If you are looking for some songs to add to your playlist for Valentine’s Day, look no further. Here are the 14 best songs to listen to this Cupid’s day.
- “Margaret” (feat. Bleachers) by Lana Del Rey
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The ultimate love song. A song of beautiful prose, written and collaborated by Lana Del Rey and Jack Antonoff in honor of his wife, Margaret Qualley. I felt it was only right to start with this song.
This song, off of Lana Del Rey’s ninth studio album, “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd,” captures the essence of what it means to know you are completely, indefinitely falling in love.
- “I Only Have Eyes for You” by The Flamingos
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Next, I have chosen a personal favorite that I discovered through Emily Henry’s novel, “People We Meet on Vacation.” Recorded in 1959, “I Only Have Eyes for You” is exactly what the name says it’s about, only having eyes for that one person you love or are enthralled by. A doo-wop melody and a slow dance are all you need this Valentine’s Day.
- “Daylight” by Taylor Swift
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It wouldn’t be right to not include Taylor Swift in my list of love songs. So naturally, I chose “Daylight,” which comes straight from her seventh studio album “Lover.” This song reveals how different, and truly how much better, love is once you’ve found the one.
If you’re feeling crazy, I recommend adding “Daylight” – Live from Paris to your playlist. Perfect song for a ‘golden’ Valentine’s day!
- “Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls
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From a song written for the 1998 film “City of Angels,” “Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls ended up being a sensation. The song captures how it feels to love someone so much you’d be willing to give the world up for them. I think it’s only fair to say that this song was an immediate add to my Valentine’s mixtape.
- “When We Were Young” by Adele
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An icon and a half, Adele’s “When We Were Young” describes the feeling of nostalgia about life when we were younger, falling in love, falling out of love and gaining new experiences. While it’s not directly a love song, it’s definitely a bittersweet tune that feels like staring at an old photograph that’s filled with love.
- “My Love, My Life” by ABBA
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From the Swedish pop band ABBA, “My Love, My Life” is definitely another one of those nostalgia-filled songs. The band represented that feeling of loving someone or something so much, you’d be willing to let it go. Although poignant, the song is a beautiful reminder of what you’d do for the ones you love, and a smash hit on my playlists.
For another option, you could even opt for the version recorded for “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” featuring the serenading vocals of Amanda Seyfried, Lily James and Meryl Streep.
- “Man I Need” by Olivia Dean
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It wouldn’t be a song recommendation list if Olivia Dean weren’t on it. Another TikTok sensation from her album, “The Art of Loving,” “Man I Need” is an exact product of the album title. This song describes feelings of lust and is honestly perfect for some bold energy this Valentine’s.
Olivia Dean doesn’t drag things out — she cuts to the chase in this song, and I think we could all use some of that undaunted expression in our lives. This song is exactly like dancing around your room with your hairbrush microphone in hand and was an immediate addition to my playlists. A great song perhaps for the girlies in a situationship!
- “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure
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“Just Like Heaven” is a dizzying song of how it feels to be in love. “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure expresses bold love that feels like a dream. This song might just be the epitome of Valentine’s Day, as it was written for Robert Smith’s then-girlfriend, turned wife, Mary Poole.
- “A World Alone” by Lorde
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What love is better than friendship love? Lorde fully conveys what it feels like to have a best friend in this world. Despite all the two-faced, surface-level friendships in this world, “A World Alone” is all about having that one friend who will love you regardless of anything, with zero judgment.
I think it’s important to remember that Galentine’s is just as important as Valentine’s. This song reminds me of how much I truly cherish my bestie (you know who you are).
- “Linger” by The Cranberries
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You think I would make a list of love songs and wouldn’t add “Linger?” This is the ultimate song for yearners. While it recently went viral on TikTok, this song has been loved since it was released in the 90s.
It’s not a typical love song, in fact it’s probably more of a heartbreak song. But, not everyone is in love this Valentine’s Day, so it’s a must to have variety.
- “hate to be lame” (feat. FINNEAS) by Lizzy McAlpine
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A shameless plug for my favorite artist, Lizzy McAlpine. “hate to be lame” describes the uneasiness and apprehension of being in love, the wanting to deny it despite every sign pointing towards those three terrifying words. An amazing collab between FINNEAS and Lizzy McAlpine is all we need this Feb. 14.
- “Francesca” by Hozier
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This song is one of those that I blast in my ears; even better, it’s a song that would save me from Vecna. “Francesca” by Hozier is a twist on the tragic story of Francesca da Rimini, who was killed by her husband after falling in love with his younger brother. It encapsulates loving someone so much that you would endure the challenges that come with love again and again.
It’s the ultimate song of commitment, and isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is about? Your commitment to love.
- “XO” by Beyoncé
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Queen Bey does it again and again. “XO,” written about Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s relationship, is about loving someone even in the dark — loving someone where dark can be light.
The song reminds us of the dedication and reliability that should come from a relationship.
- “Somethin’ Stupid” by Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra
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Saved specially for last, “Somethin’ Stupid” by Frank Sinatra and his daughter Nancy Sinatra has to be one of the most precious father-daughter duets to exist. They sing about ruining a moment by saying “I love you,” as if maybe it should be left unspoken. I think it speaks the unpredictability of a moment and not wanting to change anything.
Isn’t that how we grow? Isn’t it better to “ruin a moment” for the chance of something more? Simply a perfect way to wrap up my Valentine’s mixtape.
I hope you enjoyed this Valentine’s playlist!