In honor of Valentine's Day, WSUM's Music Journalism Club has prepared a list of their favorite love songs for you!
The Love Unlimited Orchestra, “Love's Theme”
GENRE: Disco, soul, funk
RIYL: Earth, Wind & Fire, The Isley Brothers, The O'Jays
STANDOUT MOMENT: The sustained high string note that lasts for eight measures halfway through the song.
One of the only instrumental pieces to ever grace the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, “Love's Theme” is one of my favorite love songs of all time. Arranged and conducted by Barry White, this 1973 track contains incredibly lush arrangements that highlight the incredible session work of nearly 40 different performers. Perhaps the most profound effect that “Love's Theme” had on music was its compositional style. It was one of the first disco-like tracks to obtain extreme commercial success, with a driving four-on-the-floor drum pattern, funky guitar riffs and decadent strings and horns. Sadly, many of the credits for the wonderful session musicians that worked on “Love's Theme” are lost to time- debates rage online to this day about who could have been responsible for the incredible rhythm and soul of the track. One of the most beautiful things about music is our ability to make meaning from it. Despite the song's lack of lyrics, “Love's Theme” undoubtedly means something. Romance.
— Quentin Holle
Talking Heads, “This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)”
GENRE: New wave
RIYL: Childlike wonder, David Byrne, David Bowie
STANDOUT MOMENT: “I come home, she lifted up her wings; I guess that this must be the place”
The best one, ever. No other song has so perfectly captured the feeling of love as a whole. Listening to this song gets me giddy with excitement; I am in love with the world, and this song.
— Cole Smith
The Velvet Underground, “I'll Be Your Mirror”
GENRE: Indie Rock, Avant Garde
RIYL: The Beatles, Margo Guyran, Vashti Bunyan
STANDOUT MOMENT:
“I'll be your mirror.” It's a lovely message that you want to make someone you love see themself how you see them, the best parts of themself. It's sweet and melodic and beautifully written. There's a live version of this from Max's Kansas City where Doug Yule and Lou Reed sing it instead of Nico which is great because there's no Nico.
— Evie Erickson
Mac DeMarco, “My Kind of Woman”
GENRE: Jangle Pop, Psych Pop, Indie Rock
RIYL: Steve Lacy, Eyedress, Alex G
STANDOUT MOMENT:
“That's alright with me, it's really no fuss, as long as you're next to me, just the two of us”
Whenever I think of a love song, this is always the first one that comes to mind for me. It's so simple, but I think that simplicity makes it so beautiful. The tone of his voice seems so sincere as well, almost as if he's writing a letter to the woman he is in love with. He sees her as a reflection of him, whose simple presence drives him mad with love. I love the guitar tones as well, it really has that signature Mac DeMarco sound of the early 2010s and it's my go to love song. .
— Matt Gatland
Outkast, “Happy ValentinesDay”
GENRE: Hip-Hop,
RIYL: Goodie Mob, Ice Cube,
STANDOUT MOMENT: “Now when arrows don't penetrate, see cupid grabs the pistol”
Nothing is more pro-valentines day than this song, through this classic, Outkast has made itself inseparable from February the 14th. This valentines anthem attempts to warm all of the hearts that have grown cold. Big Boi and Andre 3000 take you on a lyrical journey as they tell the all relatable tale of attempting to get a valentines date but ultimately failing. Bashing the easter bunny, groundhogs, and the easter bunny all to get the attention of this unattainable girl. The song closes as the rejection turns their love into hatred, “Happy Valentines Day” turns to “F**k that Valentines day”.
— Camille Bush
Labi Siffre, “Bless the Telephone”
GENRE: indie folk
RIYL: Adam Melchor, Peter McPoland, Paul McCartney
STANDOUT MOMENT:
“It's nice, the way you say my name, not very fast or slow, just soft and low. The same as when you tell me how you feel, I feel the same way too, I'm very much in love with you.”
This is a love song that can be interpreted in any way the listener wants, similar to love itself. Whether listening to these lyrics brings thoughts of a family member, friend, significant other, or even yourself, there are feelings cultivated in this song that are not only about being in love or feeling love for someone else, but feeling loved yourself and wanting to share those feelings. Siffre expresses the simultaneous hopelessness and bliss that come with love and come with being human so beautifully. Even when I'm not feeling love, the mellow guitar, Siffre's beautiful soft voice, and the general calming vibe is timeless and truly wonderful.
— Addie Fielding
The Cure, “Just Like Heaven”
GENRE: Indie Rock, Post-Punk, Goth Rock
RIYL: The Smiths, Joy Division, New Order
STANDOUT MOMENT: “Strange as angels, dancing in the deepest oceans, twisting in the water, you're just like a dream, you're just like a dream.”
With its simple, yet effective melodies, brilliant writing, and lush soundscapes, The Cure succeed in writing another beautifully hypnotic and emotionally charged hit single. “Just Like Heaven” balances its nods to 60's “doo-wop” love songs with contemporary rock arrangement and instrumentation. In a market saturated by overly produced love songs, The Cure somehow succeeds in writing a perfectly simple love song.
— Jonah Lavin
Taylor Swift, “Lover”
GENRE: Pop
RIYL: Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo, Laufey
STANDOUT MOMENT: “Have I known you 20 seconds or 20 years?”
On the title track of her seventh album, Taylor Swift masterfully crafts a whimsical and warm love song for all ages. The love for her, in lack of better terms, lover is apparent with the plethora of metaphors and cute little quips. This song is perfect for two lovebirds dancing around their living room with their christmas lights still up.
– Jordon Stangland
