Let's not lie: it's easy to hate those greatest love Song lists. Theres just something so personal about a love song. Theyre like smells, and we go along attaching love songs like roses to memories, people, and places. The music that we choose to represent the joy and heartbreak, nostalgia and hopefulness of each relationship is as unique as we are (one persons Mariah is another person's Fuel). So why not be a little more imaginative? Yes, some of the tried-and-true love songs are here. Its unavoidable, really - theyve been around such a long time for a reason, right? I also threw in some bogeys - songs that are well-known, but might not get the recognition they deserve. There are also songs by well-known artists that everyone should know, but somehow dont. Please don't take the countdown too seriously. It's not completely arbitrary - for instance, there's no way in the world anyone could rank a Coldplay song over Cole Porter, but I'm not going to tear my hair out deciding if a Stevie Wonder song is better than a Beatles song either.
20. I Need Love - LL Cool J
http://youtu.be/NEUX-HYRtUA Its hard to find a rapper in touch with his feelings; finding one capable of uttering a certain four-letter word (L-O-V-E) is even rarer. I suppose it has something to do with maintaining that ever elusive street cred (Its Big Pimping not Sitting at Home with My Wife). However, LL Cool J lays it all on the line with his 1987 rap ballad. Sure, some of the lyrics are cheesy (Ill lay my jacket down so you can walk over a puddle). But the song is earnest, sincere even: I can feel it inside/ I can't explain how it feels/ all I know is that I'll never dish another raw deal/ Playing make believe pretending that I'm true/ holding in my laugh as I say that I love you. His poetic entreaty, laid down over a slow, synth-pop beat paved the way for other rappers who wanted more than just bootythey wanted love (see Commons The Light). Also, the video is priceless: check out the Golden Nugget close-up around 2:32, super classy.
