Music for My Un-Breakup
February 18, 2010 1:44 PM Subscribe
I want the opposite of a breakup album.
There have been tons of questions asking about the best breakup albums, but I want the opposite: an album to listen to while you're falling in love. It doesn't have to be all positive and sappy, or even mostly. Sensitivity and thoughtfulness in songwriting is appreciated. Last time I got over someone, I loved Noah and the Whale's The First Days of Spring. I was just listening to Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson's Breakup, and it wasn't bad. But I'm not breaking up! The opposite! So what should I listen to?
Notes: high quality preferred, and I'm talking about an entire album, not just one or two songs.
There have been tons of questions asking about the best breakup albums, but I want the opposite: an album to listen to while you're falling in love. It doesn't have to be all positive and sappy, or even mostly. Sensitivity and thoughtfulness in songwriting is appreciated. Last time I got over someone, I loved Noah and the Whale's The First Days of Spring. I was just listening to Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson's Breakup, and it wasn't bad. But I'm not breaking up! The opposite! So what should I listen to?
Notes: high quality preferred, and I'm talking about an entire album, not just one or two songs.
The Good Life's Album of the Year tells the story of a relationship, from meeting to breakup. It's not cheerful, overall, but it's pretty awesome.
posted by runningwithscissors at 1:52 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by runningwithscissors at 1:52 PM on February 18, 2010
I like Jack Johnson In Between Dreams . About 80% happy-go-lucky relationship songs (see esp. "Do You Remember").
posted by melissasaurus at 1:53 PM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by melissasaurus at 1:53 PM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea - PJ Harvey?
posted by runincircles at 1:55 PM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by runincircles at 1:55 PM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
bonnie pink's golden tears (sample: so wonderful)
lenka's lenka (sample: knock knock)
sophie madeleine's life.love.ukelele (sample: i can't stop myself (from writing love songs about you))
this was harder than i thought. everyone just wants to sing about being heartbroken!
posted by raw sugar at 1:59 PM on February 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
lenka's lenka (sample: knock knock)
sophie madeleine's life.love.ukelele (sample: i can't stop myself (from writing love songs about you))
this was harder than i thought. everyone just wants to sing about being heartbroken!
posted by raw sugar at 1:59 PM on February 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
edward sharpe and the magnetic zeros - up from below. it's the happiest, loveliest album around.
posted by youcancallmeal at 2:01 PM on February 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by youcancallmeal at 2:01 PM on February 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
Accidentally in Love -- Counting Crows is a favorite.
posted by eleanna at 2:13 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by eleanna at 2:13 PM on February 18, 2010
Not an album, but Bright Eyes First Day of my Life is a lovely song for this.
posted by mollymayhem at 2:18 PM on February 18, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by mollymayhem at 2:18 PM on February 18, 2010 [4 favorites]
Johnny Cash - American III
A bunch of his work is clearly about how head over heals he was for June Carter Cash and I think it is best illustrated in this album.
posted by BobbyDigital at 2:18 PM on February 18, 2010
A bunch of his work is clearly about how head over heals he was for June Carter Cash and I think it is best illustrated in this album.
posted by BobbyDigital at 2:18 PM on February 18, 2010
Coming in to agree with Lenka. Her stuff is lovely.
posted by gwenlister at 2:27 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by gwenlister at 2:27 PM on February 18, 2010
I feel like I've recommended this album a lot, but: Beach House - 'Devotion', or even their newest album 'Teen Dream' (specifically the song, 'Take Care').
posted by blithecatpie at 2:32 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by blithecatpie at 2:32 PM on February 18, 2010
Yo La Tengo's And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out is splendid for this. Well, it's a lot about being part of a long-term relationship, but "Our Way to Fall" is the loveliest remembrance of falling in love.
posted by punchdrunkhistory at 2:36 PM on February 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by punchdrunkhistory at 2:36 PM on February 18, 2010 [2 favorites]
ani difranco - revelling (of revelling and reckoning) (misspelling is her's not mine)
posted by nadawi at 2:44 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by nadawi at 2:44 PM on February 18, 2010
Oh thank you for asking this question!
I would say...
Jill Scott - Who is Jill Scott?
She really makes you feel the sweetness, the newness, and the savoring that goes along with falling in love.
A Fine Frenzy - One cell in the sea
There are some not-so-falling-in-love songs but general hits the spot. Classics from this album are: minnow and trout, and you picked me.
David Gray - Life in slow motion
A bit too mellow for all occasions but a nice viewpoint of love.
Since you seem to like Pete Yorn, I suggest listen to Music for the Morning After.
posted by Term of Art at 2:49 PM on February 18, 2010
I would say...
Jill Scott - Who is Jill Scott?
