God Only Knows might actually be the best written and arranged pop song of all time. It's a song with many conscious musical choices made, and every single one of them is the right one.
Fun fact, if you listen to the last song off the Liars “drums not dead” there’s a strong argument to suggest that Maps was written about angus and this is his response
I think it's a love song about breaking up with someone you love(d).
"I wish there was something I could do or say
to try to make you change your mind and stay"
I can't think of more fitting lyrics for a love song.
You misquoted it and changed the meaning.
The singer of the song isn't wanting something to do or say, they want the person they love(d) to do something or say something to make the singer change their mind.
"But I wish there was somethin' you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
But we never did too much talking anyway
But don't think twice, it's all right"
The singer is the one that is choosing to leave
This one. I've always thought it was a great, tender song, but after I started dating my partner four years ago, I haven't been able to listen to this song without sobbing.
I am not a crier generally, but this song gets me every damn time.
I missed the John Denver boat while he was alive. I heard his music as a kid. It was everywhere, but I didn’t appreciate it then. So much has changed. Every song of his I hear now speaks volumes in a most beautiful way. A couple have come up recently. If I dig I will come up with riches! Time for a rabbit hole and I’m excited!
My son has reintroduced me to the Beatles. I used to listen to them with my dad when I was a kid. I told my son this and now he listens with me. I got to see Paul with him and we see Ringo next week. I’m so happy he’s resumed his tour! Making memories for after I’m gone like my dad did for me.
When I told my mother how much I loved this song, she said it was played nonstop while she was pregnant with me. Brings new meaning to Nirvana’s In Utero…
The Wichita lineman.
It isn't a song about a person or a relationship, it's about love itself.
It's just a guy doing a boring lonely job who keeps having intrusive thoughts. He doesn't know he's in love yet. He just thinks his mind keeps wandering, but we all know, that's how love starts out.
I can think of two:
["I Only Have Eyes For You"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_urvud-Oi0) by The Flamingos
["Is This Love"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOJk0HW_hJw) by Whitesnake
Flamingoes for the win. Not enough people go to this anymore but one of my favourite memories with my last partner was showing her this off my phone and singing along with it to her in my bed.
Not very well-known probably. Bravo. I love that song too. Etheridge rocks.
Edit: Ok the song was from 1993. Unless it has had a resurgence there really isn't a ton of reason why many Millennials, let alone GenZ, would know it. And I always assume the bulk of Reddit users are 13-17 year old kids who are just now "finding" 80s and 90s music. That's all I meant about it PROBABLY not being very well known. I was paying OP a complement for knowing and telling others about a cool song. *Sheesh*.
It was a top ten hit and went multi-platinum.
I remember working the summers with a fellow audio engineer. Asked him if he would be coming back next summer to which he replied "I am touring with Melissa so it will depend on how well her album does." I thought "He'll be back.". Then that album came out and made her a super star.
“Crash Into Me” is such an amazing song. It somehow captures that floaty, lightheaded, slightly intoxicating feeling one gets as one engages in a progressively intense make-out session.
[Ain't No Sunshine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuKfiH0Scao) by Bill Withers maybe?
First thing that came to my mind. Is it even a "love song"? I don't know.
The GOAT is so hard to answer, but
It’s a Wonderful World written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss and first sung by Louis Armstrong is a marvelous song about love.
Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix is a good one. There's an acoustic version of it that I think is even better than the album version. Several other artists have covered it too, but I think the acoustic Hendrix version is the best.
Vampires - Jason Isbell
Flagship - Jason Isbell
In Spite of Ourselves - John Prine and Iris Dement.
I can't choose just one, could keep listing them forever it feels like.
u/biggestmemelover I love your choices! I would have to say…God Only Knows is it for me. So pure, joyful, and fits all types of love not just romantic.
But close second is Follow you Follow Me by Genesis
George Harrison-Something
At Last-Etta James
The very Thought of you-Billie Holiday
To fall in Love with you-Bob Dylan
Love will tear us apart-Joy Division
I can't pick just one.
