Music can convey the strongest feelings of love. Whether with a significant other or single this valentines, you need some tunes to accompany all the pink and candy and hearts. I have composed a list of my top 10 love songs, but not your everyday “My Silly Valentine” love songs. Listed below are songs I feel have a true emotional effect.

No. 10: Yellow – Coldplay

Favorite Lyrics: “For you I’d bleed myself dry”

To start us off, we have the classic “Yellow” by Coldplay. Imagine someone saying all of these lyrics for you? Telling you they’d bleed themself dry. That is unconditional love. The kind of love I hope to have in the future. 

No. 9: Corduroy Dreams – Rex Orange County

Favorite Lyrics: “And you’re the other half of me; Drink and sleep and laugh with me; Take me from myself”

The non lyrical part of this song is what I really enjoy about it. You can’t help but head bop while humming the entire song. If you really look at the lyrics, the song is kinda sad. Basically, this guy loves this girl with his whole being, she makes him complete. But he is letting her know that if she is displeased with the relationship, he will let her go. It’s basically a whole song about the quote “If you love something let them go. If it comes back, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, then it was never yours.”

No. 8: Our Last Summer –  Mamma Mia Cast

Favorite Lyrics: “But underneath, we had a fear of flying; Of growing old, a fear of slowly dying; We took a chance, like we were dancing our last dance”

I know a lot of you are probably questioning as to why I put Mamma Mia Cast as the artist instead of ABBA. But I grew up watching Mamma Mia. It’s my favorite movie ever, and this version holds a special place in my heart. It gives me a warm summer feeling, like I’m walking on the beach at sunset. The love present in this song is a nostalgic one, and nostalgia is one of my favorite feelings.

No. 7: Slow Dancing in a Burning Room – John Mayer

Favorite Lyrics: “My dear we’re slow dancing in a burning room.”

I love John Mayer. I don’t care if people think he is cliche, or whatever, he makes amazing music. Also this song is actually about a dying love, one that is falling apart, but it’s still love. This song is on my list of songs to dance to at my wedding. Is that the kiss of death? I sure hope not. 

No. 6: Sweet Creature – Harry Styles

Favorite Lyrics: “I know it’s hard, when we argue; were both stubborn I know, but oh”

Styles, like many others, is one of my favorite musicians. Everything he produces has a true meaning in touch with his, as well as your own, emotions. When I picture this song, I see light pink and white abstract shapes. It’s softer compared to the other songs present, more delicate.

No. 5: Turning Page – Sleeping at Last

The ultimate love story: Bella and Edward. I am a major “Twilight” fan. I bought this song on my first iPhone in sixth grade and have loved it ever since. One can’t help but picture the gorgeous wedding of Isabella Swan and Edward Cullen and wish they were Bella. This song makes my heart ache.

No. 4: Clair de Lune – Claude Debussy

Yes, another song from Twilight. I can’t help it. “Twilight” formed my expectations for love, which in hindsight is probably not the best standards of love. It’s crazy how a purely instrumental can be one of your favorite songs. I think it’s because we link music to memories or movies or moments and that’s how we then perceive it. I fall asleep to this song every night. It’s a masterpiece.

No. 3: Sleep On The Floor – The Lumineers

Favorite Lyrics: “If the sun don’t shine on me today; If the subways flood and bridges break”

In general, The Lumineers are just an amazing brand. Of the numerous Lumineers songs I have listened to, I have never heard one I disliked, and “Sleep On The Floor” is no exception. The whole song is basically the singer telling his lover they need to leave the small town they are living in, even with everything working against them, and go live their own lives together. The way the music progresses almost tells a story, as it gets more and more intense as the song progresses.

No. 2: Mystery of Love – Sufjan Stevens

Favorite Lyrics: “Oh, oh woe-oh-woah is me; The first time that you touched me; Oh, will wonders ever cease?; Blessed be the mystery of love”

From the 2017 hit movie “Call Me By Your Name”, we have “Mystery of Love” by Sufjan Stevens. Falling in love during the summer in Italy is just the most beautiful thing I can picture. All of Stevens music is so beautiful, you can tell he puts just as much work in the non-lyrical components as the lyrical ones. This was my top song listened to in 2020 and I honestly have zero regrets about it. The song is the epitome of beauty.

No. 1: Like Real People Do – Hozier 

Favorite Lyric: “I could not ask you, neither could you; honey just put your sweet lips on my lips; we should just kiss like real people do”

At No. 1, we have the song “Like Real People Do” by Hozier. The entire song gives me chills. It makes you want to fall in love. I truly believe this is the best love song ever written. If any human being sang this song to me, I think I would instantly fall in love.

In case you are now super invested in all of these songs, click here for a linked Spotify playlist of all the songs. Happy Valentine’s Day!