Anyone Who Knows What Love Is

So two of my friends and I have this WhatsApp group called "Songwriting" where we share songwriting tips and discuss why we like certain songs. I thought that my last contribution to this WhatsApp group was worth sharing here.  Enjoy. 

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Hey guys,

So, like, this song, "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)" from 1964 is my new favorite song at the moment, and I thought I'd just tell you why...like, break the piece down in terms of how I see it as a music lover and songwriter.

So, first off, I like the song because right at the beginning, there's that catchy, twinkling-like little hook with the xylophone. I feel that when writing a song, you really have to catch people at the first moment. This can be done in many different ways, and this twinkly little riff definitely does it.

Then, of course, there's that chorus of people repeating "anyone." I like that, but that's all, I just like it, nothing more. Then comes the singer's voice. In addition to being smoky and full of emotion, I like how she takes the time to enunciate, and I certainly like that her words and her story are so simple.

You can blame me

Try to shame me

And still I'll care for you.

The highlight of the song, though, I think, is the pre-chorus. You really feel a rise, a rise in tension; plus, there is so much emotion in those chords and in the melody. And speaking of the chords themselves, I think they create a poignant mixture of emotion because they are not run-of-the mill. In fact, most of the chords in the pre-chorus are what's known as achromatic, meaning they break key.

So, for example,  the song starts in the key of D major. However, in the pre-chorus, we have our first achromatic chord change with that D minor.  D minor is definitely not in the key of D major, but that's OK because music is all about breaking the rules.  All that being as it is, the pre-chorus has got a lot of chromatic chords—it almost seems to be in an entirely different key, maybe G# minor?—but then, thankfully, when we get to the refrain, "Anyone who knows what love is will understand," we return to our original key, D, and the tension is released.

And speaking of the refrain, we can't underestimate how important it is. Not only is it the title of the song, but it is also such a fantastic release of tension. It's almost like the waters have finally reached the sea, so to speak.

As for the second verse, well, I like that too because it continues on that same theme, "I may act crazy, but I'm in love, and that's what love is, whether you understand it or not."

Finally,  I think I like the song because it speaks to something universal, love—and, that is, I feel, love however you might interpret it.

So that's my take on the song. I thought it would be cool to write this so you guys could see how my mind works when it comes to listening to music and songwriting.