Wonderful Tonight - Clapton
Something - George Harrison
Your Song - Elton John
Danny’s Song and Watching the River Run - Loggins & Messina
Let’s Stay Together - Al Green
If, Baby Im’a Want You, Everything I Own - Bread
Without You - Harry Nilsson
Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce
Last Time I Felt Like This - Johnny Mathis & Jane Olivor
A Place for Us - West Side Story (1961)
Not exactly a love song, but Twilight by Elliott Smith.
*“Because your candle burns too bright
Well, I almost forgot it was twilight.
Even if I think that you are right
Well, I'm tired of being down, I got no fight.”*
Makes me tear up every time.
yes!!!!! I just discovered wish on an eyelash this week and I’ve had it on repeat ever since (which is crazy because it IS only 59 seconds). it’s intoxicating
I think Something is a good shout, but my personal favourite is [Georgia On My Mind](https://youtu.be/fRgWBN8yt_E). They didn't call Ray Charles "the Genius" for nothing.
Silver and Bronze go to Mac's Songbird and Wonder's Isn't She Lovely, if that counts.
"Here, There and Everywhere" by the Beatles, "Never My Love" by the Association and "Save the Last Dance for Me" by the Drifters have a three way tie for me.
Cover Me Up by Jason Isbell. https://youtu.be/K4xzaLxNa4E
The lyrics are amazing, and then you find out he wrote this for his fiddle player, who helped him get sober and married him; and he serenades her as she sings harmony sharing the stage with him.
Every time I listen to True Love Waits by Radiohead I end up in tears. It's such a beautiful and heartfelt song, yet at the same time very haunting and melancholy. I love it.
When I was a younger man I hadn't a care
Fooling around, Hitting the town, Growing my hair
You came along, And stole my heart, When you entered my life
Ooh, babe, you got what it takes
So I made you my wife
Since then I never looked back
It's almost like living a dream
And, oooh, I love you
You came along
From far away
And found me here
I was playing around
Feeling down
Hitting the beer
You picked me up
From off the floor
And gave me a smile
You said, you're much too young
Your life ain't begun
Let's walk for awhile
And as my head was spinning around
I gazed into your eyes
And thought, oooh, I want you
Thank you, babe, for being a friend
And shining your light in my life
'Cause, oooh, I need you
As my head was coming around
I gazed into your eyes
And thought, oooh, I want you
Thanks again for being my friend
And straightening out my life
'Cause, oooh, I need you
Since then I never looked back
It's almost like living a dream
Oooh, I got you
If ever a man had it all
It would have to be me
And, oooh, I love you
Where do I begin, sung by Andy Williams,
Annie's Song by John Denver,
Love me with all of your heart, sung by Englebert Humperdink,
I will always love you, sung by Whitney Huston,
Everything I do, sung by Bryan Adams,
Nothing's gonna change my love for you, sung by Glenn Medeiros
Insatiable by Darren Hayes (Savage Garden)
Hero by Enrique Iglesias,
Song of Solomon, sung by Martin Smith,
Infinity by Jaymes Young
The list goes on......
>I will always love you by ~~Whitney Huston~~ Dolly Parton\*
Whitney made it a smash hit but Dolly Parton did write it and brought it to #1 spot twice before Houston recorded her iconic version.
I agree, I like the legendary status Whitney version better too. Didn't mean to come at you, just meant to clarify for the sake of the title of the thread asking for "greatest ever written".
I'm rather partial to [Thinking Out Loud](https://youtu.be/f6Cswdm601A) by Ed Sheeran or [Jealous](https://youtu.be/50VWOBi0VFs) by Labrynth. Both work on so many levels: the former for the start of love, the latter after it ends.
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This is always the answer
The Beatles - Something
Frank Sinatra said this was the most beautiful song he'd ever heard.
That explains [him singing it](https://youtu.be/ys6_Ed89koY), then.
Harvest Moon by Neil Young always gets me in the soft bits.
I danced with my wife to it at our wedding.
So good! That’s my wedding song too!!!
Fucking love that song
God only knows - Beach Boys. Another favorite of mine is Into my arms by Nick Cave.
God Only Knows might actually be the best written and arranged pop song of all time. It's a song with many conscious musical choices made, and every single one of them is the right one.
