Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for April 17, 2013

It’s a massacre.

Again, HURRAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, if even Brad thinks it will be a while…

Okay.

Okay.

WHO is THIS Dark Haired Broad and WHAT has She Done with the REAL Nancy DeGroot?!!?

No drama, Mama? Nifty. Toni’s hair is waist-length, she must be sure to keep it tightly pinned under her fire helmet!

LOVE it! It doesn’t always work out that way. Think again, Brad. It may not be too far in the future for Grampa or Grandad with Shannon.

Here’s something to wonder: why ask the engaged couple when the wedding date is when they JUST got engaged?

The folks are being SO cool! Yay!!!

@templo SUD, in real life people most people will follow the “Im engaged” statement with the “When’s the big day?” question.

Nancy’s heart started thawing out towards Toni on May 20, 2010. That was during the time they went shopping for clothes together to wear to Luann’s performance in “West Side Story.”

Nancy thought Toni was not ready to commit, just wanted to “enjoy Brad”……… but now she sees Toni is ready

I see the preacher has arrived early. I rarely read past the 50th post. By then it is just a few certain members who insist on having a urinating match!

love it, love it, love it..but where is little sister? She is going to be SURPRISED.

Maybe Nancy’s hostility to Toni was because she was afraid Toni would dump Brad and hurt him. Now that she knows Toni has chosen Brad, it’s time to be happy with her.

Go with “Gampa” Frank, it’s easier for kids to say it that way

Like so many of you, I can’t wait to see Luann’s take on this… no doubt she will be ecstatic that Toni will be her OFFICIAL “big sister”, from now on… and, you can guess who’s side Luann will take whenever Toni & Brad have a little disagreement (hint: the one with the most hair)

From my experience, the grandkids CHOOSE what to call the grandparents and the grandparents don’t have any say in the matter.

“Thank you, Mrs DeGroot!” “Nancy…” WHAT??? Not Mom? Ok, she hates the idea but is going along with it on the outside. If she was truly into it, she’d have said “Mom”. Not “Nancy”. Classic reaction.

And just thought of something. Nancy’s hair is black. Dad’s hair is black. Brad’s hair is black. So….why is Luann a Orangy Blonde (Official description). Maybe she is adopted!!

It’s all a dream.

Acceptance!

@Lynnskay: now into my 25th year of marriage, I finally understand what I should have known then. My MIL has never asked me to call her anything and still expects to get that necklace back she gave me to wear at our wedding, with the proviso that I give it back if we get divorced. Guess she still doesn’t believe it’s working out.

Called it!! Right down to the hug!

:-)

Ah, here is that 3/20/2010 stripIt definitely foreshadowed today’s strip.

Nancy was afraid that Toni was going to love-im-and-leave-im. But now that they are engaged, she can put that behind her.

I think for Nancy being happy was Toni asking Brad..That means Toni had to have the courage to ask., not wait until Brad asks… again.

grampa, if he gets to choose

Hooray! Major hurdle!

“Gramps” would only make me grumpy. I offered “Grand-Dude” and “G-Daddy” as options … My grandson finally chose G-Daddy, and G-Daddy it is.

Well, the “yes, they are” people have had the shower strip for the past two months. The “no, they aren’t” people now have Brad’s last comment in this strip. :-)

Dw and some: re weight and showers: getting kinda personal. mrs manners says you just smile even more. Lets be kind all way around. (Now you can call me the preacher)

It’s not over yet. Need more drama,DRAMA!!!!!!!!!Brad’s Dad might be on the right track with the grandkids thing, Toni might have asked Brad to get married because she is pregnant. Than Nancy can flip out again. Need more drama. DRAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m okay with the way this arc is going. Let Luann have the angst. For now, to add to the play list . . .-What the World Needs Now is LoveJackie DeShannon

“What the world needs now is love, sweet loveIt’s the only thing that there’s just too little ofWhat the world needs now is love, sweet love,No not just for some but for everyone.”

well if it took this long for the engagement to take place then I’m thinking the wedding will be sometime in 2016 or 2017…

Donny – ever hear of editing? less is more? anything of that nature?

