A love story in three songs: 1) falling in love, 2) achieving what may be a messy but good relationship (in other words, a normal one), and 3) breaking up. The following songs depict this common arc and are some of the most haunting melodies pertinent to these dynamics.
I. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” covered by Jena Irene
Sometimes the TV talent competitors are among the best we have. Jena Irene, who came close to winning American Idol in its thirteenth season, blew the audience away with this version of the Elvis Presley hit.
…Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
For I can’t help falling in love with you…
If you don’t want to watch all the post-performance Idol chatter, this is probably the best live version available. But if you do want to know what the judges said afterward, check the one here.
II. “A Beautiful Mess,” written and sung by Jason Mraz
Ben Bamsey, ArtWorks: “It is a brilliantly crafted song full of patience and love’s contradictions – a perfect first dance. If Mozart had strung words together instead of notes, he would have created this masterpiece” about the mix of beauty and ugliness in a more settled relationship.
…And what a beautiful mess this is
It’s like taking a guess when the only answer is yes
And through timeless words in priceless pictures
We’ll fly like birds not of this earth
And tides they turn and hearts disfigure
But that’s no concern when we’re wounded together
And we tore our dresses and stained our shirts
But it’s nice today, oh the wait was so worth it
For all the lyrics, click here. But full disclosure, they have to be heard to be appreciated. I prefer his lengthy version, which features the accompaniment of his band—different from other recorded versions. See below:
III. “I Can’t Make You Love Me” as covered by Brandi Carlile
The great Bonnie Raitt made this famous, and, as with “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” many other singers have covered it. I liked this recent tribute to Raitt at the The Kennedy Center Honors.
…’Cause I can’t make you love me if you don’t
You can’t make your heart feel something it won’t
Here in the dark, in these final hours
I will lay down my heart and I’ll feel the power
But you won’t, no you won’t
‘Cause I can’t make you love me, if you don’t
