Editorial TeamFor Valentine’s Day occasion, we asked you, dear Readers, through our social platforms to help us come up with a Valentine Day Playlist… We asked for your favourite love songs, and this is what you have come up with.
God Only Knows, by The Beach Boys
The song was released as the B-Side for Wouldn’t it Be Nice in 1966. God Only Knows is probably one of the most iconic song by the Beach Boys, from the most iconic of their albums: Pet Sounds. The narrator in the lyrics tells how difficult it would be to imagine life without their lover, and that only God would be able to apprehend such situation.
At the time, citing the name of God in the title of a song would be taboo. Tony Asher and Brian Wilson —who co-wrote the song together— were conscious that song could be banned by radio stations. Wilson saw it as an opportunity to shake customs a little bit, even it meant being controversial. To their surprise, only a few radio opted not air the song, in some of the more conservative states of America.
The song lived on to be very successful, and happened to be one of Paul McCartney’s favourite song. He said: “God Only Knows is one of the few songs that reduces me to tears every time I hear it. It’s really just a love song, but it’s brilliantly done. It shows the genius of Brian.”
When I’m Sixty Four, by The Beatles
Did you know that, when Macca wrote that song, he was only 14 ? It is thought to be his second composition ever. The song has been part of the Beatles repertoire since they were still calling themselves the Quarrymen. In the lyrics, a young man is wondering, with his young lover, how it will be growing old together.
Despite being part of the band collection for so long, it was never recorded until the sessions forSgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, in December 1966. George Martin later speculated that Paul thought of recording this song because his father turned 64 earlier that year.
Follow You Follow Me, by Genesis
It’s hard to imagine these days, after multi-platinum selling albums and numerous hit singles with ballads, but there was a time when Genesis deliberately shied away from writing love songs. “Follow You Follow Me” from 1978 was one of their first attempts at such, and its success likely changed the course of the band forever. For better or for worse.
But regardless of the impact it would have, it remains a wonderfully written piece of pop music. The sentimental yet touchingly sweet lyrics, sung by Phil Collins over a simple chord progression and melody, has made it one of the most enduring songs from the early years of the band, and primed them for a future as pop superstars.
Friday I’m In Love, by the Cure
This song is quite unique in The Cure’s repertoire. As Robert Smith puts it: « a throw your hands in the air, let’s get happy kind of record » and « a very naïve, happy type of pop song. ». It is also a happy recording accident. The original song was intended to be recorded in D major, but the released version was a quarter-tone higher. During the mixing sessions, Smith was playing with various-speed function on the multi-track recorder, and forgot to disengage before the final mixing process happened. It resulted in a worldwide hit, as the single reached #6 in the UK and #18 in the USA.
Washington DC, by The Magnetic Fields
For an album containing… well, sixty-nine love songs, 69 Love Songs doesn’t contain that many straightforward love songs. But Washington DC is one of them. Being happy to go to a city because it’s where your lover leaves is a proper love song, right?
Of course, the fact that the song describes Washington DC as “the grand old seat of precious freedom and democracy” is absolutely not a sarcastic jab at the news and should definitely not be interpreted as such.
Undress Me Now, by Morcheeba
Undress Me Now, featured on Morcheeba’s 2002 album Charango. The song stands out with its smooth, hypnotic melody and the seductive vocals of Skye Edwards, which glide effortlessly over the lush instrumentation. The music tone is a perfect match for the sensuality that exudes from the lyrics. The delicate acoustic guitar and soft beats create a warm, intimate mood, making it a standout track for late-night listening. And more with affinity *wink wink*.
Lilac Wine, by Jeff Buckley
Modern music now is filled with lonesome, lovesick and sad young men, but none of them can quite encapsulate the feelings of yearning such as Jeff Buckley could. A cover of Lilac Wine, which was originally written by Elkie Brooks, was on Jeff’s album Grace and was one of 3 covers including Hallelujah and Corpus Christ Carol.
The entirety of Grace depicts Jeff as a hopeless romantic whom is not ruled by lust, but is looking to be swayed and engrossed in someones heart and soul. In some cases he’s too easily swayed which we hear on Lover You Should’ve Come Over.