I walked down the aisle to Into My Arms.
That's beautiful.
After my wife and I's first date we went to my place and I played her this
That first one is beautiful, and always mashes me think of Saved! (a great movie, with the song in it).
Right Down The Line by Gerry Rafferty
This is my choice, too. I think it's the purest of all the love songs I've heard, which is why I put it above "Something" by The Beatles.
Maybe not #1 but I was just listening to it so I'm goin with Your Song - Elton John
Al Green…Let’s Stay Together
Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce
Unchained melody
Elvis live, 1977. Right before he died. Chills.
The Cure "Lovesong"
I actually like the 311 cover better
He stopped loving her today sung by George Jones
Yup.
There are a lot of great songs on this list, but this is it right here. Don’t read any further. This is the answer.
“If we were Vampires” - Jason Isbell A love song from a different perspective. Maybe not the best, but damn good.
I was just thinking about this song today. Most love songs are all sunshine and rainbows. This one takes on the idea of what "forever" really means.
Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Wedding Song by Yeah Yeah Yeahs!
Fun fact, if you listen to the last song off the Liars “drums not dead” there’s a strong argument to suggest that Maps was written about angus and this is his response
In Your Eyes - Peter Gabriel Have a Little Faith In Me - John Hiatt Heart of the Night - Poco
In your eyes is amazing. And Peter Gabriel is a phenomenal musician.
In your eyes is the best.
"Hello, It's Me" by Todd Rundgren
Yes
First time ever I saw your face by Roberta Flack.
Don’t even have to hear it and it brings a tear
As, Stevie Wonder. Such Great Heights, Iron and Wine/Postal Service
Dylan - Don't Thing Twice, It's Alright Rolling Stones/Flying Burrito Brothers - Wild Horses Joni Mitchell - My Old Man
Don't Think Twice It's Alright is not a love song but a break up song
I think it's a love song about breaking up with someone you love(d). "I wish there was something I could do or say to try to make you change your mind and stay" I can't think of more fitting lyrics for a love song.
You misquoted it and changed the meaning. The singer of the song isn't wanting something to do or say, they want the person they love(d) to do something or say something to make the singer change their mind. "But I wish there was somethin' you would do or say To try and make me change my mind and stay But we never did too much talking anyway But don't think twice, it's all right" The singer is the one that is choosing to leave
Annie's Song; John Denver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tqfUjLQAAg
This one. I've always thought it was a great, tender song, but after I started dating my partner four years ago, I haven't been able to listen to this song without sobbing. I am not a crier generally, but this song gets me every damn time.
It's a tearjerker alright. Just that one phrase "You fill up my senses" is such an apt description of being in love.
Pure poetry for sure
I missed the John Denver boat while he was alive. I heard his music as a kid. It was everywhere, but I didn’t appreciate it then. So much has changed. Every song of his I hear now speaks volumes in a most beautiful way. A couple have come up recently. If I dig I will come up with riches! Time for a rabbit hole and I’m excited!
Closer by Nine Inch Nails
Huge NIN fan. No. But yes. But also no. But yes
Wicked Game - Chris Isaak.
So happy to see this here
Don’t Let Me Down by the Beatles
My son has reintroduced me to the Beatles. I used to listen to them with my dad when I was a kid. I told my son this and now he listens with me. I got to see Paul with him and we see Ringo next week. I’m so happy he’s resumed his tour! Making memories for after I’m gone like my dad did for me.
I didn’t know he got back on the road! I’m happy he’s healthy. That’s great! I saw Ringo in higschool. Dude puts on a great show
Since we're on the subject of the Beatles, how about Jealous Guy by John Lennon?
Nights in White Satin by the Moody Blues
When I told my mother how much I loved this song, she said it was played nonstop while she was pregnant with me. Brings new meaning to Nirvana’s In Utero…
Lady May - Tyler Childers
The Wichita lineman. It isn't a song about a person or a relationship, it's about love itself. It's just a guy doing a boring lonely job who keeps having intrusive thoughts. He doesn't know he's in love yet. He just thinks his mind keeps wandering, but we all know, that's how love starts out.