Shannon…….

As usual, which some of you forget each week, the outcome is typically the easiest and safest route.

Don’t you mean, What pills are you SUPPOSED to take daily?"?

Folks, I HATE to be the “Specter at the Banquet” but…., I dunno, Something’s WRONG here.

I Mean, LOOK at the FACTS:

A) Dirk’s Married and Mellowed.B) Ann Eiffel’s GONE.C) Tiffany’s Lately Ineffectual.D) And Leslie Knox? Every time HE shows up, Ox SCARES Him off.E) And NOW Nancy, for No Apparent REASON, has WARMED to Toni.

HELL, even TJ appears to be Semi-Reasonable.

Everybody’s Got a Job. Everybody’s Happy. Every Possible THREAT in the Vast Luanniverse has been Suddenly NEUTRALIZED.

Someone a few Post up asked the question: “Where’s the Drama”?

Where is the Drama indeed?

For what is fiction WITHOUT DRAMA?

Without DRAMA Fiction would be BORING.

As BORING as say…..,

A COFFEE Drinker on the ROOF!!!

(CUE the Mournful Violin Music)

Bring BACK the Drama to “LUANN” that Most of Us Loved so Well, Greg and Karen.

Thank You.

I had no idea her name was Nancy.

Are some of your lives so pathetic that you have to project conflict, strife and fantasies into something you have no control over?

The Brad & Toni Saga – 2002^Jan 2-5, 7-12, 14-19^Inspired by the heroism of the 9/11 firefighters, Brad decides to become a firefighter, too. TJ joins him because he thinks it’d be a great way to meet girls. He’s not wrong, since in their CPR class, they get to sit next to 2 very pretty girls, a blonde and a brunette. But since they want to be firefighters, too. they’re not that impressed with Brad and TJ.^Feb 25-March 2^Brad and TJ continue their CPR class with the blonde and brunette. It’s interesting to note that in these early strips, the brunette actually has a little more to do than the blonde, since TJ is more aggessive in his failed flirting than Brad is.^March 11-14^Brad, TJ, the blonde, and the brunette all get CPR certified.^April 8-13^Brad and TJ start their EMT class. So do the blonde and brunette.^July 15-20^Brad passes his class, becoming a certified EMT. TJ also passes, but barely, and decides firefighting isn’t for him (which is probably why we don’t see much more of the brunette; without TJ there, she’d have nothing to do).^July 22-27, July 29-Aug 3, Aug 5-10, 12-17, 19-24, 26-31, Sep 1-7, 9-14^Bernice and Zane get trapped in a burning building. Bernice gets out, but Zane’s still trapped. Brad arrives on the scene as an EMT and at Bernice’s urging, he rushes in to rescue Zane. He saves Zane’s life, but because as an EMT he’s supposed to hang back and let the qualified firefighters do the rescuing, all Brad gets for his heroism is a reprimand. When his family and friends find out, they stage their own improvised mini-parade in Brad’s honor. The blonde shows unexpectedly shows up as part of the parade…to chew out Brad for breaking the rules.

The Brad & Toni Saga – 2003^Feb 17-22, Feb 24-March 1^Brad starts his Paramedics class where he once again sits next to the blonde. He finally learns her name is Toni Daytona. At TJ’s advice, Brad starts telling her dirty jokes…and discovers she has a real weakness for them.^May 5-10^Brad discovers Toni shares his passion for cars and fixing them.^May 19-24^Brad & Luann talk to each other about their relationship problems.^June 2-7, 9-14, 16-21, 23-28^Brad & Toni agree to meet at an auto show, but when Brad gets there, he freaks out when he sees her there with a handsome guy. It’s okay, though. The guy isn’t Toni’s boyfriend, just her brother. Then Brad meets Toni’s real boyfriend, Dirk the Jerk.^Aug 11-13^Another Brad/Luann talk.^Aug 18-23, 25-30^Brad learns that the reason Dirk is always dropping off Toni and picking her up from the Paramedics class, is because Dirk wrecked her car. Not for the last time, Brad wonders what Toni sees in him.^Sep 29-Oct 4, Oct 6-11, 13-18, 20-25^Dirk stalks Brad and Toni, resulting in a car chase where Dirk gets into a crash. Brad and Toni have to save the jerk’s life.^

I’m glad it went down like a normal family (no drama).

