“I wish you shelter from the storm,
A cozy fire to keep you warm,
But most of all, when snowflakes fall,
I wish you love.”
“I Wish You Love,” by Charles Trenet
In romance movies, when the two love interests see each other for the first time, music plays in the background while various shots of them are shown at different angles for an incredibly awkward amount of time. In some cases, there can even be a list of songs that are played throughout the film, like a soundtrack of each character’s love life together. However, outside the movie theater, one can probably notice that ambient music doesn’t play when they see their crush in the hallway, and a dream-like sequence of each person in slow motion is highly unrealistic.
Although the latter might be difficult to achieve in real life, there might be a way for the musical accompaniment to take place. Provided below is a curated list of various songs I have picked as a romantic playlist to listen to near Valentine’s Day. (To access the full playlist, scan the Spotify QR code or click the link.) In this way, others can experience their own personal movie soundtrack, like the ones that are romanticized on the screens. For easier listening, the tracks are organized from (1) the most laid-back to (10) the most upbeat, so everyone can get the full experience on their own.
(Song Scale: 0/10) “Dewy Roses”, a J-Pop song by Pitcher56, is placed at the top of the list as the most “relaxed and slowed-down”. It’s specifically a mix of Shibuya-kei, a subgenre heavily influenced by Tokyo in the 1990s, and twee pop, a form of indie pop that became popular around the same time period in the UK. The song itself has an idyllic melody, perfect for hanging out with a special someone on Valentine’s Day (or daydreaming about that shared eye contact in the hallway).
(Song Scale: 2/10) Liana Flores’ “Butterflies (feat. Tim Bernardes)” is a blend of bossa nova and folk singer-songwriter, which creates a cozy and blissful vibe that is ideal for a planned date. Behind the lyrics, the song’s overall theme is to have trust in oneself even when everything is changing, similar to a caterpillar’s growth during metamorphosis into a butterfly.
(Song Scale: 2/10) “Anyone Else But You” by The Moldy Peaches is a well-known song from the soundtrack of the film Juno (2007). The indie melody has a child-like feel that makes the listener feel safe and snug at home. It is also widely considered a love song, with the two singers on the track having deep and personal connections with each other.
(Song Scale: 4/10) Steve Lacy’s indie and R&B track “Uuuu” is a slow, desperate love song about unrequited love, or loving someone who does not reciprocate the same feelings. This song is suggested for when the listener is reminiscing about times with their special person.
(Song Scale: 5/10) A well-known staple of love songs on platforms including TikTok and Instagram is “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer. Blending indie pop and pop rock, this song is ideal for any romantic occasion.
(Song Scale: 7/10) “Lovefool” by The Cardigans is likewise very popular on social media and mixes indie and disco-pop together. In a similar fashion to Steve Lacy’s “Uuuu”, the narrator in this desperate love song is playing the role of the fool, in the scenario of being in unrequited love.
(Song Scale: 10/10) At the end of the list, or the fastest upbeat song, is “Stargazing” by The Neighbourhood. This track is listed as alternative and indie, similar to most of The Neighbourhood’s discography. The lyrics work with the melody to illustrate a hopeful anthem for a world of creativity despite fear of failure. On Valentine’s Day, the song’s message can be interpreted as advice to stay ambitious and not to let go of your love and passion for someone or something.
In a perfect world, theme music could be played on demand whenever romantic events happen, as they do in K-dramas and romance movies. However, this is highly unlikely and very unrealistic. Yet, a close second to this dream is to listen to a romantic playlist as a substitute for your love life as a soundtrack.