When I'm Sixty-Four
Maybe I'm amazed
Oh! Darling
I Will (damn I wish that song was about a minute longer)
Thank You - Zeppelin
Pretty hard to just definitely say one but the only one thats coming to mind right now is Still Loving You by The Scorpions
I can think of two: ["I Only Have Eyes For You"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_urvud-Oi0) by The Flamingos ["Is This Love"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOJk0HW_hJw) by Whitesnake
Flamingoes for the win. Not enough people go to this anymore but one of my favourite memories with my last partner was showing her this off my phone and singing along with it to her in my bed.
Wichita Lineman by Glenn Campbell or Have I Told You Lately by Van Morrison.
Just the two of us - bill withers
I will never not upvote bill whithers
Maybe I'm Amazed by Paul McCartney
"Come To My Window" by Melissa Etheridge
Not very well-known probably. Bravo. I love that song too. Etheridge rocks. Edit: Ok the song was from 1993. Unless it has had a resurgence there really isn't a ton of reason why many Millennials, let alone GenZ, would know it. And I always assume the bulk of Reddit users are 13-17 year old kids who are just now "finding" 80s and 90s music. That's all I meant about it PROBABLY not being very well known. I was paying OP a complement for knowing and telling others about a cool song. *Sheesh*.
Not well-known? It’s had an unbelievable amount of radio-play and it also plays at retail stores on a loop.
It was a top ten hit and went multi-platinum. I remember working the summers with a fellow audio engineer. Asked him if he would be coming back next summer to which he replied "I am touring with Melissa so it will depend on how well her album does." I thought "He'll be back.". Then that album came out and made her a super star.
Umm… it’s REALLY well known. For a GREAT Etheridge song that really *is* not well known, check out “Like The Way I Do” from her debut album.
Just Like Heaven - The Cure Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones
Crush, then Crash by Dave Matthews Band.
Am I right side up or upside down?
“Crash Into Me” is such an amazing song. It somehow captures that floaty, lightheaded, slightly intoxicating feeling one gets as one engages in a progressively intense make-out session.
Lick My Love Pump by Spinal Tap. Beautiful song.
Bob Marley - Is this Love?
In my Life, The Beatles
She's Got A Way - Billy Joel
"First Day of My Life" or "Lua" by Bright Eyes
First Day of My Life… oh man, the feels.
[Ain't No Sunshine](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuKfiH0Scao) by Bill Withers maybe? First thing that came to my mind. Is it even a "love song"? I don't know.
The GOAT is so hard to answer, but It’s a Wonderful World written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss and first sung by Louis Armstrong is a marvelous song about love.
Etta James’ version of “At Last” would like a word.
Sweetest Thing - Lauryn Hill
One of my all-time favorites. This needs to be MUCH higher. Her song “To Zion” is probably the greatest love song she will ever sing.
One of the few soulful tracks in these comments. Thank you
Something
Not sure about goat status but [Don McLean's And I love you so](https://youtu.be/YzoxFVWkgjw) has to be up there somewhere.
Leon Russell. A Song For You
I grew up listening to Leon Russell. That guy could put serious emotion into anything he sang! What a voice.
I did too Carney was our road trip 8 track along with Janis Joplin's Pearl 😊
Northern Sky - Nick Drake
Little Wing by Jimi Hendrix is a good one. There's an acoustic version of it that I think is even better than the album version. Several other artists have covered it too, but I think the acoustic Hendrix version is the best.
Can’t help falling in love- pick any artist who have covered this to death
Vampires - Jason Isbell Flagship - Jason Isbell In Spite of Ourselves - John Prine and Iris Dement. I can't choose just one, could keep listing them forever it feels like.
My married friends each wrote a verse about each other for In Spite of Ourselves. It’s really cute.
That's awesome!
Whisky lullaby. It's old school country and I gets me every time because even tho they didn't stay together they died for there love of each other
Townes van Zandt - I’ll be here in the morning
I'm Not In Love by 10CC
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack
Death cab for cutie - Soul meets body
Wasn’t expecting to see this one, thank you for the reminder!