The Brad & Toni Saga – 2004^Jan 12-17, 19-24^Brad and Toni pass their Paramedics class. But their shared happiness is marred by Dirk showing up and dismissing Brad as a “nobody”.^April 12-17, 19-24^Toni asks Brad to keep his distance from her as the Fire Academy.^June 7-12, 14-19, 21-26^Brad fails the initial Fire Academy physical. He decides to go work out at a gym in preparation for the next Fire Academy class which will start a few months later. He discovers the gym he’s chosen is the same gym where Dirk works out.^July 12-17^Brad’s getting more fit. Toni (who passed her physical) is at the Fire Academy, and over the phone, admits to Brad she misses him.^Sep 6-11, 13-18, 20-25, Sep 27-Oct 2^Toni graduates from Fire Academy and becomes a firefighter. Brad attends her graduation ceremony, but Dirk’s also there, and he actually attacks Brad. Toni makes Dirk back down.^Oct 15, 16, 25, 26^During a storyline that’s mostly about Luann, we learn that Brad retook and passed the initial Fire Academy physical, and is training at the Academy.^Nov 8-13^Brad has an ugly, but strictly verbal, confrontation with Dirk.^Dec 6-11^Toni accidentally sends the wrong Christmas cards to Brad & Dirk. “Hilarity” ensues.

Speaking as a retired firefighter. there is no way Toni’s hairwould work in firefighting gear but I enjoy this strip very much and am aware it’s a comic. So suspend disbelief!

The Brad & Toni Saga – 2005^Jan 3-8, 10-15, 17-22, 24-29, Jan 31-Feb 5^Brad graduates. Toni attends his graduation ceremony, but Dirk also shows up and gets into another physical fight with Brad. At Toni’s urging, Brad presses charges, and Dirk’s arrested.^Feb 21-26, Feb 28-March 5, March 7-12, 14-19^Brad becomes a firefighter. To celebrate, he takes Toni to a Pizza place. There, he learns from her that while Dirk’s no longer in jail, the judge has ordered him to take anger management classes, and has also filed a restraining order to keep Drik away from Brad.^May 2-7^Luann and Toni have a long talk about Brad and Dirk. The beginning of a sisterly bond between the two.^June 6-11, 13-18, 20-25^Brad and Toni perform several school presentations together on fire safety with Reddy, the mini talking firetruck (Brad supplies Reddy’s voice).^Oct 3-8, 10-15, 17-22^Brad has lunch with Toni to celebrate the success of their Reddy presentations. Then Brad gets a surprise, unwanted visit (in his own car!) from Dirk. Dirk insists he’s reformed, although he’s blatantly violating his restraining order.^(In between this, and the next Brad&Toni storyline, Luann temporarily adopts a stray kitten. This has nothing directly to do with Brad & Toni, but the kitten is featured prominently during some of the next Brad&Toni story)^Nov 14-19, 21-26, Nov 28-Dec 3, 5-10, 12-17, 19-22^Brad’s fire station is in cmpetition with Toni’s firestation for which station can provide the most stuffed toys for the Christmas drive. For much of the time, Toni’s station is winning…thanks to large donations from Dirk.

I’ll post some more on the Brad & Toni Saga tomorrow.

I am not a believer in long engagements. Get ’em married right away, I always say.

