SILLY LOVE SONGS: Pop stars are such...

SILLY LOVE SONGS: Pop stars are such romantics--that must be why they write so many love songs, especially ballads inspired by a real-life companion. We always figured these pop valentines signaled the onset of a long, enduring relationship--even if some have actually been about other pop star’s wives. But apparently we were wrong, as the cheeky satire magazine, Spy, documents in its August issue. Writer Steven Schragis collected some pop smooch classics--and chronicled the results. A few highlights:

“There We Are”--James Taylor (1977). Penned for Carly Simon (sample lyric: “I love you darling, I do Carly”), who’s since divorced Taylor and enjoyed a series of much-publicized liaisons, most recently with New York Mets first baseman Keith Hernandez.

“Hearts and Bones”--Paul Simon (1983). A romantic interlude featuring then-wife Carrie Fisher. As Schragis puts it: “Paul & Carrie didn’t last long--not nearly as long as Paul & Artie (11 months vs. 13 years).”

“Miss You”--Mick Jagger (1978). For estranged wife Bianca. Not to be confused with “Angie,” an earlier Jagger-penned tribute to David Bowie’s wife, Angela. (The other-wife category also includes “Layla,” which Eric Clapton wrote for Patti Boyd, then married to pal George Harrison.)

“Sara”--Bob Dylan (1975). A double-shot classic. The song’s lyrics, obviously about then-wife Sara, also confirmed that 1966’s “Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” was about Sara, not Joan Baez, as had been previously thought.

“Heart of Gold”--Ray Davies (1983). Widely assumed to be a valentine to then-girlfriend Chrissie Hynde (now married to Simple Minds leader Jim Kerr). Davies, often known for his dead-pan humor, has since claimed the song was actually about Princess Anne.

“You’re in My Heart”--Rod Stewart (1977). For then-wife Britt Ekland. As Schragis impishly puts it: “Space limitations prevent listing the couple’s respective acquaintances since then.”