The things that people say for love

Ah, love. It's amazing what people can write when they're in love, or pining for love. And I am just a big fan. Imagine if people talked the way they wrote songs. It would be a crazy world. Crazy sweet, yes. But if people talked like this in real life, will others take them seriously? Everything sounds more romantic in song.

"So, since you wanna be with me,
you'll have to follow through
with every word you say"
-"Follow through", Gavin Degraw
(I love Gavin Degraw's songs! I find raw honesty in them. This is so straight to the point, and the whole reason it's on top is that I've been hearing it the whole day now! It's also very, very true. I guess gone are the days of promises made in pursuit of love, but the problem with our generation is not so much that, but commitment.)

"Just one look, and I knew
that you were my only one"
-"Just one look", the Hollies/Kapena/Rick Springfield
(This is a really old song, and it still makes me feel kilig for some reason. It's a very "high school dance" kind of song. I remembered this song's existence when the American Idol finalists sang a clip for one of the Ford commercials. Whenever I hear this, I am reminded of this scenario: a crowded room, a couple standing from across each other, each holding champagne glasses, and amid the throng of people, manage to grab eye contact with each other, and there's that tingle. The gleam in the eye. And then you just know. *Toast*)

"Tonight, you arrested my mind"
- "Belief", Gavin Degraw
(If you don't think that this is one of the sexiest sentences that was ever uttered in a song, there is something wrong with you. Hahaha :D I just find it to be a very powerful statement. I love Gavin. There's so much power in his songs. And the way he sings? The emotions just pour.)

"I walk with your shadow,
I'm sleeping in my bed,
With your silhouette"
- "Back to you", John Mayer
(Don't you just love it when people say "I miss you" in the most unconventional way? In this song, John Mayer makes "I miss you" sound like the vaguest and most insincere way of telling someone you miss them, and I just love it)

"...and if a shooting star goes by,
I'll use that star to write "I love you"
A thousand times across the sky"
- "Teach me Tonight", Frank Sinatra
(The Standards are in a league of their own. I took notice of this song when Elliott did his version in Am Idol last season. The song is charming in its entirety, but this line is just adorable. Extremely cheesy, but adorable)

"When I'm alone with my fancies, I'll be with you
Weaving romances, making believe they're all true"
- "A kiss to build a dream on", Rod Stewart
(I have to admit. I fell in love with the Standards when Rod Stewart came out with his collection of The Great American Songbook. I drove my roommates crazy because I listened to him all the time! The voice and the tenderness of how he sang just got to me.)

"There's no combination of words I can put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing but I could try for your heart"
- "Better Together," Jack Johnson
(Jack Johnson is my rainy day companion! I loved this song the first time I heard it. And sure, it's about the whole "words are inadequate to tell you how much I love you" concept, but he brings it down to an "everyday level" by saying "I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together." Simplistic, yes, but it's the small things that count.)

"Just so easy when the whole world fits inside of your arms
Don't really need to pay attention to the alarm...
...
You hardly even notice, when I try to show you
This song is meant to keep you from doing what you're s'posed to
Like waking up too early, maybe we can sleep in
I'll make you banana pancakes,
Pretend like it's the weekend now..."
- "Banana Pancakes", Jack Johnson
(In my book, this is the rainy day song. It just captures everything that is romantic about rainy days. Although I am your "sunny skies" kind of gal, I associate the rain with very cozy and romantic images, and Jack Johnson agrees with me. Rainy days are for sleeping in, snuggling in, and having pancakes. He just forgot the hot chocolate.)

"A tinkling piano in the next apartment
Those stumbling words that told you what my heart meant
The fairground's painted swings
These foolish things remind me of you"
- "Foolish things", Rod Stewart
(Again, a clear example of why "I miss you" is just not enough)

"For every piece of me that wants you,
Another piece backs away

Cause you give me something
To make me scared, alright"
- "You give me something," James Morrison
(This song is my latest find. Heart vs. Mind. The big battle. One I know too well. For some, there may be nothing to fear about love. But for others, the risks are too difficult to ignore.)

I have NO idea why I decided to write this entry. It all started with Gavin Degraw. I kept hearing his songs while the commercials of One Tree Hill was playing over and over (Guess what channel I was watching the whole day! Hahaha). Then I just started digging up the song lyrics that I've always liked, and have always melted to. I'm sure that you all have your personal list of songs that makes you feel so hopelessly romantic, or just makes the whole idea of being in love so fascinating. Well, this is actually NOT my list of that, but I just love how certain words strung together just create magic. And to me, these are some of that. Magic.

Next time, I'll quote from real writers :) But that's gonna take me a while because there are soooo many!!! They're the lines I read over and over. It's amazing how some people can just make you think, "now where'd he come up with that?"

At least with songs, we have the answer for that question.

And finally,
How can I stand here with you, and not be moved by you? -"Everything," Lifehouse