For a battle as old as humankind I’m having a hard time thinking of songs that explore the classic duel between love & hate. No one would deny that love by itself is the most prolific muse in any art form, let alone pop music. Hate has inspired its fair share of memorable songs as well (“Positively 4th Street” and “You Oughta Know” spring instantly to mind). But what about songs examining the relationship between the two? The subplot of Good vs. Evil gets plenty of play if we’re talking about heavy metal or video game soundtracks but the pop world largely shies away from the subject. I’ve thought of the two songs below as thematically linked for some time and hopefully they’ll stoke the fires of discourse with you, kind reader.
Ballad Of Love And Hate – The Avett Brothers
The seventh record form this Concord, NC trio made my Best of 2007 list. The song’s a heartbreaker about how L&H are inextricably intertwined, depicting them as a dysfunctional couple.
My vacations ending I’m coming home late.”/
“Hate reads the letter and throws it away.
No one here cares if you go or you stay.”
Just wanting a phone call or some kind of sign.
That the one that she cares for who’s out of his mind
Will make it back safe to her arms.
Hate stumbles forward and leans in the door.
Weary head hung down, eyes to the floor
He says, “Love I’m sorry” and she says, “What for?”
“I’m yours and that’s it, forever”
Happy Noodle vs. Sad Noodle – Logan Whitehurst & The JSC
From the serious to a seriously whimsical take on the good & evil side of things. In the end happy and sad can’t really do without each other. Heartbreaking in that Logan was a truly gifted individual who left us too soon. The humor evident here pervades all his material. A rich stockpile can be found here.
If you can think of any more musical explorations on the theme of love vs. hate, good & evil, Cain & Abel, whatever leave a comment! If they can be on the same t-shirt they must be in the same song…
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