Lost Lyrics of Love, Part I

I spent a lot of time in my rental car during this most recent, and sudden, trip back to PA. While listening to the radio, I got the idea for this post. It joins three of the driving forces in my life: (1) bitterness at Valentine's Day and relationships (specifically my lack thereof); (2) my knowledge of song lyrics; (3) and trivia quizzes.

I was just going to do 10 songs, but I thought of too many, so I'm going to do thirtysomething. I'm breaking it down into three categories, based on how you feel when you:

-- Don't Have Someone
-- Are Breaking Up
-- Are Getting Over It

I'm going to give you a lyric -- try to guess the song and artist. Here's a few examples that didn't fully fit any category -- don't scroll too far.

1)Kept some letters by his bed
Dated nineteen sixty-two
He had underlined in red
Every single "I love you"

2) All those nights I sat alone
Staring at the telephone
Wondering if you're ever coming home

3) The Mississippi's mighty
But it starts in Minnesota
At a place that you could walk across
with five steps down

Here are the answers:

1. George Jones -- He Stopped Loving Her Today. A bit of a downer since "today" is the day he dies, but a great song and a hell of a statement about love.
2. Laura Brannigan -- Solitaire. The whole break-up process, from "I'm fucked up over you" to "fuck you". All of my roommates are used to this song.
3. Indigo Girls -- Ghost. Can't tell if it should be used at a wedding, divorce, or funeral, but it's a beautiful song.

Got the idea now? I promised myself I would do the first installment before I went to bed to get it in on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, my plane was late due to strong winds over the Rockies. I'm too late for SF, but I think I'm still starting under the wire for anyone reading in Hawaii. For this set, I'll put the songs and artists at the end of the post (occasionally with editorial comments). Next time, I may wait a post to let you send your guesses. Given that I was driving around central PA, just accept that it's a little country heavy. Here we go.

1) You love her , but she loves him
And he loves somebody else, you just can't win...

2)...I don't wanna touch you too much baby
'Cos making love to you might drive me crazy...

3)...I called the house but no one answered,
For the last two weeks no one's been home,
I guess she's through with me,
to tell the truth I just can't see
What's kept the woman holding on this long...

4)...It's a fool's game, nothing but a fool's game
Standing in the cold rain, feeling like a clown...

5)...Tonight she's only sipping white wine
She's happy and fun loving most of the time...

Now a double play from one artist
6a)...I keep waiting for you to forgive me
and you keep saying you can't even start...

6b)...Exhuming things that's better left alone
I'm resurrecting memories of a love that's dead and gone...

7)...Don't know that I will, but until I can find me
a girl who'll stay and won't play games behind me
I'll stay what I am...

8)...I've got your memory, or has it got me?
I really don't know, but I know it won't let me be...

9)...It’s quarter to three,
There’s no one in the place ’cept you and me...

10)...But I'll die as I stand here today, knowing that deep in my heart
They'll fall to ruin one day, for making us part...


OK


Scroll slowly


Here are the answers


1. J. Giles Band -- Love Stinks.
2. Def Leppard -- Love Bites.
3. Garth Brooks -- Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old). Love the parentheticals.
4. Bonnie Tyler -- It's a Heartache. And you thought she only did Total Eclipse of the Heart.
5. John Anderson -- Straight Tequila Night. If you got this one, you're a country fan. Accept it. If you've never heard it -- find it. It's a great song.
6. Randy Travis -- a) Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart; b) Diggin' Up Bones. I know of no other song using the word exhuming. He has about 10 more that could work for these categories.
7. Neil Diamond -- Solitary Man.
8. Patsy Cline -- She's Got You. A beautiful voice that left too soon.
9. Frank Sinatra -- One For My Baby (and One for the Road). More parentheticals by someone else who could fill this category by himself.
10. The Pretenders -- Back on the Chain Gang. This one always makes me think of things that, regrettably, just can't be. Especially the lines before the ones I gave. (Y'all know who you are.)

Alright. I hope someone other than me enjoys that. There are probably a lot of typos and arguably written (or wrong) lyrics in this post, but It's 3 AM...I must be lonely (Matchbox 20). Actually, it's 3 AM and I'm going to bed. Hopefully, we'll do the Break-up/Leaving/Fuck-you songs tomorrow.