Greatest love songs ever: #40 L-O-V-E

By Tom Quiner

What’s the difference between Nat King Cole’s rendition of “L-O-V-E” and Olivia Rodriguez’s song of the same title? Cole’s is still being sung 59 years since its 1965 debut. And it’ll be around another 59 years from now.

Ms. Rodriguez’s song won’t.

It’s the difference between a standard and disposable music. Younger readers of this series will bristle at my apparent put-down of one of their generation’s top talents.

Listen to Rodriguez’s song. Then listen to Nat King Cole sing “L-O-V-E” (above), with music written by Bert Kaempfert and lyrics by Milt Gabler. You’ll hear why the latter comes in #40 on my list of the ’52 Top Love Songs Ever.’

L-O-V-E by Olivia Rodrigo

The Kaempfert/Gabler collaboration shines with one of the catchiest melodies you’ll ever want to hear. The spare lyric is simply delightful. And few people have ever sung a love song better than Nat King Cole.

This blogger appreciates the talent and potential of Ms. Rodriguez. Her song has a decent enough melody. But the lyrics don’t flow. You can hear how she has to cram words together. The lyrics lack craftsmanship, and they’re lightweight.

Generations clash on music

Of course I remember back to when to when I was close in age to Olivia Rodriguez and I was digging Joni Mitchell’s “For the Roses ” album, released in 1972. A member of my dad’s generation heard me playing it and noted that he couldn’t whistle any of Joni’s tunes. Ouch. 

One thing’s for sure, everyone can whistle the tune of “L-O-V-E” as sung by Nat King Cole. The jazzy arrangement swings. The trumpet solo by Bobby Bryant flirts with the melody and vocals in a dance of pure romance. Gabler’s opening line sucks you in:

“L is for the way you look at me.”

How could anyone stop listening at that point! This is a happy love song, a nice counterpoint to last week’s “I’ve Got it Bad (and that ain’t good).”

Michael Bublé sings L-O-V-E

If you’re a Gen Xer, Millennial, Gen Zer … or whatever, you may very well have taken umbrage at my crack about Olivia Rodrigo. I hope you do. It is your right. Much of my generation’s music was certainly put down by our elders.

But here’s the reality: very few songs last. At his peak, Elton John (a Baby Boomer) acknowledged that most pop music is ‘disposable.’ The songwriter’s dream is to write a ‘standard.’ Elton wrote a few, although none made my list (even though I’m a big Elton fan).

If the world lasts another hundred years, most of the songs on my list will still be performed. Very few of the songs being written today will last because they just aren’t very good. Note that I said ‘few.’ Every generation produces some gems.

From my perspective, two decades stand out for producing a lot of good songs: the 1920s and 1960s. I’ll explain why in future posts.

In the meantime, savor this delightful song, “L-O-V-E.” Next week, we shift gears once again with a tender song that was a bust when it first came out. I am so grateful it got a second chance, because this is a love song that touches your soul

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