Song Spotlight: “Cuddle Up a Little Closer, Lovey Mine”

• Mood: Sentimental, tender
• Theme: Love, physical tenderness
• Tempo: Relaxed
• Genre/style: Popular/Easy Listening

Love songs appear frequently in music therapy sessions, especially when the goal is bringing loved ones together in the music. There are so many GOOD love songs, too, which is to be expected, I guess, since love has been the subject of artists of all types for many generations.

My favorite love song of the moment is especially awesome for a few reasons:

1. It works for romantic love as well as other kinds of love, like that between a parent and child.
2. It encourages physical touch, but not in a overly sexual way.
3. It’s in the public domain, so you don’t have to worry about copyright restrictions in experimenting with this song.

“Cuddle Up a Little Closer Lovey Mine” was published in 1908 as part of the Broadway music The Three Twins, with music by Karl Hoschna and lyrics by Otto Harbach. I learned it from a client of mine, who at the age of 99 can sing all of the words by heart. Here are the lyrics:

Cuddle up a little closer, lovey mine
Cuddle up and be my little clinging vine
Like to feel your cheeks so rosy
Like to make you comfy cozy
I love from head to toesy
Lovey mine

Isn’t that sweet? I’ve started singing this song to my baby daughter, too. (She also has adorable rosy cheeks!) I also think it would be a sweet song to sing to a parent or grandparent as you help them with dressing, bathing, or other activities of daily living (ADLs). Of course, it’s also a lovely song for two sweethearts to share, no matter their age.

One way to make this song your own is to substitute your loved one’s name for “lovey” at the beginning or the end (or both!). For example, I sing this to my daughter:

…I love from head to toesy, Alice mine

What are your favorite love songs? Please leave your comment below!

This post is part of an occasional series on special songs to share with your loved ones. For more song spotlights, click here.