Written by Stephin Merritt
Recorded by The Magnetic Fields
 
Stephin Merritt’s songs are often simple-sounding yet incredibly deep, and overwhelmingly joyous yet terribly sad. “I Think I Need A New Heart” is a great example, and hey, it also has a superb bridge. From The Magnetic Fields’ outstanding collection (three CDs back in the day!), let’s take a look at track 11 from 69 Love Songs.
 
We start off on the jaunty side of the musical spectrum and then, “Time stands still, all I can feel is the time standing still…” You can feel the anxiety as the music shifts moods into that all-too-familiar, uncomfortable emotional divide between lovers. But our protagonist has no interest in getting into it, or exchanging any sort of honest, vulnerable communication. Instead, he’s lost in song – from the radio, and from the soundtrack of his failed romances: “I think I need a new hea-ar-ar-arrrr-aart…”
 
The chorus shares the jaunty chord progression and arrangement of the intro. The second verse features our protagonist’s attempts at shifting blame, and borderline admittance of his own issues of deceit and distraction, before returning to the radio playing and his familiar cardiovascular shortcomings.
 
And then we get to the bridge. The previous instrumentation, the bouncy beat and light-hearted riff have been stripped. We are now alone with just vocals, a strumming guitar, and honesty. This is the truth he has so much difficulty in expressing, and yes, it is being expressed in song, but a song he will never sing to his lover:
 
'Cause I always say, "I love you"
When I mean turn out the light
And I say, "Let's run away"
When I just mean stay the night
But the words you want to hear
You will never hear from me
I'll never say, "Happy anniversary"
Never stay to say, "Happy anniversary"
 
The only song he’ll sing to his lover is that ol’ jaunty one about needing a new heart. Masked in whimsy, the veil of the self-deprecating chorus is quickly wearing thin. The protagonist knows that if the chorus is the only tune he sings to his lover, they might finally be done. He knows he needs to try, or at least say that he’s trying. Before ending the song, he requests, “Give me time.” The music is still upbeat and fun, so it might take a little time, but maybe he will get there? Until then, the radio plays…

-MJK

​Written by Rod Argent
Recorded by The Zombies

I love everything about zombies. It’s my favorite horror film sub-genre and in general, I’m always rooting for an underdog who refuses to die. But this is a music blog, so today we’re talking about the great Sixties English band, The Zombies. The Zombies contributed a lot of amazing music, but most of them did not have an outstanding bridge like “Tell Her No.” Let’s start with how much I love a song that starts with “And.”

And if she should tell you, "Come closer,"
And if she tempts you with her charms
Tell her no.

It feels like we have entered a conversation in progress between the protagonist and another guy – perhaps he’s a friend and maybe the two are drinking some pints. One friend, a cuckold, drinks to drown his sorrows while the other imbibes in celebration of a new love. The problem is that it’s the same woman who makes our protagonist so sad, and his mate, so happy. After a repetition of the word “no,” the sad friend adds, “Don't hurt me now, for her love belongs to me.” Another round, blokes?

The protagonist continues asking his friend to stay away from this girl, even if she tells him she loves him and tempts him with her charms. But can you blame him for falling for it? It doesn’t seem like advice really helps the situation. After all, the protagonist didn’t even take his own advice, and admits to this in the bridge:
I know she's the kind of girl
Who'd throw my love away
But I still love her so
Don't hurt me now, don't hurt me now

I think it’s clear that soon, the friend will be in this same awful situation. By next week, there might be a third guy, freshly in love, drinking beers with these two. It makes no difference that the protagonist’s final warning is “if she tells you 'I love you,' just remember she said that to me.” Apparently, the protagonist tells his friend “no” sixty-three times in this song – clearly not enough!

There is no shortage of songs like this – Elvis’ “His Latest Flame” immediately jumps to mind. And if she should ask you if there are a lot of songs with better bridges, tell her “no.”

-MJK

Written by John Hiatt and Fred Koller
Recorded by The Jeff Healey Band, John Hiatt
 
There is no shortage of outstanding John Hiatt songs, and many of them feature delightful bridges. It’s tough to choose one, but when listening through his catalog, one song popped out and turned its angel eyes my way. Hiatt is a deeply respected songwriter and successful recording artist, but has never been a household name. He’s been covered a few times – most notably on Bonnie Raitt’s take on “Thing Called Love,” and The Jeff Healey Band’s version of "Angel Eyes." But more about Healy’s cover shortly. Let’s jump into the song. This is a straightforward love song about a guy who can’t believe his luck:
 
Girl, you're looking fine tonight
And every fella's got you in his sights
What you're doing with a clown like me
Is surely one of life's little mysteries
 
The protagonist is a humble, likeable loser. I’m sure he must have something going for him, right? Well, let’s see. He never learned to dance and isn’t much of a looker, and it’s possible that he was previously a virgin:
 
Well, I'm the guy who never learned to dance
I never even got one second glance
Across the crowded room, that was close enough
I could look, but I could never touch
 
So he wonders. What could he have possibly done to win her love and turn her angel eyes his way? We never do find out. But we do get a pretty nice bridge out of it.
 
