Rock of Ages: Jeff Buckley - "Lover, You Should've Come Over" (1994)

Jeff Buckley is a legend. A strange one at that. The man only had one official album, the extraordinary Grace before he tragically died. It's chock full of sounds the resemble so many great classic artists but in a sound that is truly only Jeff Buckley's. It's a visionary album taking influences from artists from Big Star to Led Zeppelin to Nina Simone. This hodge-podge mixture of classic guitar riffs, power pop sensibilities and baroque/jazz style vocals makes it a gem. So many tracks to chose from, but alas one gets the spot. The sweeping love ballad "Lover, You Should've Come Over" is easily one of the most powerful emotionally charged love songs ever written. It's heart wrenching vocals, slow build to a musical delight during the bridge and gentle but powerful guitar line is beyond words.

Jeff Buckley's power comes mostly from his voice, although their is no denying his ability to play guitar. For proof of that, check out the live album Live at Sin-e. Where "Lover You Should've Come Over" takes full effect in it's emotionality is when it reaches the bridge. Lyrically, it has some of the most beautiful moments with lines like "A kingdom for a kiss upon my shoulder." It swells and intensifies as Buckley's voice strains and the music sweeps to it's highest heights. The heartache felt in this song is magnificent as well as the sheer power of love that oozes from it's melodies. It's a beautiful work of art by an extraordinary man who we lost all too soon.



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