Songs make up a fundamental part of human existence. From our earliest years they are used to mark momentous and mundane moments in our lives. Of all forms of music though the most lasting and important has been the love song.
While modern love ballads are often cringed at or dismissed as inartistic they are the culmination of millennia of progress and revolution. Susan talked with music historian Ted Gioia about his history of the love song and how, according to Ted, "The history of the love song is the history of repression, censorship, battles, conflicts...generally it’s always outsiders, renegades, bohemians that have been the innovators in this music".
In the ancient world love songs played a key role in numerous fertility rituals. The people would implore the gods to deliver a bountiful harvest as sexual ceremonies took place. Even today the Song of Songs, a unique biblical celebration of sexual love, is read during Passover, which marks the beginning of the grain harvest.
A change came about with the arrival of the Greek poet Sappho. Her songs looked beyond the ritual and the community to focus on the personal experience of love. While much of her work is forgotten and overlooked today, many regard Sappho as having created the love song as we know it now. The path for the love song would never be an easy one though.
In ancient Rome love was frowned upon. Long before we could compare the chemical and neurological reactions the Romans recognised the similarities between falling in love and madness. This loss of reason and the songs that celebrated it were shameful for many Romans, and so for centuries the love song was looked down upon.
Even as it became more popular during the Late Middle Ages love songs still struggled to find acceptance. As each new movement proclaimed love or sex in a different way they were met with opposition from the establishment. Opera, now a revered art form, was largely seen as scandalous during its most popular years.
This tradition of opposing the new is still as strong as ever with strong criticism of any work that is seen as overly sexual. Yet as Ted contests: "The love song is a very powerful thing. It’s changed society. It’s changed how we love...it’s been a force for human rights, for personal autonomy, for freedom".
Listen back as Susan and Ted explore the hidden history of love songs. Does music and song play a role in natural selection? Do women really prefer musicians? Why are we so reluctant to openly embrace the romantic ballads we secretly love? And how has the love song helped shape society?
This week’s music to read to
Rachel Grimes’ ‘Earthly Heaven’ opens the show, with Frank Sinatra’s ‘Night and Day’ bringing part one to a close. The show finishes with " target="_blank">‘I Want You’ by Bob Dylan.
