The Top Love Songs of the Rock Era: #120-111

We have presented 20 love songs thus far in our special, and in the songs below, you begin to see more emotion expressed, and the relationships become more intimate.  The best love songs elicit emotion from us, deep feelings that we can use to help our own relationships grow, and "measuring sticks" we can use to apply to see if our relationships make us feel those emotions.  We are balancing the depth and sincerity of lyrics and vocals with the quality of the song.  Generally speaking, emotions will continue to get stronger as we work our way towards the top!

 

 

#120:

"Caught Up In The Rapture"

Anita Baker

 

He makes her feel at ease and safe.  With him, she is "caught up in the rapture of love", and all that it can offer.

When we met, always knew,
I would feel the magic for you.
On my mind constantly,
In my arms is where you should be.

I love you here by me, baby;
You let my love fly free.
I want you in my life for all time.

[Chorus 1:]
Caught up in the rapture of love,
Nothing else can compare,
When I feel the magic of you.

We stand side by side,
Till the storms of life pass us by.
Light my life, warm my heart,
Say tonight will be just the start.

I love you here by me, baby;
You let my love fly free.
I want you in my life for all time.

[Chorus 2:]
Caught up in the rapture of love,
Nothing else can compare.
When I feel the magic of you,
The feeling's always new,
Caught up in the rapture of you.

I love you here by me, baby;
You let my love fly free.
I want you in my life for all time.

[Chorus 2]

Caught up in the rapture of love...
Caught up in the rapture of love...

 

#119:

"I Want To Know What Love Is"

Foreigner

In this classic song, the writer admits that he has experienced great heartache and pain, which right there tells you that he hasn't been in a true love relationship.  But he believes he has finally found someone that might be that special person, and he wants her to "show him what love is".

 

 Gotta take a little time,

A little time to think things over...

I better read between the lines,

In case I need it when I'm older.

Now this mountain I must climb,

Feels like a world upon my shoulders.

Through the clouds, I see love shine;

It keeps me warm as life grows colder.

In my life, there's been heartache and pain--

I don't know if I can face it again.

Can't stop now, I've traveled so far
To change this lonely life.

I wanna' know what love is;

I want you to show me.
I wanna' feel what love is; 

I know you can show me.

I'm gonna' take a little time,

A little time to look around me...

I've got nowhere left to hide;

It looks like love has finally found me.

In my life, there's been heartache and pain--
I don't know if I can face it again.

I can't stop now, I've traveled so far

To change this lonely life.

I wanna' know what love is;

I want you to show me!

I wanna feel what love is;

I know you can show me!

I want to know what love is;

I want you to show me!

And I wanna' feel, I want to feel what love is.

And I know, I know you can show me.

Let's talk about love,

I want to know what love is,
the love that you feel inside...

I want you to show me,
and I'm feeling so much love...

I wanna' feel what love is,
no, you just cannot hide.

I know you can show me, yeah.

I wanna' know what love is; let's talk about love.

I want you to show me, I wanna' feel it too.

I wanna' feel what love is; I want to feel it too,

And I know and I know, I know you can show me.

Show me love is real, yeah,

I wanna' know what love is...   

 

 #118:

"I Do"

Westlife

 

This man has kept to himself for much of his life, but now, he believes he has met the right one.  Now, he is caught up in love, and wants his woman to know that he will always be there for her, forever.   

 

Tell me can you feel my heart beat?

Tell me as I kneel down at your feet.
I knew there would come a time,
When these two hearts would entwine,
Just put your hand in mine,
Forever...

For so long, I have been an island,
Where no one could ever reach these shores.
We've got a whole lifetime to share,
And I'll always be there, darling this I swear.

When no one could ever reach these shores,
And we've got a whole lifetime to share,
And I always be there,
Darling, this I swear.

[Chorus:]
So please believe me,
For these words I say are true.
And don't deny me,
A lifetime loving you.
And if you ask will I be true,
Do I give my all to you?
Then I will say I do

I'm ready to begin this journey,
Well, I'm with you with every step you take.
And we've got a whole lifetime to share,
And I'll always be there,
Darling this I swear.