Nancy is happy for Brad because she originally thought that because of Toni’s beauty (and her original relationship with Dirk) that she was just going to break Brad’s heart. Now that she knows Toni proposed to Brad, she is secure with the knowledge of her love for him.

“… This engagement will last at least as long as the courtship did.”

Wanna bet? ;-)

Brad needs to start planning for the honeymoon

@boboscar Nice work…thanks!

tension release……

Impressive summaries today

Nancy’s problem with Toni was she was scared she would get bored with brad and break his heart, mostly based on the fact that she felt Toni was out of Brad’s league. Her proposing to Brad sort of puts that possibility on the back burner allowing her to be fully happy for them.

Gee that was too easy!

Oh yes … but – as has been mentioned, the g’p’ts-to-be still have to meet Shannon … clever of Greg to separate those two ‘events’ …

I saw this coming..I bet it will be twins ( :

…or this is all a dream.

“I think that before the wedding takes place that there may be some squabbling between the pair. That will keep the engagement interesting.”

That’s a given. There is tons to plan and work out. There are going to be conflicts, it’s inevitable. But nothing will be that serious.

Which is why I don’t expect a long engagement. You can only milk it so much before it starts getting over-the-top. So it’s far better to get them married fairly quickly so Greg can move onto their married life together.

And if their house were to burn down and the newlyweds have to move in with the Degroots… You fill in the blanks. :-)

“Upward and Onward Through The Fog”

Yes, I caught that and appreciated it. Thanks!

Yes, what is Luann’s reaction going to be. That is the next question. Personally, I’m hoping that she senses the good news before being told. I’m thinking something like this strip from 1/17/2004:Something along the lines of Tony and Brad seeing her. She looks at them, pauses a second, then exclaims, “You didn’t?!?! You DID!!! Congratulations!!”

But we shall see.

I am so glad that the mother didn’t object Brad deserves this

What’s there to discuss? Get married already.

Good for you, Nancy! Now that Toni is grateful to you, YOU can start commandeering the wedding! (Just like your mom did when you and Frank got married.)*I agree with a prior commenter— the grandkids should have a line nose rather than a pig nose.

How about this for the playlist:

Tall and tan and young and lovelyThe girl from Ipanema goes walkingAnd when she passes, each one she passes goes – ah

When she walks, she’s like a sambaThat swings so cool and sways so gentleThat when she passes, each one she passes goes – ooh

(Ooh) But I watch her so sadlyHow can I tell her I love herYes I would give my heart gladlyBut each day, when she walks to the seaShe looks straight ahead, not at me

Tall, (and) tan, (and) young, (and) lovelyThe girl from Ipanema goes walkingAnd when she passes, I smile – but she doesn’t see (doesn’t see)(She just doesn’t see, she never sees me…)

It’s the second most recorded song in history, second only the “Yesterday” by the Beatles.

Hey, Donny, only about 80 comments to go before you break the 1,000 mark!

Recap of Playlist:

1.“Nights In White Satin” (Moody Blues)2. “Marry Me” (Train)3. “A World of Our Own” (The Seekers)4. “The Flame”(Cheap Trick)5. “Stuck on You” (Lionel Ritchie)6. “Ripple” (Grateful Dead)7. “Mandolin Wind” (Bob Seeger)8. “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu” (Domenico Modugno)9. “When I’m 64” (The Beatles)10. “Chapel of Love”, (Dixie Cups)11. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)12. “After the Loving” (Engelbert Humperdinck)13 “Right Down the Line (Gerry Rafferty)14. “Biggest Part of Me” by Ambrosia15. “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine”, Jimmy Rodgers16. “Never Be Another You”, Al Martino17. “In My Life” (Beatles) 18. "Still Loving You (Scorpions)19. “Crazy Love” (Poco)20. "This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody) (Talking Heads)21. “Just Remember I Love You” (Firefall)22. " Hey Love " (Delfonics)23. “Sugar Lips” (Al Hirt)24. “This Guy’s in Love With You” (Herb Alpert/TJB)25. “Save Your Love” (Great White)26. “Anytime” (McAuley/Schenker Group)27. "Girl From Ipanema (Getz/Gilberto)28. "Guy From Ipanema (Nancy Wilson version)29. “Colour My World”(Chicago)30. “I Need You” (Lynyrd Skynyrd)31. “What the World Needs Now Is Love” (Jackie DeShannon)32. “I Love You” (Climax Blues Band)33. "You’ve Made Me So Very Happy (Blood Sweat and Tears)

