When I hit adolescence I entered the “dysfunctional love songs” period of my personal music history. These were songs with beautiful melodies and catchy lyrics that just happened to emphasize doom, gloom, loss, and heartbreak — all of which my angst-filled teen-aged self completely resonated with (of course)!
I started off with this song by the Gershwins…
They’re writing songs of love
But not for me
A lucky star’s above
But not for me
This depressing verse has been stuck in my head since freshman year in high school…
Talkin’ to myself and feelin’ old
Sometimes I’d like to quit
Nothin’ ever seems to fit
Hangin’ around
Nothin’ to do but frown
Rainy days and Mondays always get me down
Here’s a section from one of my favorite songs of the time…
It seems to me that there are more hearts
Broken in the world that can’t be mended
Left unattended
What do we do? What do we do?
Alone again, naturally
I remember singing this one non-stop the summer I was learning to drive…
Where is the love,
You said was mine all mine, till the end of time
Was it just a lie
Where is the love?
And finally…Dionne Warwick has got to be the queen of dysfunctional love songs (“Walk on By”, “Who Can I Turn to”, “In Between the Heartaches”, etc); but I think this one tops them all…
I just don’t know what to do with myself
I’m so used to doing everything with you
Learning everything for two
And now that we’re through
I just don’t know what to do with my time
I’m so lonesome for you, it’s a crime
Going to a movie only makes me sad
Parties make me feel as bad
When I’m not with you, I just don’t know what to do
Oh baby, if your new love ever turns you down
Come on back, I will be around
Just waiting for you, I don’t know what else to do.
Considering how many of these sentiments I completely absorbed into my consciousness, it’s a wonder I ever had a healthy relationship! Listening to them now I just shake my head…and thank my lucky stars that this musical period didn’t last forever!