Long Distance Relationships
Songs to get you through the lonely nights
In today’s hectic world, finding your significant other isn’t as easy as hooking up at the local club. Many of us are meeting our soul mates via the internet, on vacation or through far-away friends. Welcome to the pain and pleasure of the long distance relationship. If you’re dedicated, resilient and equipped with a discounted phone plan, it’s feasible to rendezvous with a happy ending. When the distance is lengthy and the next trip months away, take comfort in these songs.
If You Want Me – Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
From the wonderful film, Once, this track aches with the yearning for an absent lover. The music and lyrics form a haunting partnership that envelopes the listener in a melancholy embrace.
Best lyrics: Are you really here or am I dreaming? I can’t tell dreams from truth for it’s been so long since I have seen you.
An Ocean Apart – Julie Delpy
A woman of many talents, actress Julie Delpy starred in Before Sunrise and contributed several songs to the soundtrack as well. This song echoes the painful reality of loving someone who lives a world away.
Best lyrics: We'll have to be so strong to keep our love from going wrong / Distance will make us cold, even put our love on hold / but soon we'll meet again and soon it'll be bright at noon again.
One More Last Kiss – Ivy
Standing at the airport departures gate grasping for one more embrace is heartbreaking! Ivy knows how uncertain such a goodbye can be. When every moment counts, one more kiss is never enough.
Best lyrics: It's just a question of how long, how long I have to wait / So one more last kiss like two prisoners / One more last kiss to hold on to.
When Will I See You Again – The Three Degrees
Covered by Erasure and Billy Bragg, this song from the 1970s was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. For the most heartfelt rendition, it’s the original all the way. This track is the perfect chaser for Ivy’s offering above.
Best lyrics: When will I see you again? When will our hearts beat together? Are we in love or just friends? Is this my beginning or is this the end?
Next to You – The Police
When the geographically-challenged relationship is getting the best of you, take a listen to Tantric sex-god, Sting. In this song, he can’t cope with separation anxiety. While we’re all in support of grand gestures of love, robbing a bank to free up funds for airfare is a criminal don’t! Selling your old Police vinyl to grab some cash – that’s a do!
Best lyrics: I'd rob a bank, maybe steal a plane / You took me over, think I'm goin' insane / What can I do, all I want is to be next to you
I’ll Meet You Halfway – The Partridge Family
For 1970s teen idols, David Cassidy was the best of a bad lot. Despite step-mum Shirley Jones dressing him in ruffled shirts, young girls couldn’t be dissuaded from their devotion. Teen idol love is the first flush of long-distance (albeit unrequited) amour for many. Here young David offers a grown-up solution – separations can be surmountable when you split costs and distance.
Best lyric: I'll meet you halfway, that's better than no way / There must be some way to get it together / And if there's some way, I know that some day we just might work it out forever.
Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair) – Sheena Easton
Oh dear…looks like someone has a case of romantic panic. It’s that sinking feeling when you can’t contact your far-flung paramour evoking many a nightmarish scenario. Is he out with another girl? Forgotten about me? At such times, it’s best to remain calm, avoid drunk dialling, and correct your spelling once the urgency has subsided (Telefone? Shame, Sheena!).
Best lyrics: I wanna tell you what's been goin' on, operator give me Trans Atlantic / I sit alone as the night goes by / Long long distance love affair, I can't find you anywhere.
Everything Changes – Take That
Surviving a long distance relationship is never easy, but having a positive outlook and plenty of trust can work in your favour. Weather the permutations and stay true – it’s worth it!
Best lyric: Hey girl, I know the situation changed / And so much is new but something in my life remains the same 'cos everything changes but you.
Written By: Jackie Middleton
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