I can't seem to understand why someone would even bother going through the action$$$ of marriage if its not to someone that captures them or stands above those of their past.

As Prince said 'when I'm with you... I have NO PAST' and that is truly the way love should be. And James Brown's 'I don't care about your past, I just want this love to last', that saying right there could be focused in more than a couple of ways, rather it be one partner dwelling on the others past lovers, kids or what somebody else has told them about the person they claim to be in love with.

I think you give some great examples, keep em coming.