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As Valentine's Day loomed closer and closer, the mental jukebox inside my head began organizing and shuffling through all the songs that might be appropriate for the day. Songs about true love. Songs about unrequited love. Songs for sweethearts. Songs that make hearts beat. Songs about Cupid. The obvious: songs with “valentine” in the title… I tried to decide which song I would single out to share. It wasn't easy. (I suspect there are probably more songs about “love” than any other topic. And while many art forms routinely tackle the tricky, sticky, scary, joyous, beautiful and rewarding topic of love — there is only one, to which you can dance. When music addresses love and romance, kisses and beauty… it makes your soul surge, your memory yearn,  your heart break, your mind ponder, your face beam, and your feet move —sometimes all in less than three minutes). I deliberated at length; seeking to avoid the obvious, and the familiar. Afterall, I have a reputation at stake by now, right?
PictureCleveland Trolley
In the meantime, Lori recounted a wonderful Valentine's day story about her grandmother that I'm compelled to relate… It was the mid-1920's in Western Star, Ohio. A young woman named Eva and a young man named Carl had met in the center of town for a date. It was Valentine's day. They were 20-years old, and dressed-up in their finest clothes. They decided to let a coin toss determine how they'd spend the evening. Heads, take the trolley car in one direction to go see a movie. Tails: take the trolley car in the opposite direction to run off and get married… It's amazing to think that somehow the events of my life are inextricably woven into the random outcome of a coin toss that took place on Valentine's day over 85 years ago! How romantic can you get?
PictureChris Sievey and The Freshies
Today's Happy Medium Song of the Day by The Freshies is also an endearing story of romance — as well as a genuine pop gem with a ridiculously long title: “I'm in Love With the Girl on a Certain Manchester Megastore Check-out Desk.