Well for our next archetype, it seems to be the right sort of time of year to look at America the Lover.
The Lover archetype (also known as the passionate enthusiast and harmonizer) is characterized by deep feelings, sensuality and being in a desired relationship. It strives to experience intimacy and bliss.
Here are a few factors that I can see contributing to America being a ‘Lover’ brand …
- First, there are famous Americans such as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Whitney Houston, Robert Redford, Dean Martin and America’s 35th President, John F. Kennedy.
- There are the romantic places (and popular wedding destinations) such as Hawaii, the Florida Keys, Cape Cod and Las Vegas.
- The list of American love songs is endless and ranges from sweet pop to driving rock. Here are the top 20 which I consider to be particularly iconic (and a bit of a giveaway to my ‘era’):
- I Think I Love You (David Cassidy)
- I’d Do Anything For Love (Meat Loaf)
- Puppy Love (Donny Osmond)
- Love Me Tender (Elvis)
- Everybody Loves Somebody (Dean Martin)
- You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling (Righteous Brothers)
- 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (Paul Simon)
- Love Shack (The B52s)
- Best Of My Love (Eagles)
- Love Will Keep Us Together (Captain and Tennille)
- Let Your Love Flow (Bellamy Brothers)
- Torn Between Two Lovers (Mary MacGregor)
- Keep on Loving You (REO Speedwagon)
- I Love Rock ‘n Roll (Joan Jett and The Blackhearts)
- What’s Love Got to Do With It (Tina Turner)
- I Just Called to Say I Love You (Stevie Wonder)
- The Power of Love (Huey Lewis and The News)
- Greatest Love of All (Whitney Houston)
- You Give Love a Bad Name (Bon Jovi)
- I Will Always Love You (Dolly Parton)
- On the entertainment front, we have lighthearted TV series such as Love, American Style and The Love Boat; and, movies such as Endless Love, P.S. I Love You and Love Story (on the heavy side). There are the very archetypal lover couples such as Scarlett O’Hara & Rhett Butler, Pocahontas & John Smith and Gomez & Morticia Addams. And, the authors of great romance such as Judith McNaught, Margaret Mitchell and Nicholas Sparks.
- And then of course there are the lover brands (aka Valentine’s Day favorites) such as Hallmark, Victoria’s Secret, Tiffany & Co., Sweethearts (candy) and Hershey’s Kisses.
What makes America a Lover brand to you?
