On Love Songs

Simply put, I hate love songs. They are the lamest kind of music. Every time I hear a love song on the radio, it ranges from obnoxious to infuriating.

Love songs all tell the same story, and that story is repugnant. The singers always say "I was nothing before you" and "I'm nothing without you" and "You're the best, most precious thing ever in all the world."

These stories may sound sweet or endearing if you are the object of that person's affection, but there are two problems. First, you are an OBJECT. The people who are sung about are not humans; they're idols. They are placed on pedestals and bequeathed magical powers. Second, the singers consider themselves worthless. They say that they are not worthy of the love they feel, yet somehow all they do is sing the praises of love instead of actually, you know, working on becoming a better person.

In reality, love songs (or love stories) do not have to be based on such a story. In fact, the song Invincible by Muse (which is arguably a love song) perfectly encapsulates the beauty of true love. In the first section of the song, the singer does say that the other person is truly special, but does it in an empowering way. He tells the person to do what they want because of being so strong. As it goes on, the singer says "us" and "let's". He shows that both people are involved, like in a partnership, and he expresses that the partnership is stronger than the individuals, culminating with the line, "Together, we're invincible."

This is a song of hope and strength, some of the best qualities of true love. If you are wanting to write a story (or a song) about people in love, try looking at love as a two-sided thing, where both of the people are real people, and not where there is a lowly peasant trying to appease a flawless god.