“I will replace my heart with a battery and give you mine to use.” “Because of the love I have for you, I will buy you the world.” “I will take you to the moon for you to know that my love for you is real.” “M3ky3 m’akoma na mama wo half” (I’ll divide my heart into two and give you half). All these are but a few lines from some love songs.

The simplest definition that I can assign to love is a strong affection for someone that includes sexual desire.

For many centuries, we have been hearing countless of songs that talk about love. Be it Rhythm & Blues, Hi-life, Hiplife, Country, Pop, Soul, etc…

Love songs extol true love and sometimes lament love lost. Most, if not all of the songs have strong musical appeal. From their tuneful melodies via heartrending lyrics to danceable rhythms. They touch emotions and can create an almost hypnotic romantic mood.

Do love songs promote a realistic view of romantic love?

Love songs celebrate a world of melodrama and tortured passion, in which love often finds the perfect resolution. Unfortunately, perfect love is very scarce and hard to find in real life. Yet, love songs make us think this is so easy and simple.

Another popular motif in love songs is that love is instantaneous (Love at first sight). One popular song declared that love came suddenly after the first hello and the first smile. Love songs thus teach that love is blind, recognizing strengths but refusing to see the weaknesses.

How valid are such expressions? Can a first impression really be the basis for a lasting relationship? How can a person truly love and get committed to someone on the very first day of meeting that person?

One of my female friends asked some few days ago if love simply involves the tingling feelings one has for someone. I understood her point of view because; people tend to propose as soon as they begin to have romantic feelings for that person.

Love sees strength but does not ignore weakness. Real love is developed over a period of time as knowledge is acquired of another’s personality and qualities. Yet, this is not the kind of love often described and portrayed in love songs.