I Believe in a Thing Called Love - The Darkness

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenge 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 every day (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… legendary!

The Darkness – I Believe in a Thing Called Love (2002)

I Believe in a Thing Called Love – Wikipedia

” I Believe in a Thing Called Love” is a song by English rock band the Darkness, released as the third single from their debut studio album, Permission to Land . When released as a single in September 2003, it peaked at number two in the UK Singles Chart, just behind The Black Eyed Peas’ ” Where Is the Love?”.

Lyrics (via Genius)

Read “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” by The Darkness on Genius

We’re leaving Jamaica and making our way back to the UK. We find ourselves in Lowestoft in Sussex for our listening pleasure today. Formed in 2000 The Darkness specialised in both hard and glam rock and were led by the flamboyant Justin Hawkins. When we join the group in 2002 they are working on their debut album, Permission to Land, and from there 1001 Songs have gone with the track – I Believe in a Thing Called Love.

As the title suggests, I Believe in a Thing Called Love sees the narrator describing that truly amazing feeling that comes with being in love with someone. At first, the protagonist is unsure of these feelings they have, unable to put them into words but as the song progresses they are washed away with these intense feelings. Not only do they find themselves in love, they are convinced that they and this unnamed individual might just have what it takes to make it. Aww, bless.

I distinctly remember I Believe in a Thing Called Love being released and thought it was a decent rock number with some high-pitched vocals from Justin Hawkins. The song would reach no.2 in the UK and hit the Top 10 in many countries across the globe. Sadly, line-up disruptions followed and by 2006 Justin Hawkins quit the band having successfully completed rehabilitation for both alcohol and cocaine addictions, which led to the group’s demise. However, The Darkness reformed in 2011 and continue to perform today.

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)

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)

U2 – One (1991)

Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah (1994)

Radiohead – Paranoid Android (1997)