Lilac Wine’s inclusion on the album means we don’t learn more about Jeff and his shortcomings from his own pen, however his performance of the song which is full of this somber, simple and frank performance that Buckley’s voice leads throughout a majority of the song, helps captures how hurt and desperate he is for his ‘lover’. That he is more than delighted to get drunk on their love which in turn leads to him becoming more and more enthralled and lost in it all. It may only be a cover of the song, but Lilac Wine is a perfect song for Jeff Buckley and his heart-wrenching failures of love.
If I Needed You, by Townes Van Zandt
Like many Townes Van Zandt‘s songs, If I Needed You is full of beautiful and delicate imagery but the fact that he indicates that Loop and Lil, his parakeets, approve of the object of his love is a very nice touch.
First Day Of My Life, by Bright Eyes
Many love songs are about love at first sight, about the first moments of passion. Few songs are about what comes after, about the uncertainty of the future, about whether it’s really gonna work or not. So when Conor Oberst sings “I’d rather be working for a paycheck than waiting to win the lottery”, it may not be the most romantic metaphor, but it’s definitely heartfelt and sincere.
Baby, by She & Him
The duo, consisting of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, is known for their nostalgic, vintage-inspired sound, and Baby fits perfectly within their dreamy, retro aesthetic. The lyrics for this one are not the most original ones. But She & Him are doing such an amazing job at covering this relatively obscure track by singer, songwriter and Phil Spector’s collaborator, Ellie Greenwich. It would have been a shame not to include it.
Harvest Moon, by Neil Young
Neil Young is and will always be one most highly regarded singer and songwriter. His ability to come up with delicate melodies, to accommodate deep and poetic lyrics, is beyond measure. Harvest Moon stands out in an already excellent repertoire, as one his most beautiful love song. The beautiful lyrics celebrate love as it is growing, blossoming, and growing old.
This perfect ballad was released in 1992 as the first single for the album of the same name, and reached #36 in the UK charts.
Dance Me to the End of Love, by Leonard Cohen
This song is a tricky one. Don’t get me wrong, it is an absolute masterpiece by Leonard Cohen. But is it a love song ? According to the singer, the genesis of the song lies in the death camps of Nazi Germany. It refers to string quartet of inmates forced to play as their inmates were being executed and cremated. In a sense, it is definitely about love. A very intense, compassionate love, referring to a time that cruelly lacked some of it.
Released in 1984, the song has been covered by many artists like Madeleine Peyroux, Sting or Bob Dylan. In 2009 it was even considered as “trembling on the brink of becoming a standard.”
Killing Me Softly With His Song, by Roberta Flack
Although most of us will associate this wonderful tune with the Fugees in the late 1990s, the genesis of this song starts with Lori Lieberman in 1971. She was attending a concert by Don McLean. Even though his big hit was American Pie, Lieberman was left mesmerised by his performance of Empty Chairs. She started writing notes on a napkin. After the performance she rang Norman Gimbel to tell him of her experience and read her notes.
Her description reminded him of a title that was already in his notebook: killing us softly with some blues. Gimbel was left on a roll of inspiration, and wrote the lyrics and gave them to his composer Charles Fox. Lori Lieberman recorded the song produced by her two mentors. Unfortunately the song didn’t chart.
Eventually Roberta Flack heard the song, which caught her attention. After getting the music from Fox through Quincy Jones, she started rehearsing the song with her band. It took multiple version until she was happy enough to release it. In 1973, the song spent five non consecutive weeks on top of the charts.
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, by Aretha Franklin
This soulful classic was born in 1967 when Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records approached Carole King and Gerry Goffin, asking for a song that captured the essence of a “natural woman.” Inspired, the duo wrote it that night—King composing the melody and Goffin crafting lyrics about love’s transformative power.
Given to Aretha Franklin, her soulful delivery turned it into an instant classic. Released as a single, it became one of her signature songs, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her gospel-infused vocals elevated it beyond a love ballad, making it an anthem of self-worth and empowerment.
Years later, Carole King recorded her own version for Tapestry (1971), but Franklin’s remains definitive, immortalized by her stunning 2015 Kennedy Center Honors performance that moved King to tears.
