Love Songs at the BBC: A Valentine's Day Special

# I just want to be beside you everywhere

# As long as we're together honey, I don't care... #

Hello, young lovers, wherever you are,

and middle-aged and elderly lovers too, of course.

No ageism here. This is Mark Radcliffe, ready and willing

to guide you through a selection of smooch from our archive

of amore this St Valentine's Day.

# I said, no matter no matter what you do

# I only want to be with you. #

So, without further ado,

although conveniently with further Amoo,

let's get started with the Real Thing.

# I would take the stars out of the sky for you

# Stop the rain from falling if you asked me to

# I'd do anything for you your wish is my command

# I could move a mountain when your hand is in my hand

# Words cannot express how much you mean to me

# There must be some other way to make you see

# If it takes my heart and soul you know I'd pay the price

# Everything that I possess I'd gladly sacrifice

# Oh, you to me are everything

# The sweetest song that I could sing

# Oh, baby, oh, baby

# To you I guess I'm just a clown

# Who picks you up each time you're down

# Oh, baby, oh, baby

# You give me just a taste of love To build my hopes upon

# You know you've got the power, girl To keep me holding on

# So now you've got the best of me

# Come on and take the rest of me Oh, baby

# Though you're close to me we seem so far apart

# Maybe given time you'll have a change of heart

# If it takes forever, girl then I'm prepared to wait

# The day you give your love to me won't be a day too late

# Oh, you to me are everything

# The sweetest song that I could sing

# Oh, baby, oh, baby

# To you I guess I'm just a clown

# Who picks you up each time you're down

# Oh, baby, oh, baby

# You give me just a taste of love

# To build my hopes upon

# You know you've got the power, girl

# To keep me holding on

# So now you've got the best of me

# Come on and take the rest of me

# Oh, baby

# Oh, you to me are everything

# You're the sweetest song that I could sing

-# Oh, baby

-Oh, baby...

-#

The Real Thing - sheer elegance. Oh, no, that was a different group.

Why'd the third one from the left come in a leprechaun's outfit?

Genuinely a classic love song next, sung exquisitely by Roberta Flack.

Blimey, those are big headphones!

# The first time

# Ever I saw your face

# I thought the sun

# Rose in your eyes

# And the moon and the stars

# Were the gifts you gave

# To the dark and the endless skies, my love

# The first time ever I kissed your mouth

# I felt the earth

# Move in my hand

# Like the trembling heart

# Of a captive bird

# That was there

# At my command, my love

# The first time

# Ever I lay with you

# I felt your heart

# So close to mine

# And I knew our joy

# It would fill the earth

# And last

# Till the end of time, my love

# The first time

# Ever I saw...

# Your face

# Your face

# Your fa-a-a-ace

# Your fa-a-a-ace. #

Just gorgeous. And from the sublime to, well, as love songs go,

something with a less lyrical approach.

And they might look happy here, but times were hard back then.

They couldn't even afford proper medallions,

which is why frontman Errol Brown has made one out of a coaster.

# I believe in miracles

# Where you from?

# You sexy thing, you sexy thing, you

# I believe in miracles

# Since you came along You sexy thing

# Where did you come from, baby?

# How did you know I needed you?

# Did you know I needed you so badly?

# How did you know I'd give my heart gladly

# Yesterday I was one of a lonely people

# Now you're lying close to me Making love to me

# I believe in miracles

# Where you from?

# You sexy thing You sexy thing, you

# I believe in miracles

# Since you came along

# You sexy thing

# Where did you come from, angel?

# How did you know I'd be the one?

# Did you know you're everything I prayed for?

# Did you know every night and day for?

# Every day your love has satisfaction

# Now you're lying close to me giving it to me

# I believe in miracles

# Where you from?

# You sexy thing You sexy thing, you

# I believe in miracles

# Since you came along

# You sexy thing, wa-a-ah!

-# Kiss me

-You sexy thing

-# Touch me, baby

-You sexy thing

# I love the way you touch me, darling

# You sexy thing

# Ah-h-h!

-# You sexy thing

-You sexy thing

# Yesterday, I was one of the lonely people

# Now you're lying next to me Giving it to me

# I believe in miracles

# Where you from?

# You sexy thing You sexy thing, you

# I believe in miracles

# Since you came along

# You sexy thing, wo-a-ah!

-# Touch me

-You sexy thing

# Kiss me, darling... #

Yes, kids, real men really did wear satin.