If you have to take age difference into account for Nancy to be more attractive, that means you consider Toni more attractive without the weighted calculation.*That is what usually bothers me when people talk about a “level playing field.” They seem to mean equal outcome rather than equal opportunity; if the outcomes aren’t the same, the field must be unlevel.+Which is to say Nancy is lovely in her own incomparable way — even if she IS no Tiffany or Bernice.

34. “The Wedding Song” (…and the man shall leave his mother, and the woman leave her home…)^^…..and….There is love! (heh, heh ) a PP&M choice for the album, it is! Given some of the run times for some of the songs, we’re almost at the double album point, ha ha!) I will also add Answering Machine by Rupert Holmes…. boy, was he a lyricist!

My apologies! Meant Just Paul…..

Does anyone else get the sensation that Greg is wrapping up the strip and going to retire?1)all drama has been removed,2)seems as if all loose ends on story arc are being tied up3)release of Luann reruns in Luann Againn

Stranger in Paradise, sorry, was going too fast….

Was also thinking about the “Mendel Factor”, in regards to the question about Luann’s hair vs. the rest of the family….

From Yesterday @Leviticus: ANother Question:

Ok I looked at the strips you mentioned. The last panel was after TJ was fired and holding the door open for Ann and that was it. The next weeks strips was Luann on the computer (or whatever she was talking on) To Quill. At that point TJ was an ex employee and Ann was still manager. Now my question is this: TJ at that point was technally (sp?) an ex employee at that point and Ann is still employed as Manager. How on earth does an ex employee tell a Still employed Manager they are through working and to get lost? I am not doubting your word but that is just my question; How an ex employee tells a sill manager they are done? Thanks.

How about “Cheeseburger in Paradise?”^^But times have changed for sailors these days. When I’m in port I get what I need; Not just Havanas or banana or daiquiris, But that American creation on which I feed!-————-(smack, chew)Now I went and got ketchup all over the playlist!

Resolving the story line,and, resolution.

Leviticus, by that thinking, maybe Nancy is reliving her experience with Frank? Cute chick, dweebish guy redux?

Okay, here’s one for the playlist that you don’t have. Musically I think it is one of the best pop songs ever written. I just love its chord progressions:

Imagine me and you, I doI think about you day and night, it’s only rightTo think about the girl you love and hold her tightSo happy together

If I should call you up, invest a dimeAnd you say you belong to me and ease my mindImagine how the world could be, so very fineSo happy together

I can’t see me lovin’ nobody but youFor all my lifeWhen you’re with me, baby the skies’ll be blueFor all my life

Me and you and you and meNo matter how they toss the dice, it has to beThe only one for me is you, and you for meSo happy together

I can’t see me lovin’ nobody but youFor all my lifeWhen you’re with me, baby the skies’ll be blueFor all my life

Me and you and you and meNo matter how they toss the dice, it has to beThe only one for me is you, and you for meSo happy together

Ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-baBa-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba

Me and you and you and meNo matter how they toss the dice, it has to beThe only one for me is you, and you for meSo happy together

So happy togetherHow is the weatherSo happy togetherWe’re happy togetherSo happy togetherHappy togetherSo happy togetherSo happy together (ba-ba-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba)

(Happy Together by The Turtles).