Don't anybody wake me if this is a dream
'cause she is the best thing that's ever happened to me
All you fellas, you can but look all you like
But this girl, you see, she's leaving with me tonight
 
He gets a little confident by the end of the bridge. The bridge has clearly been a good experience for him – but then, just when he’s accepting things and feeling smooth, the fear sets in. If this is real love, if this isn’t a dream, if I am with the nicest-looking gal in town, well then, oh no, relationships scare me! But don’t worry, fans of this loveable loser, because this gal is so great, all she needs to do is look at him, and everything is a-ok.  
 
I heard The Jeff Healey Band cover before the original, as did most people other than Jeff Healey. While he had been playing it live, Hiatt never released the song until it made it onto a 1998 “Best Of” collection. It was the Healey recording that I originally heard and liked, but in my opinion, Hiatt’s version is dramatically better. Hiatt is a funny, charming fella, and this song is drenched in self-deprectiating humor and sweetness. Listening to Healey’s cover years later, I find it dry, a bit boring, and perhaps way too “80s.” What went wrong with music production in the 80s? That might be a topic for a different blog, but for some quick insight, ask the stars above!

-MJK

Written and Recorded by Billy Joel
 
There are few artists who divide music listeners more than Billy Joel. I’m not sure why so many people despise this guy. In my opinion, he’s one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, he’s a skilled musician, and he has the uncanny ability to absorb contemporary music trends and express them through his unique filter. His songs are often musically explorative, and his lyrics are rarely matched within the world of mainstream pop music. But hey, I grew up on Long Island in the 80s, and every Joel release was like a new national anthem for us. The details of his fallout with his band are foggy, and I hate to think that Billy had anything to do with the untimely death of one of my favorite bassists, Doug Stegmeyer. But maybe I’m getting too deep into the artist – we’re here to celebrate bridges! Joel has written some of my favorites, and maybe none better than “Just The Way You Are.”
 
“Just The Way You Are” is a song about a couple, after years of partnership, evaluating the state of their relationship. And what appears to be sentiments of unconditional love, later reveal more. The protagonist asks that his partner not change who she is: you don’t need to update your appearance, you don’t need to worry about impressing me with “clever conversation,” and I understand that we’re not going to get along every day:
 
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are.
 
He’s 100% devoted to her. He’s not going anywhere, and he wants everything to continue as it has been. But like the one-sided nature of songs (other than duets), neither the listener nor the song’s protagonist knows how she feels. And here’s when we get to the bridge.
 
I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
But what will it take 'til you believe in me
The way that I believe in you?
 
He’s pleading with her, expressing his love for her and how important it is to stay together and continue this relationship. Prior to the bridge, the message seems selflessly supportive. You don’t have to be anyone but yourself. But there’s more happening here. It’s not that she doesn’t need to change; it’s that he doesn’t want her to change. He wants – he needs! – her to be exactly who she was when they first met. He’s horrified to feel that she might have outgrown this relationship. To believe in him means believing in his vision of what he thinks this relationship should be.
 
You might say, “Come on, Matt, stop ruining love songs for us!” Hey, what can I say? I, too, used to think this was a song of pure, unconditional love, but this is not a song of loving someone for who they are, and it’s about loving someone for who they were. She didn’t go changing to please him, she changed to please herself, and often, seeing a change in someone else shines a light on one’s own inability to change. Self-improvement is the toughest thing we can do, and this protagonist has admitted that he “never wants to work that hard.”
 
“Just The Way You Are” is a song nuanced as much as love itself, and once again, it’s the bridge that offers us the truth behind the messy miscommunication of a couple in trouble. Billy Joel has gifted us with many great bridges – hey, he even has an album called “The Bridge,” but, off hand, I don’t know how many of the songs have bridges or if I would write about any of them. I’ll probably return to more of the 70s and 80s material for the next BJ entry. But until then, even if only one person reads this, I love you, that's forever, and this I promise from the heart.  

