February 14th. The one date in the calendar, which for the past couple of years, has not failed to provoke sickening social-media posts between couples and then accompanying moans from the single community. It is more than likely that you belong to one of three groups of people:
- The loved up
- The disgruntled
- The indifferent.
Whilst you try to assign yourself to a category, why not sample this assortment of love songs aptly chosen by the Indiependent contributors for the yearly celebration known as Valentine’s Day.
I Don’t Know Why // The Rolling Stones
Originally written and released in 1968 by Stevie Wonder, ‘I Don’t Know Why’ was covered by The Rolling Stones on 1975’s Metamorphosis, an album compiled of outtakes and alternate versions of popular songs from 1964 to 1970. Similar to a short love ballad, ‘I Don’t Know Why’ recounts the sombre struggle between love, despair and even anger at the breakdown in a relationship. Mick Jagger cries of “Cheating ways” and being “disgraced”, the frank and simple language throughout this lamentation is one of the reasons I find it rouses emotions so easily.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6yFq0qMaHw?rel=0]
Yet not all of this song’s emotional power is derived from its lyricism. Credit must be given to the quality of The ‘Stones’ instrumental powerhouse. Their revamped cover delivers an enchanting guitar / piano melody, growling bass and soaring brass highs. Jagger’s anguished vocals float over the top carrying with them a sense of genuine loss and dismay. As a budding Wonder fan, it pains me to admit that his original was frankly too pop for my liking; compared to The Rolling Stones’ intrinsic thump and flow of soul that evokes a juxtaposed joy in listening to suffering.
Words by Jamie Peake
All I Want is You // Barry Louis Polisar
Most people will know this bouncy track from the opening titles of 2007 indie-flick Juno. Remember, the one that played alongside the animated Ellen Page? The one that made you feel unexplainably, undeniably chipper? That’s the one. Polisar made his name writing music and books for children, and this song is no exception: taken from the album My Brother Thinks He’s a Banana, it’s a song written for kids, and perhaps that’s what makes it so loveable. Because of its original purpose, ‘All I Want is You’ has an innocence that is rarely seen in love songs written after the 1970s – think The Beatles’ ‘I Wanna Hold Your Hand’.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHXau3zAe7E?rel=0]
With lyrics like “If you were the floor, I’d wanna be the rug / And if you were a kiss, I know I’d be a hug” it celebrates togetherness and being alike, rather than the sex, drugs and rock-and-roll love that most musicians explore now. It’s cute without being cheesy, and when that’s combined with an infectious harmonica melody and Polisar’s southern accent, it’s just happy. It celebrates love with a child-like dedication which, whether you’re in love or out of it, will make you smile, make you want to do a little dance around your room and make you want to tell someone you love them – even if that’s someone’s just your mum.
Words by Amie Bailey
Nicest Thing // Kate Nash
When I think about love songs, the first thing that comes to my mind is ‘Nicest Thing’ by Kate Nash. Even though the term ‘love song’ is quite generic and off putting, at least it is to me, this song is so relatable and realistic to how people feel, when listening you can’t help but imagine that one person you are interested in. If you haven’t already, I would really recommend listening to the song to see for yourself but I really believe it epitomises the feeling of yearning and wishing to be with someone even if you think they might not feel the same.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmT9jNashAg?rel=0]
It’s not a classic cheery song about romance but it’s so true. It makes people feel okay about the embarrassing feeling of staring at someone for an awkwardly excessive amount of time or stalking their twitter feed hoping they show a hint of being interesting in you. It’s all told in the lyrics of fantasy and wishful thinking. The confession in the song is something people dream of saying to their chosen person and the lyrics, of putting your preferred amount of sugars in tea, shows how real the song is. So this is the perfect realistic Valentine’s song for me. Whether you are a lonely heart this 14th of February who listens to this song and thinks about telling someone how you feel or someone who is in a relationship and can reminisce about the time when they first started to like someone, this is the perfect ‘love song.’