Brad, explain to dad that the very earliest it will be possible for him to be called grandad will be 9 months after the wedding night.^^Unless they wind up taking in Shannon, permanently

That will be due to the fact that in any disagreement between Toni and Brad, Toni will almost certainly be right. Perhaps not 100% of the time, but at least in the mid 90s.^^I was basing that statement on the fact that Luann and Toni are more like long-lost sisters than future in laws

insight into Nancyhttp://www.gocomics.com/luann/2002/08/18

Can’t you hear my heart beat – Herman’s Hermits

lol! Wow, can you imagine the commercial for that one?

Remember when he was trying to get a job as a Mad Magazine character? Maybe they forgot to mention that working out for him, so he has another income on the side.

If it was Quaker promoting two of their cereals in the same commercial: "Tonight’s episode was brought to you by Quaker, the makers of ‘Life/THAT IS SO SAD!!!’ cereal.^^and the versions for kids (or even kids at heart)with the bonus prize inside could be a bounced check, a bill for 99 kabillion dollars, due yesterday, or a toy car with a flat tire….

Have you considered counciling?

I’m thinking we’ll have one real year in which Luann is a senior and Brad is engaged. There will be a wedding and a graduation, then Luann will be a college sophomore for about 15 years.

And people keep misunderstanding “Broken Wings” by Mister Mister…. that’s actually a good reconciliation/love song… they mishear it and leave the THAT part out of “…you’re half of the flesh and blood THAT makes me whole…”, pointing to someone trying to show their love that being together with them, makes them feel so complete…… as opposed to what they mishear to be a creepy “….and blood makes me whole…” song.

TJ is a better con than Ann. She believed he had something.

This Magic Moment – Jay & The Ameicans^^I forgot to mention the Ben E. King and the Drifters version, to go along, too!

“it was a hopeful love song ( one of my all time favorites). It would have been appropriate for Brad before Toni said yes..He would’ve had in the 8-track every time she rode in the car.

As a matter of fact, it’s led me to be a collector of vinyl, and music, spanning from as early as the 1920s to the present

Sorry, one more thing…. one of the songs on the list is by Train, and that one’s from 2011…. several others are from 80-95, and many are from 1962-1979. The rest spans those decades, or earlier….

I’m sure there will be some “new stuff” at the reception, but you’d be surprised at how many people would also like a lot of older stuff, too… I Googled, and found there are some from newer generations saying they "wished they had been born during the time of some older songs and tv shows…. I’ve seen such comments on youtube, and Facebook, as well… it’s not ALL newer generations, but it IS a sizable number….

That lucky dog! I’m jealous. LOL

Well, maybe the DeGroot’s know Arlo and Janice and know how they handled it with their son Gene. He wanted to drop out of school and marry a young woman he first met as a kid on vacation at the shore. She was a single mom working at her dad’s dockside restaurant when they hooked up again.

Frank is wondering when Brad will “plant the seed in the furrow!”

I’ve been trying to research some love songs from the “Modern Day”….. apart from Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts (one of my wife’s faves), Blake Shelton, other country artists, and Kelly Clarkson (Whom my wife also loves), and the independent singers/groups, there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of modern day LOVE love songs…..(like boy meets girl, gets married, learns to love through good and bad, etc.)

Wedding bells are in the air.

I see wut u did thar.

I’m not the girl for modern popular music. I’m the classic rock, theater music girl. Let me see if I can find anything out.

The 80s was full of mushy love songs. That’s what oldies would look like to a modern 20 year old.

wow Nancy cool while Frank wondering wether he wants the grandkids to call him Granddad or Grandpa but where’s Luann?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today’s comments have been brought to you by “Quacker”… the makers of “Lyfe” cereal, and “That’s So Sad Cereal”… now with 20 percent LESS cereal, and this weeks prize: a frowny face Monopoly token……

My people are mentioning artists. Usher. Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men. The only songs they’ve mentioned are not exactly what I’m looking for. These are probably artists a young couple would look to, though they’re still fairly old.

Oh, this comment from a friend who just got married.

