Romance peaked with “Goodnight Moon.” But have you heard the rest of these tender-hearted tunes?
The year is 2020, and Go Radio are back together and releasing new music. While the world showed major love for the band’s 2010 hit “Goodnight Moon,” a lot of their other music has flown under the radar of even the most involved pop punk fans. “Goodnight Moon” is a well-admired representation of Go Radio at their most romantic, but it’s not the only time that the band have conveyed a lasting message about love.
Let’s take a look at the top seven most romantic Go Radio tunes:
7. “That California Song”
This passionate Go Radio deep cut takes us back to the early days of the band. Vocalist Jason Lancaster’s pure desperation can be heard in this raw demo, as his young, unpolished voice cuts through wailing guitars and grandiose drums. The words take us through the small moments of intimacy and the overarching sorrows of a long-distance relationship, and makes us root for love above all else.
Standout mushy lyric: “And how’d this summer air just get so cold? / And how’d this quiet girl just get so bold? / And how can she be something I can hold?”
6. “I Miss You”
Another early step for the band, this emotional track creates an atmosphere of comfort and fear, of love and of the obstacles that get in the way. Speaking once again of missing someone special, Lancaster yells passionately into a chorus of group vocals and rhythmic guitar. The lyrics convey that he believes he and this person truly belong together, even as they experience a rough patch.
Standout mushy lyric: “And pray / Wherever you are / That this is the night / And this is the girl that I’ll love all my life / And this is the song that she’s waiting for”
5. “Collide”
A sugar rush in the album that saw the temporary end of Go Radio, “Collide” radiates happiness and romance. The spirited backing vocals accentuate an upbeat tale of two people who beautifully complement one another. The overall message of this song is that if we care deeply for the people we love, everything else will fall into place.
Standout mushy lyric: “I hope to everything you never release / This hold you have on me / Where there’s your signature on every piece / Of my heart that there could be”
4. “Worth It All the While”
This dynamic jam from the deluxe edition of Lucky Street takes us on a ride with its driving drum beats and persistent guitar riff. Similar to “Collide,” the lyrics deliver the message that if you wholeheartedly believe in your love (“scream just a little bit louder”), then you can defy all obstacles. The verses wrap us up in vivid visuals of small, romantic moments, like sharing notes and secrets, while the chorus affirms that this love is big enough to remember forever.
Standout mushy lyric: “It’s you and me forever and I’m sure / We’re worth fighting for”
3. “Letters and Love Notes”
A dreamy snapshot of the EP that brought us “Goodnight Moon,” “Letters and Love Notes” is a sentimental peek into a love that feels almost like a fairytale. Lyrically, the track is more simple and less enveloped in metaphors than other releases by the band, but no less powerful. The passion and heart of this track shines through in Lancaster’s plea for “a happy ending” with the person he loves.
Standout mushy lyric: “And I’m staying up all night again / Writing songs about where and when / I could hold you ’til you rest your head to sleep”
2. “It’s Not a Trap, I Promise”
Another starry-eyed track from Do Overs and Second Chances, “It’s Not a Trap, I Promise” combines intense electric guitars, tight drum beats, and a tiny twinkle to convey a message of deep admiration. The lyrics talk about a woman who radiates warmth and beauty but struggles to find these qualities in herself. The amount of care and adoration exuded through this song’s gorgeously crafted metaphors and small observations reminds us that even on our worst days, the right partner will see us for our best qualities.
Standout mushy lyric: “She keeps the sun for all of Florida in her jacket / And then she laughs ’cause I don’t think she knows she has it”
1. “The Truth Is”
It would be a challenge to find an alt rock song more deeply romantic than “The Truth Is.”
The penultimate track of 2011’s Lucky Street takes the number one spot on this list for its representation of mature, committed, unconditional love. It combines the fairytale-like idealism of “Letters and Love Notes,” the beautifully worded metaphors of “It’s Not a Trap, I Promise,” and the earnest softness and vulnerability of “Goodnight Moon” to wrap us in a blanket of unwavering affection. The piano- and string-heavy composition builds in intensity as it progresses, blossoming at the end into a gorgeous medley of group harmonies, light drums, and Lancaster’s passionate chorus. The nontraditional structure of the song takes us from verse to verse and from chorus to chorus in a way that feels natural as it builds from the imagery of soft, affectionate daydreams into the declaration that this person is “the one.” This monumental track makes for the perfect soundtrack to weddings and proposals due to its message of true love that will stand the test of time.
Not to be dramatic, but this song invented romance.
Standout mushy lyric: “Cause on the list of everything I need / There’s air but first there’s you and me”
So there you have it. Seven more tracks to fill you with the lovey-dovey warmth that “Goodnight Moon” brought into our lives a decade ago. Dedicate these tracks to your partner, to your future, or to yourself. And if you’re still itching to re-experience the magic of Goodnight Moon, here it is:
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