Edited By: Anusha Sharma
Pov: You’re in love.
Side A, Track 1
Labyrinth – Taylor Swift
A ‘love’ playlist has to start with a Taylor Swift song, I don’t make the rules. Labyrinth captures the exhilarating and dicey transition between the talking stage and the dating phase, summed up in the line: it’s the ‘oh no, I’m falling in love again’ stage. This song is for everyone who has struggled with love, for everyone who has (sarcastically or not) stated that they’ll die alone. You won’t. Waiting for the right person may be hard and frustrating (someone please tell Ashoka couples to stop acting so cute) but in the end, it’s worth it. While you may not believe in love right now or maybe apprehensive of the person you’re talking to, repeatedly telling yourself to not fall for them (*frantically dials best friend*), someone out there would break their back to make you break into a smile. Soon, your plane too would turn right around.
Side A, Track 2
Something Just Like This – The chainsmokers, Coldplay
Something Just Like This is for the simple love we crave. Love that doesn’t expect or demand but love that is warm and accepting. This song is for the soft person within you (I’m pointing towards you, all black wardrobe, tote bag mystery person). It’s also for the child in you, that just wants to be loved and understood. In a world that asks for perfection (especially in an ‘academically rigorous’ university), you and I are both tired of pretending and grinding (R.I.P sigma mindset) . Love doesn’t need superhuman gifts and neither demands perfection. Love is forged in imperfect moments, your specs clashing when you hug or you tripping in an attempt to slow dance (*plays ajab si*). Love isn’t picture perfect outfits and fancy dinner dates, it’s found in fuzzy pajamas and hot chocolate. Love is a comforting hug, a long conversation and a soft kiss. Love is kind and homely, much like this song.
Side A, Track 3
A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay
Let’s face it. You’ve fallen for them. Nothing about them feels wrong (maybe you’re colourblind and can’t see the red flags). But jokes apart, it finally feels like you’ve found your person. All the stars lie in their eyes and their smile shines brighter than the sun. All you want to do now is surround yourself with their light. Go on, put yourself out there. Hearts keep breaking and mending, and this song is for when you no longer care if they tear you apart (a tad bit too intense?). Being without them seems more painful than getting your heart broken by them. This is the love you would go any lengths for. The love that keeps you up at night and makes you want to get up in the morning (mushy good morning texters where are you all?). They’re your everything, they’re a sky full of stars, shining bright in the darkness for you.
Side A, Track 4
Hey There Delliah – Plain White T’s
Had to put a song on the playlist for all my long-distance couples. I know it’s hard and I know it sucks (mostly). If you’re wondering whether distance does truly make the heart grow fonder, Hey there Delliah is for you. You miss the intimacy of being around them, the cuddles and hugs feel more precious than ever. While you know you always have a shoulder to lean on, you do wish it was literal and not figurative. You’re tired of swiping through instagram stories of couples on dates while you have another virtual date night fail (Sonipat wifi is to blame). The fights may be frequent initially and the distance may seem unbearable but soon you’ll adapt. Jealous “who is that”s will turn to friendly hiiis on video calls and while Sonipat wifi may or may not get stronger, your bond will. Meeting them would mean so much more than it used to and you’ll never take what you have for granted. Someday you’ll make it, and after all they truly are worth it. Thousand miles seems pretty far, but they are the one if they’d walk to you.
Side A, Track 5
All of me – John Legend
You’ve fully fallen in love (you’re crazy and I’m out of my mind). Both of you are all in and it has not been easy. All of me captures the tenderness and vulnerability of love. Showing all sides of you, the fears and insecurities, the weaknesses is terrifying. You bare your emotions out for them to see and you trust them to love you, no matter what and they do. They pick up your broken pieces and put them together. They treat you with care and compassion. By accepting and loving all of you, they give you a safe space to be you. So go on, crack all the dad jokes you want to and eat maggi with ketchup (why would you) because this love will stay with you a lifetime. They stand by you through the hard times and happy ones, through fights and tears. They love you for your thoughts and your little quirks (not for those dad jokes though). They love you for all the parts of yourself that you hate. With them by your side, you’re always winning.
Side A, Track 6
Nothing – Bruno Major
Nothing is for when you love becomes your home. A love that is familiar and safe. The two of you live in your own bubble, your own little world. Suddenly love doesn’t need huge gestures or well-planned dates. Love becomes the coffee your partner leaves for you in the morning, knowing you would be up late. Love is expressed as comfortable silences and relatable reels (if you’re reading this, the reels spam will never stop). Love is grabbing a quick bite at a small, cosy cafe. Love is holding hands. There is no longer anything external that keeps you engaged. You are both perfectly happy doing your own thing, just around each other. You know their needs as well as yours, you sense their discomforts through small subtle signs. It’s about the little things now, the fridge being stocked with your favourite chocolate and texts that start with ‘this reminded me of you’. The only thing you fight over now is the perfect AC temperature and even when you do fight, they are characterised by a sense of maturity and easy forgiveness. This love is contentment and peace in being around each other, doing nothing.
If you like yourself better with them, if this love feels like daylight and everywhere with them seems like Paris in the rain; it’s time to make your other half a cute small playlist to remind them of your love. You may not be able to get them the moon but you can certainly adore them, because they truly are golden. There are some emotions that only music can capture, some feelings only well-thought lyrics can convey. So if you really are just struggling with picking the right words, it’s time to confess poetically and musically <3