Falling in Love

Sam Ary: iykyk

• Regina Scime +3 — I had to😘
• [DELETED] +3
• ared56 +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — Motown has entered the chat! Sandlotcore, Squint just went for it. Although back in the day a first kiss after a good date wasn’t too strange, it still feels like we’re well in established relationship territory. But lyrically and tonally, this might be my personal favorite song on the list.
• fionmul 0 — Well-chosen. And given a place of honor, last song in the last playlist. Still struggling with that falling vs. realizing distinction and tbh just ran out of votes
• Claire 0 — This one comes close for me but misses the top 3 bc it’s arguably not explicitly enough about “falling” either (idk about you but in my mind the “falling” typically occurs, at least in large part, prior to the point at which I would actually kiss the person in question…)
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Music like this rarely feels heartfelt like, say the Lizzy on here
• Edward James 0 — Great song but didn’t compel me as much as others. It does get the “when you know you know” vibe right

• judd.baker +1 — Can’t resist. It’s so great
• Claire +1 — No notes. Lyrically spot on, absolute banger. Well played by the good doctor
• ared56 +1
• Joseph Harvey +1 — Banger. Great angle on falling in love with the denial and whatnot
• fionmul 0 — Being in denial about being in love isn't the same as falling to me but perhaps it's part of it for some? idk. Narrowly escaped the downvote since I think the song is overrated but it isn't from Shrek lmao
• Edward James 0 — I loved both Disney songs this round, but have to vote for the other because it surprised me while this is a tried and true classic

• SamRobertsND +1 — I don’t love the Cranberries except for when I send a 5 minute long Zombie voice memo to Joe Torma, but since I’ve been guided by the being vs falling distinction, I have to reward this song for absolutely nailing it.
• fionmul +1 — This invited me to really listen to the words for the first time and what I found is this is sorta perfect for this theme! Good job kid! Even the yell-singing at the end is like same girl same
• Edward James +1 — This is probably the definitive answer. There’s a special thing where a song not just describes the thing it’s trying to convey through lyrics, but really FEELS like it, in its very essence. This was my first love’s favorite song, and after we broke up I didn’t listen to it for 5 years, except one time when it came on the radio in a steak and shake in Rosemont, IL and triggered an existential crisis
• Sam Ary +1
• judd.baker 0 — Don’t have an upvote to spare, but fabulous inclusion.
• Claire 0 — I hope that listening to this brought back fond memories of Joe Torma yodeling at karaoke
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Tormacore

• SamRobertsND +1 — I considered this song and honestly can’t believe more people didn’t go Disney, it’s such a deep well for songs about falling in love specifically. Despite being from a more recent movie, this is one of their best for sure. Flynn’s “chasing down a daydream” and “never seeing things for how they really were” impact me on a deep level. Very good choice.
• Claire +1 — So good. The songs that get a vote from me this round are the ones that vividly, relatably capture the interior experience of realizing you’re falling.
• Edward James +1 — I loved both Disney songs this round, but have to vote for this one because it surprised me while the other is a tried and true classic
• fionmul 0 — This is a good pick. I am just struggling with the distinction of "falling" vs "realizing you're in love." Maybe it's the same?? but I am not sure
• ared56 -1

fionmul: why do I feel so weird?

• Joseph Harvey +2 — Ought vibes from this lovely little Lizzy track. Dwelling on whether falling in love is supposed to feel a certain way resonates. Great musically and lyrically as always
• judd.baker +1 — This is really good. Does a great job capturing the anxious, insecure parts of the experience of falling in love at the same time as the good feelings
• Claire +1 — Full disclosure, I generally like Lizzy but did not expect her to make my top 3 this round. But the lyrics were concrete and genuine, narrating the emotional experience of falling in love so beautifully. Gotta hand it to her
• fionmul 0 — The falling: weird and scary but you like it
• SamRobertsND -1 — I love the vulnerability; she’s a talented songwriter for sure, and I’m glad to now appreciate her talents. But this song just wasn’t capturing the vibe for me. Probably me not being a woman and not appreciating the feminine experience of falling in love might be part of it. Also I hated the therapist line, locks the song into the historical epoch of therapy-addicted Millenials and Zoomers.
• Edward James -1 — “If he wanted to, he would” set to lyrics. “Is this what it’s supposed to feel like?” NO Girl you are not falling in love you are being dragged along by a man who considers you an afterthought he can return to when convenient

