By Carly Renshaw, Third Year Law
Feeling… content
'Glue Song' - beabadoobee
What a cute way to start this list, glue as a metaphor for love? I adore Bea and have loved seeing her evolution as an artist. Although a fair few of her songs are melancholic, this one is purely wholesome. Simple, sweet, and smart.
Feeling… nostalgic
'Here, There And Everywhere' - The Beatles
Maybe your dad played this song when you were a kid. Maybe he didn’t. Let the fab four remind you that love is an emotion felt through the ages, if you are feeling it or not at the moment, humanity has been falling in and out of love forever. The love you feel is never wasted, especially the love you MUST feel for Paul, John, Ringo, and George.
Feeling… in LOVE love
'The Only One' - The Cure.
Okay bro we get it, must be nice. Bet you’re going on a cute date and also getting a nice meal and then doing more couple things and wearing cool clothes and kissing in public and everything. I’m sure it is sweet and lovely and wonderful. Enjoy it (I guess). Although not a Cure fan favourite, Robert Smith’s lyrics to this song are exactly what I want in a relationship (imagine finding your wife at 14 and be obsessed with her still). Not jealous. Promise.
Feeling… yearning
'First Love/Late Spring' - Mitski
Well you’re probably crying yourself to sleep tonight. I hope you don’t. You should probably start listening to happier songs. Don’t worry, Valentines was just made to sell poor quality teddy bears to people, and capitalism sucks anyway. Maybe next year you’ll find someone. Or 2028, or 2029…
Feeling… dramatic
'On the Street Where You Live' - My Fair Lady
God knows why Audrey Hepburn chose Rex Harrison when this doting gent was there. If someone tried to serenade me outside my house in Clifton I think I’d agree to marriage straight away no questions asked. My fellow musical theatre kids, this one’s for you.
Feeling… gay!!
'Butch 4 Butch' - Rio Romeo
‘Gay’ is too encompassing of an emotion to specify one song. But here is one I like: Butch 4 Butch! I hope it brings you back to your 2021 TikTok days. It’s quite on the nose but also quite good.
Feeling… whimsical
'A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off' - The Magnetic Fields
It seemed highly appropriate to choose a song from the ‘69 Love Songs’ album for this list. I picked this one. Have you heard of Mike The Headless Chicken? He was a chicken that survived 18 months without a head, with brain stem intact. I was obsessed when I found out. I think feeling in love aligns with this, lots of your sense leaves you (me at least). Maybe you caught the Magnetic Fields in Bristol Beacon last September and got to hear it live. I didn’t, I was on a date somewhere else. I wish I had gone to see the band rather than go on the date though.
Feeling… lonely
'Girl' - Wunderhorse
Okay this is a love song, just one that highlights the emotion of ‘longing’ rather than ‘contentedness’. Maybe you and your partner are long distance. Maybe you have lost someone you wanted to be with today. Maybe this is a hard day for you. Wunderhorse are here for you.
Feeling… platonic
'You’re My Best Friend' - Queen
Perhaps you’re doing galentines with your bestie; or just want to appreciate your mates. Freddie Mercury has your back. Whack this on a playlist for someone you want to friendzone and hope they get the message.
Feeling… confused
'ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?' - Tyler, the Creator
I get it. Something happened, or maybe it didn’t. Everything feels a bit messy. Hint: you should probably end that situationship with that avoidant you keep Instagram stalking at 2AM, even if they are a baddie.
Feeling… OBSESSED
'My Kind of Woman' - Mac DeMarco
This song is so sweet. When I was in the world’s most mediocre cover band (shoutout Simulation Sunday) we played this song and every time I was hoping the ladies in the crowd would hear me sing it and fall in love with me. Shocker, didn’t happen. Hopefully Mac’s dulcet tones lure whoever you’re obsessed with into your life though. Best for chilling.
Feeling… hopeful
'Love Story' - Taylor Swift
Let’s go literary allusions. I have never attended a Taylor Swift concert, but l lap up those videos where people get proposed to during this song on Instagram reels: ‘He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring / And said / “Marry Me, Juliet, you’ll never have to be alone / I love you, and that’s all I really know”’. How… romantic?
Feeling… daring!
'Don’t Delete The Kisses' - Wolf Alice
DO IT DO IT DO IT. Ask them on a date. You regret the things you didn’t do. This song was in the Heartstopper soundtrack, and I think you deserve to live your YA fantasies at age 21. Let me answer the question posed in the song ‘What if it’s not meant for me? / Love’. Well, you’ll get over it. Best answer the questions that occur in your romantic life then move on if it doesn’t work. Trust.
Feeling… insufferable
'Cemetry Gates' - The Smiths
If Morrissey wasn’t annoying enough, he decides to reference Romantic poets in this song. Compared to many of The Smith’s other offerings, this one is remarkably positive: I count it as a love song. I’d walk around a cemetery on Valentines day (or anything… please, someone, please) - it would give Mary Shelley.
Feeling… happy
'Accidentally In Love' - Counting Crows
You can’t pretend the Shrek soundtracks aren’t goated. Apart from one slightly dodgy line, I think this song is very positive. References to ‘sunlight’, ‘strawberry ice cream’, and ‘love’ - probably optimistic things. A good note to leave the article on. Happy Valentine's Day folks - wishing you blessings and no stressings.
Featured image: UnsplashWhat is your go-to Valentine's song?