-MJK

Written by Bob Hilliard and David Mann
Recorded by Ella Fitzgerald with Sy Oliver and his Orchestra
 
There have been numerous classic songs about marriage: Chapel of Love, Wedding Bell Blues, Love and Marriage, and countless others - but do any of them have what we here consider one of the best bridges? Nope! But this song does.
 
Ella Fitzgerald is a legend. Musically, culturally and politically, the First Lady of Song has contributed so much amazing music, and her influence is still being felt, even if most people today are unfamiliar with her greatness. For those of you who were not around in the '50s, you might be better acquainted with the similarly titled “Solid (As A Rock),” a big hit for Ashford & Simpson. But while the 1984 R&B-crossover chart-topping single merely borrowed the title phrase, it fell short of expanding on the metaphor. Not the case with this song:
 
Solid as a rock
Solid as a rock
Love is as solid as a rock of Gibraltar
So come to the altar with me

Oh, how we love that “Gibraltar/altar” internal rhyme! Songwriters Bob Hilliard and David Mann crafted a simple, heartfelt composition. Economical and delightful. I’m not certain that the song has what I would consider a verse. The lyrics above sound more like a chorus – so is this song just chorus and bridge? Can we have a bridge without a proper verse and chorus? Of course we can – it’s my blog, I can do whatever I want! But listen to the song, clearly, this is the bridge:

You'll only wander wayward if you ramble
May I suggest a license and a ring
When you're in love, it's really not a gamble
Cause you're betting on a real sure thing
 
Great lyrics, and the perfect redirection and palate cleanser before we jump back into the chorus. I love the alliterative phrase, “You'll only wander wayward if you ramble.” Say it – sing it! Doesn’t it feel good coming out of your mouth?
 
Fitzgerald recorded the song with Sy Oliver and his Orchestra. I love the whole-step modulation. The rhythm section drops out, the rest of the orchestra takes a musical deep breath, and with an exuberant “hey,” we’re back and better than ever. I haven’t been able to find covers or additional versions of this song. Do you know any? And what about other marriage songs with great bridges? There must be some – let me know!

-MJK

Written by Carole King
Recorded by Carole King (and James Taylor)
 
In my previous blog about 10,000 Maniacs’ “Like the Weather,” I noted that, during the deep throes of depression, the protagonist did not have a true friend to lean on during her grayest of days, and now as a comparison, let’s discuss a more supportive version of this situation, a song about love and support among amigos. Carole King wrote and recorded “You’ve Got a Friend,” but before the vinyl could dry, her buddy James Taylor was releasing his own version. I generally stick with one version on this blog, and it’s usually the original, but in this case, both recordings are classic and deserve to be part of the same discussion. And before we jump in, it should be noted that we have previously discussed bridges written by both King and Taylor.
 
Lyrically, the song is very straightforward. Similar to “Like the Weather” (and countless songs and poetry throughout time), King used nature as a metaphor to describe a friend-in-need’s emotional state.
 
If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind begins to blow
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud
Soon you'll hear me knockin' at your door
 
This song is not only beautifully written, it’s a heartwarming sentiment rarely discussed in this way. We have no shortage of love songs, plenty of sex songs, numerous protest and political songs… songs about cars, songs about freedom, songs about rock n’ roll, and some songs are just about whatever the composer was smoking at that moment – but songs about friendship? The only ones that immediately jump to mind are “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and NRBQ’s “Me and the Boys.” (“Me and the Boys” also has a bridge, but we’ll get back to that. “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” despite its name, does not have a bridge).
 
Among all the great lyrics in this song, King’s ode to friendship features one of pop music’s best-known and beloved choruses. You can’t even read these lyrics without singing along.
 
You just call out my name
And you know, wherever I am
I'll come runnin'
To see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yes, I will
 
As good as this song already is, with just the verse and chorus parts, things get extra special during our bridge. Starting with the lyrics:
 
Now, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend
When people can be so cold?
They'll hurt you, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them
Oh, but don't you let them
 
Here, our protagonist talks some truth about how awful people can be and why life can be unbearable without a dependable, selfless friend. Between our own demons, and the demonics of the world around us, what hope is there without this sort of friend?
 
I like how the only rhyme in the bridge is internally found in the words “hurt” and “desert,” as if rhyming them makes it easier to overcome, with the help of a friend, of course – a true friend that is there when you need them, and full of helpful straight-talk. For example, if someone wants to take your soul, don’t let them!
 
