Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite songs that celebrate love and all of the positive things that come with it. For those of you who do not have a special someone on this day, I feel these songs will still inspire feelings of hope about love in the future. As John Lennon once sang, “Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow.” I hope these tunes will help your flower bloom like a cherry tulip.
1. “No One’s Gonna Love You” – Band of Horses
2. “First Day Of My Life” – Bright Eyes
3. “West Coast” – Coconut Records
4. “Yellow” – Coldplay
5. “Stay Young, Go Dancing” – Death Cab for Cutie
6. “Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
7. “I Would Do Anything For You” – Foster The People
8. “Cherry Tulips” – Headlights
9. “You And I” – Ingrid Michaelson
10. “Love And Some Verses” – Iron And Wine
11. “Banana Pancakes” – Jack Johnson
12. “Two-Headed Boy Pt. 2” – Neutral Milk Hotel
13. “If I Had A Gun…” – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
14. “You Are The Best Thing” – Ray LaMontagne
15. “Eyes” – Rogue Wave
16. “New Slang” – The Shins
17. “Zorbing” – Stornoway
18. “To Be Alone With You” – Sufjan Stevens
19. “Closer” – Travis
20. “Gotta Have You” – The Weepies
You can conveniently listen to my playlist in its entirety on Spotify by clicking here.
This is a brilliant playlist. I’m especially glad that “West Coast” by Coconut Records is on it!
Glad to hear you liked these tunes SG! I tip my cap to you for being a fan of Coconut Records too–they are a very underrated group.
I knew most of these, but I definitely went out and downloaded a few more. Thanks!
I’m honored to hear that I helped you discover some new tunes Alex!