With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we asked some of our writers to recommend songs that are a staple on every romantic playlist to be shared with the important people in your life at this time of year.
‘Lover, You Should’ve Come Over’ – Jeff Buckley recommended by Betsy Heasman
The ultimate valentine’s ballad has to be Jeff Buckley’s 1994 song ‘Lover, You Should’ve Come Over’. Though on the more depressing side, no song can beat the yearning of this one. With lines “broken down and hungry for your love with no way to feed it” and “she is the tear that hangs inside my soul forever”, this is at the top of my list of most romantic songs. Nearly seven minutes long, the repeated “it’s never over” is haunting and it is no surprise that the song has recently had a revival, with Buckley entering Billboard’s Top 100 for the first time last month, nearly thirty years after its release.
‘My Love Mine All Mine’ – Mitski recommended by Rosa Terry
One song that would undoubtedly be in my Valentines Day playlist is ‘My Love Mine All Mine’ by Mitski. It went viral in 2023 – though it’s a song I can’t help but go back to at least once a month. This month is the time to go back, again. It’s a poetic song about the love’s ability to transcend earthly life; poignantly reflected in lyrics like “here before and after me, shining down on me.” It brings together the beauty of nature and the deeply personal experience of love; “mine all mine”. It’s the perfect dancing-in-the-kitchen, cooking-pasta-on-the-hob song, ideally with the love of your life).
‘So American’ – Olivia Rodrigo recommended by Rachel Baldwin
“He’s like a poem I wish I wrote” – more like this song is a poem I wish I wrote.
‘So American’ is Olivia Rodrigo’s final song in her GUTS (spilled) album. Widely considered as Rodrigo’s first love song, it provides a refreshing contrast to her usual songs focusing on jealousy, revenge and heartbreak. An optimistic, euphoric take on love, capturing the excitement of being in a relationship, exemplified by the line “I might just be in lo-lo-, lo-lo-, lo-lo-, lo-lo-lo-lo-love”. Lines like this are sung over a “bouncy, distorted guitar”, creating a combination of exciting lyricism and upbeat instrumental backing. Ultimately, this places the listener into the joyous moment of being in love; no wonder she wants to “marry him”. This makes ‘So American’ a must-have for every Valentine’s Day playlist.
‘Nice to Each Other’ – Olivia Dean recommended by Katrina Nahar
Olivia Dean’s ‘Nice to Each Other’ is the embodiment of softness and sincerity this Valentines. While we can all appreciate grand gestures, Dean encourages us to find beauty in the mundane, learning “where the switches are” or where they “keep[s] the cutlery.” Dean highlights the romance in learning about your partner. Prescribing “water, sunlight, talking all night”, she simplifies the increasingly complex world of relationships by suggesting we simply need to be present and caring. The lyrics, in addition to the smooth and intimate production, which complement Dean’s tender vocals, will leave a listener feeling warm and comforted this Valentine’s.
‘Love Takes Miles’ – Cameron Winter recommended by Maya Dallal
‘Love Takes Miles’ by Cameron Winter was the defining love song of last year. Winter’s vocals move between a sweet falsetto and his characteristic baritone, suffused with devotion. His live piano renditions of the song are ever-evolving, breathing new life into the song at every performance. The lyrics are about the hard work of loving, and how “love will make you fit it all in the car,” describing how love for another person outweighs the burdens of it. This Valentine’s Day, send ‘Love Takes Miles’ to the person on your mind, and tell them they better start a-walking!