Musically, we find a lovely, super-smooth modulation from chorus to bridge, and just as seamlessly, a quite delightful return to that mighty chorus. King’s original is driven by piano, Taylor’s by guitar. His recording was a bigger hit, but these are both classics. Personally, I prefer JT’s musical arrangement but King’s vocal – it’s so honest and vulnerable. Based on vocal performance alone, if I was in need of a friend, I’d call Carole first.
 
So, did I miss any good songs about friendship? Let me know and I’ll come runnin!
 
-MJK

Written by Natalie Merchant
Recorded by 10,000 Maniacs
 
In the late 80s, we Gen-Xers were treated to some beautiful song lyrics. Yes, hair bands like Dangerous Toys offered us songs like “Sportin' A Woody,” but artsy upstate New York, alt-hippy bands like 10,000 Maniacs gifted us with the kind of poetry found in “Like The Weather.” Singer, songwriter and front person Natalie Merchant gave us hope, even during the nastiest of weather and foulest of moods.
 
It’s one of my favorite songs about deep, terrible depression. It’s so quirky and fun! Gloomy weather symbolizing grim moods is nothing new in pop music. Twenty years earlier, in “Rain,” The Beatles made a case that it’s “just a state of mind,” and with proper encouragement, “the weather’s fine,” and it’s ok to come out of hiding to enjoy life. But this may not be the case with our protagonist, nor does she seem to have someone at hand to encourage her. Let’s jump in.
 
The color of the sky as far as I can see is coal grey.
Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again.
 
Some people might mistake the protagonist’s condition as weather-related, but this is a depressed person. As I type, it’s dark and wet outside, and yes, super-gloomy, but I’m not in bed. I’m working on my blog. 10,000 Maniacs are from Western New York, where Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Canada and Lake Erie team up to provide you with some nasty-cold winters. Surely, weather alone can’t stop them!
 
She notes that the only thing currently keeping her alive is involuntary breathing. She’s otherwise mentally checked out and drowning in misery. She’s shivering, quivering and crying. By noon, she has done nothing while others have already “put in half a day.” So let’s revisit that idea of receiving help from another – let’s get into that bridge!
 
Do I need someone here to scold me
or do I need someone who'll grab
and pull me out of this four poster dull torpor pulling downward?
 
First, let’s start with the obvious. Has anyone else ever used the word “torpor” in a pop song? Probably not. And another thing uncommon in pop songs of the time is admitting that you need help. I’m not sure scolding is the best method, but certainly a helping hand sometimes needs to grab a little firmer. But sadly, we never see her ask for help and instead:
 
I say my prayers nightly this will pass away.
 
Personally, I think human help is better. But don’t take it from me, because without help, without reaching out to a friend (hmm, that gives me an idea for my next blog post), you might continue to feel like:
 
The color of the sky is grey as I can see through the blinds.
Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again
with a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my voice as I cry,
"What a cold and rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away?"
I shiver, quiver, and try to wake.

​--MJK

Written by Brian Wilson, Tony Asher and Mike Love
Recorded by The Beach Boys
 
Brian Wilson and company released some of the most beautiful, engaging, and innovative pop music of their time, and part of their genius was writing hit singles for an audience outside of their personal worlds.  Only one “Boy” surfed, they weren’t particularly tan, and by the time of the release of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” the band members were in their 20s and already knew how nice it is to be older. Lyricist and Pet Sounds-era collaborator Tony Asher was twenty-seven at the time. His lyrics are economical, yet natural and musical. It’s the story of young lovers who yearn for the benefits of an older relationship:
 
Wouldn't it be nice if we were older?
Then we wouldn't have to wait so long
And wouldn't it be nice to live together
In the kind of world where we belong?
You know it's gonna make it that much better
When we can say goodnight and stay together
…Oh, wouldn't it be nice?
 
While the song does not have a traditional-sounding chorus, it does feature refrains and clear ‘A’ and ‘B’ parts. After two runs through those parts, we most certainly get to the bridge, and what a bridge it is. Musically, it’s the kind of Pet Sounds, mid-sixties, trying-to-outdo-The-Beatles arrangement you’ve come to love. And not only does the sound and feel of the song change dramatically, so does the singer. Up until the bridge, Brian Wilson sings lead until he passes the mic to Mike - Love that is!
 
The bridge also offers a lyrical shift. Prior, the couple is grounded. They know, that even though it would be nice to have an adult relationship, they do not, and they’ll just have to patiently wait until they’ve finished high school. But in the bridge, wishes lead to hope, which leads to prayers, and then, there’s no turning back – they’re in fantasyland:
 
Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray
It might come true
Oh, baby, then there wouldn't be a single thing we couldn't do
We could be married
And then we'd be happy
 
That is, until we modulate back with a “Oh, wouldn't it be nice?” and then, the most harsh of realities:
 
You know it seems the more we talk about it
It only makes it worse to live without it
But let's talk about it…

             …But wouldn't it be nice?

