8 Real-Life Love Songs and Their Inspirations
March 16th, 2009 by Suzy in the CityWhile grocery shopping the other day, I got a little teary-eyed while listening to some love song softly playing over the PA system. As I thought about whether or not I’d ever feel love like they were singing about, I began to wonder: just how genuine are the lyrics to these songs? Sure, it’s easy to sing about how wonderful and perfect your relationship is, but sometimes I find it hard to believe that the people singing these songs have ever really experienced these emotions.
Photo: Meliha Gojak
After doing some research – surprise! – many popular songs were inspired by the artists real-life relationships. Here’s a list of 8 of the best:
Song: “Something”, written by George Harrison (performed by the Beatles)
Inspired By: Pattie Boyd, George Harrison’s then-wife
Pattie Boyd, is no stranger to song dedications (she also inspired many songs by Eric Clapton, who she later married after her relationship with Harrison ended). The song is undeniably beautiful and romantic, and anyone would be lucky to have a relationship like that. The song is only made more powerful by the fact that George was inspired by his wife to make such an amazing song.
Song: “My Girl”, written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White (performed by The Temptations)
Inspired By: Claudette Robinson, Smokey Robinson’s wife
“My Girl” is arguably one of the sweetest songs ever written, and the purity of their relationship shines through. Smokey and Claudette performed together (she was one of the Miracles in Smokey Robinson & The Miracles), and while their story didn’t end happily ever after, the emotion of the song remains relevant even today.
Song: “Our House”, written by Graham Nash (performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)
Inspired By: Joni Mitchell, Graham Nash’s then-girlfriend
At the time the song was written, Joni and Graham were already bonafide stars, so the sweet, domestic scene the song displays was a welcome novelty to the couple. It revels in the simple pleasures of spending lazy days together with the one you care about most, and just about anyone who’s been in love has experienced a day like that.
Song: “Oh, Pretty Woman”, written by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees (performed by Roy Orbison)
Inspired By: Claudette Orbison, Roy Orbison’s wife
The song was reportedly inspired by Roy’s wife when she interrupted a conversation to tell her husband she was going to the store and needed money. Roy’s friend cheekily replied “A pretty woman never needs any money”. Any man that can sing so fondly about his pretty wife is a winner in my book!
Song: “Wonderful Tonight”, written and performed by Eric Clapton
Inspired By: Pattie Boyd, Eric Clapton’s then-wife
Rock’s most famous muse had to appear more than once on this list. Clapton wrote this song while waiting for Boyd to get ready for a night out. Though the song is a sweet, Clapton allegedly began writing it because he was so annoyed by her lateness. Whatever, let’s just keep it at the dreamy ballad it sounds like!
Song: “Silver Springs”, written by Stevie Nicks (performed by Fleetwood Mac)
Inspired By: Lindsay Buckingham, Stevie Nick’s on-again-off-again boyfriend
While not a romantic song, “Silver Springs” is still passionate and emotional nonetheless. Nicks wrote the song right after her breakup with Buckingham, allegedly saying that she wanted the song to haunt him and remind him of her love every time he heard it. The two continued to write songs about each other on many of Fleetwood Mac’s albums – some sweet, some downright vindictive.
Song: “True Blue”, written by Madonna and Stephen Bray (performed by Madonna)
Inspired By: Sean Penn, Madonna’s then-husband
The marriage between Sean Penn and Madonna was tumultuous and passionate, but at the time “True Blue”‘s recording, they were very much in love. Madonna dedicated the entire album to Penn, and wrote the title track specifically for him. The song is innocent and bouncy, quite unlike the Madonna of “Truth or Dare”.
Song: “Dear Yoko”, written and performed by John Lennon
Inspired By: Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s wife
Being a huge Beatles fan, you know I had to include more than one! Lennon was limitlessly inspired by his relationship with Ono, and this is just one of the more beautiful songs he wrote for her. The simplicity of his emotions are easily relatable to just about any relationship.
Have you ever had a song written for you or about you?
Tags: Love, Love Songs, music, Romance
