Top 15 Songs for
Valentine’s Day
People, it is time to prepare for the mother of all
non-holidays that is St. Valentine’s Day! Although some people may wish to
splash out on more lavish gifts, compiling a mixtape was once the ideal
romantic gesture. So, if you’re stuck for ideas, look no further and thank me
later!
‘Here, There and
Everywhere’ – The Beatles
Saying picking a Beatles’ number was rather difficult would
be a huge understatemen t. ‘8 Days a Week’ and ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ were also in
contention, but I finally decided on a more understated McCartney classic. Less
frantic and more melodic than its predecessors, ‘Here, There and Everywhere’
shows that even though the Beatles were maturing on Revolver, they were still able to get a bit schmaltzy when the mood
struck them. Also, if you listen closely
enough, you’ll be able to hear the song being played on steel drums when Phoebe
gets married in Friends. Just saying.
‘I Second That
Emotion’ – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Too often Smokey Robinson is overlooked as one of the great
voices of Motown. Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye may have outdone the Miracles
in terms of commercial success and legend, but it is undeniable that during the
mid-60s the Miracles were at the forefront of the Motown movement and Smokey
Robinson was, and still is, its quintessential voice. The best way to describe
their 1967 effort is pure ear candy; a treat for you and someone special.
‘It’s Not Unusual’
– Tom Jones
Arguably the most powerful voice in pop music, Wales’s favourite
son Tom Jones is sometimes mocked and derided for many reasons (appearing on The Voice didn’t really help), and
although his hair has whitened and his skin is now the same shade of brown as
an American football, ‘It’s Not Unusual’ and the voice that sung it are still
going strong over 40 years later. Tidy!
‘Growing On Me’ –
The Darkness
‘I Believe In a Thing
Called Love’ is clearly the more obvious choice from glam rock throwback the
Darkness, but ‘Growing On Me’ is another example of what the Darkness stand
for: love combined with heavy riffs, falsetto vocals and extremely revealing
leotards.
‘Pulling Teeth’ –
Green Day
Ok, admittedly the title doesn’t make you think of
chocolates and roses, but I guess Green Day’s metaphor for what love feels like
is rather apt. Still, Billie Joe Armstrong is a right softy at heart and
snot-nosed teenage angst has never sounded sweeter.
‘Can’t Get Enough
of Your Love, Babe’ – Barry White
There’s a reason his admirers call him ‘The Walrus of Love’.
At his peak, it is estimated that Barry White was a 295 pound love machine with
a voice like a purring lion. With possibly the greatest monologue-intro to any
song ever, this soul classic IS romance.
‘A Woman In Love’
– Jean Simmons and Marlon Brando
Although ‘A Woman In Love’ was only written for the film
adaption of the Broadway musical Guys and
Dolls, it’s still able to stand up next to the classics such as ‘Luck Be A
Lady’ and ‘Sue Me’. Although Marlon Brando’s vocal ability may be in question,
the chemistry between him and Simmons is never in doubt and makes for one of
the film’s most touching scenes.
‘Lyla’ – Oasis
A stadium banger of a love song that showed Noel Gallagher
still had the chops to write anthems to make thousands sing. With a heart
pounding guitar riff and one of Gallagher’s best choruses, this is the
drinkers’ love song, so take your girl/bloke to the pub, whack it on the
jukebox and get a few down you!
‘You Are The
Sunshine Of My Life’ – Stevie Wonder
Way before ‘I Just Called To Say I Love You’, Stevie Wonder
was crafting pop masterpieces. Dedicated to Yolanda Simmons, Wonder’s voice
turns to velvet on this understated classic. Subtle and elegant, it is one of
Wonder’s most underappreciated tracks.
‘Alison’ – Elvis
Costello
One of Costello’s most heartbreaking songs is the perfect
companion for any lonely heart on Valentine’s Day. Costello nowadays states
that he is a ballad singer who sings rock songs and not the other way round.
Well, when listening to ‘Alison’, it really is easy to see why.
‘Let’s Stay
Together’ – Al Green
For me, the romantic appeal of this song has been lost since
I watched Pulp Fiction. Hearing this
played in the background to a shot of Ving Rhames’s big bald head is not
exactly the aphrodisiac you’re looking for on Valentine’s Day. Then again, you
do have the option of listening to this soul classic without watching
Tarantino’s bloody masterpiece, but if that’s your sort of thing then fine. I’m
not one to judge.
‘Just For You’ –
Sam Cooke
Better known for his posthumously released political anthem
‘A Change Is Gonna Come’, Sam Cooke was a prolific pioneer of soul music,
racking up 30 top 40 hits in his 7 year career. Although there were many
contenders such as ‘I Love You (For Sentimental Reasons)’ and ‘Nothing Can
Change This Love’, I chose ‘Just For You’ for the simple reason that it is the
song any girl would want a guy to sing to them.
'Dammit Janet' – The
Cast Of The Rocky Horror Show
Yeah people! Second show-tune of the list! And what?! The
second number of Richard O’Brien’s cutting parody and tribute to the science
fiction and horror B movies is both as outrageous and as joyful as he intended
it to be in 1973.
‘Nothing Compares
2 U’ – Prince & The New Power Generation/Sinead O’Connor
Ok, so everyone knows which one they prefer... apart from me
it seems. I just don’t know! Can’t we just love them both for what they are?!
Prince’s original may not be as heart-rendering as O’Connor’s take on the
track, but it was Prince’s craftsmanship as a songwriter that allowed O’Connor
to take full advantage.
‘Let’s Get It On’
– Marvin Gaye
Don’t act so surprised! You knew it was coming! How could it
not? Sultry wah-wah pedalled guitar intro, voice as smooth as the groin area of
an Action Man and lyrics that turn men and women alike weak at the knees.
There. I’m done. Go be happy you selfish selfish people!
Honourable mentions: ‘Hallelujah I Love Her So’ – Ray
Charles, ‘Wish You Were Here’ – Pink Floyd, ‘I Say A Little Prayer For You’ –
Aretha Franklin, ‘How Deep Is Your Love?’ – Bee Gees, ‘D’yer Maker’ – Led
Zeppelin, ‘My Baby Just Cares For Me’ – Nina Simone, ‘Back For Good’ – Take
That, ‘Something Stupid’ – Frank and Nancy Sinatra.
