Posted on Tuesday 13th February 2024 at 16:00
We're on the approach to the most romantic day of the year - Valentine's Day! Whether you've got big plans with your significant other, or you're taking it easy at home, nothing says "I love you" like a good old fashioned love song.
So, we're here to provide nothing but the best recommendations in love songs for Valentine's Day 2024. Whether you like pop, rock, indie, or folk, we've got a huge range of tracks that are bound to show your other half you care.
Sit back, relax and hit play on our ultimate Valentine's Day playlist!
Kate Nash's debut single "Birds" is one of her most recognisable songs, and expertly showcases the colloquial storytelling she does so uniquely in her songwriting. "Birds" is a relatable song for those of us who struggle to verbalise our most deep and genuine feelings.
From their sophomore album I-Empire, "Breathe" by Angels & Airwaves is a syrupy sweet ballad of devotion and adoration that shines in its softer verses. The simplicity in its chorus makes for an instantly memorable and deeply affecting love song.
On her debut solo album Petals For Armor, Hayley Williams explored the deepest valleys of her emotions, and from that came one of the greatest love songs in her repertoire. "Crystal Clear" is about diving into the the deep unknown of love and features a sample of a love song written and performed by Williams' grandfather.
Wolf Alice composed a love song in "Don't Delete The Kisses" that captures the beginning of a love story - the anticipation of wondering if the person you love could love you back. It's so well scripted in its lyricism that you could believe it was picked straight out of your own experiences of love and romance.
"Everlong" is one of Foo Fighters' most loved and well known singles, and in a 2006 interview with Kerrang!, Dave Grohl said the song was about "being connected to someone so much, that not only do you love them physically and spiritually, but when you sing along with them you harmonise perfectly." It's truly one of Foo Fighters' greatest tracks.
Perhaps a more alternative love song, "Funny Little Frog" by Scottish indie-pop legends Belle & Sebastian tells the story of the love a man has for an imaginary woman. The lyrics are sincere and heartfelt, painting the perfect vision of a relationship. A shame, then, that the relationship isn't real!
The Beatles were masters of the love song, and there are so many in their catalogue that it's almost impossible to pick the ultimate example. However, "Here, There, and Everywhere" is a love song in its purest form, sharing the notion that everything in life - be it here, there or everywhere - is better with a partner by your side.
Unpretentious love is the theme of Prince's huge hit "I Wanna Be Your Lover", where he asks the subject of his affection to take a chance on him. It's no surprise that this song became Prince's first Top 40 Hit - it's a timeless classic that is heartfelt and upbeat.
The most famous of The Cure's love songs - aptly titled "Lovesong" - this song has been covered by many huge names over the years, including Adele on her 21 album in 2011. Robert Smith's simple yet deeply affecting lyrics are some of the most memorable of all time and was written as an ode to his wife, Mary.
This song by American alt-rockers This Providence is a tale of finding that person who settles you down, and makes you realise that you can be put back together by the person who chooses to love you back. It's a sickly sweet song that's guaranteed to make you smile when you think of the one you love.
In "Nothing But Mine" indie folk artist Billie Marten leaves behind versions of her former self and embraces the person she is now, thanks to the one she loves. This acoustic track is soft and lush - an essential listen on any Valentine's Day playlist.
Saying he wanted to write the "great English mod love song", Paul Weller crafted "Out Of The Sinking" - a song about escaping the pain of the world by embracing one another's love and sticking together throughout. It's a gorgeous song, and a beautiful tribute to your partner in crime.
"Passenger Seat" from Death Cab For Cutie's seminal album Transatlanticism is an understated song comprised of just one verse and a bridge. While it's only got two lines in the outro that imply it's a love song, it's a track written about those small and sometimes insignificant moments of joy and peace that are shared with the person you love - such as driving in a car at night with the window down with your partner.
A cover of a Phil Phillips song from 1959, Cat Power's beautiful rendition of "Sea of Love" is a short but incredibly sweet song that says all it needs to say in as much as two lines: "I want to tell you, how much I love you".
"Sidelines" from Phoebe Bridgers is a slow and beautiful track about all of the things she isn't afraid of, as her new relationship and infatuation has given her the will to engage in life again. This song is so hopeful and romantic, it's a must-play this Valentine's Day.
Alex Turner's first outing as a solo artist was written for the Submarine soundtrack in 2011. What came of this was a gentle and mesmerising collection of lovelorn tracks, destined to be a first dance at any indie-lover's wedding. "Stuck On The Puzzle" is such an affecting song from first listen, and from that first line: "I'm not the kind of fool who's gonna sit and sing to you about stars, girl".
"There Is No Greater Love" comes from Amy Winehouse's debut album Frank. While the entire album is a work of genius that launched Amy's short but illustrious career, this song is a moment of quiet and emotional reflection that really puts her once-in-a-generation vocals front and centre.
boygenius track "True Blue" is a testament to love overcoming pettiness. The lyrics refer to those tiny moments of frustration in relationships that, in the grand scheme of things, don't really matter. It's an accurate representation of real love and relationships that you rarely see in love songs: "You've never done me wrong, except for that one time, that we don't talk about because it doesn't matter anymore".
Stepping away from his mod roots in The Jam to form The Style Council, Paul Weller put aside the aggression and frustration of working class Britain for a softer side filled with love-soaked ballads. "You're The Best Thing" is a classic slow jam that has gone down in history as one of the great love songs.
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