Written by Jamila Holder of Brampton, ON
Love is in the air! Some will inhale its aroma, while others hold their breaths. Teddy bears, roses and chocolate season is back. Every radio station is playing the hottest love songs, from the classic Whitney Houston to contemporary Adele. It appears every DJ in town has synchronized their playlist to ensure we’ll be unable to escape swaying to the catchy melodies.
There is something appealing about the interaction of lyrics and music. I love music, and I love to write, so perhaps that’s why love songs are appealing to me. What about you? You can either pretend to be deaf or attempt to sanctify every hook and chorus with Jesus; nonetheless there is no denying that almost all of us are in love with love songs.
Lately I find myself singing at the top of my lungs Tori Kelly’s “Dear No One.” The hook perfectly describes my life now – single! And although I am loving the woman I am becoming, “Sometimes, I just want somebody to hold. Someone to give me their jacket when it’s cold. Got that young love even when we’re old.” Thank you, Tori Kelly! How did you know what I was thinking?
Perhaps this Valentine’s Day season is a reminder of the battle scars love has left you. Perhaps your life sounds like the Mary J. Blige song “No More Drama” or Fantasia’s line, “Cause when you’ve been broken, you feel like no one can fix it.” For others perhaps Christon Gray’s line “I’m so afraid of the way I love you,” better describes your life.
Go find your love song! Once you find a song, ask yourself why you pick that song? Why does it move you?
For me Tori Kelly’s song is a single person’s anthem. She is honest enough to admit that even though singleness is great, there are moments when the itch to be with someone is too unbearable to ignore. But I love her response, “So if you’re out there somewhere, I’m done looking for my future someone. When the time is right, you’ll be here.”
Every time I’m tempted to go find “Mr. Right” because I am bored or had to face someone else’s “in a relationship” status, I recall the lyrics to “Dear No One” and quiet the voices egging me on to scratch the relationship itch.
