Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is here, and what better way to get you in the mood than a befitting playlist?
Fancy someone? Just had your heart broken? Practising some self-love? This eclectic mix will get you in the Valentine’s Day spirit or soothe your Feb 14th blues. Make a CD for your significant other or, if you’re feeling lazy, send them a link to this.
The Supremes – ‘Baby Love’: No-one is more suited to sound-tracking your V-day blues than these ladies. Utterly beautiful and utterly heart-breaking.
Prince – ‘Raspberry Beret’: In the wise words of the Internet, “Prince will steal your girl, then steal her clothes, then steal someone else’s girl in your girls’ clothes”. ‘Raspberry Beret’ is a great archetype of the pop genius’ perfectly-honed balance of romance and lust.
The O’Jays – ‘Love Train’: Fittingly brought back to my attention through someone’s Tinder bio, this track is essential for any Valentine’s playlist: it is both fun and heartfelt, appropriate for whatever your plans are this Wednesday.
Air – ‘Playground Love’: As part of their score for Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides, Air recreate the sweetness, elation and accompanying butterflies of your high school crushin’.
Beach Boys – ‘Don’t Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)’: Brian Wilson will reduce you to tears with his impassioned laments and desperate longing. Possibly one of the best and most emotional Beach Boys songs.
TLC- ‘Diggin’ On You’: One of the more underrated tracks from the coolest girl gang of the ‘90s. ‘Diggin’ On You’ sees the trio as effortlessly cool and sexy as ever.
Daft Punk – ‘Something About Us’: A funky yet melancholy love song from your favourite French electronic duo.
Karen O – Rapt: As part of Karen O’s aptly titled debut solo album Crush Songs, ‘Rapt’ is a deeply personal and moving exploration of infatuation and all that comes with it.
The Wannadies – ‘You and Me Song’: Though this sounds like something your tweenage self would have once cried over, this track is unashamedly sweet and rich in nostalgia. ‘You and Me Song’ is also featured in Romeo and Juliet, in case you weren’t already convinced.
Donna Summer – ‘I Feel Love’: Arguably the best song ever. Blast the 12” version for 8 minutes of dreamy and sensual disco.
Photo credit: Hollywood photo archive
Safi Bugel