-MJK

​Written by Even Stevens
Recorded by Dr. Hook
 
Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show. With a band name like that, you know you’re in for some good tunes, and among them is “When You’re In Love With a Beautiful Woman.” They had officially shortened the name of the band to Dr. Hook by the time of this release, but I’m not into the whole brevity thing. Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show had a string of '70s hits written by numerous songwriters, including the multi-talented Shel Silverstein. In this case, “When You’re In Love With a Beautiful Woman” was written by Even Stevens. That’s his real name. He often collaborated with Eddie Rabbitt, also his real name. I say all this to further illustrate this unique and entertaining band and the creative world around them. Ok, let’s get into this song, and one of the most vulnerable and self-aware bridges on this blog!
 
“When You’re In Love With a Beautiful Woman” is a tale of romantic anxiety. Our protagonist is extremely insecure in his relationship. He scored a knockout, but he’s now worried that she’ll run off with one of his buddies:
 
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, it's hard…
Everybody wants her, everybody loves her,
Everybody wants to take your baby home.
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you watch your friends…
 
Is he paranoid? Maybe not, because he soon notes:
 
You know that it's crazy, you wanna trust her,
Then somebody hangs up when you answer the phone.
 
People hang up for all sorts of reasons, right? Maybe he is overreacting, maybe his jealousy is getting the best of him. And this is where the bridge arrives, an opportunity for self-reflection for our tortured lover. Has his beautiful woman been unfaithful? Is he unfairly making assumptions? Will he ever feel at ease in this relationship?
 
Maybe it's just an ego problem
Problem is, I've been fooled before
By fair-weather friends and faint-hearted lovers
And every time it happens, it just convinces me more
When you're in love with a beautiful woman…
 
Yes, he’s been hurt, but if you’re not healthy enough to start a new relationship without carrying that baggage, maybe you should do more of that self-reflection until you’re in a better mental state. Or, stop being in love with beautiful women. Maybe date someone in a similar league. And get some better friends! No matter the case, this isn’t working out for you, dude. The song never concludes that she is indeed cheating, so we must then assume that this guy will continue to act paranoid and he’ll blow his chance with this beautiful woman, and maybe every woman after that.
 
For increased enjoyment, please find the video for this song. It’s a lip-synced performance and everything about it is lovely. Hey, what can I say? When you're in love with a beautiful bridge, oh, it never ends… 

-MJK

Written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, Sounwave, Jahaan Sweet and Keanu Beats
Recorded by Taylor Swift
 
“Karma” is many things to our song’s narrator, but mostly, it’s a celebration of not being an asshole. It’s tough always doing the right thing, especially when others aren't holding themselves to the same standard. If you’ve earned good karma, toot your own horn and stick it in the face of others. I support this - let’s jump in!
 
The protagonist wastes no time getting into it:
You're talking shit for the hell of it, addicted to betrayal…
You're terrified to look down
'Cause if you dare, you'll see the glare
Of everyone you burned just to get there
 
While this person is burning others, the protagonist has kept her “side of the street clean.” And she knows that a clean street is a direct path to the benefits of good karma. Good karma is everything: a boyfriend, god, and a breeze through your hair on the weekend. But perhaps no comparison expresses the awesomeness of good karma as much as:
 
Sweet like honey, karma is a cat
Purring in my lap 'cause it loves me
Flexing like a goddamn acrobat
Me and karma vibe like that
 
You know who doesn’t vibe with karma like that? Whoever the dipshit is she’s singing to. He’s described as a “spider-boy” and a “king of thieves.” This guy will get what he deserves and karma will hunt him down like a bounty hunter.
 
So how did our protagonist get to the point of vibing like this, how does she know how to keep her side of the street so clean, and why has she endured while others have failed? The answer is in the bridge!
 
Ask me what I learned from all those years
Ask me what I earned from all those tears
Ask me why so many fade, but I'm still here
 
It’s challenging to separate the author from the narrator. My default is to make no assumptions and take any first-person narrative song as fiction. But at times, for context, it’s worth considering the author. Swift often draws from her own life, career and celebrity. And despite the countless haters, she does seem to keep her side of the street clean, and she has endured. I’m sure she’ll give us many more great bridges in the future – until then, I’ll be vibing with my cats and good karma.

-MJK