10 Love Songs That Are Not Really About Love

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Soft rock is as non-offensive as it could be, which helps it appeal to a wider public. While the words are upbeat and the music has a serene vibe, it’s important to remember the time period it was written in. Many lyricists succeeded in keeping certain darker tales submerged in their soft rock songs so as not to compromise that pleasant AM radio exposure. Below, we have the top 10 soft rock love songs that arenโt really talking about love.
Barry Manilow โ โLooks Like We Made Itโ (1977)
The chorus has a very upbeat, joyful tone, like a happy pair crossing the finish line of a marathon together. But the triumphant call even if heโs been doing it behind his current flameโs back, isnโt aimed at his present partner, but instead, toward a past sweetheart that heโs finally stopped yearning for.
Benny Mardones โ โInto the Nightโ (1980)
Teenage females are frequently mentioned in songs from this time period, which is acceptable from the viewpoint of a young lad or an older man yearning for his youth. The protagonistโs friends directly advise him to avoid the 16-year-old jailbait in the first line of โInto the Night,โ which doesnโt even attempt to pretend to be that.
Bee Gees โ โNights on Broadwayโ (1975)
โNights on Broadway,โ regarded by many as one of the Bee Geesโ finest songs, has a great chugging โ70s beat, sparkling Gibb harmonies, and a determined stalkerโs point of view. Here, the jilted boyfriend is standing in line to see his ex after she performed on Broadway; he followed her despite her express request that he does not do so.
Todd Rundgren โ โHello, Itโs Meโ (1972)
Until Todd Rundgren quietly mentions the true reason he’s callingโto โstay the night if you think I shouldโโthe words in this song are mostly rather contemplative. And yep, Todd is asking for some 2 AM action.
Eric Clapton โ โWonderful Tonightโ (1977)
Several songs, including โWonderful Tonight,โ were written by Eric Clapton for his ex-wife Pattie Boyd. At first hearing, this looks appreciative, but it isnโt. In his drunken rages, Clapton frequently hit Boyd, demonstrating his severe alcoholism. It doesnโt automatically qualify as the end of a cute tale that he made a lovely call to his then-enabler before he passed out.
Raydio โ โYou Canโt Change Thatโ (1979)
The opening line of โYou Canโt Change Thatโ is a strong and sensible confession of love. He tells the person he is in love with that she can attempt to change her phone number and address, but she won’t be able to get away from him that easily as the song goes on.
Gilbert OโSullivan โ โAlone Again (Naturally)โ (1971)
In case you donโt know this song, weโre here to remind you that this one is already somewhat depressing. OโSullivan is depressed since his fiancรฉe walked out on him at the altar, his parents passed away, and he is alone himself. But this must be the biggest American hit that occurs when the main character is actively preparing to commit suicide.
Chicago โ โSaturday in the Parkโ (1972)
Though it doesnโt have a particularly sinister undertone, how can it be that he recalls every detail of that afternoon yet just โthinksโ it was the Fourth of July? The protagonist is also alleged to have been using drugs.
Captain & Tennille โ โLove Will Keep Us Togetherโ (1975)
The cheerful โLoveโ was the top single for the whole year of 1975, making it the worst offender of the upbeat pop bait-and-switch. The remaining verses of the song are Tennille giving Captain advice on how to reject groupies whenever they approach him. She points out that if he still isnโt persuaded, he will soon become old and unattractive and will never find anybody else.
Rupert Holmes โ โEscape (The Pina Colada Song)โ (1979)
This Rupert Holmes song from the late 1970s tells the story of a contemporary married couple who are growing apart and seeking help from their therapists, who both urge them to spend some time apart. The largest, most evident issue is how they both casually joke about their mutual infidelity.