'I Believe in a Thing Called Love,' The Darkness -- I Freakin' Love This Song

Posted on Aug 31st 2010 4:30PM by Joey Held
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Junko Kimura, Getty Images

'I Believe in a Thing Called Love,' The Darkness
From 2003's 'Permission to Land'

Technically, I'm an '80s baby, but I didn't really grow up in that decade. Fortunately, there are more recent bands like the Darkness that (briefly) take over the airwaves and pay homage to the great music from before I was born. And when American radio was exposed to this band from Suffolk, England, a sort of ordered chaos ensued.

'I Believe in a Thing Called Love' has everything a good hit needs: simple lyrics, a catchy chorus anyone can sit along to (assuming you can hit falsetto notes), shredding solos that'll have listeners busting out their air guitars and a music video featuring electricity rippling from said guitars, unitards and a battle against some sort of giant crab.

When this song first came out, I fell in love. My dad says lead singer Justin Hawkins' voice reminds him of Tiny Tim, but i find there's something uniquely endearing when i belt out, "Touching you-hoooo-oooo" at the top of my lungs. It makes for a great karaoke selection, as well, something that always gets bonus points in my book.

Alas, the Darkness broke up in 2006 after a few less epic singles and just two albums, but they came through the States and left a wake of destruction that can only be cured by putting this song on, getting some buddies together and telling the world that you still believe in love ... or at least lust. Your friends will be too busy bobbing their heads to care, but at least you'll have something to share.

Joey Held is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.

Watch the Darkness' 'I Believe in a Thing Called Love' Video