It’s Valentine’s Day and what better way to spend it then revealing the nameless inspos for out favourite love songs (Picture:Getty)
A million love songs later and the world is still humming timeless tunes about heartbreak and infatuation.
It seems nothing sells better than a song about intimate, raw, gut-wrenching love but behind every tear-jerking ballad is a muse waiting in the wings.
As it’s Valentine’s week, what better time than now to walk through the scorned exes and ones that got away – and dig deeper behind the lyrics that we can’t get out of our heads.
From Stacy’s Mom to the girl with 5 Colours in Her Hair, meet the muses and former lovers of the world’s most celebrated musicians…
Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi
Lewis set the record straight (Picture: Getty Images)
Muse: Lewis’s grandmother
Despite a bucket load of speculation, the hit that catapulted Lewis onto the charts was not penned about former Love Islander and ex-partner Paige Turley.
Instead the famous tune was written to symbolise bereavement and the end of a relationship with someone near and dear.
He revealed to an Australian music channel that it was inspired by his late grandmother.
The artist admitted: ‘The song is not about a lady who I was in a romantic relationship. It’s about my grandmother, who’s dead’.
Uptown Girl – Billy Joel
Billy had two muses ahead of his smash hit (Picture: Getty Images)
Muse: Christie Brinkley and Elle Macpherson
Another song-writing session that wasn’t as it seemed, Uptown Girl has more to its muse than meets the eye.
Originally thought to be about music video star and mother to his child Christie Brinkley, the hit was in fact written while on holiday in the Caribbean Elle Macpherson.
However, that relationship timed out before the song was released and so it earned itself two muses – as the singer credited some of it to Christie who he later married.
Out of the Woods – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift and Harry Styles famously dated in the past (Picture: GC Images)
Muse: Harry Styles
Taylor is the queen of penning tracks about her famous exes and never quit revealing who each one is referring to.
However, fans have big reason to believe this banger was telling the story of her rocky relationship with none other than Harry Styles.
Aside from lyrics suggesting a major crash that many suggested was indicative of the pair’s snowmobile accident in 2014, the music video contains a glaring easter egg that had most convinced.
An exact replica of Harry’s signature paper aeroplane necklace that he wore regularly in 2012 also appeared in the music video for the hit.
Countdown – Beyonce
Beyoncé and Jay-Z now share three children together (Picture: Getty Images)
Muse: Jay-Z
A list of love songs couldn’t possibly be complete without an appearance from Queen Bey.
She reportedly scribbled down Countdown as a declaration of love for her rapper husband Jay-Z, three years after they were married.
The star sung about how they manage to maintain a perfect marriage while both juggling life in the spotlight.
I Will Always Love You – Dolly Parton
Dolly’s hit was a story about her journey to becoming a solo artist (Picture: FilmMagic)
Muse: Porter Wagoner
While most attribute this track to Whitney Houston, it was actually written first by country star Dolly Parton as a farewell tune in 1973.
The blonde songstress dedicated her words to her one-time business partner and mentor Porter Wagoner after she decided to end a seven-year partnership in order to pursue a solo career.
Later, Whitney took the reins and recorded the track as a soul ballad for the movie Bodyguard.
Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley and Joan Blackman were co-stars in the 1961 musical comedy Blue Hawaii (Picture: Bettmann Archive)
Muse: Joan Blackman
Another pick that has an unsuspecting muse, this was not a love song that paid tribute to Elvis’s main romantic interest Priscilla Presley.
Instead, the lyrics in the famous chart-topper were sung for the star’s Blue Hawaii co-star that many speculate to be Joan Blackman.
Composed for the film’s soundtrack, at the time of its recording the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll hadn’t met his soon-to-be wife.
Rumours were also rife around that time that the star was interested in a marriage with the old Hollywood actress but she simply said no.
5 Colours in Her Hair – McFly
McFly penned the song about a famous British actress, well sort of (Picture: Getty Images)
Muse: Suzanne ‘Sooz’ Lee
Everybody wants to know her name and well, there’s not one but two female monikers to choose from here.
The instant hit released by the pop band McFly was apparently aimed at a fictional character from the TV series As If.
Actress Emily Corrie’s character Suzanne ‘Sooz’ Lee was pinpointed as the subject of the catchy tune after she appeared on the show sporting coloured dreadlocks.
Stacey’s Mom – Fountains of Wayne
The band did have a real life inspiration behind the iconic tune (Picture: FilmMagic)
Muse: Adam Schlesinger’s grandmother
An old school favourite – if you know, you know – but who is the tune of the early 00s’ really about and does Stacey’s mom actually exist.
Yes.
The banger was inspired by a real life crush an old friend had on band member Adam Schlesinger’s grandmother growing up.
Addressing their hit, the group referenced: ‘That period when you’re first hitting puberty and suddenly everybody of the opposite sex is strangely attractive.
‘It’s a combination of sexual awakening and limited contact with a large number of people. It’s the kids at school and whoever else happens to be in your life.’
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