The Flamingos’ version of “I Only Have Eyes For You” from 1959 has an immediate romantic impact. Even before the vocals chime in, the music magically transports you to a warm, fuzzy place, so it’s not surprising it can be found on a long list of soundtracks. From the Sopranos to My Girl (the sugary sweet movie in which Macaulay Culkin suffers a death by bees), this is the love ballad used to underscore romantic moments. When I first heard it in full, I couldn’t remember it beyond the first chorus, even though I’d heard it a thousand times. See, that’s where it normally cuts to the next scene, or where the Time-Life advertisement switches to the next classic hit from the Lifetime Of Romance Box Set.

This song has transformed into an icon of romance. You know when you hear it there are candles, googoo eyes, and slow dances in the near future. That’s why I think it’s Poptastic, not because it’s so bad it’s good, as is usually the case, but because it’s enough already! I’m sure there are plenty of other songs that are fit to take over the torch of love. How about giving The Moonglows’ “Most Of All” a go? Or, instead of a Doo-Wop ballad, how about Bright Eyes’ “First Day Of My Life”? Judge for yourself, could these songs carry a romantic scene just as well as “I Only Have Eyes For You”? I think they do, but what do I know, I think cheese is a romantic gift.

   The Moonglows – Most Of All
   Bright Eyes – First Day Of My Life