Valentines Day is almost upon us.
This is where people will complain about how they’re single and ‘forever alone’, while some will comment on how it’s a commercialised day built around a chemical reaction that is coded into our DNA.
But then there are those who enjoy the day, loving the idea that they have this excuse to run out in the streets and declare “I LOVE YOU!” to their Valentine.
For me, music has always been a big part of what love has been, can be and will be. And in it, you can lose yourself with another (or more) and sail into a universe of euphoria and ‘self’.
So I’ve gone out of my way to give you 14 songs that might make this special day even more special because hey, I love y’all.
YOU BE CLASSIC:
Elton John – ‘Something About The Way You Look Tonight’
With a certain old school cool, Elton John’s classic ‘Something About The Way You Look Tonight‘ is up there in my books for its giant start, fantastic vocals and cheesy lyrics.
For me it sounds like that type of love where you’re caught in the lights of the dance floor with your lover and there’s nothing else around you.
YOU BE 90’s R ‘n’ B:
Boyz II Men – ‘I’ll Make Love To You’
Giants of the 90’s, Boyz II Men are well-known for their beautiful harmonies that swirl over the top of their tales of love.
With Valentines in mind though, while there’s many songs you could select from their back-catalogue, the ever-apt ‘I’ll Make Love To You’ is easily the number 1 selection.
YOU BE LONELY:
Ricky Martin & Christina Aguilera – ‘Nobody Wants To Be Lonely’
Sure a song about loneliness shouldn’t be this sexy, but I can’t help but think of this number from Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera when it comes to this emotion.
These specimens gracing our screens and just sharing their sex with us, reminding us that “hey, we just don’t want to be lonely and that’s A-OK.”
YOU BE RAVING:
Two Friends featuring Breach The Summit – ‘Our Names In Lights’
Two Friends with Breach The Summit on vocals bring us the ‘club-banger’ that thrives on the idea of youthful love, revolting against those that ‘stand against them’.
Its pop-elements take it over the top, and would easily have you dancing into the night with the one you love.
YOU BE LONGING:
BANKS – ‘Waiting Game’
If you haven’t heard ‘Waiting Game‘ by BANKS, then it’s a possibility that you haven’t been longing for someone.
The song is so clear in it’s message, and BANKS’s voice delivers an emotional punch that will leave you curled up in a corner while your best friend tries to call you to ask who inflicted this pain upon you.
You’ll simply respond “BANKS did.”
YOU BE SEXY:
The Weeknd – ‘Earned It’
If you haven’t heard of The Weeknd, he is the God Dionysus returned to Earth. With songs that frequently walk around the grounds of debauchery, it’s fitting that one of his most tame songs has released for the film ’50 Shades Of Grey’.
BUT! It’s also a song that sounds like foreplay, so you are welcome for that.
YOU BE HAVING SEX:
The Weeknd featuring Drake – ‘The Zone’
The Weeknd again? Well he brought the foreplay, so he’s just finishing the job. With Drake featured on the track, the percussion resembles that of a bed rocking away in the darkness while The Weeknd lovingly lays his beautiful voice over the top telling you to love like you have never loved before.
YOU BE COMING DOWN FROM SEX:
The Lonely Island featuring Akon – ‘I Just Had Sex’
A joke track? Perhaps.
But tonally I think The Lonely Island has nailed the joy of the comedown after sex so well, that you’d probably jump up and join in with this track were it to somehow start playing in your location.
YOU BE STUCK IN THE APOCALYPSE:
Frank Ocean – ‘Strawberry Swing’
Frank Ocean laid down his own version of Coldplay’s ‘Strawberry Swing‘ that retains the melancholy of the original, but takes the story in a whole other direction.
With a world ending, Ocean sends his love off with the revelation that “there wasn’t room for you and I. Only you. Goodbye”.
And in that moment, you die a little inside.
YOU BE FEELING PERSECUTED:
Hozier – ‘Take Me To Church’
With Hozier going on record and saying:
“Sexuality, and sexual orientation – regardless of orientation – is just natural. An act of sex is one of the most human things. But an organization like the church, say, through its doctrine, would undermine humanity by successfully teaching shame about sexual orientation – that it is sinful, or that it offends God. The song is about asserting yourself and reclaiming your humanity through an act of love.”
‘Take Me To Church’ becomes the ultimate fight song for those who are told they cannot love the persons they love.
YOU BE 40:
UB40 – ‘(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You’
This is mostly for the pun. Look at it! How fantastic!
But also this cover by UB40 of the Elvis Presley classic is a great little ditty, and you can’t help but love all them horns on the track.
YOU BE FLYING:
Westlife – ‘Flying Without Wings’
This was always a ‘wake-up’ style track for me. That moment when you wake up, look over at the one you love and just think “Wow. I did pretty damn good.”
This, is what ‘Flying Without Wings’ sounds like to me.
Plus, c’mon man, Westlife. Awesome.
YOU BE GETTING MARRIED:
‘N Sync – ‘This I Promise You’
Seriously, how many weddings has this song been played at? Because I get it. It nails that whole idea of forever and just, you know, good work Richard Marx.
Because that’s who wrote this song and never forget that.
YOU BE ‘On A Break’:
Jessie Ware – ‘Say You Love Me’
Ending this list on a song about love falling apart?! Yes. Because love is this amazing storm of emotion and Jessie Ware beautifully captures the chaos that is your holding on for dear life when you should just let go.
“Someone told me love controls everything. But only if you know”
