When I see the word “collection”, I visualize an assemblage of dainty, deeply sentimental trinkets. A beautiful little silver locket with a lover’s photograph, printed microscopically in black-and-white. A string of faux pearls resting atop a childhood diary. Shiny buttons in a glass mason jar. Dull buttons in a floral teacup. The type of small delights that are so precious, they deserve to be displayed in an ornate box, one that greets you with a spinning ballerina and a dull hum of a once-strong tune. It’s important to note that the song is not fading due to neglect, rather is lovingly worn with age.
This is exactly how I feel about the following amalgamation of love songs. Ranging from whimsical and ethereal to electronic and buzzing, these works of art (and my favorite lyrics from each of them) deserve the same deep sense of appreciation as the average lovey-dovey love song.
1. “LITTLE THINGS” BY BIG THIEF
“The little things I like about you
How you say when you say what you do
When your feeling is a little gold and blue”
2. “ANYTHING WE WANT” BY FIONA APPLE
“And I kept touching my neck to guide your eye to where
I wanted you to kiss me when we find some time alone
My scars were reflecting the mist in your headlight
I look like a neon zebra shaking rain off of stripe”
3. “STUCK ON THE PUZZLE” BY ALEX TURNER
“I have been searching from the bottom to the top
For such a sight
As the one I caught when I saw your
Fingers dimming in the lights
Like you’re used to being told that you’re trouble”
4. “DIE YOUNG” BY SYLVAN ESSO
“I used to want to die young
But now I want to wait for you”
5. “SOME THINGS COSMIC” BY ANGEL OLSEN
“And though I may be getting older
Know that I’m going with you
Know that I’m hanging on to the things that you said”
6. “IN A GOOD WAY” BY FAYE WEBSTER
“You make me wanna cry in a good way
I didn’t know that I was capable of being happy right now
But you showed me how”
7. “OH BABY” BY LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
“Oh baby
You’re having a bad dream
Here in my arms
Oh sugar
You came to me
Could all be a bad thing
And do you harm”