Cody ChesnuTT’s definition of a love song has changed over the years, from the kind that’s just about seduction to one that touches on love’s deeper meaning.
“As you get older, you get a better sense of what a love song really is,” says the R&B and soul singer, who comes to Brighton Music Hall next week behind his new album, “Landing on a Hundred.”
With Valentine’s Day looming, we recently asked ChesnuTT to name five songs that speak to everlasting love.
1. “Let’s Stay Together,” Al Green. “That song has always reminded me of two grown people trying to work it out.”
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2. “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. “It encapsulates what love is about: Two people going the distance for each other.”
3. “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” Stevie Wonder. “I heard that in the second or third grade, but even then I thought it was beautiful.”
4. “I’ll Be There,” Jackson Five. “It’s a power statement about being there for your partner.”
5. “Woman,” John Lennon. “It told guys that it’s OK to open up and come from the heart.”
BONUS: “The Closer I Get to You,” Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway.
“They had an amazing chemistry, and you felt there was a genuine relationship that carried over into their recordings.”
Cody ChesnuTT performs at Brighton Music Hall on Wednesday, with Ava Luna opening at
9 p.m. Tickets: $16. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com