Image credit Ellyn Jameson
One of my all-time favourite albums is The Magnetic Fields’ gloriously off-the-wall 69 Love Songs. Initially conceptualised as a musical revue, Stephin Merritt’s album is a delightfully eccentric exploration and deconstruction of the concept of love songs. Comprised of three separate discs, it is almost three hours long and takes in a variety of genres and moods and, frankly, if you haven’t ever heard it you should stop reading and go rectify that.
Regardless, the original version of The Book Of Love is one of the better known songs from 69 Love Songs, and has invited numerous covers. Where Merritt’s version is delivered in a somewhat deadpan-if-heartfelt way, Alex Winston’s take is more overtly emotive, particularly when paired with a video the evokes the notion of love’s long-lasting impact, both within our lives and beyond them. Winston’s vocal here soars, overdubbed harmonies creating a wall of melody whilst guitars create a slow building crescendo.
This version of The Book Of Love is taken from Alex Winston’s EP of of love related covers. Including versions of songs by Charli XCX, Daniel Johnston, and Field Medic, Other People’s Love Songs is out now (and just in time for Valentine’s day!). Check out the cover of the Magnetic Fields below: