The love stories behind the love songs

The most powerful and intimate songs about love and breakups are reflections of what the respective artists were going through at the time. Transcending individual differences, we collectively appreciate these songs and relate to them using our own experiences, but what are the true stories behind some of the most influential love anthems of all time?  

‘You’re Beautiful’, James Blunt  

James Blunt’s ‘You’re Beautiful,’ is an ultimate love ballad; often played at weddings given its yearning nature, Blunt describes the love he felt when he “saw an angel”. Even though “he will never be with [her]”, he accepts and respects this, which arguably makes the song all the more romantic. However, despite these interpretations, Blunt did admit in an article for The Guardian that “It’s portrayed as a romantic song but it’s actually a bit creepy. It’s about a guy – me – stalking someone else’s girlfriend while high”. After seeing an ex-girlfriend on the subway with her new beau, he decided to write a song about the experience… and yes, in the original lyrics he notes that when his crush saw him, he was in fact “fucking high”.  

‘You Oughta Know’, Alannis Morissette  

Alannis Morissete is well-renowned for the angst that shines through in her songwriting. The powerful lead song from her hit album Jagged Little Pill is no exception: in ‘You Oughta Know’, she calls her ex-lover “Mr Duplicity”, questioning whether he ever understood the now messy and spiteful woman he had left behind. The song is reportedly about none other than David Coulier, otherwise known as Uncle Joey from the sitcom Full House.  

Upon hearing the song on the radio, he drew likeness from the lyrics to their relationship, such as dismissing her phone call when he was out to eat with friends, inspiring the line “I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner”. Although Morissette has never admitted that he was the inspiration behind the song, she also has not disputed Coulier’s claims.  

‘Hey There Delilah’, Plain White T’s  

Those in long-distance relationships can appreciate the honest and simple lyricism of this hit song, written by Tom Higginson, frontman of the Plain White T’s. This love story between a guitarist in Chicago and a student in New York is one underpinned by desire and hope, with the thousand-mile distance between them failing to suppress their love for one another.  

With this track, Higginson had the goal of impressing competitive college cross-country runner Delilah DiCreczenzo who, unfortunately for him, had a boyfriend at the time. So, the seemingly authentic relationship portrayed within the lyrics was fantasy, formed as a result of an unrequited crush. Due to the ubiquity of the song in 2007, DiCreczenzo was constantly confronted with it, telling ESPN that she “was nervous that [she’d] let Tom’s fans down” with the reality of the situation. However, there is, apparently, no lingering awkwardness, as she attended the Grammys with the group in 2008.  

‘Go Your Own Way’, Fleetwood Mac  

Fleetwood Mac is a band with a reputation for drama, with many songs based on the intoxicating relationship experiences of its members. Written by Lindsey Buckingham, ‘Go Your Own Way’, was penned as a stream of consciousness regarding his breakup with fellow Fleetwood Mac member Stevie Nicks. The song details a lover who is trying to “give [the] world” to his other half, only for them not to take it. This biting narrative within the lyrics certainly heightened tensions within the band, and its’ unadulterated honesty can be said to demonstrate different perspectives within break-ups. Buckingham and Nicks notably argued over the line “packing up / shacking up is all you wanna do”: Nicks wanted it cut, saying she “very much resented” the implication, and that “he knew it wasn’t true”. The tension when performing this song on their 1997 tour was palpable, where Nicks had to provide backup vocals. 

‘Cry Me a River’, Justin Timberlake  

Timberlake has often been the centre of scandals, and his relationship with Britney Spears was no exception. His 2007 song ‘Cry Me a River’ was written about his breakup with Spears, and the music video featured a woman who looked just like the pop icon cheating on a hooded Timberlake as he sulks in the rain. The dramatic repetition of the phrase “cry me a river” throughout the song clearly depicts his lack of sympathy toward her given this supposed betrayal, an attitude adopted by the general public in their approach towards Spears going forward. However, in Spears’ latest memoir, The Woman in Me, she stated that it was Timberlake who cheated on her multiple times and ended their relationship via text. This scathing song is a clear representation of the double standards in Hollywood when it comes to relationships and a reminder to not fully believe every lyric you see!