She really makes you feel the sweetness, the newness, and the savoring that goes along with falling in love.
A Fine Frenzy - One cell in the sea
There are some not-so-falling-in-love songs but general hits the spot. Classics from this album are: minnow and trout, and you picked me.
David Gray - Life in slow motion
A bit too mellow for all occasions but a nice viewpoint of love.
Since you seem to like Pete Yorn, I suggest listen to Music for the Morning After.
posted by Term of Art at 2:49 PM on February 18, 2010
The album you want is Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now."
posted by greekphilosophy at 3:47 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by greekphilosophy at 3:47 PM on February 18, 2010
Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris's All the Roadrunning? Particularly thinking of the song, This is Us.
posted by n'muakolo at 4:14 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by n'muakolo at 4:14 PM on February 18, 2010
Are individual songs okay? 'Cause Tullycraft's Saving Every Little Thing is awesome. (The video I linked you is terrible! But the song is good. Or at least it is when you are in love! When you aren't, it can be really fucking annoying.)
posted by NoraReed at 5:01 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by NoraReed at 5:01 PM on February 18, 2010
I've always found that the best, most exciting, happiest music when falling for someone is the new music they introduce me to. (Whether my appreciation for that music persists beyond the relationship is questionable, but I have found a few long-term favorite artists that way.) If you have a particular person in mind, get them to play you their favorite albums. Or make them a mix CD and hope for reciprocation!
posted by vytae at 5:08 PM on February 18, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by vytae at 5:08 PM on February 18, 2010 [4 favorites]
Be Still My Heart by The Postal Service
The Ancient Commonsense of Things by Bishop Allen
Coffee Shop by Landon Pigg
Rattled by the Traveling Wilburys
posted by Narrative Priorities at 5:42 PM on February 18, 2010
The Ancient Commonsense of Things by Bishop Allen
Coffee Shop by Landon Pigg
Rattled by the Traveling Wilburys
posted by Narrative Priorities at 5:42 PM on February 18, 2010
Elvis Costello's "North" is his "I'm falling in love with Diana Krall" album.
posted by davebush at 5:45 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by davebush at 5:45 PM on February 18, 2010
Ah, apologies, I missed the request for an entire album.
With that in mind, I'd make the (perhaps unlikely) recommendation of the soundtrack for Kissing Jessica Stein. The movie was forgettable, but the soundtrack is full of great recordings of jazzy mid-century love songs. A few of the songs are about the end of a relationship -- following the arc of the film itself -- but even those are cozily romantic in their own way.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 5:47 PM on February 18, 2010
With that in mind, I'd make the (perhaps unlikely) recommendation of the soundtrack for Kissing Jessica Stein. The movie was forgettable, but the soundtrack is full of great recordings of jazzy mid-century love songs. A few of the songs are about the end of a relationship -- following the arc of the film itself -- but even those are cozily romantic in their own way.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 5:47 PM on February 18, 2010
The soundtrack to (500) Days of Summer.
The song There Goes the Fear resonated with me but, really, I found all of the songs applicable to falling in love - which I was doing when I saw the movie and later listening to the soundtrack. Ahhh, happy sigh :)
posted by unlaced at 6:00 PM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
The song There Goes the Fear resonated with me but, really, I found all of the songs applicable to falling in love - which I was doing when I saw the movie and later listening to the soundtrack. Ahhh, happy sigh :)
posted by unlaced at 6:00 PM on February 18, 2010 [1 favorite]
I love this question! Thank you for asking!
Hmmm... I love Bon Iver's For Emma Forever Ago, but then, I was falling in love at the time, so...
Right now I'm digging Jónsi's (from Sigur Ros) new album- it seems fall-in-loveable. The whole album hasn't been released yet, but will be!
posted by thatbrunette at 6:56 PM on February 18, 2010
Hmmm... I love Bon Iver's For Emma Forever Ago, but then, I was falling in love at the time, so...
Right now I'm digging Jónsi's (from Sigur Ros) new album- it seems fall-in-loveable. The whole album hasn't been released yet, but will be!
posted by thatbrunette at 6:56 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by axiom at 7:04 PM on February 18, 2010
Moon Safari by Air sort of about love and sort of not about anything, but the whole feel of it really fits.
posted by lhputtgrass at 9:01 PM on February 18, 2010
posted by lhputtgrass at 9:01 PM on February 18, 2010
I'm busy falling in love right now, and Falling In Love Music has played a major role in that. For Valentine's Day, the object of my affection gave me two mix cds. The first was classical music - a passion we both share. All the pieces were new to me, things he loved and wanted to share with me. But he made sure to include Chopin's Fourth Ballade because he knew it was my favorite. Anyway, here's the other mix he gave to me. Make sure to check out "Slow Show" and "Home" - they're the ones that I'm listening to pretty much on repeat right now while dancing around my room and writing his name in big loopy letters on my Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper.