• judd.baker +1 — Fabulous choice. After all isn’t all true love accidental
• Edward James +1 — This is what it actually feel like imo
• Sam Ary +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — It’s Shrek 2, very well done in my book. One of my favorite songs from the soundtrack, captures the feeling of being in love so perfectly, so bouncy. However, since so much fuss was made about falling vs being in love, I don’t think I can vote for it. Hits more like someone thinking about how good their current relationship is, just as it is used in the movie.
• Claire 0 — Not obviously about falling in love. Seems like it could be about an existing couple. But this song and soundtrack and movie are generational
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Better than I was expecting but a bit too major key
• Regina Scime -1 — Didn’t want to downvote this, but I don’t completely get the Shrek hype😬 so alas
• fionmul -1 — Love the CC, don't love S Also the lyrics aren't creative enough to me idk Downvote because I had to and this is Fiona hate bait even though it is objectively pretty good so that tipped the scales

• SamRobertsND +1 — This song kicks so much ass holy crap. This made such a huge impact on me. Fits the theme and I utterly love the music. A well-earned upvote, friend!
• judd.baker 0 — Enjoyed this way more than I expected to. Good entry
• fionmul 0 — A not unpleasant throwback! Just don't like the song enough. But the words are on-theme. Also didn't realize how much it reminds me of the Buggles until now
• Claire 0 — Really like this song and it would’ve gotten a vote if I had one more
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Musically pretty slick and better than I was expecting from what I’ve heard of Daft Punk, but the lyrical angle is not especially interesting here
• Edward James 0 — This was so good. Loved the song but didn’t make me feel the vibe of the theme.

judd.baker: Love can make you weak

• fionmul +1 — sitting here looking forward to when I get to add this to a playlist about falling in love again :) I had never heard this; thanks for showing me. My fave this round I think.
• SamRobertsND 0 — I loved this song and am grateful that you introduced me to it. However, it feels like the singer is describing love as such or existing love, rather than the experience of falling in love with someone.
• Claire 0 — Love the song. But doesn’t specifically feel like it’s about an actual experience of falling in love so much as a higher order reflection on what falling in love is like. I respect this as an interpretation of the theme but it’s not how I read it
• Edward James 0 — Kind of forgettable for me. I feel this is a Judd pick, so I fear I betray him with this comment. But I cannot tell a lie
• Joseph Harvey -1 — This holds no appeal to me

Edward James: Her magnum opus

• fionmul +1 — I remember the first time I heard this, laying on my tummy on the carpet at a friend's 13th bday party, drinking in the lyric book like a medieval peasant after a drought. A wise woman calls it her strongest opening track. A very mature TS selection. "I love you doesn't count after goodbye" (iykyk) I considered this for both this round and last one.
• ared56 +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — Objectively great song, one of the best on Red. But again, I’m getting established relationship vibes more than longing or moment of first attraction.
• Claire 0 — Probably her best opening track but not her best track specifically about falling in love. Love the song though
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Kind of sounds like U2 with the guitar leads especially. Unfortunately doesn’t grab me
• [DELETED] -1
• Sam Ary -1

Regina Scime: throwback to me weeping in O’Rourke’s on a Tuesday night

• Sam Ary +1
• SamRobertsND 0 — A beautiful, heartbreaking song, perhaps the best written of any on here. Because, at least as I hear it, he’s begging for someone to come back who was once there. I’m looking for first moment or encounter here, so I have to pass on.
• fionmul 0 — I can't explain why but I have sorta never liked this song... Overall I think it is almost too deep and further-along than the "falling in love" stage (But Regina I love you much)
• Joseph Harvey 0 — Incredible and tear jerking song, but where’s the “falling” part?
• Edward James 0 — Didn’t leave much impression overall, but a good song.
• judd.baker -1 — This one is too much being in love with someone in particular and not enough of the experience of falling for that person
• Claire -1 — Again I love this song so much but it’s not obviously, clearly about the *falling*. There is no song I could’ve downvoted without it being genuinely painful, but it must be done and the lot has fallen on this one.