It’s the season for love. With Valentine’s Day on the brain, it’s time to show your crush, partner, or long term boo how you feel. You’ve bought the chocolate in shiny, red, heart shaped plastic. You’ve signed the mushy, pink, and poetic card. You’ve got a fistful of roses, combed hair, and dinner reservations at six. But you’re still missing one thing. It’s time to set the mood. And the best dates come with a soundtrack. Here are some of the ultimate romantic songs to throw on your date night mix-tape.
Start with something classic. Nothing stops a girl’s heart like the crooning of The Beatles. “Something”, written by George Harrison and released in 1969, this is the perfect tune to tell your lady she’s as classy as they get. Will your love grow? I don’t know. But I do know this song swoons.
Another classic is Alison Krauss’ comforting, country tones in her adaption of “When You Say Nothing At All.” Originally written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz, it’s a song that says “maybe sometimes you talk too much, but I love you anyways.” Gentle and exceedingly romantic, Krauss sings of loyalty, trust, and connection. Guaranteed to bring out a tear or two, this is the song for slow dancing and kissing under the stars.
If you want something a little more upbeat and carefree, play Modern English’s “I Melt With You,” released in 1982. Uplifting and cheerful, this song tells your interest you would stop the world for them, and you don’t mind a little shimmying. Another more upbeat option is Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s duet, “Ain’t no Mountain High Enough”, which was released in 1967. Perfect for the couple who has each other’s backs, this piece is for couples ready to get through any obstacle.
Maybe you’re in it for the long term. Maybe you’ve been through a lot together. In that case, the perfect song to relate your love story is Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time”. The song was released in 1983 in the album, She’s So Unusual. Part drama, part triumph, this song lets your love know you’ll be there for them, time after time. It’s the perfect song for interpretive dancing, holding hands while spinning in circles, or blaring in the car on the way to dinner.
If you’re feeling a little more casual, or maybe you’re looking for something a little more modern, plenty of today’s artists are singing about love and romance. In fact, it’s hard to turn on the radio without running into something catchy, fleeting, and on the topic of love. Rolling Stone Magazine included both Justin Timberlake’s “Mirrors” and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” in their Top 10 songs of 2013. Of course, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Macklemore, Drake, Bruno Mars, and many more popular artists have something to sing about when it comes to love, all worth a go on this special night.
For all the ladies who enjoy sad romantic movies and songs that make you absolutely bawl your eyes out, there is a selection for you. Lana Del Rey’s “Video Games” is nostalgic and dark, perfect background music for when you’re huddled in an easy chair with an oversized sweatshirt and mascara stains on your cheeks because you just aren’t over him yet. Adele’s “One and Only” is a great song for staring out windows while it’s raining, getting tear stains on that picture of your ex, and screaming in the shower when no one is around. Of course, that’s just one of Adele’s many tear jerking songs to pick from.
When it comes to romance, it’s all about setting the mood with music. So take a minute to put together a playlist for your loved one, or go a little retro and burn a mixed CD. Tonight’s the night to eat chocolate and appreciate each other. Turn on the jams and get your Valentine’s on….