It’s the end of summer, and you may have had a romance you regretted or long to have again. Here are four songs that convey this dilemma. Love can be tough, even tougher as the seasons change and the years go by. Sometimes we long for what we can’t have, reminisce on what used to be, and fantasize about how the relationship may be in a perfect world. Or maybe we just need the other side of the story?
“Love You Tonight” – Ella Langley
Ella Langley’s music has quickly become my new favorite sound. Her debut album, Hungover, just released and is full of stories of love and regret – one of them being “Love You Tonight”. In this song, Ella sings of knowing she shouldn’t spend the evening with an old flame, but once she’s had some drinks, she no longer cares. When the next morning comes and she is sober, she is full of regret for falling into temptation. I love the melody and mood of this song. The music takes you away into fantasizing about having a night with a past lover again and dealing with the consequences later.
“One drink, what’s that gonna hurt?
– Ella Langley
One dance never killed nobody,
One kiss just for old time’s sake,
Head back to your place, hands on your body.
Sounds like a good idea when I’ve been drinkin’,
But when I sober up, I’m thinkin’, what was I thinking?
Climbing in a last-call cab with you,
Doing what I swore I wouldn’t do,
When the stars are out, boy, I want you to hold me,
When the sun comes up, I’m leaving even more lonely,
I get high, then I’m heartbroke,
Gonna love you tonight, gonna hate me tomorrow.”
“How Do You Do That” – Karley Scott Collins
In this passionate duet with Charles Kelley, Karley Scott Collins sings of being able to easily find someone new to love after a breakup, but she is unable to forget him. Every time she is with someone new, she starts thinking about him again and can’t understand how he can so easily move on and forget about hurting her. Karley’s deep raw vocals convey so much emotion. Her EP, Write One, features music that tells stories of love with a sharp thorn.
“‘Cause trying to put my hands on someone new,
– Karley Scott Collins
Always brings my mind right back to you,
So why can’t I?
I heard you got your lips on someone else,
And you don’t lose sleep, don’t hurt like hell,
So why can’t I?
How do you do that?
Act like it wasn’t you that broke my heart in two,
Like it was nothing to you, like I was easy to lose, yeah.”
“Lala Land” – Warren Garrett
In “Lala Land” all is right and you are still in love. In this country-meets-rock romance song, Warren admits he hasn’t been honest. He would rather live in a fantasy where she still loves him, the relationship works, and there are no problems. As summer comes to a close, this type of love especially holds true for those who don’t see the relationship working outside of being in their own bubble playing pretend. For those who can’t see a love lasting in the real world, this song will have you fantasizing about escaping to “Lala Land.”
“So turn away the mirror,
– Warren Garrett
I don’t wanna see,
I think I like it here more than in reality,
There’s nothing I can do,
So just put out the light,
I already know the truth,
I’d rather live the lie.”
“Lips Of An Angel” – Shaylen & Austin John Winkler
I have been sleeping on this new version of “Lips of An Angel” by Shaylen and Austin John Winkler. The 2005 hit song began trending last year on socials and the idea was brought to Austin to rerecord the song with the girl’s (sung by Shaylen) perspective. “There’s been a mystery to the other side. We’re giving the girl a voice… I was a little skeptical, a little nervous about doing it. It just kind of made sense to me though. It’s such a timeless song… I may have had a little bit of reservation on it, you don’t want to revisit your old art and pick it apart, but we’re not picking it apart. We’re giving it a whole new side and a whole new vibe that people have been wanting,” said Austin in a chat with Shaylen.
When Shaylen sings in the second verse it gives chills. I remember when this song came out and to finally have this version is so refreshing and makes the story feel complete. For those who never really moved on, this is the ultimate song of desire and regret of love lost. I’m also excited about Shaylen’s solo music and can’t wait to explore her artistry more.
“I can’t believe I’m calling you tonight,
– Shaylen
Baby, I’ve been dreaming of you.
Does she know you’re talking to me?
Will it start a fight?
‘Cause we both have so much to lose,
Yeah, my boy’s in the next room,
Sometimes I wish he was you,
Feels like we never really moved on.”
I hope you enjoyed these four songs of love and regret. As summer closes, may your fall be full of songs that relate to every stage of love you may find yourself in. To stay in the know of music I love and exclusive interviews with artists, subscribe and follow me @farmgirlwithcurls
Farm Girl With Curls 