By
Doug Poe
Submitted On February 09, 2016
The Valentine's Day theme of love took a different turn on a
popular radio program one week before that special occasion. The hosts
and listeners chose to commemorate it by discussing not songs of love,
but songs of what they called anti-love. After all, an estimated forty
percent of love songs are written about unreciprocated love or the
heartache caused by it.
The hosts of National Public Radio's Sound Opinions, Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot, opened the February 8 show by playing "Love Stinks" by the J. Geils Band. They also chose "I Hate Myself for loving You" by Joan Jett to present the view of anti-love from the other gender, and they closed the show with "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins.
During the program, they took suggestions of anti-love songs from several callers. One man mentioned numerous songs by Bob Dylan, especially almost any track from the Blood on the Tracks album. Actually, hit singles like "Positively Fourth Street" and "Like a Rolling Stone" would have worked just as well.
Here are ten songs that could be appropriately added to any list of anti-love songs.
Bill of Goods by Loudon Wainwright
The usually humorous folk singer was very serious on this track from the Therapy album, especially on lines like "The real you wafted through and your deodorant couldn't stop it."
Everyday I Love You Less and Less by Kaiser Chiefs
The first song from the alt rock band's debut Employment takes a bitter look at a loved one, claiming "It makes me sick to think of you undressed."
Via Chicago by Wilco
Jeff Tweedy opens this anti-love ballad from Summerteeth with the confession, "I dreamed about killing you again last night, it felt all right to me."
Bought a Rope by the Minus Five
Scott McCaughey's anti-love anthem fits perfectly on his alt-country band's Gun album, as he morbidly sings "I never want to let you go, that's why I bought this rope."
The Pride Parade by Don McLean
The American Pie artist has been recording tender love songs for over forty years, but this one reveals bitterness in lines such as "I know you for what you are not for that is really all you are."
You're So Vain by Carly Simon
In her recent book, Simon finally revealed that at least part of this classic was aimed at actor Warren Beatty. Whether James Taylor or Mick Jagger are also victims in the anti-love song still remains a mystery.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
The last line of the final verse exudes the anti-love lyricist Bernie Taupin felt toward its subject: "Mongrels who ain't got a penny searching for tidbits like you on the ground."
Thank God and Greyhound You're Gone by Roy Clark
This country classic is one if the few that take a humorous look at anti-love, although it does start out with a sadness similar to that of George Jones or Merle Haggard.
Evil Woman by the Electric Light Orchestra
Later on Jeff Lynne would plead "Don't Bring Me Down" but years before he charted with this anti-love address to an ex who must have done him wrong.
Dark Sunglasses by Chrissie Hynde
On her first solo album Stockholm, the leader of the Pretenders lashes out at an exploitative ex who now has "had a go at sleeping in a van."
The hosts of National Public Radio's Sound Opinions, Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot, opened the February 8 show by playing "Love Stinks" by the J. Geils Band. They also chose "I Hate Myself for loving You" by Joan Jett to present the view of anti-love from the other gender, and they closed the show with "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins.
During the program, they took suggestions of anti-love songs from several callers. One man mentioned numerous songs by Bob Dylan, especially almost any track from the Blood on the Tracks album. Actually, hit singles like "Positively Fourth Street" and "Like a Rolling Stone" would have worked just as well.
Here are ten songs that could be appropriately added to any list of anti-love songs.
Bill of Goods by Loudon Wainwright
The usually humorous folk singer was very serious on this track from the Therapy album, especially on lines like "The real you wafted through and your deodorant couldn't stop it."
Everyday I Love You Less and Less by Kaiser Chiefs
The first song from the alt rock band's debut Employment takes a bitter look at a loved one, claiming "It makes me sick to think of you undressed."
Via Chicago by Wilco
Jeff Tweedy opens this anti-love ballad from Summerteeth with the confession, "I dreamed about killing you again last night, it felt all right to me."
Bought a Rope by the Minus Five
Scott McCaughey's anti-love anthem fits perfectly on his alt-country band's Gun album, as he morbidly sings "I never want to let you go, that's why I bought this rope."
The Pride Parade by Don McLean
The American Pie artist has been recording tender love songs for over forty years, but this one reveals bitterness in lines such as "I know you for what you are not for that is really all you are."
You're So Vain by Carly Simon
In her recent book, Simon finally revealed that at least part of this classic was aimed at actor Warren Beatty. Whether James Taylor or Mick Jagger are also victims in the anti-love song still remains a mystery.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John
The last line of the final verse exudes the anti-love lyricist Bernie Taupin felt toward its subject: "Mongrels who ain't got a penny searching for tidbits like you on the ground."
Thank God and Greyhound You're Gone by Roy Clark
This country classic is one if the few that take a humorous look at anti-love, although it does start out with a sadness similar to that of George Jones or Merle Haggard.
Evil Woman by the Electric Light Orchestra
Later on Jeff Lynne would plead "Don't Bring Me Down" but years before he charted with this anti-love address to an ex who must have done him wrong.
Dark Sunglasses by Chrissie Hynde
On her first solo album Stockholm, the leader of the Pretenders lashes out at an exploitative ex who now has "had a go at sleeping in a van."
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