Forgotten Songs of the '60s: Love
Forgotten Songs of the ‘60s: Love
Love is one of the most underrated rock bands of all time. Not only were they one of the first rock bands led by a black man, but they were also one of the first signed to a major label and one of the first to dabble in psychedelia. Arthur Lee and his cohorts had many highs and lows throughout the decade, including one of the decade’s most influential records, 1967’s Forever Changes. But by the end of the decade, the band was struggling, torn apart by rampant drug use and infighting. After a massive shift which saw Arthur replace everyone in the band, Love returned in 1969 with Four Sail. The band may have been down by this point but Arthur was more than willing to prove that they weren’t out.
The best song on Four Sail as well as possibly one of the best songs of the band’s career, “Always See Your Face” starts out slow and melodic before Arthur comes in with the aching, pleading lines “Won’t somebody please, help me with my misery” before the rest of the band joins in and slinks along and begins building up, slowly but surely.
Then at the breakdown, everyone comes together and the song reaches its climax and one reaches a state of pure pop bliss that is unlikely to be erased by any other song for quite a while. It’s just a shame that the song was never able to get its fair shake at recognition until 2000 when it appeared in “High Fidelity” and people everywhere most likely heard it for the first time and it’s since become one of Love and Arthur Lee’s most important songs.
Sadly, Arthur passed away in 2006 but the song will live on as long as people are willing to dig up old songs from the sixties and rediscover them and respect in the 21st century.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkWVrLfiJKs
Love is one of the most underrated rock bands of all time. Not only were they one of the first rock bands led by a black man, but they were also one of the first signed to a major label and one of the first to dabble in psychedelia. Arthur Lee and his cohorts had many highs and lows throughout the decade, including one of the decade’s most influential records, 1967’s Forever Changes. But by the end of the decade, the band was struggling, torn apart by rampant drug use and infighting. After a massive shift which saw Arthur replace everyone in the band, Love returned in 1969 with Four Sail. The band may have been down by this point but Arthur was more than willing to prove that they weren’t out.
The best song on Four Sail as well as possibly one of the best songs of the band’s career, “Always See Your Face” starts out slow and melodic before Arthur comes in with the aching, pleading lines “Won’t somebody please, help me with my misery” before the rest of the band joins in and slinks along and begins building up, slowly but surely.
Then at the breakdown, everyone comes together and the song reaches its climax and one reaches a state of pure pop bliss that is unlikely to be erased by any other song for quite a while. It’s just a shame that the song was never able to get its fair shake at recognition until 2000 when it appeared in “High Fidelity” and people everywhere most likely heard it for the first time and it’s since become one of Love and Arthur Lee’s most important songs.
Sadly, Arthur passed away in 2006 but the song will live on as long as people are willing to dig up old songs from the sixties and rediscover them and respect in the 21st century.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkWVrLfiJKs
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