“Marry Me by Train, You and I and/or Morning Lullabies by Ingrid Michaelson, Book of Love by The Airborne Toxic Event, I’m Yours by Jason Mraz, Oh and the song from the samuel adams commercial! haha It’s called Overwhelmed by Tim McMorris, Someone Else’s Life and/or Paperweight by Joshua Radin, The First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes, Chariots Rise by Lizzie West.”

I’ve only heard a couple of those. Please don’t make me hunt down lyrics. I hate this kind of music.

K-Ci and Jojo—-All My Life, Aerosmith—Don’t Want to Miss a Thing, Brad Paisley—She’s Everything, Eminem—Beautiful, Blake Shelton—God Gave Me You, Shinedown—Miracle

Wait, I’ve heard one of those!

off I go!

Sacrificing credibility here, but I plan Because You Loved Me, by Celine Dion, as the song I dance with my dad to at my wedding. I have never, ever heard it without thinking of him.

She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5Love Shack – The B52’sModern Love – David BowieThis Modern Love – Bloc PartyThe Way I Am – Ingrid MichaelsonWill You Be My Girlfriend – The AtomsFirst Day of My Life – Bright EyesBe My Girlfriend – CarbonaBe My Baby – The DollyrotsDo You Realize – The Flaming LipsAre You Gonna Be My Girl – JETGirlfriend – Matthew SweetCalifornia Love – Tupac Love Song – The Cure I Miss You -Incubus Let Love Rule – Lenny KravitzBest of You Foo – Fighters Landing in London – 3 Doors Down November Rain – Guns and Roses Such Great Heights – The Postal Service Do You Realize – Flaming LipsTruly Madly Deeply – Savage Garden Close 2 U – Fergie Coming Out of the Dark – Gloria Estefan Runaway – The Corrs Thankful – Kelly Clarkson Love is a Good Thing – Sheryl Crow Always – Bon Jovi Because You Love Me – Celine Dion From This Moment – Shania Twain Vertigo and All I Want is You – U2The Luckiest – Ben FoldsRead more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/modern-love-songs.html

Okay, off the top… knock California Love right off…. moving on, Love Shack just HAS the word love in it… Thankful by Kelly Clarkson is one of those streeeeetches…. The Cure’s Love Song WAS a present from Robert Smith to his wife…. Celine Dion’s Savage Garden’s and Shania Twain’s do qualify, But November Rain (GnR)? Modern Love (Bowie)? Nuh uh…. Coming Out Of the Dark was about Ms. Estefan’s near fatal experience, and relating to her perspective, so a no go there…. see what I mean? These days, people are stretching it like a pair of stretch pants on an elephant…. more to come….

Your Body is a Wonderland by John Mayer? Certainly romantic. Do we want to watch our parents dance to it? Maybe not so much.

1.“Nights In White Satin” (Moody Blues)2. “Marry Me” (Train)3. “A World of Our Own” (The Seekers)4. “The Flame”(Cheap Trick)5. “Stuck on You” (Lionel Ritchie)6. “Ripple” (Grateful Dead)7. “Mandolin Wind” (Bob Seeger)8. “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu” (Domenico Modugno)9. “When I’m 64” (The Beatles)10. “Chapel of Love”, (Dixie Cups)11. Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton)12. “After the Loving” (Engelbert Humperdinck)13 “Right Down the Line (Gerry Rafferty)14. “Biggest Part of Me” by Ambrosia15. “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine”, Jimmy Rodgers16. “Never Be Another You”, Al Martino17. “In My Life” (Beatles) 18. "Still Loving You (Scorpions)19. “Crazy Love” (Poco)20. "This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody) (Talking Heads)21. “Just Remember I Love You” (Firefall)22. " Hey Love " (Delfonics)23. “Sugar Lips” (Al Hirt)24. “This Guy’s in Love With You” (Herb Alpert/TJB)25. “Save Your Love” (Great White)26. “Anytime” (McAuley/Schenker Group)27. "Girl From Ipanema (Getz/Gilberto)28. "Guy From Ipanema (Nancy Wilson version)29. “Colour My World”(Chicago)30. “I Need You” (Lynyrd Skynyrd) 31. “What the World Needs Now Is Love” (Jackie DeShannon)32. “I Love You” (Climax Blues Band)33. "You’ve Made Me So Very Happy (Blood Sweat and Tears)34. “Wedding Song” Paul Stookey (of Peter Paul and Mary)35. “Answering Machine” Rupert Holmes36. “Happy Together” the Turtles37. “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat” Herman’s Hermits38. “Cherish” The Association39. “Never My Love” The Association40. “The Air That I Breathe” The Hollies41. “This Magic Moment” Jay & The AmeicansSo far, just “Marry Me” by Train, and the next closest is 80s stuff (The Flame, Still Loving You)…..

