew I wanted to be part of that. I’m still not a very good dancer, but I’m not afraid of it. I want to dance with Cyndi.
Leave a Reply