Words by Amy
Archie, Marry Me // Alvvays
Don’t be scared by the title ‘Archie, Marry Me’ isn’t the pro-matrimony anthem which most presume it is. In fact, it cleverly undermines the institution of marriage in a way most young, non-conformist indie pop bands could only dream of. “You expressed explicitly your contempt for matrimony” croons lead singer Molly Rankin in the opening line, accompanied by an undeniably feel-good instrumental which gives the song a dreamy, almost transcendental quality. So much so that the listener could easily breeze through the whole track without realising the tongue-in-cheek irony which runs throughout. The lines “during the summer take me sailing out on the Atlantic, I won’t set my sights on other seas there is no need to panic” really epitomise the band’s disdain for marriage. It’s this, Rankin’s impeccable ability to stick two fingers up at the ridiculous nature of marital life (and the whole idea of getting old) which gives the song its edge. There’s no doubt that this love song is one for the young and reckless, especially when Rankin notes that her partner “has student loans to pay, and will not risk the alimony”.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAn3JdtSrnY?rel=0]
It is, however, the song’s more tender moments which earn it its reputation as a ‘love song’. “We spend our days locked in a room content inside a bubble” serves as every introverted, young couple’s dream, whilst “in the night time we go out, and scour the streets for trouble” captures the frivolous, carefree nature of this protagonist’s romance. Truthfully, the romance captured in the song is so inviting and honest that it’s all too easy for the listener to believe that Rankin is being sincere when she belts out the line “hey, hey, marry me Archie”. It’s thanks to her half-interested, ironic tone that we’re reminded that this band is far too cool for that, and don’t need to “sign some papers” in order to qualify their romance.
Words by Ollie Megson
Love Reign O’er Me // The Who
The song kicks off with the ominous patter of rain, to which the piano leads a brief solo that is backed with the dramatic roll of drums that seem to enhance the elemental atmosphere of the song. As Daltrey’s lyrics build in power like mountain towering over us mortals his voice is strong and echoes through the song with a majestic touch to it. A simple synthesized melody cycles consistently throughout the song like a snake slivering its way through the verses. Townshend (lead guitarist) inevitably caves into the prospect of a guitar solo that bursts with tone and passion leading the track to a climax.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDbAtWpoA6k?rel=0]
The song remains part of the iconic double album Quadraphenia, based on the life of mods in London and England at that time the album was also produced as a film revolving around the character Jimmy a mod in 1960’s Britain. The lyrics “Love reign o’er me” could be interpreted in a multitude of ways however to me it suggests Jimmy the central protagonist of the film is searching for someone to love and to be cleansed of all the mistakes he has made. The track reaches its final stages with a suitably wild drum solo stitched together by Keith Moon (drums) like a distraught gorilla he thunders his way to the end.
By Elliott Godden
You’re The One For Me Fatty // Morrissey
Whilst this may not be your average love song, ‘You’re The One For Me Fatty’ contains the typical Morrissey tongue in cheek that he is so well known and loved for. I’ll concede it is not entirely advisable to have it on your stereo or playlist for Valentine’s Day, as I doubt it will really set the proper ‘mood’.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFDzQD-LR80?rel=0]
However, beneath the tongue in cheek and the wit is a touching message about loving someone regardless of what many people would perceive as flaws. I guess it can be compared in a way to Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130. It is the celebration and acceptance of imperfection that makes this song so touching and why it deserves a place on this list. Just make sure your date is aware of who Morrissey is, or at least has some form of context before you play it to them. If you’d like to carry on dating them, that is.
Words by Joe Gray
VCR // The xx
Sliding into your ears with the subtlest of rifts, The xx’s sublimely beautiful ‘VCR’ can’t help but melt any lover. Simplicity is key with The xx, and it is their undecorated presentation of love here that is so enduring. Romy Maley Croft’s whisper of “watch things on VCR’s with me / and talk about big love” highlights the minimalistic nature of love; as long as you have each other, what else do you need? Slow and romantic, The xx transport us back to a simpler time, reminding us that love really is that simple.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI2eO_mNM88?rel=0]
Forget the coursework, forget the exams, forget the stress of modern life. Life is over-complicated. Built on a synthesised riff combined with an ongoing bass, the focus really is on Croft’s whispering and Oliver Sim’s interlocking vocals, truly creating the sense of an interdependent relationship. And rightly so. ‘VCR’ really is everything that a love song and, ultimately, love should be: beautiful and heart warming.
