1001 Songs Challenge #759: You Got The Love (1991)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenging of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post everyday (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be…

The Source featuring Candi Staton – You Got The Love (1991)

We’re leaving Australia and making our way back to the US, dear reader, and to Alabama. It is a third appearance on our list for Candi Station, can you believe it? She previously appeared in 1969 and in 1976 so quite a career. Although we are in 1991 today, Staton’s role in this song was actually back in 1986 when she recorded You Got The Love written by songwriting group – The Source. It was used in a documentary and that seemed to be that. However, in 1991 the song was remixed and re-released in the UK, hence our time difference.

You Got The Love sees Candi Station singing about her many troubles. She seems to be struggling with her faith in life but whenever she falters she is able to turn to what sounds like the Lord to help her. She could also be referring to a lover here I suppose, but it sounds more like the narrator relies on the good Lord to help them out in times of hardship. It sends a powerful message about the importance of faith if one has religion in their life, that comfort in knowing no matter how dark the path gets they are not alone.

You Got the Love is a very well known track and not just because of Candi Staton’s version which would hit the UK Top 10 on more than one occasion. Covers by Joss Stone (2008) and Florence and the Machine (2009) also proved popular and have enhanced the song’s reputation over time. It does seem fitting though that 1001 Songs have gone with where it all began with Candi Station.

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

The Doors – The End (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Ultravox – Vienna (1980)

The Smiths – How Soon Is Now? (1984)

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)

U2 – One (1991)