Such a sensuous fabric.

OK, lie back and luxuriate in the lushness of 10cc now.

In those days, it was actually quite common to shoot videos

on the back of a spoon.

# I'm not in love

# So don't forget it

# It's just a silly phase I'm going through

# And just because

# I call you up

# Don't get me wrong

# Don't think you've got it made

# I'm not in love, no, no

# It's because...

# I like to see you

# But then again

# That doesn't mean you mean that much to me

# So if I call you

# Don't make a fuss

# Don't tell your friends about the two of us

# I'm not in love, no, no

# It's because... #

(Be quiet, big boys don't cry)

(Big boys don't cry)

(Big boys don't cry)

(Big boys don't cry)

(Big boys don't cry)

(Big boys don't cry)

# I keep your picture

# Upon the wall

# It hides a nasty stain that's lyin' there

# So don't you ask me

# To give it back

# I know you know it doesn't mean that much to me

# I'm not in love, no, no

# It's because...

# Ooh, you'll wait a long time for me

# Ooh, you'll wait a long time

# Ooh, you'll wait a long time for me

# Ooh, you'll wait a long time

# I'm not in love

# Not in love. #

A classic of the genre from 10cc.

Elegant, understated, immaculate.

And by way of contrast,

ooh, suit you, sir!

The aptly named Stylistics.

The design of these jackets was inspired by the piped icing

on lead singer Russell Thompkins Jr's birthday cake.

You'll notice one of them is sitting down.

Ligament damage, apparently.

Well, you can't execute dance moves like this and not expect injuries, can you?

# Wise men say Only fools rush in

# But I can't help falling in love

# Falling in love

# Falling in love with you

# Falling in love with you

# Shall I stay?

# Would it be a sin?

# Cos I can't help falling in love

# Falling in love

# Falling in love with you

# Falling in love with you

# Like a river flows

# Surely to the sea

# Darling, so it goes

# Some things are meant to be

# Take my hand

# Take my whole life too

# For I can't help

# Falling in love

# Falling in love

# Falling in love with you

# Falling in love with you

# Like a river flows

# Surely to the sea

# Darling, so it goes

# Some things are meant to be

# Take my hand

# Take my whole life too

# But I can't help falling in love

# Falling in love

# Falling in love with you

# Falling in love with you

# Falling in love

# Falling in love

# Falling in love with you

# Falling in love

# Falling in love

# Falling in love with you... #

And then their helium ran out. And they're still going today,

which is reassuring to know, isn't it? I'll sleep easier now.

Right, what have we got here then?

Oh, it looks like the karaoke at the end of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.

Oh, no, hang on! It's Bonnie Tyler.

And judging by the outfit and the blow dry,

she's come on her moped.

# Every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound

-# Of my tears

-Turn around

# Every now and then I get a little bit nervous

-# That the best of all the years have gone by

-Turn around

# Every now and then I get a little bit terrified

-# And then I see the look in your eyes

-Turn around, bright eyes

-# Every now and then I fall apart

-Turn around, bright eyes

# Every now and then I fall apart

# And I need you now tonight

# And I need you more than ever

# And if you only hold me tight

# We'll be holding on forever

# And we'll only be making it right

# Cos we'll never be wrong

# Together we can take it to the end of the line

# Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time

# All of the time

# I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark

# We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks

# I really need you tonight

# Forever's gonna start tonight

# Forever's gonna start tonight

# Once upon a time I was falling in love

# Now I'm only falling apart

# There's nothing I can do

# A total eclipse of the heart

# Once upon a time there was light in my life

# But now there's only love in the dark

# Nothing I can say

# A total eclipse of the heart

# Turn around, bright eyes

# Every now and then I fall apart

# Turn around, bright eyes

# Every now and then I fall apart

# And I need you now tonight

# And I need you more than ever

# And if you'll only hold me tight

# We'll be holding on forever

# And we'll only be making it right

# Cos we'll never be wrong together

# We can take it to the end of the line

# Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time

# I don't know what to do I'm always in the dark

# We're living in a powder keg And giving off sparks

# I really need you tonight

# Forever's gonna start tonight

# Forever's gonna start tonight

# Once upon a time I was falling in love

# But now I'm only falling apart

# Nothing I can say A total eclipse of the heart

# A total eclipse of the heart. #

Very good, Bonnie.

