For the perfect Valentine’s Day, you’ll need the perfect soundtrack. Luckily, love songs are far from a rare commodity. Whether or not you have a partner to celebrate with, there’s an almost contagious romance to the holiday that can appeal to anyone willing to let the cheerful spirit infect them. To enhance your Valentine’s Day atmosphere, I’ve compiled a list of songs that are sure to warm your heart regardless of your relationship status. If you love love, this is for you.
The Cure — “Friday I’m in Love”
This aptly named 1992 alternative rock hit is the perfect anthem for this year’s Friday-falling Valentine’s Day. Seemingly by pure coincidence, Feb. 14, 1992 — the same year that the song was released — also happened to fall on a Friday. The song’s meaning has multiple different interpretations, but I find the most compelling argument to be that it signifies the healing brought on by the presence of one’s lover.
Everything in the world might feel like it’s going wrong but by being with the one you love, the good makes the bad disappear. In that moment, all you can feel is love. The message is simple yet beautiful.
The Flamingoes — “I Only Have Eyes for You”
The 1950s marked a golden age for love songs. From The Penguins’ “Earth Angel” to Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” and The Everly Brothers’ “All I Have to Do is Dream,” the music of the decade was immersed in a rose-tinted world of romance.
The imagery of this 1959 Flamingoes song is really what drew me in. “I Only Have Eyes for You” describes a love that is all-consuming; everything else falls away when in the presence of this person. When listening to this song, I’m immediately transported into a scene of two lovers looking deeply into each other’s eyes as the background blurs and the music muffles. Nothing else matters except for the other person in that moment. This lyrically and sonically beautiful song makes for the perfect Valentine’s Day slow dance.
Frank Sinatra — “Strangers in the Night”
When it comes to love songs, Frank Sinatra is the cream of the crop. His smooth crooning paired with a melodic symphony makes for a beautifully romantic atmosphere in his ballads. Any of these songs could easily fit into this playlist, but there is a certain magical quality to this 1966 release that’s sure to make your heart flutter.
The orchestral arrangement of this song conjures up a cinematic montage of a grand love affair. The lyrics romanticize the beauty of chance encounters, illustrating a scenario of love at first sight. If you wish you had someone to share in the romance of this song with, just remember: Love may be “just a glance away, a warm embracing dance away!”
The Beach Boys — “Forever”
This dreamy Beach Boys hit is reminiscent of the folk-rock genre that emerged in the ‘60s from Laurel Canyon, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, Calif. Singer/songwriter Brian Wilson briefly lived here, and there’s something about this song that feels so comforting. It’s the kind of love you feel in a long-term relationship when you feel completely safe with your partner.
As the title suggests, it’s all about going the distance. The lyrics “If the song I sing to you / could fill your heart with joy I’d sing forever” are a testament to his commitment to providing his lover with eternal happiness. If you see forever in your relationship, this is the song for you.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes — “Home”
Paul McCartney said it best: “Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs, and what’s wrong with that?” This 2009 indie-folk hit is sickeningly sweet for sure, but even the most cold-hearted person in the world couldn’t possibly keep from smiling at this sappy love ballad.
I liken the feeling of this song to warm sunshine hitting your face or those special moments shared with your partner when you’re giddy in love and cannot stop grinning. This song is what love is all about — feeling at home with your partner.
Edison Lighthouse — “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)”
One-hit wonder Edison Lighthouse’s claim to fame “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” playfully encapsulates the spirit of unconditional love. With all the love interest’s flaws considered, the narrator’s infatuation remains steadfast. Even though “she talks kinda lazy / And people say she’s crazy / And her life’s a mystery,” he insists that “love grows where my Rosemary goes / And nobody knows like me.” Her flaws make her all the more unique and alluring.
Though the song is poppy and upbeat, there’s an important message to take away: Love means seeing your partner for the good and the bad, but still choosing to love them anyway. So, this Valentine’s Day, remember that what makes you different is part of what makes you loved.