12 Classic Love Songs That Aged Like Month-Old Milk

December 5, 2023

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Music is a way to capture a specific moment in life, but sometimes, those moments don’t stand the test of time. They could be lyrical content that sounded “okay” when they came out, but due to cultural changes, they sound even worse now. Things could have changed so much the song becomes problematic or cringe.

These are some of the songs whose meanings were short-lived in our collective memories.

1. “You’re Still the One” – Shania Twain

The Canadian singer Shania Twain released the international hit song “You’re Still the One” at the beginning of 1998. “You’re still the one I run to, the one that I belong to.” Those are the words that have been resounded by couples ever since its release. The song was inspired by the censure of Twain and her then-husband relationship. Their relationship drew criticism from fans and critics because of the differences in their cultural backgrounds and their age gap. This annoyed Twain, knowing that people weren’t convinced that their love was real. The couple wrote “You’re Still the One” together as an ode to their marriage. Unfortunately, the critics were proved right as the couple went their separate ways ten years after the song was released.

2. “The Bones” – Maren Morris

LOS ANGELES - FEB 10: Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd at the 61st Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, CA — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

“The Bones” was released as a single from Maren Morris’ 2019 album Girl. “The Bones” is an ode to Maren’s marriage to Ryan Hurd. The song imagines the pair’s relationship as a home rooted in mutual love and desire to push past life’s hurdles and woes. However, in October 2023, news broke out that the couple was separating as they couldn’t live together as husband and wife.

3. “Pete Davidson” – Ariana Grande

“Pete Davidson” is a song by American singer Ariana Grande. The song is named after Ariana’s fiance, Pete Davidson. Their relationship moved rapidly as the couple confirmed their engagement just a few months after getting together. The couple’s high-speed romance inspired Grande to write “Pete Davidson,” where she sang about her affection and fondness for Davidson. The song got mixed reactions from fans, with some praising it for its pleasant lyrics, while others criticized it for being plain and vulnerable. The couple broke up shortly after the song’s release.

4. “Malibu” – Miley Cyrus

The American singer Miley Cyrus released “Malibu” as the lead single from her 2017 album Younger Now. The song is inspired by her relationship with her then-fiance, Liam Hemsworth. The song serves as a testimonial to their love. Its catchy melody and sincere lyrics captivated listeners from different backgrounds, but like a lot of the songs on this list, the relationship it was based on fell apart and the couple is no longer together.

5. “Home” – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Jade Castrinos Of The Band Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

“Home” is undoubtedly one of the band’s most popular songs. The song has become iconic thanks to its endearing lyrics filled with love and optimism. It was written by bandmates Jade Castrinos and Alex Ebert, who were dating at the time. “Home” became a love song, resonating with listeners of all ages. The duo eventually broke up sometime after the band started.

6. “Get Her Back” – Robin Thicke

Singer Robin Thicke — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Released in 2014 as the lead single from his album Paula, “Get Her Back” was written as an attempt to appease and get back together with his wife Paula Patton, whom he had separated from in earlier 2014. The song resonated deeply with fans who could relate to its themes of love and heartache. While many appreciated the vulnerability in the lyrics, others criticized it as an attempt to rekindle their love. The pair, unfortunately, parted ways the same year.

7. “Hey There Delilah” – Plain White T’s

Plain White T's attend 5th Annual California Fire Foundation Gala at The Avalon Hollywood, Hollywood, CA on March 28, 2018 — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

“Hey There Delilah” is a song by the American rock band Plain White T’s. The song tells the story of a young man’s love for a girl named Delilah. The song was written by the band’s lead singer, Tom Higgenson, after meeting American athlete Delilah Di Crescenzo at a party. Delilah had a boyfriend at the time, but that didn’t stop Tom from professing his love for her. Another user on the forum added that the song is creepy as it was written for a student who already had a boyfriend at the time and was not interested at all in the singer.

8. “Him & I”- G-Eazy and Halsey

Oakland, CA/USA - 12/14/2016: Gerald Earl Gillum also known as G-Eazy performs at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. His album peaked at 3 on US Billboard 200 and his single, 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100. — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

“Him & I” became one of the pair’s most popular songs. The song is a charming anthem that delves through the fierce and passionate relationship between lovers. “Him & I” is based on G-Eazy’s real-life relationship with Halsey. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of their journey as a couple and their willpower to stay together despite their conflicts. It encourages listeners to believe in the power of genuine connection and to put their relationships above all else. However, the couple called it quits in mid-2018.

9. “So What”- Pink

“So What” is a song by American singer Pink. The song was based on her temporary separation from her husband, Corey Hart. In this song, Pink made several references to her relationship with her estranged husband, who separated after his alleged affair.

The song represents the power of resilience and the importance of moving on from difficult situations. The song has a powerful statement as it celebrates her separation rather than wallowing in self-pity. However, the statement was short-lived as the couple got back together shortly after the song was released and are still together.

10. “The Only Exception” – Paramore

Singer Hayley Williams Of Paramore Band — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

“The Only Exception: became one of the band’s most successful songs upon its release. The song was written by band members Hayley Williams and Josh Farro. It resonated with listeners who had experienced heartbreak and struggled with vulnerability in their relationships. The song conveys that even in a world filled with heartbreak and disappointment, there’s always room for love to exist. Fans believed the song was written as an ode to her ex-husband, Chad Colbert.

11. “Underneath It All” – No Doubt

Gwen Stefani And Blake Shelton — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

“Underneath It All” was a hit single from the band’s fifth studio album, Rock Steady, released in 2001. Gwen Stefani, the group’s lead vocalist, wrote the song with her then-boyfriend Gavin Rossdale. The lyrics reflected their relationship, which was troubled at the time. Gwen sang about how she loved her partner despite their flaws. One commenter on the platform opined, “If you really listen to the lyrics of this song, you’ll realize she knows he was wrong and was trying to convince herself otherwise.”

12. “London Boy” – Taylor Swift

London Boy” is a song by Taylor Swift featured in her 2019 studio album Lover. The song instantly gained popularity among fans and became one of the standout tracks from the album. Taylor was inspired to write “London Boy” based on her real-life experiences with her then-boyfriend and English actor Joe Alwyn. The song expressed the energetic relationship they had. The couple had since broken up and gone on to date other people.

Sources: Reddit.