I've left you a honey and lemon gargle in the dressing room.

The Power Of Love ballad, eh?

Leather, smoke, heavy drums, dramatic lighting.

Which is more than you can say for this next clip.

This is Evelyn 'Champagne' King

performing in front of some strip lights.

Honestly, it's Valentine's Day,

would a scented candle be too much to ask for?

# No sleep last night

# Been dreaming of you

# Please hold me tight

# Cos I can't help the way that I feel

# I just can't help the way that I feel

# Thief in the night

# You took my heart

# Now danger's in sight

# Cos I can't help the way that I feel

# I just can't help the way that I feel

# Do do dit dit di dit do do do

# Baby, you make my love come down

# You make my love come down

# Make it come all the way down

# Oh, you make my love come down

# Baby, you make my love come down

# You make my love come down

# Can't do without your tender love

# There's no way out

# And I can't help the way that I feel

# I just can't help the way that I feel

# Do do dit dit di dit do do do

# Baby, you make my love come down

# Ooh, you make my love come down

# Make it come all the way down

# You make my love come down

# Inside out when you're around

# Ooh, you make my love come down

# You make my love come down

# Ooh, you make my love come down

# Make it come all the way down

# You make my love come down

# Inside out when you're around

# Ooh, you make my love come down

# I can't help the way I feel about you, baby

# I can't help the way I feel

# All the way down

# You make my, you make my love come down

# When you're around

# When you're around, baby. #

Our first duet, now.

Why I am always reminded of Lady Chatterley's Lover when I see these two in action?

This is a top song expertly sung.

There is a sense here of a lot of people hanging around at a party

that hasn't quite got going yet.

# Who knows what tomorrow brings

# In a world few hearts survive?

# All I know is the way I feel

# When it's real, I keep it alive

# The road is long

# There are mountains in our way

# But we climb a step every day

# Love lift us up where we belong

# Where the eagles cry

# On a mountain high

# Love lift us up where we belong

# Far from the world below

# Where the clear winds blow

# Some hang on to "used to be"

# Live their lives looking behind

# All we have is here and now

# All our life's out there to find

# The road is long

# There are mountains in our way

# But we climb a step every day

# Love lift us up where we belong

# Where the eagles cry

# On a mountain high

# Love lift us up where we belong

# Far from the world we know

# Where the clear winds blow

# Time goes by

# No time to cry

# Life's you and I, a life today

# Love lift us up where we belong

# Where the eagles cry

# On a mountain high

# Love lift us up where we belong

# Far from the world we know

# Where the clear winds blow

# Love lift us up where we belong

# Where the eagles cry

# On a mountain high. #

Next up is that master of big-hearted ballads, Lionel Ritchie.

Doing his best on a set

that might be a triumph of the scaffolder's art.

But does very little in the way of romance.

# Girl, tell me only this

# That I'll have your heart

# For always

# And you want me by your side

# Whispering the words

# "I'll always love you"

# And forever

# I will be your lover

# And I feel if you really care

# I will always be there

# Now I need to tell you this

# There's no other love

# Like your love

# And I, as long as I live

# I'll give you all the joy

# My heart and soul can give

# Let me hold you

# I need to have you near me

# And I feel with you in my arms

# This love will last forever

# Because I'm truly

# Truly in love with you, girl

# I'm truly

# Head over heels with your love

# I need you

# And with your love I'm free

# And truly

# You know you're all right

# With me. #

Lot of lingering close ups, weren't there?

I think the cameraman might of have had a little bit of a crush going on there.

No need for the director to ask him to MOVE CLOSER, was there?

You see what I did there?

