The inglorious death of romance

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | 6-11-06 | Tom Purcell

[Cavalcabo]

Hey, pallie, what the heck happened to romance? I use the word "pallie" in deference to the great Dean Martin, whose birthday was celebrated last Wednesday, and whose music will be celebrated at the Dean Martin Festival in Steubenville, Ohio, next weekend -- in the town of his birth.

I ask because I just looked at Billboard Magazine's Hot 100 list. Sitting at No. 1 on the charts is "Hips Don't Lie," by Shakira. It's on her album "Oral Fixation." Her song is a hit, no doubt, because of its eloquent lyrics:

"Nobody can ignore the way you move your body, girl And everything so unexpected -- the way you right and left it So you can keep on shaking it."

No. 2 on the charts is "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire, a rap performer. Here's a little taste of the song's poetry:

"Tippin' down, sittin' crooked on my chrome Bookin' my phone, tryin' to find a chick I wanna (slang expletive)"

No. 3 on the charts is "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado:

"You expect me to let you just hit it But will you still respect me if you get it."

Ah, modern romance. Things sure have changed since Dino dropped off the charts. I think I know why: Romance is dead.

Whereas the top three hits above celebrate human nature at its most base -- wiggling one's hips to stoke male arousal, looking for "chicks" to satisfy your urge, or wondering if a fellow will stick around after he samples the goods -- Dino's simple music spoke to the heart. Consider the lyrics to "Amore":

"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie That's amore When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine That's amore."

[lawgirl]

I am a huge Rat Pack fan for this exact reason (besides I like the way it sounds) - you can't dance with a guy in any meaningful way to todays music. Very sad. My favorite Dino is "Ain't that a kick in the head"- you can hear him smiling while he sings it. She's telling me we'll be wed / She's picked out a king sized bed/ I couldn't feel any better or or I'd be sick... I love it.

[lawgirl]

You can hear it on the Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack IIRC. ;-)

[lawnguy]

I spend some time around high school aged kids who are into music, and if they are exposed to these good songs, many of them enjoy singing them.

I wish all music teachers, choir directors, etc. around the country would stand up for quality, and be sure all their students at least HEAR these old standards. I don't think that's too much to ask.

[sam_paine]

RE: XM 4

For all the quantity of great music of the 30s and 40's, they really seem to repeat a whole heckuva lot (good, but repetitive.)

Or maybe I just listen too much!

[MarkL]

Yeah, but still... Shakira's hips don't lie... And they don't stay still, either! Yousa!

Mark

[Tax-chick]

My hips don't lie, either. They say, "I'm a breeder!"

(Sorry, I couldn't resist ...)

[maxwellp]

I have always loved "Stardust". What passes for romantic music today lost me a long time ago. Many thanks for posting the lyrics - still beautiful.

[Old Seadog]

[YankeeinOkieville]

from your list, I'd say you'd probably like Josh Groban. you should check him out, if you haven't already.

[gcruse]

I can't think of Stardust without recalling what, to me anyway, is its companion piece.

I speak of course of Deep Purple.

[Cavalcabo]

For anyone who will be near Steubenville, OH next weekend:

http://www.deanmartinsteubenville.com/index2.htm

[Tribune7]

Da Da Da dada Ditda Da Da Da daDa da.

We all came out to Montreux on the Lake Geneva shoreline . . .

[HitmanLV]

I know you love your music! ;-)

[ladyinred]

I think the problem is, we used to have romantic songs, now we have songs, and I use the term lightly, about sex and violence. I detest it too.

[Mr. Blonde]

At one of the local bars closing time is signaled by them playing New York New York by Frank Sinatra. It really highlights the difference between him and so much that followed.

I was excited for summer because at one of the local bars it meant that they would play country (not a big fan, but I'll take it over rap anyday) for whatever reason they have abandoned that practice this year.

[T'wit]

>> still beautiful.

Aren't they? Back when lyrics were... lyrical :-)

[Gigantor]

"Stardust" is one of the greatest songs ever - melody and lyrics - but, while Hoagy Carmichael wrote the music let's not forget the lyricist: Mitchell Parish.

What beautiful words they are!

[Leroy S. Mort]

You know you're old when you're watching American Idol with your 20's daughter and she says "Who was Roy Orbison?"

[Victoria Delsoul]

LOL!!! I got all those songs stored on my C program... Shakira's Hips Don't Lie, Chamillionaire's Riding, and Promiscuous by Nelly Furtado and of course I got Dean Martin. Let me upload a few of them. BRB.