10 Songs perfect for Valentines Day
It’s almost time for another Valentine’s Day. Some of us enjoy being festive and creating playlists that are fitting for the day or week. Maybe you have one already, and you’re looking for some new love songs to add. No worries. I’ve got you covered.
In the tradition of my previous articles regarding holiday playlists, these are simply songs I love that I think you just might as well! Let’s get these teen hearts beating faster…
10. THE ONE I LOVE
R.E.M.
This classic 80’s alt rock ballad’s true meaning is ambiguous with lead vocalist Michael Stipe claiming that it isn’t what listeners assume. To those who aren’t looking for the deeper meaning, it sounds like a love song about longing for someone you miss. If you choose not to solve the mystery of what Stipe actually meant, and just listen to this track on it’s surface level, it goes great on a romantic playlist. I’ve loved this song for years and only recently learned this info. This minor tidbit though pushes this number to the bottom of the list despite how moving it is.
9. P.S. I LOVE YOU
THE BEATLES
It would be simple to compile an entire playlist of only the Beatles’ timeless love songs, but perhaps I’ll save that for another time. This love ballad, which was written in the style of a letter, was a B-Side to another popular song that you might discover on this list. It’s the perfect song for anyone who’s spent time apart from the one they love. Like a lot of their earlier work, it’s brief yet catchy. However, the three-chord pattern at the end of each verse would inspire songs popular in pop, rock, and metal going forward. The title of the song was adopted as the title for a popular romance drama 45 years later. That’s quite an impact for a B-side.
8. DISAPPEAR
HOOBASTANK
When people think of this band, the first song that springs to mind is “the Reason,” which is also a love song. However, it’s a love song we’ve probably heard far too often by this point, and they do have another passionate single from the same album that wasn’t done to death on radio. That song is “Disappear,” and in my opinion, it is a better composition.
It is a beautiful alt rock power ballad that conveys the anguish of being apart from the one you love. Everyone else, the song’s lyrics claim, seems to fade when she is nearby. This is very romantic, and the tune is simply too excellent not to be included on this list.
7. I MISS YOU
INCUBUS
Incubus not only influenced the music of the previous band, Hoobastank, but also helped them get their start. Although they have recorded a number of power ballads throughout the course of their career, “I Miss You” stands out in particular. Even though it wasn’t a single, the song remained popular at the time their album Make Yourself was receiving a great deal of airplay. The song’s title makes it clear what it’s about: really missing your partner.
The song begins by talking about how waking up next to this particular lover is a gift that he, Brandon Boyd, never thought could be real. According to Brandon, his companion does something to him that is unexplainable. It’s difficult to tell whether this lovely gentle rock song is about missing someone after a split or dealing with a long distance relationship. In any case, it’s incredibly charming. Listen to it for yourself.
6. I LOVE YOU
THE ZOMBIES
While on tour and experiencing a decline in their fame, The Zombies penned and recorded this love ballad. It wasn’t as big as their other smash single “Time of the Season,” another swingin’ 60’s psychedelic rock love tune, but it deserves some recognition. Its title, like other songs from that era on our list, is basic, as are the words, yet it’s immensely catchy. A few years later, the band People! covered the song, which garnered slightly more success. Either version would fit perfectly on a love-themed playlist. Check it out below.
5. LOVE ON THE BRAIN
RIHANNA
“Love on the Brain” is a doo-wop and soul ballad inspired by 1950s and 1960s music, with influences from Prince and Al Green. The song’s lyrics explore the concept of toxic love’s ups and downs in a back-and-forth fashion. Rihanna’s vocal flexibility is on full display in this powerful track. Critics gave the song high praise, and several likened her to Amy Winehouse on the song. The song was a worldwide hit, but unlike some of Rihanna’s earlier singles, it evaded being overexposed. Although the love she sings about in this song isn’t perfect, the song itself is, and it should be on your Valentine’s Day playlist. And hey, she’s performing at the Super Bowl LVII just two days before the holiday!
4. Sea of Love
CAT POWER
“Sea of Love” by Cat Power is a stripped-down cover of a cover. She plays an autoharp while gently singing lyrics that many listeners may recognize from the 1959 Phil Phillips original or the 1984 smash hit by the Honeydrippers. It became one of her most well-known songs in her repertoire after her rendition appeared on the soundtrack to the successful romantic dramedy Juno. It’s a simple song with straightforward lyrics about a vast and deep love. You could add every variation of this song to your playlist, but Cat’s is available to sample below!
3. LOVELY DAY
BILL WITHERS
This 1977 R&B song still maintains the record for the longest note held by a US Top 40 single. Over the years, it has inspired covers, one of which was presented as a marriage proposal by a flash mob on a subway. I can still vividly remember that one. It gave me a newfound appreciation for this song and its warm, endearing lyrics. Although Withers has a lot of other songs that you surely know, this is the one that belongs on your Valentine’s Day playlist.
And the aforementioned flash mob video, of course. I felt compelled to add that as well. Enjoy!
2. LOVE IS ALL AROUND
THE TROGGS
The 60’s were famous for being a time of peace, love, and music so it makes sense that several bands on this list emerged during that era. The Troggs rank high with their 2nd hit single. A much softer song than their first hit “Wild Thing”, which is also a love song of sorts.
“Love Is All Around” is a ballad that is so great that it’s spawned over 30 covers of it, including a powerful version by R.E.M. As the title is suggests, it’s a song about love being everywhere. Direct and uncomplicated. Those types of tunes are often the greatest. See if this timeless classic belongs on your playlist after listening to the clip below.
1. LOVE ME DO
THE BEATLES
The debut single from the biggest band of all-time is the quintessential Valentines Day love song. The track’s title is pretty clear-cut. He/they love you/her and simply wish to be loved back. Paul McCartney wrote the main structure of this simple but utterly infectious love song when he was just 16.
It was the song that launched the band into superstardom. The song went through a few different phases with different drummers, but ultimately, the final version is the one most have come to know and love.
It’s simple, snappy, and easy to sing along to. It’s the first song that comes to mind when I think about love songs, landing it as the top song on this list. Have a listen below.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
The selection of love songs suitable for Valentine’s Day is lengthy. It would be impossible to list them all. Aren’t the vast majority of songs that exist love songs? Well, perhaps I’ll make another list at some point. For the time being, here’s few more delightful love songs that aren’t on this list.
- Air – “Playground Love”
- AHA – “Take On Me”
- the Doors – “Hello, I Love You”
- UB40 – “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You”
- Whitney Houston – “I Will Always Love You”
- the Yardbirds – “For Your Love”
- Paul Mauriat – “Love is Blue”
- the Hollies – “the Air That I Breathe”
- the Turtles – “You Showed Me”
- the Beach Boys – “God Only Knows”
- the Archies – “Sugar, Sugar”
- Elton John – “Your Song”
- Paul McCartney – “Maybe I’m Amazed”
- the Mindbenders – “A Groovy Kind of Love”
- Roy Orbinson – “You Got It”
- Neil Diamond – “I’m a Believer”
- the Flamingos – “I Only Have Eyes for You”
- the Crystals – “Then He Kissed Me”
- Alicia Keys – “If I Ain’t Got You”
- K-Ci & JoJo – “Crazy”
- Tyrese – “Lately”
- Nelly – “Dilemna”
- Frank Ocean – “Thinkin Bout You”
- Panic At the Disco – “Girl That You Love”
- Savage Garden – “Truly Madly Deeply”
- Foo Fighters – “Walking After You”
- U2 – “With or Without You”
- the Turtles – “Happy Together”
