Welcome to Romance Week, post 2! You can read post 1 This Romance Writer’s Top 10 Romance Movies.
I made sure I put rock in the title so you don’t get disappointed if you don’t see your pop favorites. I’m a rock music fan through and through, although some of the artists mentioned here do occasionally produce pop hits.
Links change frequently, so if the ones featured don’t work you can still find most of these songs on YouTube.
And remember, my three books are $0.99 are on Amazon until the 15th of February!
Now, let’s get romantic!
Bryan Adams, Everything I Do (I do it for you)
This 90s hit featured in the Robin Hood film starring Kevin Costner still gives me the chills.
It’s the perfect combo of beautiful and meaningful lyrics, great vocals and catchy music.
Watch/listen here.
The movie is really fun too.
And since Bryan Adams is the king of romantic songs, you might also want to try:
Have you really loved a woman?
Bon Jovi, (It’s Hard) Letting You Go
Bon Jovi is my favorite band, and I’ve seen them live twice.
I’d say they are particularly good at creating energizing and impossibly catch rock anthems as well as memorable romantic songs.
Listen to (It’s Hard) Letting You Go here. The vocals especially get me every single time.
I’m not putting Always on the list for two reasons:
– You already know about it.
– The song’s video ruined it for me.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a gorgeous video with a wonderful cast. It stars Carla Gugino, Keri Russell and Jason Wiles. (90s kids will remember him as Colin from Beverly Hills 90210).
But while the song talks about a mistake without specifying it, the video shows it as the guy cheating on his girlfriend (Gugino) with her roommate (Russell). And then he goes on to get jealous about the cute painter (Wiles) she spent the night with after catching him in the act.
Like, what the hell, dude?
And after that, she leaves him for good. Not exactly my type of romantic fantasy.
So Always is out.
I’m instead featuring a beautiful song from the These Days album.
Also check out:
Def Leppard, Have you ever needed someone so bad?
When I first created the story of my upcoming second novel A Change Would Do You Good, it was a screenplay. And I included a soundtrack. I wrote this song would play here if this was shot as a series, and even lent the track to my readers.
After I release the book, I should make a note to come to this post and reveal where I had put it and for which character.
This song is slow, and the lyrics just make you want to be in love. And if you are in love, you will know what Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliot is singing about.
Have you ever needed someone so bad? video
Warrant, Blind Faith
I also mentioned this song in the novel. It plays in the last scene. Wouldn’t that be amazing to have blind faith in someone?
Also, to channel Chandler Bing, could I love acoustic guitar any more?
The Corrs, What Can I Do?
Did someone say addictive pop-rock with some Irish themes?
Once I had this huge crush on a guy. I had no idea how he felt, and I would keep singing this song.
I still love the song.
I got the guy, by the way. It didn’t work out in the long run, but it was fun to have the crush reciprocated.
Whitesnake, Is This Love?
Yes, you’re seeing a theme here. I love my electric guitar, and I love my big-hair glam metal bands.
But surely regardless of how you feel about the genre, you can appreciate this gem.
And damn, David Coverdale’s voice takes me places. I saw Whitesnake live twice, and I’d love to see them again. And again.
Because my feelings for the band…well…it is love. 🙂
Alice Cooper, Hell’s Living Without You
Alice Cooper’s Thrash is one of my favorite rock albums. This is how a rocker should do romance: passionate, meaningful lyrics that give you the chills with the music.
And damn, I love the name of the song!
Bruce Springsteen, Secret Garden
I’ve loved this song ever since I heard it on the soundtrack of Jerry Maguire. I definitely recommend the movie as well.
Goo Goo Dolls, Iris
After I heard Iris, I became a Goo Goo Dolls fan. I still am one. I’m going to link to two videos: the official video and the concert footage in the rain. Goosebumps is the word.
If you need a romantic movie to go with it, Iris is in the soundtrack of City of Angels starring Nicholas Cage and Meg Ryan. Good movie, but be prepared for a bad ending.
Iris – original video
Iris – concert
Poison, Be The One
Poison’s biggest hit is probably Every Rose Has Its Thorn, and I love it. As an acoustic number.
I used to love it as a romantic song too until I read the story behind it.
The girl isn’t the rose, and her flaw isn’t the thorn. Singer Bret Michaels’ girlfriend left him for another musician with a better car and career. But then Poison got way bigger. So the rose is Michael’s career and the thorn is the ex.
I love a good “my ex was bad” song, but not as a romantic favorite.
If you love your rock ballads, try Let Me Be The One.
Bonus:
Mr.Big, Ain’t Seen Love Like That
Patrick Swayze, She’s like the wind