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.