- “Valentine” by Laufey
- “This Song” by Conan Gray
- “2 Hold U” by Clairo
- “Kingston” by Faye Webster
- “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls
- “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
- “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” by Frankie Valli
- “Something Stupid” by Frank Sinatra
- “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes
- “Dream Lover” by Bobby Darin
From Mesopotamian ballads to modern pop beats, music has always existed as a form of expression and connection between people. And there is no better time to use this to your advantage than Valentine’s Day: singing valentines, a serenade or a simple playlist will do the trick.
The playlist begins with more recent hits; most of these first artists have only been around for under a decade, but have already influenced the music industry with their unique sounds and relatable lyrics. “Lyrically, it’s very emotional and honestly realistic. Sometimes you get hit by life and like, ‘I blinked and suddenly I have a Valentine’, you know?” sophomore Elliot Stein said, quoting the song. “Valentine” recounts the sudden and confusing realization of first love along with the fear of losing it. The acoustic guitar mixed with Laufey’s velvety alto evokes the whimsical anxiousness of a person falling in love for the first time.
“This Song” reflects the unspoken feelings of the artist regarding a friend and the hope that they feel the same. It is a dedication to nostalgia and longing, with detailed lyrics and a cinematic sound. “This song is pretty much the only happy song in the album, but it is all about love. The whole premise is that the song is written for the person Conan Gray love[d],” sophomore Rey Landoll said.
The next songs provide a throwback to the 90’s; “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls is an essential, written for the romance film, “City of Angels” (1998). “It’s really passionate and the guitar is beautiful; I love the solo and I think that sort of love being expressed is very powerful,” sophomore Koko Kudashov said.
One year later, another iconic film song would emerge from the cult classic “10 Things I Hate About You”–“Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You.” While “10 Things I Hate About You” features a star-studded soundtrack ranging from Joan Jett to Frankie Valli, one of its most iconic moments is centered around Valli’s music. In it, the male lead serenades the female lead with “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” a pivotal transformation in the movie from pretend to genuine feelings. “It shows the sacrifices people make to make other people happy even though it may not be obvious to us. The part where he sang to her was also really cute,” freshman Bezza Haile said.
Similarly, “The Bodyguard” movie features one of the most iconic song and movie duos of all time. Whitney Houston’s hit “I Will Always Love You” is symbolic of the forbidden romance between two characters: a pop star and her bodyguard. Due to their inevitable separation, the female lead performs this song as a tribute to their ever-lasting love.
Rounding out the playlist are two old love songs sung by crooners Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin. Their storytelling lyrics and big band rhythms are easily recognizable and nostalgic for many. This elegant atmosphere ends the playlist on a timelessly romantic note.
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