It’s February now, which means that romance is upon us! It also means that every store will be churning out pink merchandise and everyone you know will likely post Instagram stories of their attractive partners. For those of us trying to enjoy the romantic side of the holiday, it can feel too commercialized, and for those of us who are single, this season can be incredibly isolating. These two problems may seem completely divorced (get it?) from one another, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a solution to ease both of these struggles. We have done the grueling work of listening to a bunch of music and picking our favorite love songs to humbly present to you. We hope that listening to these songs will help some of us feel better connected to our emotions as we all navigate the climate of the modern-day Valentine’s season.
Rick Sanchez, a character from the hit animated sitcom Rick and Morty, once said, “love is an expression of familiarity over time.” As much as it pains us to agree with him, he may be right. There are just some songs that have been played and cherished from generation to generation, to the point where we have no choice but to love them.
“Your Song” by Elton John is widely regarded as one of the greatest love songs of all time. It has been used in multiple movies and TV shows since the song’s release in 1970. The combination of Elton John’s piano and vocals along with Bernie Taupin’s lyrics creates a touching narrative. Additionally, the use of a harp throughout the song adds a nice feeling of romance. It tells the story of someone able to express their love without the need for money or material things. Valentine’s Day should be like this song. Everyone should have the freedom to express love and feel love for those dear to us just like John does in “Your Song.”
“Super Trouper” is one of ABBA’s most popular songs–and for good reason. The recognizable piano melody throughout the song adds an upbeat feel, evoking the singer’s joy at knowing that her partner is in the crowd. She’s grown exhausted and lonely throughout her tour, blinded by the lights at every concert, but just knowing who’s in the audience lifts her back up. The knowledge that someone is there for you, not just for what you’re doing for them, is an uncomplicated form of joy, but it means so much.
“Misty” by Lesley Gore is a sweet, simple, love song that has recently gained traction online, with TikToks and Instagram posts with the song in the background. We believe that there is a bit of a testament to the timeless quality of this song. Back in her time, Lesley Gore would sing about the ups and downs of young love. We could say that she was the Olivia Rodrigo of her time, but maybe it’s more appropriate to say that Olivia Rodrigo is the Lesley Gore of our time. “Misty” captures how it really feels to swoon over somebody.
That being said, there is also a certain excitement that comes with the new as well. Young love can be fiery and intoxicating! The same can be said about new releases.
“We’re In Love” by boygenius narrates an everlasting love despite all circumstances. Lucy Dacus sings lead, with Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers joining in on harmonies at the end. The melody is simple, so listeners can really understand the lyrics and their importance. Dacus wrote this song about how much she loves Baker and Bridgers while also describing a lonely universe that exists where they don’t love her. Dacus sings, “I feel crazy in ways I never say / Will you still love me if it turns out I’m insane?” The song illustrates the self-uncertainty that comes with falling in love but also the reassurance from people in your life.
Hozier’s “Francesca” displays the perseverance of loving through adversity. The use of drums, electric guitar, and other resounding instruments in this song lends an intensity to it, making the listener understand just how strongly he feels about Francesca. Inspired by the story of Francesca da Rimini, Hozier sings about a relationship with a painful end. He insists, “If I could hold you for a minute / I’d go through it again.” Reliving every bitter moment of the relationship would be worth it to him just for a little more time with his love. The song demonstrates the dynamic that a lot of people want: the desire for someone to think that they are worth all of the hardship.
A song we can’t stop thinking about is “Heaven” by Mitski. The song was released last summer, but it could’ve been released any summer. Mitski’s gorgeous lyrics make the mundane seem beautiful. The song deals with the domestic comfort of love but also the inevitability of death. Our ends are upon us, but the narrator of “Heaven” can hardly care because she is safely nestled with her lover.
Now, we understand that the single population might be feeling a tad bit left out right now. Perhaps some of you feel like Cupid has shot us using real arrows. We get it.
In the song “Forget Her,” Jeff Buckley laments about a failed love. This song closes out Buckley’s 1994 album Grace. He describes throughout the song how the mysterious girl he sings of was a bad idea from the beginning. Buckley’s ability to weave together lyrics and music so effortlessly is truly something to marvel at. In the chorus, he sings, “Don’t fool yourself / She was heartache from the moment that you met her / My heart feels so still / As I try to find the will to forget her somehow.” The combination of the lyrics with a haunting guitar orchestration creates a painfully beautiful song that’s sure to elicit feelings of melancholy whether you’ve experienced heartbreak or not.
In “The Moon Will Sing” by The Crane Wives, the singer chronicles the way that her love for someone else has turned her into a shadow. In the chorus, she laments, “The moon will sing a song for me / I loved you like the sun / Bore the shadows that you made / With no light of my own.” Instead of having her own light, hopes, and dreams, she spent her whole relationship shouldering the burdens of someone else. The pain of missing out on who she could’ve been if not for this is a sharp one, but the singer is finding her desire to become herself again. She wants to become who she was before, and that desire to go back is something that many of us can relate to.
If you have a partner with wandering eyes, you will surely find “Boyish” by Japanese Breakfast relatable. The lyrics paint a bleak picture of perceived inadequacy. The narrator expresses not feeling attractive enough for a boy, as the guy reinforces her insecurity by withholding affection and attention from her. This can be the perfect song for anybody who doesn’t feel like enough–but remember that most boys aren’t worth that level of grief.
Whether Valentine’s Day is a pleasant holiday for you or an agonizing reminder of your relationship status, it can be nice, even therapeutic, to listen to the music surrounding the topic of romantic love. Through the lens of our experiences with this type of love, (yes, even devastating heartache), the world can look like a different place. Can that place be seemingly colder? Absolutely, but we only ever feel cold after having felt warm. For those heartbroken many, remember that energy cannot be destroyed, and that warmth will find you again.