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The Anatomy of a Love Song

Thursday, February 14, 2008

In an age when romantic song lyrics are more "Get Your Freak On" than "Prelude to a Kiss," we ask: is the classic love song dead? And if not, what makes for a compelling or memorable love song? We pose these questions today to three experts: Joining us are Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Aaron Jay Kernis; the New York jazz vocalist Jane Monheit; and Pamela Phillips Oland, a professional songwriter of hundreds of songs and author of the book, "The Art of Writing Love Songs."

Listen to the whole show

Love to Love You Baby

Professional songwriter Pamela Phillips Oland has written love songs for Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Isaac Hayes and countless other singers. She's also the author of the book, "The Art of Writing Love Songs." She offers some tips on what makes for a good love song.

Forget cheesy dates and boxed candy -- try romantic art songs

Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Aaron Jay Kernis has just released an album of romantic art songs; Jane Monheit is one of today’s most recognizable jazz vocalists and an interpreter of many lyrics about romance. Together they tell us what makes for a compelling love song.

Weigh in: Is Romance in music Dead? What romantic songs do you like to get in the mood?

More about Aaron Jay Kernis
Jane Monheit's Web site