For two semesters, I hosted KCOU's oldies and album tracks show, "Kruzin' Music." I enjoyed spending Sunday evenings choosing a mix of familiar and obscure music and incorporating listeners' requests into the mix. This was the playlist I chose on the Valentine's Day edition 23 years ago:
1. "Love, American Style" Theme
(Prime the audience; start off on an up note.)
2. I'll Be Good To You-The Brothers Johnson
(Instant atmosphere, from the opening notes. Also recommended: "Strawberry Letter 23.")
3. Look What You've Done For Me-Al Green
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4. One Less Bell To Answer-The 5th Dimension
(One of the most realistic songs about loss. It's appropriate to acknowledge that Valentine's Day isn't a joyous occasion for everyone.)
5. My World Is Empty Without You-Diana Ross & The Supremes
6. Rock The Boat-The Hues Corporation
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7. You're So Vain-Carly Simon (*)
(It amuses me that a listener requested this. It's against the grain of the Valentine's Day theme, but somehow, it's still appropriate.)
8. Knocks Me Off My Feet-Stevie Wonder
(One of many stellar standouts on the "Songs In The Key Of Life" album, due in equal measure to Wonder's vocals and piano playing.)
9. Respect-Aretha Franklin (*)
10. I Can't Turn You Loose-Otis Redding
11. You've Really Got A Hold On Me-Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
12. To Love Somebody-The Chambers Brothers
13. More Than A Woman-The Bee Gees (*)
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14. Till There Was You-The Beatles
15. I Saw Her Again-The Mamas & The Papas
(One of the most realistic songs about a dilemma that almost everyone faces at one time or another; the protagonist's (antagonist's?) agonizing goes down easier, thanks to some of the group's most appealing harmonizing.)
16. Cherish-The Association
(Tasteful and restrained.)
17. Let Your Love Go-Bread
18. You Didn't Have To Be So Nice-The Lovin' Spoonful
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19. Love's Theme-Love Unlimited Orchestra
(Very of its time, instrumentally, and just as appealing as it was in the '70s.)
20. Georgia On My Mind-Ray Charles
(If you're going to do an oldies show with a Valentine's Day theme, how can you not include "Georgia...?")
21. Lover's Cross-Jim Croce
22. Sara-Fleetwood Mac (*)
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23. For Your Love-The Yardbirds
(Songs in the "climb the highest mountain"/"swim the deepest ocean" genre are tricky to pull off without sounding overwrought. The brisk tempo helps the band state its desires without sounding saccharine. Fleetwood Mac recorded an equally effective cover version.)
24. The Love You Save-The Jackson 5
(As I wrote when praising "For Your Love...")
25. Heat Wave-Martha & The Vandellas
26. Everybody Needs Love-Gladys Knight & The Pips
27. Open Up Your Heart-LaBelle
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28. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing-Leo Sayer
(Who else remembers Sayer's performance of this on "The Muppet Show?")
29. More Today Than Yesterday-Spiral Starecase
(No, that's not a typo. That's the way the band's name is spelled. The tune's universal sentiments hold up in any era.)
30. God Only Knows-The Beach Boys
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31. Valentine's Day-Blood, Sweat & Tears
32. Where Is The Love-Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
33. My Lovin' Eyes-Carole King
(Tracks 32 and 33 sound breezy on the surface, but when you really listen to the lyrics, you realize they aren't particularly encouraging. That doesn't detract from the strength of either song.)
34. Take This Longing-Judy Collins
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35. Summer Nights-Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta
(Although it's possible for the tune to wear out its welcome, it's kind of endearing in rationed doses. At the time, it seemed like a fitting final track for a Valentine's Day-themed show.)
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(*) indicates a listener's request.
--- indicates a station break between songs.