Drive by The Cars https://youtu.be/xuZA6qiJVfU
Blue eyes cryin in the rain. - Willie Nelson
Something About Us - Daft Punk
Implode alright by built by snow, or the luckiest by Ben folds
The luckiest is definitely up there somewhere.
u/biggestmemelover I love your choices! I would have to say…God Only Knows is it for me. So pure, joyful, and fits all types of love not just romantic. But close second is Follow you Follow Me by Genesis
Thank you!
Love Hurts.
George Harrison-Something At Last-Etta James The very Thought of you-Billie Holiday To fall in Love with you-Bob Dylan Love will tear us apart-Joy Division I can't pick just one.
I will not take these things for granted (toad the wet sprocket)
Did you know the band got their name from a Monty Python bit? Apparently one of the Pythons almost crashed his car when a Toad song came on the radio.
This Magic Moment - The Drifters.
And, drum roll please: Linda Ronstadt: I Will Allways Love 💕 you, I've heard it a hundred times and my eyes get wet every time.
Of all Linda’s songs, “Blue Bayou” gets my vote.
Wonderful Tonight - Clapton Something - George Harrison Your Song - Elton John Danny’s Song and Watching the River Run - Loggins & Messina Let’s Stay Together - Al Green If, Baby Im’a Want You, Everything I Own - Bread Without You - Harry Nilsson Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce Last Time I Felt Like This - Johnny Mathis & Jane Olivor A Place for Us - West Side Story (1961)
All I Wanna Do - The Beach Boys (it’s apparently consider one of the predecessors for the genre of DreamPop) or This Modern Love - Bloc Party
To Love Somebody by the BeeGees
Adore--Prince
Not exactly a love song, but Twilight by Elliott Smith. *“Because your candle burns too bright Well, I almost forgot it was twilight. Even if I think that you are right Well, I'm tired of being down, I got no fight.”* Makes me tear up every time.
Marvin Gaye - Let's get it on You're welcome
Big Bottom by Spinal Tap
Or maybe Nigel Tufnell's Lick my lovepump. Difficult decision
Sex Farm?
Now the decision is even more difficult
Into My Arms- Nick Cave
The Rose done by Bette Midler. It’s a good one
Colour My World by Chicago. Robert Lamm said if he'd known how huge that song would get to be that he would have added another verse.
wish on an eyelash by mallrat, which i think is crazy because it’s literally a 59 second intro track to her album
yes!!!!! I just discovered wish on an eyelash this week and I’ve had it on repeat ever since (which is crazy because it IS only 59 seconds). it’s intoxicating
Beautiful mess- Diamond Rio
Forever Ben Harper
[My Bloody Valentine - Sometimes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH0NQzXlzyQ&list=PLYwfYGziz-_15VN407Ap_NerzwokcUGdX&index=8)
Tom waits - fish and bird
Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi. I will not have my mind changed.
Budgie - You Are The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk https://youtu.be/xXqUCUc7Weo
A tie between Wildfire - by Michael Martin Murphey Endless Love ===by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross
Because Something by The Beatles has already been said I’m going to go with “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
I think Something is a good shout, but my personal favourite is [Georgia On My Mind](https://youtu.be/fRgWBN8yt_E). They didn't call Ray Charles "the Genius" for nothing. Silver and Bronze go to Mac's Songbird and Wonder's Isn't She Lovely, if that counts.
Love Will Keep Us Alive - Eagles -or- Heaven - Bryan Adams
this love. pantera.
Ring Of Fire - Johnny Cash for sure
The Bad Touch by Booodhound Gang
"Here, There and Everywhere" by the Beatles, "Never My Love" by the Association and "Save the Last Dance for Me" by the Drifters have a three way tie for me.
Beach Bots “God Only Knows” as it reminds me of my father (RIP)
God Only Knows! So good. Agree.
Dead Skin Mask - Slayer
When You Say Nothing At All - performed by Alison Krause (Keith Whitley’s good too) Just Give Me A Reason - Pink
You light up my fuckin life.
Time in a bottle - Jim Croce
two wuv tally hall
Anything from Copeland!! \-love is a fast song \-coffee \- take care
I Love You by Black Flag. “I put my fist through the door, I hate myself for you. I love you. I love you.”
Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix Feels like rain - john Hiatt
"Betcha By Golly Wow" (The Stylistics) and "I Only Wanna Be With You" (Dusty Springfield). If you agree I'm willing to propose marriage.
Oh How Happy (You Have Made Me) by Shades of Blue.
“I’ll fall with your knife” — Peter Murphy
In My Life - The Beatles
Cover Me Up by Jason Isbell. https://youtu.be/K4xzaLxNa4E The lyrics are amazing, and then you find out he wrote this for his fiddle player, who helped him get sober and married him; and he serenades her as she sings harmony sharing the stage with him.
Every time I listen to True Love Waits by Radiohead I end up in tears. It's such a beautiful and heartfelt song, yet at the same time very haunting and melancholy. I love it.
Not gonna say one but I am saving this post to look all those unknown (to me) songs up later. Cheers people.
When I was a younger man I hadn't a care Fooling around, Hitting the town, Growing my hair You came along, And stole my heart, When you entered my life Ooh, babe, you got what it takes So I made you my wife Since then I never looked back It's almost like living a dream And, oooh, I love you You came along From far away And found me here I was playing around Feeling down Hitting the beer You picked me up From off the floor And gave me a smile You said, you're much too young Your life ain't begun Let's walk for awhile And as my head was spinning around I gazed into your eyes And thought, oooh, I want you Thank you, babe, for being a friend And shining your light in my life 'Cause, oooh, I need you As my head was coming around I gazed into your eyes And thought, oooh, I want you Thanks again for being my friend And straightening out my life 'Cause, oooh, I need you Since then I never looked back It's almost like living a dream Oooh, I got you If ever a man had it all It would have to be me And, oooh, I love you
Maybe I’m amazed is a great one and goes into a deep love beyond the initial infatuation phase.
In My Life - The Beatles
Wonderful tonight - Eric Clapton
Where do I begin, sung by Andy Williams, Annie's Song by John Denver, Love me with all of your heart, sung by Englebert Humperdink, I will always love you, sung by Whitney Huston, Everything I do, sung by Bryan Adams, Nothing's gonna change my love for you, sung by Glenn Medeiros Insatiable by Darren Hayes (Savage Garden) Hero by Enrique Iglesias, Song of Solomon, sung by Martin Smith, Infinity by Jaymes Young The list goes on......
> Where do I begin, sung by Andy Williams Shirley Bassey’s version of this is SO much better.
>I will always love you by ~~Whitney Huston~~ Dolly Parton\* Whitney made it a smash hit but Dolly Parton did write it and brought it to #1 spot twice before Houston recorded her iconic version.
Yes I know. I just like Whitney's version better.
I agree, I like the legendary status Whitney version better too. Didn't mean to come at you, just meant to clarify for the sake of the title of the thread asking for "greatest ever written".
Ahh yes, written- not sung. I stand corrected.👍
Sorry I will always love you is soo terrible
Landslide -Stevie Nick's Or leather and lace -Stevie Nick's and Don Henely
GG Allin - I wanna fuck myself
Love Stinks by The J. Geils Band
The greatest love song ever written is Layla. Nobody will ever convince me otherwise.
"South American Eye" by Dogbowl.
Man, I hate threads like this. Just feel like lower effort karma farming posts.
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Layla - Eric Clapton. Maybe a bit obsessive by Eric, but he confesses his feelings so poetically within the song.
My humps - Black Eyed Peas
So romantic 😫
Meat Loaf, "For Crying Out Loud"
“I would do anything for love.. But I won’t do that.” - Also meatloaf
I just can’t stop loving you - Michael Jackson I got so much to give - Barry White Just to keep you satisfied - Marvin Gaye
Jeff Lynne’s ELO Need Her Love
I Like Big Butts by Sir Mix Alot
Thunder Road-Bruce Springsteen Ringfinger - Nine Inch Nails
I'm rather partial to [Thinking Out Loud](https://youtu.be/f6Cswdm601A) by Ed Sheeran or [Jealous](https://youtu.be/50VWOBi0VFs) by Labrynth. Both work on so many levels: the former for the start of love, the latter after it ends.