[Chorus]

Come on, just take my hand.
Oh, come on lets make a stand for our love.
But I know this is hard to believe,
So please.

[Chorus:]

So please believe me,
For these words I say are true.
And don't deny me
A lifetime loving you.
And if you ask will I be true,
Do I give my all to you?
If you ask if I'll be true?
Do I give my all to you?
Then I will say I do.

 

117: 

 
"More Than A Woman"
Bee Gees

Not all love is instantaneous.  In this great love song, we find a man who has known a woman for some time.  Only now, when he looks at her, she "takes his breath away".   She has made him happy, and he wants to make it forever. 

Oh, girl I've known you very well,
I've seen you growing everyday,
I never really looked before,
but now you take my breath away.

Suddenly you're in my life,
part of everything I do,
you got me working day and night,
just trying to keep a hold on you.

Here in your arms I found my paradise,
my only chance for happiness,
and if I lose you now I think I would die.

Oh, say you'll always be my baby,
we can make it shine, we can take forever
just a minute at a time.

More than a woman, more than a woman to me!
 More than a woman, more than a woman to me!
 More than a woman, oh, oh, oh.

There are stories old and true
of people so in love like you and me,
and I can see myself
let history repeat itself.

Reflecting how I feel for you,
thinking about those people then
I know that in a thousand years,
I'd fall in love with you again.

This is the only way that we should fly,
this is the only way to go,
and if I lose you I know I would die.

Oh, say you'll always be my baby,
we can make it shine, we can take forever,
just a minute at a time...

More than a woman, more than a woman to me!
 More than a woman, more than a woman to me!
 More than a woman, oh, oh, oh. 
 

 

 

 

#116:

"You Make Loving Fun"

Fleetwood Mac

 

The woman in this song never believed in miracles, magic, or fairy tales.  But a man has come into her life that has changed all that.  Now, perhaps for the first time, love is fun for her (which is the way it should be). 

 

Sweet wonderful you,
You make me happy with the things you do.
Oh, can it be so,
This feeling follows me wherever I go.

 I never did believe in miracles,
 But I've a feeling it's time to try.
 I never did believe in the ways of magic,
But I'm beginning to wonder why.

 Don't, don't break the spell,
 It would be different and you know it will.
You, you make loving fun!
And I don't have to tell you you're the only one.

 You make loving fun!
You make loving fun!








#115:

“You Are So Beautiful”
Joe Cocker

The protagonist in this song is a man of few words.  What he does put down seems genuine, and Joe Cocker sings it sincerely. 

 

You are so beautiful
To me.
You are so beautiful
To me.
Can't you see?

You're everything I hoped for!
You're everything I need!
You are so beautiful
To me... 

#114:

"Sweet Love"

Anita Baker 

This great song is about a woman who wants to declare that she will be all that her man needs her to be.   

 

 

With all my heart, I love you baby.
Stay with me and you will see.
My arms will hold you, baby,
Never leave, 'cause I believe...

[Chorus:]
I'm in love, sweet love,
Hear me calling out your name, I feel no shame.
I'm in love, sweet love,
Don't you ever go away, it'll always be this way.

Oh, heart has called me closer to you.
I will be all that you need.
Just trust in what we're feeling,
Never leave 'cause baby, I believe...

[Chorus:]
In this love, sweet love,
Hear me callin' out your name, I fell no shame.
I'm in love, sweet love.
Don't you ever go away,
It will be always this way.

[Bridge:]
No stronger love in this world,
Oh, baby no, you're my man, I'm your girl.
I'll never go, wait and see, can't be wrong,
Don't you know this is where you belong?

Sweet, this dream, how lovely baby,
Stay right here, never fear.
I will be all that you need.
Never leave, 'cause baby, I believe...

[Chorus:]
In this love, sweet love,
Hear me calling out you name.
I feel no shame, I'm in love, sweet love.
Don't you ever go away;
It will always be this way.

Oh, no, no, no, no...
No, n,o no, sweet love, umm... hmm...
So sweet, so sweet, so sweet...

