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Ruralite Cafe: Published 02/13/03By Lisa Majors-Duff - News EditorA little heartache for the holiday |
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I love love songs, but not the sweet, syrupy ones traditionally sung as accompaniment to tomorrow's Cupid-gone-crazy holiday. The love songs that do it for me have nothing whatsoever to do with "funny little valentines."
Instead, "heartache" combined with "chaos and confusion" seem to be speaking to me these days, and I've recently discovered that no one wails better on the monumental peaks and cavernous valleys of love and affection than Pat Benatar. I had no idea I was such a Pat Benatar fan until her "Best Of" CD arrived in the mail a couple of weeks ago. I knew the tunes were on their way because I'd been in a diva state of mind while selecting artists from the latest music club listing. Along with Pat, I picked up Stevie and the rest of the Fleetwood Mac gang, some classic Blondie and the ever popular Barry Manilow. (While Barry may be a slightly shameful weakness, I'm proud to say I remained steadfast in my avoidance of Madonna and Celine Dion.) "Pat Benatar is a certified rock 'n' roll superstar, a four-time Grammy winner with six platinum and four gold albums to her credit," according to her fan club Website. "She's long been acknowledged as one of the leading female rock vocalists in the industry." Disinclined through the years to frolic in Valentine's Day bliss, I plan to turn to Pat's raw words of romantic wisdom tomorrow when the sweet smell of chocolate and caviar pervades the room. As a gift to those of you in the same boat, I give you these memorable verses, none of which would be found in a search of Bartlett's for the perfect way to say "I Love You": "Let's not pretend that we're unique Coz everybody's tasted love's illusion. We try to hide the fact that we Get lost between the chaos and confusion." - From "Ooh, Ooh Song" "Your love is like a tidal wave, Spinning over my head, Drowning me in your promises, Better left unsaid. You're the right kind of sinner To release my inner fantasy. The invincible winner, And you know you were born to be. You're a heartbreaker, Dream maker, Love taker..." - From "Heartbreaker" "Your love's contagious. One kiss is dangerous. But I have more to risk Than you to lose.
I feel passion growing. I know love is only Just one inch away from striking us." - From "We Live for Love" "I need a lover that won't drive me crazy, Someone to thrill me and then go away. I need a lover that won't drive me crazy, Someone that knows the meaning of Ah - Hit the highway." - From "I Need a Lover" "Whatever we deny or embrace For worse or for better We belong, we belong We belong together." - From "We Belong" "I'm tired of the same old - 'Hello baby.' 'How you doun'?' 'Come here often.' 'Where have you been all my life?' I'm looking for a stranger in the night, I need a little danger in my life." - From "Looking for a Stranger" "Armed and ready, you fought love battles in the night. But too many opponents made you weary of the fight. Blinded by passion, you foolishly let someone in. And all the warnings went off in your head, Still you had to give in." - From "Promises in the Dark" "It would help me to know Do I stand in your way Or am I the best thing you've had? Believe me, believe me, I can't tell you why But I'm trapped by your love And I'm chained to your side." - From "Love is a Battlefield"
It is with this songwriter's words - and not the likes of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye" (although that's pretty good greeting card material) - that I plan to avoid the curse of St. Valentine. I'm not saying that if jewelry, flowers or lingerie were offered tomorrow I'd turn them down; I'm just saying none of these appears likely. I've heard it said that in springtime a man's fancy turns to thoughts of love. I, on the other hand, await spring's tender breezes for another reason. I long to crank up my car stereo, roll down the windows, open the sun roof and allow "Promises in the Dark" to fill the air around me.
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