Valentine’s Day is approaching and whether you’re spending it with a significant other, someone else you love, or just by yourself, it’s a great time to talk about our favorite love songs. From tales of lifelong devotion to anthems of self-love and even the catharsis of a good breakup, music often provides the soundtrack to our most intimate experiences.
Finding Timeless Connections
Taylor Swift’s “Timeless” resonated deeply with Alyssa Ramos, Senior Multimedia Editor, who described falling in love with the song’s storytelling back in . “Taylor sings about hoping to find the love you share with a person in every lifetime, and the relationship you have with this person is classic, effortless, and full of love,” Ramos explained. “One of the best love songs Taylor has ever written due to her perfect storytelling.” The song’s appeal lies in its depiction of a connection that transcends time, a sentiment many listeners find universally relatable.
Swift appears again on this list with “invisible string,” a track that struck a chord with Amy Aracena, Managing Editor. Aracena found beauty in the idea of an unseen force connecting people, suggesting a sense of destiny. “I think it is pretty to think that all along there was some invisible string tying people together,” she said. “To think that no matter who you are with now, you are always going to be destined to your person in the end? It’s so goddamn pretty.”
Navigating the Complexities of Love and Loss
Not every Valentine’s Day is about romantic love, and Beyoncé’s “irreplaceable” offers a powerful anthem for those navigating the aftermath of a breakup. Alyssa Ramos, also acknowledged the song’s significance for those celebrating self-reliance. “Yes, I know This represents a breakup song, but not everyone celebrates Valentine’s Day,” she noted, adding that the song is a “greatest breakup song to help the ladies get back on their feet and give a big middle finger to their toxic exes.” Ramos shared a personal connection to the song, having grown up listening to it with her mother, and emphasized its empowering message of self-worth.
The Power of Nostalgia and Lasting Impressions
Sometimes, a song’s power lies in the memories it evokes. Jacob Wojtowicz, Senior Features Editor, highlighted Dashboard Confessional’s “Hands Down” as a song inextricably linked to personal experience. “Hands Down is one of those songs that you remember where you are the first time you’ve heard it,” he wrote. The song, penned by Chris Carrabba about a high school sweetheart, continues to resonate with listeners decades later. Wojtowicz noted that Carrabba still refers to the subject of the song as the love of his life, even after marrying someone else, adding a layer of romantic intrigue to the track’s legacy.
Wojtowicz also drew a parallel to Jawbreaker’s “Chesterfield King,” positioning it as the 1990s equivalent of “Hands Down.” This comparison suggests a shared emotional intensity and a similar ability to capture the raw vulnerability of young love.
Cultural Connections and Passionate Yearning
Music often serves as a bridge between cultures, and Prince Royce’s “Corazón Sin Cara” exemplifies this connection. Amy Aracena, Managing Editor, described the song as a staple for Hispanic communities, particularly in New York. The song’s message—loving someone for who they are, regardless of perceived flaws—is a universal theme, but its delivery in Spanish adds a unique cultural resonance. “He fell wholeheartedly in love with her despite everything negative she thinks about herself, because to him, she’s the most beautiful person in the world, isn’t that the cutest thing?” Aracena asked.
Intensity and Self-Discovery
Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do” offers a different kind of love song—one that is intense, consuming, and perhaps a little dangerous. The song, originally featured on the soundtrack for “Fifty Shades of Grey,” captures a passionate connection that transcends boundaries.
Reflections on a Life Well-Lived
The Beatles’ “In My Life” offers a more contemplative take on love, focusing on the enduring power of memory and the importance of cherishing those who have shaped our lives. Saqib Khan, Assistant Features Editor, described the song as unexpectedly emotional, noting its ability to resonate with listeners regardless of their circumstances. Khan highlighted the song’s acknowledgement of life’s inevitable changes—the loss of friends and places—and its ultimate affirmation of the enduring power of love.
Finding Love in Unexpected Places
Izabella Ducato, Editor-in-Chief, shared a nuanced perspective on Rascal Flatts’ “Bless the Broken Road,” acknowledging its religious undertones while emphasizing its broader message of fate and timing. “There’s just something so beautiful about the idea that the universe—whether that’s through a God or just your own perfect timing—led you to the right place to meet the right person,” she said.
The Importance of Self-Love
Olivia Dean’s “Be My Own Boyfriend” offers a refreshing perspective on Valentine’s Day, celebrating the power of self-love. Olivia Risolo, Assistant Multimedia Editor, emphasized the importance of prioritizing self-care, particularly during seasons of singleness. “There’s nothing more beautiful than the love you give yourself,” she wrote. “This song reminds me that love will come and go from my life, but the love I give myself will always continue to flourish.”
Yearning and Connection
Blood Orange’s “Champagne Coast” provides a complex exploration of love, encompassing romantic, platonic, and even complicated connections. Nadia Bangaroo, Assistant News Editor, noted the song’s ability to capture the feeling of yearning and the desire to both give and receive love. The song’s lyrics, which explore the desperation and vulnerability inherent in relationships, offer a poignant reflection on the complexities of human connection.
