I don't use words like love 'cause words like that don't matter

My head really has been 'like a kite' these last few days thanks to being sick and the cold and flu drugs I'm taking at the moment. No matter, I think I'm a little more grounded today. From my running list of blog ideas comes today's entry- songs of unrequited love. I've come across several particularly good ones so I thought I'd make a little list. A depressing collection I know.

1. Heart's A Mess, Gotye
This one's obviously about someone who doesn't love the singer back- he pleads for her to 'let me occupy your mind as you do mine'. It also seems that the singer wants to fix his woman (I'm making assumptions here I know) because her 'heart's a mess' and she 'won't admit to it'. Gotye's music is generally original and constructed well. I like the background rhythms in this song.

2. Sometimes I Still Feel the Bruise, The Mountain Goats
This song was originally performed by the Trembling Blue Stars but I haven't heard their version. The Mountain Goats covered it on their Babylon Springs EP which was an Australia-only release. It's a great song about two people who never quite got it together and one person obviously cares for the other more than they do for them- 'you were not the dreamer, you were just the dream'. The lyrics of this song tell a sweet, sad story that resonates with experiences I'm sure everyone has had.

3. Dilate, Ani DiFranco
The unrequited love anthem: 'every song has a 'you', the 'you' that the singer sings to and you're it this time'. 'When I say you sucked my brain out, the English translation is I am in love with you and it is no fun.' The song is characterised by soft guitar riffs juxtaposed with loud vicious ones and Ani's powerful voice. It gathers in intensity as it progresses.

4. Daisychains, Youth Group
Mourning a relationship that never quite got off the ground due to the departure of one of the players. I like the line that goes 'I'm more general, hey, than Napoleon Bonaparte'.

5. Left Behind, Aqualung
'Why you leaving me now there must be some doubt in your mind. Can't you open your heart, don't want to be left behind?' Someone's leaving and the other person knows it's ending because 'you open your mouth and I know what you're going to say.'