By Barbara Vasquez, Asst. Production Editor

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it seems like everyone has been craving some good old love songs. Well fear not, because this playlist has been perfectly curated for just this reason! This compilation of songs has a range of love songs that everyone and their mothers have heard of, to ones that may be new to you. Either way, this playlist will get you in the mood for spending Valentine’s Day any way you please.

Africa – Toto

This song is a certified CLASSIC. For a while, I thought this song was overplayed and even a little cringey, but listening to this song without any preconceived notions of it has made me see it in a different light–it’s a sweet love song about devoting oneself completely to something; whether that be another person or the continent of Africa. It’s up to you.

Favorite lyrics: The wild dogs cry out in the night / As they grow restless longing for some solitary company.

Space Age Love Song – A Flock of Seagulls

This is just a perfect song in my eyes. It has a repetitive drum beat and some silly ray-gun adjacent sound effects that give it that signature 80’s pop song feel. The lyrics are repetitive and sweet and always put me in a good mood.

Favorite lyrics: And you made me smile / For a little while / I was falling in love

Drive- The Cars

This song is a bit melancholy, but the beginning of this track always kind of reminds me of the scene in a rom-com when the love interests lock eyes for the first time. I don’t exactly know why, but I think that has definitely contributed to my obsession with it. This song is just amazing, and though the meaning is a bit sad, I like to look more on the bright side and think of it as telling the story of two people loving and trusting each other so much that they can go to them during all the lows in their lives. 

Favorite lyrics: Who’s gonna hold you down when you shake? / Who’s gonna come around when you break?

Wonderwall – Oasis

While this song is not a true love song, I just had to include it because none of my playlists are truly ever complete without Wonderwall. It’s one of my favorite songs of all time, and some of the lyrics are so sincere I feel like it fits right in with the other love songs on here. If you listen to Wonderwall and aren’t filled with some sort of indescribable emotion, we cannot be friends.

Favorite lyrics: I don’t believe that anybody / Feels the way I do about you now.

Harvest Moon – Neil Young

A bit of a softer song, Harvest Moon never fails to tug at my heartstrings. It’s such a sweet song that tells a story of a love that has lasted through the ages. Neil Young’s voice accompanied with the sweet instrumental just does it for me every time.

Favorite lyrics: When we were strangers I watched you from afar. / When we were lovers I loved you with all my heart.

Forever – The Beach Boys

Another sweet, sweet song about loving someone so much you would do anything for them. The Beach Boys keep their signature sound while still slowing it down a bit to make the song just a bit more emotional. This song is beautiful and really encapsulates the perfect love they talk about in the movies.

Favorite lyrics: If every word I said / Could make you laugh / I’d talk forever.

17 – Pink Sweat$

Sticking with the slower song theme I seem to have going on, 17 has a slight R&B vibe to it that just makes this song that much better to listen to. This track tells the story of young love, and how the right person can have the same effect on you even years into your relationship. Pink Sweat$ breathy vocals really sell the story for me, and I find myself always restarting this song once it reaches the end. 

Favorite lyrics: I can see a thousand years / When I’m looking in your eyes.

Lover – Taylor Swift

A love song compilation would not be complete without the love song icon herself, Taylor Swift. As someone who’s not too well versed with her songs, Lover just drew me in immediately the first time I heard it. It’s a beautiful song, and its lovely lyrics make it the perfect song to listen to for Valentine’s Day.

Favorite lyrics: And at every table / I’ll save you a seat, lover.