By: Keira Deer
Turn up the volume, it’s time for Valentine’s Day!
It’s been called the fake holiday, tailored towards businesses in order for them to sell and make money. As much as we see the colors red and pink, that all seeing eye in the sky of the entrepreneurship sees green.
But it isn’t just the merchandising business making a racket during the month of February — there’s no better way to set the Valentine’s Day mood than with music, and love songs are the music industry at it’s finest. Whether you’re celebrating alone or with that special someone, there’s music for any and every occasion.
If you’re looking for music from the 2000s, consider songs like “Budapest” by George Ezra, “Better Together” by Jack Johnson, “Georgia” by Vance Joy, “Stubborn Love” by the Lumineers, or “Yellow” by Coldplay. Falling under the folk rock/alternative rock category, each song is unique, upbeat, and perfect for the month of love.
Other songs for those up-to-date in today’s music industry are “thank u, next” by Ariana Grande and Post Malone’s “Sunflower,” which was featured in the recent movie Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Sophomore Jessie Smith recommends “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz and “Stereo Hearts” from Adam Levine and Gym Class Heroes. “Stereo Hearts reminds me of when I was younger,” she says, explaining that “it brings up a lot of childhood memories that are often pleasant because it’s so upbeat.” As for “I’m Yours,” Smith believes that it’s “a bit more sophisticated than the poppy tune of Stereo Hearts” and is “more sweet and fulfilling.”
On a different note, older songs like “Love of My Life” by Queen, George Harrison’s “I’d Have You Anytime,” and “Silly Love Songs” by Paul McCartney and the Wings will take you back in time to the 70s and 80s. Other classics include “Beginnings” by Chicago, “Handle With Care” by the Traveling Wilburys, and of course, Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Catlinh Phan, also a sophomore, suggests the 1967 Beatles classic “All You Need is Love” and Elton John’s “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” Not only are these songs timeless, but also from some of the music industry’s best and most impactful singer-songwriters.
Even if you’re celebrating alone this Valentine’s Day, whether you’re single or missing a certain someone, there are still songs for the situation. For singles, there’s Beyonce’s iconic “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” and “Dancing with Myself” by Billy Idol. In the case of broken heartstrings, listening to “Telephone Line” by ELO, “Yesterday” by the Beatles, or Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” might calm an aching heart.
Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, Palentine’s Day — call it what you will, but no matter how you celebrate February 14, the music will always be there with you.
