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In honor of Valentine’s Day, this 14-track playlist encapsulates the love and affection — or the absence thereof— that will certainly be in the air. Ranging from much-hated country to beloved soul, there is bound to be a track here to play on repeat and fill the quiet, hollow void you call your love life.
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“Best I Ever Had” by Drake
No Valentine's Day playlist would be complete without a song from the artist who inspired the word “draking,” defined by Urban Dictionary as “when someone is behaving emotionally.” The track is upbeat — don’t want you crying just yet — and speaks to Drake’s thankfulness for a certain, special lady in his life.
“Falling in Love” by Sam Cooke
It’s time to turn on a love ballad by one of the most important soul singers of all time. Cooke’s raw voice cuts straight to the heart as he bemoans the lack of reciprocated feelings and effort from his love interest. Tell me about it, Sammie.
“Someone To Spend Time With” by Los Retros
This lovely song from the indie-soul band Los Retros, with mellow instrumentals and warm vocals, melts the listener into a lonesome puddle of contemplation. The track quickly makes it clear that FOMO in love is a real, common struggle.
“One Last Time” by Summer Salt
“Oh, alone, alone again on Valentine.” How did you know, Summer Salt? The old-timey swing and soothing “ooh”s do their best to soften the blow of another year alone. Alone again on Valentine’s, indeed.
“Best Friend” by Rex Orange County
A bop. If you’re looking for a high energy song that still speaks to the complexities and conflicts that can occur within a friendship sprouting into something more, then this just might be the song for you.
“STUCK ON U” by Michelle
A bittersweet tune with a slightly funky bass line and an array of chorus-like instruments rotating in and out of the sonic space. Definitely passes the vibe check.
“Over The Moon” by The Marías
The faint synth that solidifies as the bass and drums kick in is simply heavenly. Pair with an angelic voice that caresses your eardrums and this song radiates utter blissfulness on such an emotionally charged day.
“Ugotme” by Omar Apollo
The kick. The fuzzy purr of the bass. The harmony. The licks. The current king of Latin R&B gifts us with a beautiful song recounting the singer’s attempts to come to terms with the end of his love for his significant other.
“I Love You So” by The Walters
The Walters waltz right into your feelings with this heart-wrenching song that touches on the struggle of getting away from the grasp of a toxic relationship.
“Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton
A country classic — I promise it is not as horrendous as you might be assuming. Chris comes in hot with the pipes, doing runs that cause goosebumps. So at least you’ll have something in (or on) your arms for Valentine’s Day. While this is a sweet song, the lyrics suggest that the singer is switching out his alcohol habit for an addiction to his lady — drunk off the love and not the liquor.
“What a Difference a Day Makes” by Sarah Vaughan
Let’s get a bit of jazz into the mix. Imagine asking your crush out for Valentine’s. Now let’s be optimistic and say it went swell. As you walk back to your dorm at the end of the wonderful night, you pop in your earbuds, listen to this song, and do a little hop or skip as you realize what a difference a day can truly make.
“Velvet Light” by Jakob Ogawa
If Daniel Caesar had a bedroom-pop baby, it would be Ogawa. This is one of the few songs in the playlist that can be played as you snuggle up with your loved one for the night. The steady, thumping, squirmy bass gives it a funk-R&B groove you can feel in your bones.
“My Kind of Woman” by Mac DeMarco
An antsy, lovesick anthem from the Prince of Indie Rock. For best results, listen while either driving down the lonely interstate on a gloomy night or in the pitch black of your dorm room. In conclusion, sad boi hours.
"You Say I’m in Love” by Bane’s World
A real groovy one. A perfect blend of instrumentals and vocals, it hits the sweet spot to create a mushy, wavy state of listening. The ethereality of the song contradicts the somber lyrics, but it’s still a vibe.
—Staff writer Brian Medrano can be reached at brian.medrano@thecrimson.com.
