Love’s Theme

This is quite possibly one of the most beautiful instrumental songs ever written. I’d like say that it’s aptly named, too – if “love” did indeed have a theme, this song feels appropriate. It’s one of the anchors on my Happy playlist, which I break out on fun occasions, or whenever I could use a big dose of happy. While listening, I almost always get goosebumps, and I’ll admit to being moved to tears on occasion…as you’ll read later on. It’s a really beautiful piece of work.

The song was written by Barry White in 1973 for his Love Unlimited Orchestra, a 40-piece string ensemble put together to back up his girl band at the time – Love Unlimited (supposedly an early 70’s attempt to replicate the success of The Supremes). I’m not sure if Barry intended it to be a big hit on its own, but that’s exactly what happened when it became #1 on the U.S. charts in February 1974. The bizarre combination of divinely arranged strings, a solid rhythm section and a terrific “wah-uh-uh” guitar gives this song an irresistible silky smooth texture and yet funky groove. Elements of this song would later become Barry White’s signature sound, as he would rack up hit after hit on the mainstream and R&B charts over the next decade.

 

Disco and Golf

People have claimed Love’s Theme to be the first true disco song. I don’t want to get into that argument, but I will say this is definitely one of the first big hits to have that full disco sound. I specifically recall being intrigued with that “funny” guitar part, even though I was only seven years old at the time. It was like nothing I had ever heard before. Lucky for me, I would hear this sound again repeatedly over the next few years, as the disco era swung into full gear.

The most unusual thing about this song is that it now reminds me of watching golf on TV, strange as that seems. It’s because ABC Sports began using Love’s Theme as its opening song for – of all things – its weekend golf coverage in the mid 70’s. Hearing this song, I recall seeing Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Tom Watson and the other greats from that era battling it out for a Master’s, US Open, British Open, or PGA championship victory.

I can so vividly picture the grainy quality of the TV image along with the voice of the legendary Jim McKay. He’s providing play-by-play for these golfers, all dressed in their 70’s best, sporting horrible versions of brown, green, yellow and orange. I think about these memories quite frequently now, as I’ve become a big fan of golf on TV, especially on one of my lazy Sunday afternoons. Amazingly, this song remained the show’s theme for over 20 years, lasting until the mid 90’s. It’s likely that watching golf on ABC is the only exposure many people ever had to Love’s Theme.

My Perfect Moment

My most treasured memory of hearing this song happened more recently, though. Michelle and I heard it live one afternoon, aboard the Celebrity Solstice while sailing the Caribbean. The house band on the ship was a young Filipino group, which could do everything from Louis Armstrong to Bruno Mars with stunning accuracy. On this particular afternoon they were playing out on the lido deck next to the pool. It was about 4 p.m., and I was probably on my second Pirate Punch of our happy hour, which seemed to start earlier each day as the weeklong cruise went by. The late afternoon sun baked hot on my skin, and sparkled brilliantly out on the open sea as it settled lower toward the horizon. That’s always been my favorite time of the day, and on this particular day I was in a complete state of relaxation, existing fully in the present moment.

 

The band’s short 45-minute set had thus far consisted of recent pop hits, which hadn’t really done much for me, other than make my foot swing a little in our poolside perch. As the band announced that they only had time for one more song, I suddenly came to life when I heard the opening orchestra strings to Love’s Theme. I figured they planned to sample the song, or use it as an intro to some other recent hit. But that’s not what happened. Instead, they plowed right into an awesomely authentic full version of this song to close out their afternoon set!

I was on my feet instantly, seizing the moment and celebrating life.

I’ll never, ever, forget that experience. I was loving life to its absolute fullest – completely “feeling the love.” Conveniently, I was wearing my dark sunglasses as the beauty of the song and the moment pushed me over the emotional brink.

In my own mental encyclopedia, there’s a snapshot of that experience listed right next to “joy.” If there’s such thing as a perfect moment, this was it.

That’s what I love about music. It triggers memories, enhances experiences, and allows us to express ourselves in ways like nothing else can.

 

Cheers to the late, great Barry White for his love of music and unlimited talent.

Here’s a fun video flashback to 1974. Enjoy!