Tuesday, November 2, 2010

I Can't Make You Love Me

One of my favorite recordings is Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me." As this election season comes to an end, this song has been going through my head.



To all the people who ran for office at the federal, state and especially local level, I say "thank you" and "God bless you." You were willing to step up and try to make a difference. I respect that. Not many of us are willing to actually enter the fray and take the abuse. It is easy to critize from the sidelines.

And, yes, we all want to be loved. But, as the song says, we can't make someone love us if they don't want to. Elections are a lot about acceptance whether it be in school or for President of the United States.



If you know anything about Bonnie Raitt, you know she is a political activist and has been her entire life. Not many people have that type of strength. She went to Radcliffe College -- the women's counterpart to Harvard before the two colleges became one. And you don't find any town that is more politically astute than Boston.



So as I sit in my home tonight watching the election returns, I think of this song and the woman who made it famous. And I am humbled by both.



If you hear the piano in this song, you will recognize the distinctive tones of Bruce Hornsby. But it is the voice of Bonnie Raitt that is ... haunting. It is so haunting it literally captures the heart and soul of a person so you can hear it.

Take 5 minutes and listen. You will be glad you did.

5 comments:

Country Girl said...

There were a lot of songs on this album that I liked, but this was my favorite. I first went to see Bonnie Raitt when I was about 20 years old. I always thought she was fantastic. One of my favorites.
Great post for today, Russell.

Charlene said...

I really like that song. I went to see a small venue concert she gave in the early 2000's at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. I don't go to many concerts and that was so special.

Small City Scenes said...

Yep! That has always been one of my favorite songs and I have felt that pain too.
As for the elections I will just be glad not to be subjected to all the negative posturing. I just hope we can all pull together as Americans to help each other.
Excellent post, Russell

MB

Debbie Courson Smith said...

With all the election coverage, I wasn't even thinking about Bonnie...but now I am...and it's good :)

R. Burnett Baker said...

I've heard that song a gillion times but paid it no attention. They are truly lovely lyrics.

Thanks for making me slow down and listen.

Rick