The romantic dinner is over, roses stand tall in the vase and it's time to dim the lights, turn on the stereo and slow dance in the living room. What a perfect way to end the Valentine's Day celebration.
Each couple has its own favorite song, which likely will be the centerpiece of any music played, but if you're looking to add to your list, here are some favorites that just might spice up the romantic moment.
"My Funny Valentine." Take your pick of artists. Mitzi Green first sang the song in the Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart Broadway show "Babes in Arms." Since then, the song has appeared on more than 1,300 albums, so it shouldn't be hard to find. Among the 600 artists who covered the song were Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Linda Ronstadt and Johnny Mathis. If you're form back in the day, you might try the version recorded by Jerry Garcia. Yep, that Jerry Garcia from the Grateful Dead.
Listen to the Ella Fitzgerald version of "My Funny Valentine.
"Feeling Good," Michael Buble or Nina Simone. Written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1965 musical "The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd," "Feeling Good" has been infused with that seductive, prowling, low down beat of the blues. Lots of people have covered it, but the Buble and Simone versions are difficult to top. Buble is a classic jazz and soul singer who sounds like the natural heir to Frank Sinatra, while Simone has a powerful, gut-wrenching voice that will curl your toes.
Compare the Michael Buble version with the Nina Simone version.
"Lady in Red," Chris de Burgh. De Burgh wrote the song and included it on his 1986 album "In the Light." It reached the top of the charts in Great Britain, Ireland and Norway. It the United States it peaked at No. 2. On the British TV series "This Is Your Life," de Burgh said the song was inspired by his wife, Diane, of the first time he saw her. He remarked that men often cannot even remember what their futures wives were wearing when they first met.
Listen to Chris de Burgh sing "Lady in Red."
"The Power of Love," Celine Dion version. Dion's version was the second single from her 1993 album "Colour of My Love." It was released Nov. 1, 1993. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks, topped the Hot 100 Singles Sales for five weeks and topped the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks for four weeks. The original recording of the song had American-born singer Jennifer Rush as vocalist, who had been recording CBS (Frankfurt, Germany). It was written by Gunther Mende, Candy DeRouge, Rush, and Mary Susan Applegate. Recorded in 1984, it was released June 14, 1985.
Listen to the Celine Dion version.
Tie, "Something," The Beatles, and "At Last" Etta James. "Something" is the only song written by Harrison to be released as the A-side of a single by The Beatles. It quickly became the most covered song by the group outside of "Yesterday," with more than 300 artists recording it. Oh, and it says something when someone with the stature of Frank Sinatra called it "one of the most perfect of love songs." As for James' "At Last," from the moment it was released it not only sped up the charts, but it became her signature song and it quickly became the song of choice at high school dances. Sadly, both Harrison and James are gone – he in 2001 and she in January.
Listen to the George Harrison version.
Listen to the original release of "At Last."