Quick Canal - Atlas Sound (Logos, 2009)
Midnight Love - Tennishero (2008)
Blue Bird - Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions (Through the Devil Softly, 2009)
Silver City - Ghostland Observatory (delete.delete.i.eat.meat, 2005)
Running up that Hill - Chromatics (Night Drive, 2007)
Be Here Now - Ray LaMontaigne (Till the Sun Turns Black, 2007)
Warrior - Andy Caldwell (Universal Truth, 2006)
Dry and Dusty - Fever Ray (Fever Ray, 2009)
Slow Show - The National (Boxer, 2007)
A Kissed Out Red Floatboat - Cocteau Twins (Blue Bell Knoll, 1988)
Prescilla - Bat for Lashes (Fur and Gold, 2006)
Flume - Bon Iver (For Emma, Forever Ago, 2007)
Heartbeat - The Knife (Deep Cuts, 2003)
Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes (Up From Below, 2009)
In response to his mix, I sent him one today. Again, not an album, but a good start on some sounds you might want to hear in furtherance of your goal.
My Coco – Stellastarr* (Stellastarr*, 2003)
The Garden of Forking Paths – Steve Goldberg & the Arch Enemies (Labyrinths, 2010)*
Sweet Potato – Sia (Colour the Small One, 2004)
On the Wing – Owl City (Ocean Eyes, 2009)
Harbor – Vienna Teng (Warm Strangers, 2004)
Both Sides Now – Joni Mitchell (Both Sides Now, 2000)
Breathe Me – Sia (Colour the Small One, 2004)
Meteor Shower – Owl City (Ocean Eyes, 2009)
Gravity – Vienna Teng (Waking Hour, 2002)
Hide and Seek (Imogen Heap) – (Time for Three, 2010)
A Case of You – Joni Mitchell (Both Sides Now, 2000)
*Lead singer is MeFite ludwig_van!
posted by greekphilosophy at 9:21 PM on February 18, 2010 [4 favorites]
Quick Canal - Atlas Sound (Logos, 2009)
Midnight Love - Tennishero (2008)
Blue Bird - Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions (Through the Devil Softly, 2009)
Silver City - Ghostland Observatory (delete.delete.i.eat.meat, 2005)
Running up that Hill - Chromatics (Night Drive, 2007)
Be Here Now - Ray LaMontaigne (Till the Sun Turns Black, 2007)
Warrior - Andy Caldwell (Universal Truth, 2006)
Dry and Dusty - Fever Ray (Fever Ray, 2009)
Slow Show - The National (Boxer, 2007)
A Kissed Out Red Floatboat - Cocteau Twins (Blue Bell Knoll, 1988)
Prescilla - Bat for Lashes (Fur and Gold, 2006)
Flume - Bon Iver (For Emma, Forever Ago, 2007)
Heartbeat - The Knife (Deep Cuts, 2003)
Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes (Up From Below, 2009)
In response to his mix, I sent him one today. Again, not an album, but a good start on some sounds you might want to hear in furtherance of your goal.
My Coco – Stellastarr* (Stellastarr*, 2003)
The Garden of Forking Paths – Steve Goldberg & the Arch Enemies (Labyrinths, 2010)*
Sweet Potato – Sia (Colour the Small One, 2004)
On the Wing – Owl City (Ocean Eyes, 2009)
Harbor – Vienna Teng (Warm Strangers, 2004)
Both Sides Now – Joni Mitchell (Both Sides Now, 2000)
Breathe Me – Sia (Colour the Small One, 2004)
Meteor Shower – Owl City (Ocean Eyes, 2009)
Gravity – Vienna Teng (Waking Hour, 2002)
Hide and Seek (Imogen Heap) – (Time for Three, 2010)
A Case of You – Joni Mitchell (Both Sides Now, 2000)
*Lead singer is MeFite ludwig_van!
posted by greekphilosophy at 9:21 PM on February 18, 2010 [4 favorites]
Beyond the Blue by Joan Armatrading
Chariots Rise by Lizzie West
and hey, congratulations!
posted by exceptinsects at 12:02 AM on February 19, 2010
Chariots Rise by Lizzie West
and hey, congratulations!
posted by exceptinsects at 12:02 AM on February 19, 2010
oh, sorry, those aren't whole albums. I got overexcited. :-)
Maybe She & Him--Volume One?
posted by exceptinsects at 12:05 AM on February 19, 2010
Maybe She & Him--Volume One?
posted by exceptinsects at 12:05 AM on February 19, 2010
REM's Reckoning has worked very well for me on this score. The lyrics aren't really about anything, so if you're looking for poetic expressions, it's out. However, the tone of the record, the feel of it, is, I think, precisely what you're talking about.
posted by koeselitz at 2:08 AM on February 19, 2010
posted by koeselitz at 2:08 AM on February 19, 2010
I first heard Vespertine by Bjork when I was falling in love with my husband and it seemed to perfectly capture the insulated mysterious delight I was experiencing.
posted by droomoord at 2:16 AM on February 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by droomoord at 2:16 AM on February 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
Oh shit, dude. How could I forget?
