Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and can be a very depressing holiday for those of us who may be single. Don’t worry, Jasper Jams is here to help with a playlist featuring songs that reflect on the themes of love lost and love that never was. Find a comfy chair, turn up the speakers and grab a box of tissues, because you are going to need them.
1) “Tired of Being Alone” by Al Green
One of the kings of soul music, Green basically sums it up with his earliest hit – going through life alone can be both exhausting and frustrating. Now might be a good time to open up the seal on that tissue box.
2) “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers
Fans of the late Patrick Swayze will immediately recognize this song from the 1990 movie “Ghost.” The narrator croons to a far-away lover over stirring instrumentals that just ooze sadness. Expect the tears to start falling right around the two minute mark.
3) “Nobody Knows” by Kevin Sharp
Nobody can make a love song like a country singer. Sharp proves that true in this hit from 1997. The heavy sobbing should be starting anytime now.
4) “Missing You” by John Waite
Sure you can lie to yourself like John Waite and say you aren’t missing someone at all, but we all know the truth.
5) “Marvins Room” by Drake
Nothing says, “miss you bae” like a drunken phone call to your ex-lover where you bad-mouth her current flame. Drake both sings and raps (AKA Drake featuring Drake) in this hit off of his album “Take Care.” Fun fact: the song is called “Marvins Room” because Drizzy recorded the album in the same studio where Marvin Gaye once worked.
6) “Lost Without U” by Robin Thicke
Yes, that Robin Thicke. Before Thicke tore up the airways with “Blurred Lines” this past summer, he gave us some classic blue-eyed soul in 2007. An R&B number that features some outstanding acoustic guitar backing, “Lost Without U” talks about how being with the one you love makes everything better. Unfortunately, you just don’t know that feeling.
7) “Sideways” by Citizen Cope
One of the most underappreciated singer-songwriters, Citizen Cope (Clarence Greenwood) is a master at blending all sorts of musical styles. In “Sideways,” he laments how “these feelings won’t go away” whenever a certain someone comes around.
8) “You Don’t Know My Name” by Alicia Keys
In this R&B classic, Keys dreams about starting a relationship with a special person. The only problem: he doesn’t know who she is. Give it a listen and take some notes from the piano-playing songstress so you won’t be alone on Valentine’s Day next year.
9) “This Years Love” by David Gray
Featuring heavy piano chords, this song feels like it belongs in a rom-com soundtrack. Regardless, it is a fantastic piece of music full of emotion and feeling from a great songwriter out of Britain.
10) “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
You know what, you don’t need anybody on Valentine’s Day. It’s just a commercial creation designed to sell greeting cards and candy. Flowers only last a few days and jewelry just gets lost or broken. Ah, who are we kidding, pass another box of tissues and a carton of ice cream.