 

 

#113:

"I Can't Help Myself"

Four Tops

 

In this classic Four Tops song, for some reason, the singer's woman keeps coming in and out of his life, "leaving just her picture behind".  But he remains in her spell, to the point of running whenever she "snaps her finger or winks her eye".  He needs her to love him as much in return, or demand a commitment from her.

 

 

 Ooh, sugar pie, honey bunch,
You know that I love you.
I can't help myself!
I love you and nobody else.

In and out my life (In and out my life),
You come and you go (You come and you go).
Leaving just your picture behind (Ooh),
And I've kissed it a thousand times (Ooh).

When you snap your finger or wink your eye,
I come a-running to you.
I'm tied to your apron strings,
And there's nothing that I can do, ooh.

I can't help myself!
No, I can't help myself!

'Cause sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch),
I'm weaker than a man should be.
I can't help myself,
I'm a fool in love, you see.

Wanna' tell you I don't love you,
Tell you that we're through and I try.
But every time I see your face (Can't help myself),
I get all choked up inside.

When I call your name,
Girl, it starts to flame (Burning in my heart, tearing it all apart),
No matter how I try,
My love, I cannot hide.

'Cause sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch),
You know that I'm waiting for you (Waiting for you),
I can't help myself!
I love you and nobody else, ooh...

Sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch),
I'd do anything you ask me to (Ask me to).
I can't help myself!
I want you and nobody else, ooh.

Sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch),
You know that I love you (Love you),
I can't help myself!
No, I can't help myself, ooh...

Sugar pie, honey bunch (Sugar pie, honey bunch).
You know that I love you!






 

#112:

"By Your Side"
Sade

The woman in this song reassures her lover, telling him that she'll be there for him, when it's cold, when he feels lost, when he feels like crying.  She will be everything a great lover should be. 

 

 

 

 

You think I'd leave your side baby,
You know me better than that.
You think I'd leave you down when you're down on your knees,
I wouldn't do that.
I'll tell you you're right when you want,
Ha ah ah ah ah ah...
And if only you could see into me.

Oh, when you're cold,
I'll be there,
Hold you tight to me.

When you're on the outside, baby, and you can`t get in,
I will show you you're so much better than you know.
When you're lost and you're alone, and you can't get back again,
I will find you darling, and I will bring you home.

And if you want to cry,
I am here to dry your eyes.
And in no time,
You'll be fine.

You think I'd leave your side baby,
You know me better than that.
You think I'd leave you down when you're down on your knees,
I wouldn't do that.
I'll tell you you're right when you want,
Ha ah ah ah ah ah.
And if only you could see into me...

Oh when you're cold,
I'll be there,
Hold you tight to me.
Oh when you're low,
I'll be there,
By your side baby.

Oh when you're cold,
I'll be there,
Hold you tight to me.
Oh when you're low,
I'll be there,
By your side baby.

 

#111:

"Betcha By Golly Wow"
Stylistics

We're up to another entry by one of the great soul groups of the Rock Era, the Stylistics.  The protagonist in this song is awe-struck by his lover, who is "full of wonder and surprise".  He wants her to know that she is the one he has been waiting for, and their love will grow stronger and stronger.   

 

 

There's a spark of magic in your eyes;
Candyland appears each time you smile.
Never thought that fairy tales came true,
But they come true, when I'm near you.
You're a genie in disguise...
Full of wonder and surprise.

And betcha by golly, wow,
You're the one that I've been waiting for forever.
And ever will my love for you keep growin' strong.
Keep growin' strong...

If I could I'd catch a falling star,
To shine on you, so I'll know where you are.
Order rainbows in your favorite shade,
To show I love you, thinking of you.
Write your name across the sky,
Anything you ask I'll try, `cause...

Betcha by golly, wow,
You're the one that I've been waiting for forever.
And ever will my love for you keep growin' strong,
Keep growin' strong...

Betcha by golly, wow,
You're the one that I've been waiting for forever.
And ever will my love for you keep growin' strong,
Keep growin' strong...

Betcha by golly, wow,
You're the one that I've been waiting for forever,
And ever will my love for you...