The absolute best falling-in-love album I know of is Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds' Abbatoir Blues. Rollicking, gospel-tinged rock tunes like "Get Ready For Love! (Praise Him)" and "There She Goes (My Beautiful World)" are fucking awesome for that feeling. And the whole thing is filled with thoughtful, interesting, incredible lyrics. Cave is sort of doing love as a metaphor for religion as a metaphor for art as a metaphor for love, and it works astoundingly well. Also, the lines
posted by koeselitz at 2:54 AM on February 19, 2010
The absolute best falling-in-love album I know of is Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds' Abbatoir Blues. Rollicking, gospel-tinged rock tunes like "Get Ready For Love! (Praise Him)" and "There She Goes (My Beautiful World)" are fucking awesome for that feeling. And the whole thing is filled with thoughtful, interesting, incredible lyrics. Cave is sort of doing love as a metaphor for religion as a metaphor for art as a metaphor for love, and it works astoundingly well. Also, the lines
Everything's dissolving, babe, just according to planare some of the most hilarious I've ever heard.
The sky is on fire, the dead are heaped across the land
I went to bed last night and my moral code got jammed
I woke up this morning with a Frappuccino in my hand
posted by koeselitz at 2:54 AM on February 19, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks everyone! Lots of great suggestions, but keep 'em coming!
posted by awesomebrad at 4:47 AM on February 19, 2010
posted by awesomebrad at 4:47 AM on February 19, 2010
I've been re-reading a bunch of old NMEs lately, as you do. In the late nineties (at least) they used to have this "Songs In The Key Of Life" feature, where they asked artists for their "record that reminds you of school" and "record guaranteed to clear the tourbus" etc. Another question was "record you fell in love to", and both Tim Wheeler (Ash) and Bernard Butler (ex-Suede, solo) answered that one with Teenage Fanclub's "Bandwagonesque". And I can definitely see where they're coming from, that album has got a lovely feeling.
I like vytae's answer, as well. Bonus: If you like to analyze things, you'll spend days with those mix CDs, pouring over the lyrics, wondering whatever in the name of all that is true and holy your love interest meant by putting that song on there. "Is he/she telling me something? Should I be worried?!" ;)
posted by soundofsuburbia at 6:11 AM on February 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
I like vytae's answer, as well. Bonus: If you like to analyze things, you'll spend days with those mix CDs, pouring over the lyrics, wondering whatever in the name of all that is true and holy your love interest meant by putting that song on there. "Is he/she telling me something? Should I be worried?!" ;)
posted by soundofsuburbia at 6:11 AM on February 19, 2010 [1 favorite]
Nooks by King Creosote is a very good falling in love song. As is Frightened Rabbit's Old Fashioned.
Songs from Northern Britain is an amazingly positive record, on a Teenage Fanclub tip.
posted by mippy at 10:31 AM on February 19, 2010
Songs from Northern Britain is an amazingly positive record, on a Teenage Fanclub tip.
posted by mippy at 10:31 AM on February 19, 2010
Really, Magnetic Fields should pay me royalties because I recommend this song so often: Strange Powers. "Under more stars than there are prostitutes in Thailand" and "When we kiss it feels like a flying saucer landing" rank as some of my all-time favorite lyrics. And it's a song you can run to. The whole album is pretty much genius.
posted by *s at 3:11 PM on February 19, 2010
posted by *s at 3:11 PM on February 19, 2010
Patrick Wolf's album The Magic Position was apparently written when he was in the first flush of love with someone, and it shows. Shared it with boyfriend back when we were friends, and now we both remember crisp autumn walks back to our respective places when we hear it.
posted by Devika at 8:31 PM on February 20, 2010
posted by Devika at 8:31 PM on February 20, 2010
Astral Weeks by Van Morrison
posted by thatguyryan at 5:11 PM on February 21, 2010
posted by thatguyryan at 5:11 PM on February 21, 2010
ahem, I would recommend against Bon Iver. that album is about having your heart ripped out.
posted by stratastar at 11:29 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by stratastar at 11:29 PM on February 22, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by The Whelk at 1:50 PM on February 18, 2010