Valentines, Schmalentines: Songs Of Love And Other Ailments
This week on Alt.Latino, we start off with "Que Lío" — "What a Mess" — by legendary Puerto Rican salsa singer Hector Lavoe. It's not a rock or Latin Alternative song, but it's one of my favorite love songs of all time, and I couldn't imagine doing a Valentine's Day show without it.
I love "Que Lío" because it's simultaneously sensual, painful (feel those trombones stabbing you in the chest?), exuberant and desperate. And that's before he even starts telling you that he fell in love with his best friend's girl. The song is a perfect mood-setter for the type of Valentine's Day show we wanted to create — one in which we discuss the many facets of love. This week, we've got artists who are in love with the wrong person, the clumsy excitement of an office romance, the courage to leave an unhealthy kind of love, the anguish of knowing a love has come to its end and the joy of finding love long after you'd sworn it off.
Amidst the consumer madness that accompanies Valentine's Day — you can't walk into a convenience store without being assaulted by stuffed animals holding stuffed hearts — we wanted to showcase something real. Whether its Spanish singer Buika singing her heart out when describing a breakup ("You may not love me, but life loves me") or Argentine songwriter Gaby Kerpel's childlike amazement at finding love again, this is what love really sounds like.
As usual, we want to hear from you. What are your favorite love songs? On Valentine's Day, we'll assemble some of the listener picks on our blog.
Valentines, Schmalentines: Songs Of Love And Other Ailments
![Cover for El Cantante [Fania]](http://media.npr.org/assets/music/programs/altlatino/2011/02/hector-d1caf922f494933f4c33088abad9d4e974bd1861-s1.jpg "Cover for El Cantante [Fania]")
Qué Lío
- Artist: Héctor Lavoe
- Album: El Cantante [Fania]
Sounds like: The funkiest, grooviest song ever written about falling in love with your best friend's girl
Coming at you from: Puerto Rico
Romance En La Oficina
- Artist: Hazte Lapón
- Album: Romance En La Oficina
Sounds like: The Cure
Coming at you from: Spain
Yo No
- Artist: Ely Guerra
- Album: Lotofire
Sounds like: A luxurious night with a poisonous love
Coming at you from: Mexico
La Gran Broma Final
- Artist: Nacho Vegas
- Album: La Zona Sucia
Sounds like: Nick Cave breaking up with Leonard Cohen
Coming at you from: Spain
Me Gustaría
- Artist: Javier García
- Album: 13
Sounds like: Los Amigos Invisibles mixed with Orishas
Coming at you from: Spain
Tattered Heart
- Artist: Ariel Aparicio
- Album: Aerials
Sounds like: Early U2 or David Bowie
Coming at you from: Cuba and New York City
Jodida Pero Contenta
- Artist: Buika
- Album: Mi Niña Lola
Sounds like: Flamenco's Jill Scott
Coming at you from: Spain
Carnabailito
- Artist: Gaby Kerpel
- Album: Carnabailito
Sounds like: The euphoria and goofiness of falling in love again
Coming at you from: Argentina
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