Words by Juliette Rowsell
The Lovecats // The Cure
Whenever we think of love songs we think of cheesy lyrics accompanied by a repetitive pop beat. As much as we all have that little soft spot for these songs, there are many love songs out there that don’t follow that stereotype and for that, we are thankful. For that particular reason, one of my favourite love songs is ‘The Lovecats’ by The Cure. The track was released in 1983 and was the bands first Top 10 in the UK. I adore this song for many reasons, particularly as it falls far from the stereotypical love song.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcUza_wWCfA?rel=0]
Robert Smith uses lyrics which are loving and a little cheesy but he offers a few lines which are subtly sexy, giving the song an overall feel of both love and lust which distracts us from the slightly cheesy message. This song is incredibly clever with it’s screeching guitar techniques which mimic the sound of a screeching cat and the use of bottles clashing to create the atmosphere of an actual alley way. This particular song from ‘The Cure’ is underrated when it comes to the genre of love songs and it’s unique take on the feelings of love should be applaud.
Words by Sophie Aitkenhead
From the Rooftops // Bowling For Soup
Best known for ‘Girl All the Bad Guys Want’ and ‘High School Never Ends’, Bowling For Soup have been around as a popular pop-punk/pop-rock band since 1994, and don’t seem to be going anywhere soon. As one of those bands with an infamously hit-and-miss record (with fourteen albums to date, there were bound to be tracks that nobody wanted to see created) it may be surprising to some to know that they have actually produced tracks that could be classed as underrated, an example of this is ‘From the Rooftops’.
Not like the typical “she’s so perfect, life is perfect, love is perfect” Disneyesque spiel of typical love songs, ‘From the Rooftops’ steers away from this as the persona sings of his love being “the opposite of everything I need in my life” and having “another guy’s name tattooed on her ass” – because who hasn’t been there? Of course, the track also includes the typical exaggerations of love, such as with the chorus “Have you ever been so in love / You wanna shout it from the rooftops”, but this is complimented nicely with the uplifting mantra of “Follow your heart, fuck everybody else”.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d3ZbZYiViY?rel=0]
Perhaps this song is so appealing because it doesn’t try to preach idyllic lies whilst frolicking through the snow (I’m looking at you Mariah), but openly appreciates the differences between partners that make them work: “She likes Star Trek but I prefer Star Wars”. Ultimately though, the understanding of dysfunctionality with the line “She’s all wrong, but it’s alright / She can be all wrong right by my side” proves very comforting for those that are used to hearing love songs that glorify the immaculate woman.
Words by Charlie Ginger Jones
Crown of Love // Arcade Fire
In 2004 David Bowie’s favourite band, Arcade Fire created the timeless sensation that was their debut album Funeral and from it came their monumental plea for love, ‘Crown of Love.’ This passionate outcry for lost love stars lead singer, Win Butler as he performs his sentimental lyrics, opening with: “They say it fades if you let it / Love was made to forget it.” From the b-side of the album, the deep frankness about the fleeting nature of romance is what initially appealed to me and thus made ‘Crown of Love’ one of my favourite love songs.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxkK06HlgqA?rel=0]
Arcade Fire successfully deliver a morphed twist on a regular 50’s waltz adding to its impact by using violins and a moving set of vocals from Butler, also featuring Chassagne’s ghostly backing. The track grows to the pinnacle of the song when Butler radically switches octaves and Chassagne’s uncanny falsettos lead to a finale worth remembering. As the narrator sinks deeper into broken-hearted affection the track soars to implausible harmonious heights often sounding like a pure and untamed combination of The Beatles’ “I Am The Walrus” and Donna Summer’s “Last Dance”. The lyrics portray the mismatch of emotions following the aftermath of love; wrestling with nostalgic memories and the desire to be reunited: “You gotta be the one, you gotta be the way / your name is the only word that I can say.”