# When we're together

# Touching each other

# And our bodies

# Do what we feel

# When we're dancing

# Smooching and swaying

# Tender love song

# Softly playing

# Move closer

# Move your body real close

# Until we

# Feel like we're really making love

# Move closer

# Move your body real close

# Until we

# Feel like we're really making love

# So when I say "sugar"

# And I whisper "I love you"

# I know you're gonna answer in the sweetest voice

# Saying "my pretty lady"

# I love you too

# There's much room for passion

# There's no room for fears

# When the love flows smoothly between us, baby

# My dear

# Move

# Move closer

# Move your body real close

# Until we

# Feel like we're really making love

# Move closer

# Move your body real close

# Until we

# Feel like we're really making love. #

You're watching Love At The BBC,

with me, the Barry White of Broadcasting House, Mark Radcliffe.

We hope we're seducing you with our sultry smorgasbord of sensual sounds.

Much better than that candlelit dinner, eh, ladies?

Cheaper, anyway.

Kool And The Gang, now. Lovely stuff

but there is the worrying whiff of religious love cult about this.

# Let's take a walk together

# Near the ocean shore

# Hand in hand you and I

# Let's cherish every moment

# We have been given

# The time is passing by

# I often pray before I lay down

# By your side

# If you receive your calling

# Before I awake

# Could I make it through the night?

# Cherish the love we have

-# We should cherish the life we live

-Oh, yeah

# Cherish the love

# Cherish the life

# Cherish the love

# Cherish the love we have

-# For as long as we both shall live

-Baby

# Cherish the love

# Cherish the life

# Cherish the love

# The world is always changing

# Nothing stays the same

# But love will stand the test of time

# The next life that we live in remains to be seen

# Will you be by my side?

# I often pray before I lay down by your side

# If you receive the calling

# Before I awake

# Could I make it through the night?

# Cherish the love we have. #

I do like when a firm puts plenty of men on the job, don't you?

Makes sure the work gets done on time.

Knocked that off in under three minutes.

Nicely done, lads.

Next up, it's Cyndi Lauper who's had her hair done specially...

In a wind tunnel.

# You with the sad eyes

# Don't be discouraged

# Oh, I realise

# It's hard to take courage

# In a world full of people You can lose sight of it all

# And the darkness inside you Can make you feel so small

# But I see your true colours

# Shining through

# But I see your true colours

# And that's why I love you

# So don't be afraid to let them show

# Your true colours

# True colours are beautiful

# Like a rainbow

# Show me a smile then

# Don't be unhappy

# Can't remember when

# I last saw you laughing

# If this world makes you crazy

# And you've taken all you can bear

# You call me up Because you know I'll be there

# And I'll see your true colours

# Shining through

# I see your true colours

# And that's why I love you

# So don't be afraid to let it show

# Your true colours

# True colours are beautiful

# Like a rainbow

# Oh... Ah...

# Can't remember when I last saw you laugh

# If this world makes you crazy

# And you've taken all you can bear

# You call me up

# Because you know I'll be there

# And I'll see your true colours

# Shining through

# I see your true colours

# And that's why I love you

# So don't be afraid to let it show

# Your true colours

# True colours

# True colours

# Are shining through

# I see your true colours

# And that's why I love you

# So don't be afraid

# To let them show

# Your true colours

# True colours

# Are beautiful

# Like a rainbow. #

I do like a woman who serenades you, then finishes it all off

with a couple of firm thumps on a bongo, don't you?

Cyndi Lauper, back through the mists of time

before the smoking ban was introduced.

Ah, here comes Boris Gardiner now, a bit of lovers' rock.

# I wanna wake up with you...

Apparently, he wants to wake up with you.

I know, you would, but you've got an early start in the morning.

Don't worry, I'll make sure he gets the message and let him down gently.

# I want you to be the first thing that I see

# I wanna wake up with you

# I wanna lay by your side, baby

# I wanna feel every beat of your heart

# And throughout the night

# I wanna hold you tight

# I wanna wake up with you

# All the love inside me has been sleeping

# Waiting till the right one came along

# You can share the love that I've been keeping, baby

# You can put the music to my song

# I wanna wake up with you

# I wanna reach out and know that you're there

# I want you to be the first thing that I see

# I wanna wake up with you

# Do-do-do-do, do-do

# Do-do-do-do, do-do-do-do

# And throughout the night

# I wanna hold you tight

# I wanna wake up with you

# All the love inside me has been sleeping

# Waiting till the right one came along

# You can share the love that I've been keeping

# You can put the music to my song

# I wanna wake up with you

# I wanna reach out and know that you're there

# I want you to be the first thing that I see

# I wanna wake up with you

# I wanna lay by your side, baby

# I wanna feel every beat of your heart

# And throughout the night

# I wanna hold you tight

# I wanna wake up with you

# All the love inside me has been sleeping

# Waiting till the right one came along

# You can share the love that I've been keeping, baby

# You can put the music to my song... #

Well, that's the balloon budget blown!

