Valentine’s Day is upon us and either you love it or hate it. This year, whether you’re head over heels in love or you’re sick of Hallmark cards and chubby cherubs, skip the chocolates and red roses. There’s no better way to let that special someone know how you feel than through great love songs like the ones on our Valentine’s Day Playlist.
“Love” is a popular source of inspiration for musicians from rock ‘n roll to R&B, so to help you get through Valentine’s Day, we’ve narrowed it down to a few of our favorite love (and not-so lovey dovey) songs ever. We’ve compiled a hearty list of tracks, perfect for all you collegiettes no matter how you spend the day. So slip into something a little more comfortable and tune in to this playlist.
Gym Class Heroes’ “Cupid’s Chokehold”
…for getting ready for your date tonight.
First dates can be nerve-wracking, never mind if they fall on Valentine’s Day! You’re rummaging through the racks in your closet looking for that perfect LBD and curling your hair, all while nervously pacing the floor waiting for that cute guy who asked you out to knock on your door. Don’t fret! GCH’s rapping frontman Travie McCoy and Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump have got your back for calming those pre-date jitters. You’ll remember this hit from high school and had us all singing along with the chorus, “ba ba da da.”
“And I know it sounds so old
But cupid got me in a chokehold
And I’m afraid I might give in
Towels on the mat my white flag is wavin’…”
You’ve got to love a song with a sense of humor and it’s guaranteed to get you in a flirty mood for a date on Valentine’s Day. You’ll both be singing that catchy chorus line, “Take a look at my girlfriend. She’s the only one I got (ba ba da da)…” Just let this track be your musical matchmaker.
Mike Posner and Lil Wayne’s “Bow Chika Wow Wow”
…for that sexy night in.
If you’re in for some date night romance (minus the dinner-and-a-movie part, if you know what I mean) then this is your perfect get-in-the-mood music.Whether it’s a sexy night-in with your boyfriend or even a late night V-Day with your hook-up buddy,when things are just heating up, turn it on and let Mike Posner and Lil Wayne do all the saying for you,
“You’ve been playin’ hard to get with me all night
We both know exactly what you want right
Don’t tell me what you won’t do
Tell me what you gon’ do, whatchu gon’ do
Once I throw on this bow chicka wow wow
Whatchu gonna say
You act like you gon leave, but I know that you gon’ stay…”
The title says it all and this song is literally about getting down and dirty. If you haven’t heard this song by now, you’re missing out on one of the sexiest songs of 2011. Mike Posner may be fairly new to the music scene, but he’s great at laying those cool, smooth vocals on top of a slow and sultry R&B beat. And with Weezy rapping? Forget about it.
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J. Geils Band’s “Love Stinks”
…for your single Valentine’s Day.
For you collegiettes who are single ladies this Valentine’s Day, this holiday of love and romance can be tough. It makes sweethearts swoon while the rest of us roll our eyes and laughingly call it “Single Awareness Day.” But if you’re feeling a little down, this rock n’ roll hit is just the right kind of musical therapy for a loveless Valentine’s Day.
“And so it goes
Till the day you die
This thing they call love
It’s gonna make you cry.
I’ve had the blues
The reds and the pinks.
One thing for sure…
Love stinks!
Love stinks, yeah yeah…
Love stinks!
Love stinks, yeah yeah…”
If you’re flying solo at this time of year, it goes without saying that the J. Geils Band’s “Love Stinks” is a must-have for your Valentine’s Day playlist. Get the chick flicks and break out the wine glasses for a Valentine’s Day movie night with your BFF. The lyrics to this track are so perfect that we fully support a gal-pal group sing-along. Just shout out the main chorus over and over, “Love stinks! Love stinks, yeah yeah…”
Dave Matthews Band’s “Crash Into Me”
…for cuddling up with your lovebug.
Oh, the 90s, how I love you. There were some great tracks about love from that decade that hit the spot just right and Dave Matthews Band did just that with their hit single, “Crash Into Me.”
“Oh and you come crash
Into me, baby
And I come into you
Hike up your skirt a little more
And show the world to me
Hike up your skirt a little more
And show your world to me
In a boy’s dream.. in a boy’s dream…”
A slow and steady drumbeat, the delicate pluck of guitar strings, and Dave’s jazzy vocals repeatedly singing the phrase, “You come crash into me…” It’s the perfect song to get cuddly with your Valentine and really, what is Valentine’s Day but a day to cuddle up with your boyfriend?
Death Cab for Cutie’s “Transatlanticism”
…for spending the day away from your Valentine.
Are you in a long distance relationship? Being miles apart from your cutie on Valentine’s Day can be tough and Ben Gibbard feels your pain.
“The distance is quite simply much too far for me to row
It seems farther than ever before
Oh no…”
It’s hard to enjoy a holiday that’s all about cuddling, kissing, and reserving that “table for two,” when you aremiles–even an ocean–apart. This indie rock band is known for their poignant and relatable lyrics, and this haunting piano solo is just the right kind of music for expressing far-flung love. I think he says it best with a simple, “I need you so much closer,” in an utterly definitive lyric for long distance longing.