I don’t know most of them. November Rain is beautiful, and legitimately about marriage, but not really the right tone for a wedding. Modern Love is ridiculous. Truly Madly Deeply is exactly the kind of gagarific schmaltz we’re looking for. From This Moment counts.

Either version of I Swear is bordering on too obvious.

Maroon 5s “She Will Be Loved” kinda fits, in the first verse:

Beauty queen of only eighteen She had some trouble with herself He was always there to help her She always belonged to someone else--Chorus? Check.

I don’t mind spending every dayOut on your corner in the pouring rainLook for the girl with the broken smileAsk her if she wants to stay awhileAnd she will be lovedAnd she will be lovedI know where you hide alone in your carKnow all of the things that make you who you areI know that goodbye means nothing at allComes back and begs me to catch her every time she fallshere’s where there’s a little gap…. and the melody’s not all mushy which is good, but also more of a general feel, not necessarily a love song feel….. but it is kinda close….

I looked at duets in that link. Lovely mixture of old stff and new.

Brad thinks he’s part of a video game.

uggh… going through some of the more modern ones is like trying to fix a septic pipe…. not pretty, but I guess necessary….

I’ve come to the conclusion that Brad and Toni may find modern songs here and there to be to their liking, but that like Bob Seeger said, “Today’s music ain’t got the same soul” and they “still like that old time rock and roll”… The strip was out in ‘85, and Luann owned her own CASSETTE recorder for her first diary, so, I think that B&T would mostly respect the classcs, and though they’re aged 20-25 stripwise, I think their tastes could fit the “classic” demo more….

Wedding song: Sheriff – ‘When I’m With you’the lead singer’s voice in that is what I remember about that song… “babayyyyyaaay…” think I still have the song somewhere, but I forgot what I did with the cassette….

yawwwwnnn.. (station sign off) (or did this become 24 hrs, too?)

Perhaps Quill & Luann will write and record a song for the happy couple.

Singer Freddy Curci holds the Guiness record for the longest note held in a pop song… important stuff LOL^^it’s after midnight here, and you just helped me fill my learning quota for the day, already! LOL!

Toni & Brad can be a late addition…lol

ha ha!

Now we’re cookin’ on wedding plans:

Q: what do you speculate the colors would be?

oh, I get it….ha ha! Or more like ho ho…. or is it hee hee? I don’t know!

actually, looking at some examples on the net, I guess the combo could work somewhere!

my apologies! Never knew they worked together!!! consider me chastised!

new strip’s up… c ya there!

for disco, it’s better off with “How Deep Is Your Love” by the Bee Gees, than “Survive”. “Survive” is more of a post break up song. “Afternoon Delight” is not just a “cup of tea”, ha ha…. it probably can go on the honeymoon cd, separate from the wedding songs, for certain obvious reasons… Love Street lyrics seem more like for the “independent woman” type of situation, and not the “we love each other” kind of thing…. " I Saw You" (actually titled “Comin Back To Me”) is kinda in the middle, it could be love, or it could be just wishful thinking……

I honestly thought that mom would not have been happy. Glad it was better than I thought it would be