The Romeo of the radio alarm clock, Boris Gardiner,

for all you early risers out there.

Now, here come LL Cool J, recently elected mayor of his 'hood,

and keen to show off his ceremonial chain.

RAPS: # Telling me I need a girl who's as sweet as a dove

# For the first time in my life I see I need love

# There I was giggling about the games

# That I had played with many hearts and I'm not saying no names

# Then the thought occurred teardrops made my eyes burn

# As I said to myself "Look what you've done to her"

# I can feel it inside I can't explain how it feels

# All I know is that I'll never dish another raw deal

# Playing make believe pretending that I'm true

# Holding in my laugh as I say that I love you

# Sayin' amour kissing you on the ear

# Whispering I love you and I'll always be here

# Although I often reminisce I can't believe that I found

# A desire for true love floating around

# Inside my soul because my soul is cold

# One half of me deserves to be this way till I'm old

# But the other half needs affection and joy

# And the warmth that is created by a girl and a boy

# I need love... #

Everybody, put your hands in the air

and wave them real slow from side to side.

And we're gonna get busy like this.

Say "I need love" on the count of three. One, two, three...

# I need love... #

Yeah, keep it like that. That's the way I like it.

Slow and easy, as we get busy.

# Romance, sheer delight, how sweet

# I gotta find me a girl to make my life complete

# You can scratch my back we'll get cosy and huddle

# I'll lay down my jacket so you can walk over a puddle

# I'll give you a rose pull out your chair before we eat

# Kiss you on the cheek and say "Ooh, girl, you're so sweet"

# It's deja vu whenever I'm with you

# I could go on forever tellin' you what I do

# But where you at? You're neither here nor there

# I swear I can't find you anywhere

# Damn sure ain't in my closet or under my rug

# This love search is really making me bug

# And if you know who you are why don't you make yourself seen?

# Take a chance with my love you'll find out what I mean

# Fantasies can run but they can't hide

# When I find you I'm-a pour all my love inside

# I need love... #

Everybody, just clap your hands real slow.

And we're gonna get busy like that.

One the count of three, say "I need love". One, two, three...

# I need love... #

Yeah, I like that. What y'all think of that, fellas?

-Real good.

-You think we can get busy with this?

Real busy.

# See what I mean, I've changed I'm no longer

# A playboy on the run I need something that's stronger

# Friendship, trust, honour respect, admiration

# This whole experience has been such a revelation

# It taught me love and how to be a real man

# To always be considerate and do all I can

# Protect you, you're my lady and you mean so much

# My body tingles all over from the slightest touch

# Of your hand and understand I'll be frozen in time

# Till we meet face to face and you tell me you're mine

# If I find you, girl I swear I'll be a good man

# I'm not gonna leave it in destiny's hands

# I can't sit and wait for my princess to arrive

# I gotta struggle and fight to keep my dream alive

# I'll search the whole world for that special girl

# When I finally found you watch our love unfurl

# I need love... #

Now, everybody, put your hand in the shape of an L

and put it in the air like this for LL, right now.

Keep it like that. Just say "I need love" on the count of three. One, two, three...

# I need love... #

Yo, fellas, y'all think we can work that?

-Let's do it.

-Can I whisper something to y'all?

Can I whisper something?

CHEERING Check it out.

Girl, listen to me.

When I be sitting in my room all alone, staring at the wall,

fantasies, they go through my mind.

And I've come to realize that I need true love,

and if you wanna give it to me, girl, make yourself seen.

I'll be waiting. I love you.

Yeah. Now, one more time, even though the music is getting slow and low,

say "I need love" as loud as you can on the count of three.

One, two, three...

