Valentine’s Day Playlist

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Jeanette D'Addabbo, Editor

This Valentine’s Day, AVRadio presents a playlist full of your favorite love songs, from the all-time classics to new hits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

we fell in love in october by girl in red

This song, sung by a lesbian artist, follows a young woman singing about admiring her crush and a classic among the LGBTQ+ community, it has since become a stable of sapphic love.

 

 

 

 

Better Together by Jack Johnson

A mellow guitar sets the perfect background for the sweet lyrics of this song that American singer-songwriter Jack Johnson wrote for his wife in 2005, describing how even though life, and even their relationship can be tough at times, being with her always makes things better.

 

I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers

The song, released in 1988, reached fame as the theme song of the 1993 romantic comedy Benny & Joon. In it, Craig and Charlie Reid express their devotion to the girl they love. The song has since then appeared in Sunshine on Leith, The Bachelorette, How I Met Your Mother and Doctor Who.

 

Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars

In this sweet song, Mars sings of not wanting his girlfriend to change for him or anyone else – he loves her just the way she is. It’s been a Valentine’s day staple since the year it was released in 2010. “Just the Way You Are” was his debut solo single, and his ticket to fame for the rest of his career.

 

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel’s made a fantastic duo in their first collaboration, describing a relationship where a couple can always count on each other to be there, and won’t let anything get in their way to do so. While their original recording is a Motown classic, Diana Ross’s later cover also rose to fame, becoming her first solo number 1 hit on Billboard’s top 100.

 

I Won’t Say (I’m in Love) from the Hercules Original Soundtrack

From the 1997 Disney animated film Hercules, this song was sung by the character Megara (voiced by Susan Ega). Megara is in denial about her growing love for Hercules and tries to remind herself why it’s a bad idea to fall in love with him, but the Muses attempt to convince her to confess her feelings. While “I Won’t Say (I’m in Love)” isn’t Disney’s most popular song, it has certainly developed a reputation as one of the studio’s most underappreciated.

 

Can you Feel the Love Tonight by Elton John

As Simba and Nala unite after years apart in the Disney movie The Lion King, Elton John’s rich vocals and signature piano sets the scene as they, for a moment, forget about their worries and fall back in love. This beautiful track also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

 

A Whole New World by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga

One of the most popular songs from the Disney movie Aladdin, A Whole New World follows Aladdin and Princess Jasmine into the streets of Agrabah and through the sky as he shows her what life outside her castle is like. As they reach for clouds and fly above the Sphinx, they harmonize and sing of freedom. The end title of the live-action remake was sung by Zayn and Zhavia Ward.

 

Love Story by Taylor Swift

A classic “love story,” this song pays homage to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Swift sings of meddling parents and star-crossed lovers finding each other no matter what anyone forces them to do. With over 18 million copies sold worldwide, it’s regarded as one of the best-selling singles of all time. Swift has been preparing to release re-recordings of all of her albums up to Reputation, and Love Story’s re-recording was released just in time for this Valentine’s Day, on February 12.

 

Perfect duet – Ed Sheeran and Beyonce

Perfect duet is a second version of the single “Perfect” released by Ed Sheeran and is the first released duet between him and Beyonce. The soft acoustic track also features choir backing vocals behind the romantic imagery of dancing barefoot in the grass and finding “perfect” love.

 

Sofia by Clairo

Another song sung by sapphic artist Clairo, Sofia was sung and produced to mimic what it feels like to be in love with a woman for the first time. Clairo doesn’t want to say goodbye to Sofia, and believes that no matter what happens, they “can do it if they try.” In a Facebook post, she explained that the song was inspired by her first crush on older women in the media.

 

Electric Love by Børns

Sung by Garrett Borns, this song gained popularity after going viral on Tik Tok as teens posted videos of them confessing their love. The song’s building pre-chorus and unique imagery of “lightning in a bottle” are sure to give you chills.

 

Absolutely Smitten by Dodie Clark

This song was first uploaded to dodie’s YouTube channel in 2013 before she released it on her Intertwined EP in 2016. Her classic ukulele sets the background for this bright song that celebrates the joyful experience of a new crush.

 

Can’t Help Falling in Love with You by Haley Reinhart

The original performed by Elvis Presley, this sweet cover by Haley Reinhart encapsulates the feeling of blinding love with gentle piano and crooning vocals. This rendition was used in a commercial for Extra Gum and subsequently catapulted Reinhart into fame. 

 

La Vie En Rose by Edith Piaf

We close this playlist with a classic love song by the French singer Edith Piaf. The title translates to essentially mean seeing love with rose-tinted glasses, and the lyrics certainly concur. Translated into innumerable languages, with seven versions of it reaching the Billboard charts, it’s a testament to the power of love to blind us all.