My love for music is what keeps me going; when doing laundry and other chores, I have to blast it for some motivation. I even sing along, not caring much about understanding the lyrics but for the fun of convincing myself that with practice, I could give Mariah Carey a run for her money. It was not until I heard “Love Song” by Etana that I began being extra keen on the lyrics. The more I listened to some of the songs in my playlist, the more it got me thinking how desperate people can be when they are in love. Here are the five top songs you will agree with me depict the lengths people in love will go to keep a lover in their lives.
- “Foolish” by Ashanti
Ashanti sings that the man professed undying love for her, and she loves him truly. However, she can’t stop crying and does not understand why she allows him to mistreat her. Despite this acknowledgment, she keeps holding on to him. Even when she packs her bags to leave him, she changes her mind and stays, hoping for things to get better until it dawns on her that the man will never treat her better; no wonder the song is titled “Foolish.” According to MTV, the song is based on Ashanti’s experience. It speaks of how women can be so desperate in love that they stay in abusive relationships, a common practice in today’s society where marriage is regarded as a lifetime achievement.
- “The Pain of Loving You” by Dolly Parton
The song was released in 1971 as a duet between Parton and Porter Wagoner, but there are other versions. The country music singer sings that her partner never can stand to see her happy, and Parton goes through so much misery. Still, she continues loving him because she does not know what else she can do. Although the singer has mixed feelings of hate and love, the love she has for him is so strong that it has bound her heart and soul. Therefore, she can’t let him go. For this reason, the song is appropriately titled “The Pain of Loving You.”
- “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” by Duane Dee
The song was written in 1967 by Vivian Keith and Ben Peters. It was then released in 1967 by Dee, but many artists, including Dolly Parton, have covered it. While the original version only has 27K views on YouTube, Parton’s version has over 6.5 million views. It is a breakup song, but Dee cannot accept that it is over, so he offers to be there whenever the woman needs him. Parton’s version adds that it hurts to let the person go, but she will run to him whenever he calls, which goes to show the immense love that still exists regardless of the breakup.
- “Desperately” by Don Williams
In an age when celebrities sign divorce papers at the first sign of trouble, Williams stayed married for 57 years, until death did them part. It, therefore, is no surprise that in this song, he sings of how desperately in love he is. The late gentle giant of country music sang that without the love of his love, he goes crazy. He loves her so much that his willingness to live depends on her. Even if he knows giving someone that much power over his life is dangerous, he can’t help it.
- “Love Song” by Etana
The Jamaican songstress sings that even if the man broke her heart, she would never leave his side. She goes ahead to refer to the relationship as “ride or die.” Etana promises to be there in the dark and bright days, when his friends have left him all alone, and never to impose conditions on the love. Etana adds that she will love him even when he cannot love her as much as she does. Not many people are willing to stay in a relationship where their partner is not all in, but the lyrics depict the lengths being desperately in love will take you to, to hold on to someone.
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