Confirming Arcade Fire’s effortless ability to translate the complex and contrasting emotions of romance, ‘Crown of Love’ is simultaneously effective in expressing their unique and revolutionary approach to music which I truly love.
Words by Bianca Ballingall
Lucky Ones // Lana Del Rey
When faced with the dilemma of what love song to choose, the only artist it could be was Lana Del Rey. Lana is the queen of emotional love songs and so it is only fitting for her to be included in a valentines list such as this. Even though many, if not most of her songs have a “sad”, “depressing” stigma to them, the song ‘Lucky Ones’ is different. It’s about finding that one person who you fall so in love with that nothing else matters. The song launches in with Lana smoothly singing, “let’s get out of this town, baby we’re on fire”. She starts the song by confessing her love and wanting to just get away from a place where everything is taking a turn for the worst. She describes her friends as “lost” and carries on to say, “nobody’s found”.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpkPbQWZOks?rel=0]
The song itself is full of clichés, such as the line in which Lana softly sings “every now and then the stars align”. This is a term commonly used to describe things coming together and falling into place. Towards the end of the song she blissfully sings “feels like, feels like, you know / it feels like falling in love for the first time”. Everyone knows the feeling of falling in love for the first time, when your heart hurts so much and you’ve never experienced anything like it. Here she is saying that she has never felt love like this before and it’s exciting. I have always imagined this song being played at my wedding (however sad that may sound) because to me, I see it as a true declaration of love. From the first time I heard it back in 2012, to this very day I have always seen it as a perfect love song. Lets just hope someone serenades me with this.
Words by Jess Watts
Love Will Tear Us Apart // Joy Division
Love Will Tear Us Apart. Not only one of the most famous indie songs of all time but a song that hit at the heart strings of the nation when they first played this track on their record player. ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ by Manchester band Joy Division (also known as the band who has the album cover with lots of squiggly lines on) had a hidden meaning. In the early 1980’s when this song was released, nobody thought of what the lyrics actually meant. Everybody focused on the catchy chorus that made the song a pop love song. But it wasn’t the love song that everybody was use to; the dark and eerie sounds that play at the beginning of the song suggested that this song wasn’t all cute and fluffy.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuuObGsB0No?rel=0]
‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ later became a clear sign to other members of Joy Division that Ian Curtis (lead singer) just wasn’t in the right place. Only 5 months after recording the song, Ian Curtis committed suicide. Regardless of the personal problems listed in the song, ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’ remains not only my favourite love song but also my favourite song of all time. “Love, Love Will Tear Us Apart Again” is the catchy chorus that remains an imprint in my mind whenever I feel down. The song, to me, suggests that the one person you love the most, the one person you have so much in common with, isn’t always the person you should love. ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’: a love song that defines the problems that love will bring you.
Words by Brigid Harrison-Draper
Love Natural // Crystal Fighters
This is a very unorthodox love song from this peppy and cute group. It isn’t a heart wrenching song which makes you pine for a partner that has left you in the distant past, nor does it describe the intimate act in a heavenly way. No this song doesn’t have that desperate feel that you would associate with standard love songs, it’s not to win a girl over and it’s not about screaming how important this person is in your life. It’s an exploration of all the good times in a relationship, it’s a song for all the memories you’ll share and it’s a song that condenses the ecstasy of young love into one sound.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVzyErnSnFI?rel=0]
It’s the smiles, the laughter, and the unconditional affection you have for your other half. It’s a tune that floats around and feels light-hearted and nice and makes you want to bounce, and that reflects the emotions that should be felt when in love. However this isn’t the only song by the group that makes the listener feel this certain way. They are a group whose main theme is love but go about it with a happy, content light and for me that is the way love should be written about.
Words by Domenic Edwards
[Compiled by Jamie Peake and Beth Kirkbride]