# I need love. #

A happy hip-hop valentine from LL Cool J.

Aww, it's Jason and Kylie,

and a wonderful evocation of how young love might flourish

in a sheet metal factory.

# Especially for you

# I wanna let you know what I was going through

# All the time we were apart I thought of you

# You were in my heart

# My love never changed

# I still feel the same

# Especially for you

# I wanna tell you I was feeling that way too

# And if dreams were wings

# You know I would have flown to you

# To be where you are

# No matter how long

# Now that I'm next to you

# No more dreaming about tomorrow

# Forget the loneliness and the sorrow

# I'm gonna say it's all because of you that

# Now we're back together

# Together

# I wanna show you my heart is oh so true

# And all the love I have is especially for you

# Especially for you

# I wanna tell you you mean all the world to me

# How I'm certain that our love was meant to be

# You changed my life

# You showed me the way

# And now that I'm next to you

# I've waited long enough to find you

# I wanna put the hurt behind you

# I wanna bring out all the love inside you

# Oh, and now we're back together

# Together

# I wanna show you my heart is oh so true

# And all the love I have is especially for you

# You were in my heart

# My love never changed

# No more dreaming about tomorrow

# Forget the loneliness and sorrow

# I'm gonna say it's all because of you that

# Now we're back together

# Together

# I wanna show you my heart is oh so true

# And all the love I have is especially for you

# Together, together

# I wanna show you my heart is oh so true... #

Sweet, eh? The Blessed Kylie and Jason.

Now then - big hair, big coat, big voice.

It's Chaka Khan. No sign of Rufus, though.

Not turned up?! And on Valentine's Day, of all days!

Some guys, eh?

# The next thing I felt was you

# Holding me close

# What was I gonna do?

# I let myself go

# Now we're flyin' through the stars

# I hope this night will last forever

# I've been waitin' for you

# It's been so long

# I knew just what I would do

# When I heard your song

# Filled my heart with your bliss

# Gave me freedom

# You knew I could not resist

# I needed someone

# Now we're flyin' through the stars

# I hope this night lasts forever

# Huh-huh-huh-huh

# Ain't nobody

# Loves me better

# Makes me happy

# Makes me feel this way

# Ain't nobody

# Loves me better than you

# I wait for night time to come

# And bring you to me

# Can't believe I'm the one

# I was so lonely

# I feel like no-one could feel

# I must be dreamin'

# I want this dream to be real

# I need this feelin'

# I make my wish upon a star

# Hope this night will last forever

# Huh-huh-huh-huh

# Ain't nobody

# Loves me better

# Makes me happy

# Makes me feel this way

# Ain't nobody

# Loves me better

# Ain't nobody

# Loves me better than you

# First you put your arms around me

# Then you put your charms around me

# Got a feeling most would treasure

# A love so deep we cannot measure

# Ain't nobody

# Loves me better

# Makes me feel this way... #

And with that, she was out of the building,

en route to returning what she had on her head to the barracks of the Coldstream Guards.

We're nearly done now, and I'll be leaving you to your own devices.

But we've one last song,

from the diva of the dating game, Celine Dion.

# ..of lovers sleeping tight

# Are rolling by like thunder now

# As I look in your eyes

# I hold on to your body

# And feel each move you make

# Your voice is warm and tender

# A love that I could not forsake

# Cos I am your lady

# And you are my man

# Whenever you reach for me

# I'll do all that I can

# Even though there may be times

# It seems I'm far away

# Never wonder where I am

# Cos I am always by your side

# Cos I am your lady

# And you are my man

# Whenever you reach for me

# I'll do all that I can

# We're heading for something

# Somewhere I've never been

# Sometimes I am frightened but I'm ready to learn

# Of the power of love

# The sound of your heart beating

# Made it so very clear

# The feeling that I can't go on

# Is light years away

# Cos I am your lady

# And you are my man

# Whenever you reach for me

# I'm gonna do all that I can

# We're heading for something

# Somewhere I've never been

# Sometimes I am frightened but I'm ready to learn

# Of the power of love... #

The soaring voice of Celine sees out our soundtrack of seduction.

If music be the food of love, they do a very nice pie and chips here.

Happy Valentine's Day. You can have a kiss now, if you like.