I can't quite explain how it came about, but I have been a hopeless romantic for as long as I can remember, and it was in part my difficulty in dealing with this fact that led me to philosophy, and ultimately to Stoicism.
There are so many great songs about love, some filled with joy, others steeped in sadness. I can relate to all of them, as long as they are sincere. In contrast, I have no patience for music that is about lust, or reduces any person to an object of gratification. If I find you bopping your head to such a tune, I will be inclined to give you a wide berth.
What puts this particular song near the top of my list is in how it not only glorifies love, but further explains precisely why love is so glorious. Where there is no willingness to give completely of oneself, and to forgive any doubt or offense, then it isn't love. Once conditions are attached, the beloved is not who I am concerned with at all.
"Lovely Day" by Bill Withers puts a little lump in my throat . . .
and a later song by Howard Jones, "Lift Me Up", will make me do a little dance in the living room . . .
but "What is Love?" (no, not the Haddaway dance tune, though that has its own charms) is like a little treatise on commitment to me. If I ever happen to be angry at you, play it for me, and all will be instantly forgiven.
—4/2007
A few words of commentary from Howard Jones:
And the song itself:
Howard Jones, "What is Love?" from Human's Lib (1984)
I love you whether or not you love me
I love you even if you think that I don't
Sometimes I find you doubt my love for you, but I don't mind
Why should I mind, Why should I mind
What is Love anyway, does anybody love anybody anyway
What is Love anyway, does anybody love anybody anyway
Can anybody love anyone so much that they will never fear
Never worry never be sad
The answer is they cannot love this much nobody can
This is why I don't mind you doubting
What is Love anyway, does anybody love anybody anyway
What is Love anyway, does anybody love anybody anyway
And maybe love is letting people be just what they want to be
The door always must be left unlocked
To love when circumstance may lead someone away from you
And not to spend the time just doubting
What is Love anyway, does anybody love anybody anyway
What is Love anyway, does anybody love anybody anyway
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