WHAT MAKES A LOVE SONG “MORE ROMANTIC” THAN THE NEXT LOVE SONG?

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke once famously stated that Carly Simon’s “Nobody Does It Better” is the “sexiest song of all time”. I’m not going to argue against this point. I was 5 years old when the song was released, and I distinctly recall that there was something “different” about the emotions conjured up by this tune as it played through the opening credits of “The Spy Who Loved Me”. You can call me an emotionally-advanced 5 year old if you wish, however what is it that makes “Nobody Does It Better” more romantic than the millions of other love songs released since time began?

Is it the song title itself? No comment required; the title can reflect what the listener of the song desires it to mean.

Is it Carly Simon’s vocal delivery? Her phrasing is so tender during the introduction, so praising during the verses, and so euphoric during the outro.

Is it the arrangement and production? Marvin Hamlisch’s seminal piano introduction sets the tone for the recording; followed by a great combination of rock guitar and strings that keeps the verses contemporary. The song continues to build right through to the outro, when the strings and trumpets really hit home that Simon is praising her lover, above all others.

I have played the song to myself on piano and guitar countless times over the years, and even in the simplest context of raw acoustic instruments and vocals, the song is a classic. However, when you bring together Simon’s vocal delivery and the superb arrangement and production skills of the recorded version, one can sense immediately that it is these ingredients that help take the song to a higher plane.

Are there any other love songs in the history of recorded music to challenge “Nobody Does It Better” as the most romantic of all time?

Each to their own in answering this question; I’ll list a handful that “hit the spot” for me:

“Woman” – John Lennon. A beautifully recorded song; the lyrics take on a heightened level of meaning in light of Lennon’s murder so soon after the song’s release.

“Time In A Bottle” – Jim Croce. The chorus lyrics say it all; “there’s not enough time to say/ the things that I want to say to you”. Croce’s unexpected death brought a renewed focus on the song’s lyrics, a la “Woman” [see above].

“Sentimental Lady” – Bob Welsh. The song was originally recorded by Fleetwood Mac [Welsh was a band member briefly in the 1970’s], however this subsequent solo release is the definitive version. Welsh’s longing for his wife whilst he was travelling the world on tour is captured so touchingly in the written lyrics [and his vocal delivery]. The recording builds to a crescendo, and upon reaching the chorus Welsh expresses his feelings so well. A “lost classic”; “Sentimental Lady” seems to have been forgotten about over the years. Check it out, and rediscover a truly great love song.

“The Look Of Love” – Dusty Springfield. I make no secret of the fact that I am a huge fan of Bacharach & David’s compositions, and this theme from “Casino Royale” is one of their best recordings. Springfield’s smoky vocal delivery is absolutely spot-on; the arrangement and production of the song [wonderful use of the saxophone] makes this one of the best “romantic” songs ever.

I could write on for ever and ever, thus I’ll list a few more songs [without detail]:

“How Deep Is Your Love” – The Bee Gees.

“My Love” – Paul McCartney & Wings.

“The Way That I Want To Touch You” – The Captain & Tenille.

“Love Me” – Yvonne Elliman.

“Never Never Gonna Give You Up” – Barry White.


The forum is now open, let’s hear your choices for the “most romantic” love songs of all time!!