Who in their right mind would classify Family Ties as cheesy? That show was genius!

According to my e-mail Inbox, several of you are concerned that your love songs collection may not have the "required" dosage of cheese for the "Hello? Is It My Cheesy Love Song CD You're Looking For?" Internet Swap. And to all such worrywarts I say, please don't. Worry, that is. I kind of wish I'd never included that word in the swap's title for this very reason. This contest is not meant to divide us, but rather unite interested bloggers in fun, fellowship, and a mutual appreciation of possibly questionable music. Just like Jesus did.

The truth of the matter is that "cheesy" is a relative term. The Urban Dictionary has assigned it ten different definitions, ranging from "melodramatic" to "stupid" to "hungry" to "an adjective to replace cool," bluntly labeling it as "immensely vague." In other words, one person's provolone is another's filet mignon, which became more obvious after I broached this very topic with Luke tonight, attempting to explain my own take on the word and its implications.

"I think it has a lot to do with the credibility of the artist or group. Like, anything by Michael Bolton is probably considered cheesy, no matter how good it might be, but Frank Sinata's reputation as an artist exempts all of his songs from such a classification, no matter what they're about," I said.

"I don't know about that," Luke replied. "'Swingin' On A Star' is pretty cheesy."

"What?"

"You know...."

Would you like to swing on a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you rather be a mule?

Turns out I didn't know, and anyway, it's a Bing Crosby song, but you get the idea. Two different people, two very different ideas of cheese. Other musicians mentioned included Gloria Estefan (no, but her era of popularity sure was, so I think she counts), the Beatles ("Don't even try it," Luke warned), boy bands like 'N Sync and Backstreet Boys (Did I really have to ask?), and Van Morrisson (not a chance).

The last thing I want is for a potential swapper to shy away from participating because of some self-imposed guidelines. Keep the theme in mind, but really, as long as they can be classified as love songs, pick whatever tunes you want, although you need to know I'm calling dibs on Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross's rendition of "Endless Love" right now, even though both performers were highly respected at the time of the recording and the lyrics don't meet the majority of Urban Dictionary's derogatory criteria. This song brings tears to my eyes and a quiver to my lips, it's so moving, but obviously SOME people think there's an element of tackiness to it because it was NOT a song Luke and I danced to at our wedding, so you're going to see it on my playlist, and he's--I mean you're--going to like it, and that's all I have to say about that.

Besides, to borrow a concept from our pot-smoking brothers and sisters, "It's cheese-thirty somewhere."

Comments

[Brooke]

woo-hoo I am the first comment. Matt is really in to this love song thing he has been downloading since you first blogged about it.

[debi]

Okay now that you have cleared that up I have to say that I am in too. I am getting jazzed about this.

[culotte]

Wasn't there an 80's show with that Sinatra song as it's theme?

[isabel]

The Beatles have no cheese. Sorry.

And I love how you liken this swap to what Jesus did. COMEDY GOLD!!

So, just "love songs"? Maybe I can do this. I'm going to have to think about it some more.

[Marriage-101]

That Bing Crosby song was the theme song to the 80's TV show Out of this World. I loved that show.

Anyway, Frema I wanted to tell you that all of your talk about Hanson and MMMBop creeped into my dreams last night because I dreamt I was making out with Taylor Hanson on a cruise ship. Crazy!

[Silly Hily]

Those comments are great. I knew I recognized that "or would you rather be a mule" song.
I'm going to go through my CD's tonight and see if I can dig up enough songs that I actually own to creat a cheesy CD. Because for them to be totally cheesy mean I have to own them. It means at one point, I paid money for the single "Miles Away" by Winger. I think it's a kick ass song but big hair+80's=cheesy....all day...every day.

[Lizzy]

I feel like such a voyeur...but I'm loving it.
Will there be a Master Love Song List made available for those of use that are too lazy to participate? Or does that just defeat the purpose? I think it probably does. :-(
I have all these amazing songs floating through my brain right now, too. I mean, I'm a fan of Air Supply, REO Speedwagon, and I own--and listen to, without a hint of irony--the Lionel Richie Love Songs record. Power Ballad? I'm all over it.
And yet.

[mjd]

Oh, a Master Love Song List for us lazies, that is a great idea, Lizzy.

I think that Frank "ol Blue Eyes"
Sinatra may be the King of Cheese.
Consider the lyrics from All the Way

When somebody loves you
It's no good unless he loves you - all the way
Happy to be near you
When you need someone to cheer you - all the way

Taller than the tallest tree is
That's how it's got to feel
Deeper than the deep blue see is
That's how deep it goes - if its real

And Secret Love

Once I had a secret love that lived within the heart of me,
All too soon my secret love became impatient to be free.
So i asked a friendly star the way that dreamers often do
Just how wonderful you are and why i'm so in love with you.

Now I shout it from the highest hill, even told the golden daffodils,
And now my heart's an open door, and my secret love's no secret any more.

[Stacey]

I'm with Lizzy...bring on a master song list! I wish I had time to participate!!!