Which Classic Love Song Will Win This Valentines-Themed Battle?

😘 Happy Valentines Day Lovelies! 😘

Can’t you believe that Valentine’s Day is next week! What will you do on this special occasion? Go on a special date? Eat lots of chocolate? Watch romantic movies?

Since I am single, I don’t have anything special planned to celebrate the occasion. But, I will make Valentines’ chocolate, which is a tradition here in Japan, with my students instead. They will give their finished goodies to their moms, dads, and/or siblings. We might also do more activities and crafts to celebrate the romantic holiday.

How about you? What will you do for Valentines’? Tell me in the comments below! 💖

The Day of Love

I didn’t have a Valentines-themed Battle of the Songs last year. Instead, I wrote about a classic 90s song by Japanese pop band Every Little Thing: “Deatta Koro no You ni” (Just Like When We Met). This sweet song is about a girl reminiscing the special one in her love life. If you haven’t heard of this song before, I strongly check it out as it is relaxing and dreamy.

For this year’s Valentine’s, I decided to do a battle between two classic songs! That’s right, I am going back to the 60s! And since February is Black History Month, I decided to feature two prominent black musicians that are legends in their own right. And also, when I think of songs about love, I instantly think about Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E” and The Supremes’ “Baby Love”.

Listen to both songs and pick your favorite! Let me know which one in the comments below! 🎵

Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E”

When I think about songs that talk about “love”, Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E” instantly comes to mind. This classic is indeed a jazz legend that doesn’t need any explanation. Just taking a listen of the tune makes one understand why “L-O-V-E” is a classic.

The tune is a low-key jazz tune with bandstand instruments playing in the background — except for the trumpet solo in the middle. Nat King Cole’s softy croons about the definitions of love by using each letter of the word. The lyrics may be simple, but many can relate to the definitions of love in their own relationships.

Many have covered the classic, including King Cole’s own daughter Natalie Cole (who I have mentioned before on this blog). But, the original version with Nat King Cole is a timeless love tune that will keep defining love till the end of time.

The Supremes’ “Baby Love”

Another legend from the 60s were The Supremes. A staple of R&B music, this girl group from Detroit had many hits, including their 1964 song “Baby Love”. This tune is such a classic that it ranked #324 on the of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list in Rolling Stone.

What makes “Baby Love” such an earworm? Is it the funk instrumentalist led by the Funk Brothers, Diana Ross’ mellow vocals, or the “baby baby” backup and ending adlibs provided by Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson? Perhaps, it could be all three factors? Whatever the reason may be, “Baby Love” is another timeless classic that has been loved by different generations.