Romantic Songs Playlist for Valentine's Day 2017

Time to indulge in some romantic songs to provide a soundtrack for a sweet Valentine's Day. Here are some perfect tunes from the past year on my latest playlist, along with others that recently appeared on my radar or in my memory as worthy of revisiting. The playlist begins with the seductive vocals of Earth, Wind & Fire honoring the death of founder Maurice White – which made 2016 a heavy year of losses along with David Bowie, Prince and George Michael. This band was the thankful antithesis of teenage angst for me and my classmates in high school, and their music has certainly stood the test of passing decades. From there, other favorite singers are represented in song; like the sound of a loved one's voice, they are intimately connected in my musical life forever.

Listen to my Romantic Songs Playlist for Valentine's Day 2017 on Spotify here.  For further inspiration, visit my posts from past years: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

1. "That's the Way of the World" – Earth Wind & Fire
2. "'Cause I'm a Man" – Tame Impala
3. "Whatever, Wherever" – Band of Horses
4. "No Surprises" – Radiohead
5. "The Soul Serene" – Villagers
6. "True Affection"  – Father John Misty
7. "Bring My Baby Back" – Dr. Dog
8. "1959"– Hamilton & Rostam (featuring Angel Deradoorian)
9. "Just Say Goodbye" – Wilco
10. "One Thing" – Beach House
11. "Hold On To Me" – Mondo Cozmo
12. "No Time to Crank the Sun" – EL VY
13. "What Part of Me" – Low
14. "Should Have Known Better" – Sufjan Stevens
15. "I Don't Want to Let You Down" – Sharon Van Etten
16. "My Sad Captains" – Elbow
17. "No Hard Feelings" – The Avett Brothers

Romantic Songs Playlist for Valentine's Day 2014

Here's another romantic songs playlist in honor of Valentine's Day 2014 -- the holiday perfectly placed in the dead of winter to remind us of the finer things in life. (It's always a good excuse for a nice dinner out at least!) Digging through my archives, I found passionately poignant songs that hadn't made it on my romantic songs playlists in 2013 or 2012, plus ones that have only appeared in the past year.


Things kick off with the music of two married couples that I've reviewed and interviewed, Mates of State's "Palomino" and The Submarines' "The Sun Shines At Night."  Their bands have been among my faves for years, and wish them well as always professionally and personally.  (At least in my marriage there's only one musician and one crazy music fan?)  From there it's another patchwork of love gone right or even wrong, hearts pumping either way.  Link to listen here, enjoy!

1. "Palomino" -- Mates of State
2. "The Sun Shines At Night" -- The Submarines
3. "Everday Feels Like Sunday" -- Of Montreal
4. "Your Silent Face" -- New Order
5. "On Melancholy Hill" -- Gorillaz
6. "Ya Hey" -- Vampire Weekend
7. "Bloodbuzz Ohio" -- The National
8. "HEART" -- Oberhofer
9. "Say That" -- Toro Y Moi
10. "I Got You Babe" -- UB40 Featuring Chrissie Hynde
11. " I Melt With You" -- Modern English
12. "Song For Zula" -- Phosphorescent
13. "Lost Cause" -- Beck
14. "Home" -- Brian Eno & David Byrne
15. "Is That Enough" -- Yo La Tengo
16. "Sing" -- Travis
17. "Same Mistake" -- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
18. "My Body Is a Cage" -- Arcade Fire
19. "Almost Home" -- Moby Featuring Damien Jurado
20. "So Long You Pretty Thing" -- Spiritualized

Romantic Songs Playlist for Valentine's Day 2013

OK, round two for a Romantic Tunes Playlist in honor of Valentine's Day 2013. (If so inclined, revisit the original list for Valentine's Day 2012 here.)  Going back into my iTunes collection it was easy to come up with another dedicated listening session to fill the day with romance -- plus I had added a few over the year (The Walkmen for example) to keep things current.  Again, this is a purely personal list from my own musical history.

Beginning with the adorable sentiment of Hot Chip's "One Life Stand" to the soaring melody of Elbow's "One Day Like This," I have ordered things carefully for smooth segues and left the ending mellowed out as always.  Certain songs take right me back to the time and place of the year they came out, others have stuck with me through the decades and still sound new with each visit.  Some even break my heart with the music, words or both.  But whether uplifting or sinking of sentiment, these songs just show how the heart is made to be used for more than pumping blood.  Use this link to listen, indulge and enjoy!

1. "One Life Stand" -- Hot Chip
2. "NYC" -- Interpol
3. "Swinging Party" -- The Replacements (live version 1991)
4. "Heaven" -- The Psychedelic Furs
5. "Wordless Chorus" -- My Morning Jacket
6. "Love Is Luck" -- The Walkmen
7. "Yet Again" -- Grizzly Bear
8. "Out Go the Lights" -- Spoon
9. "You're the Best Thing" -- The Style Council
10. "Heroes" -- David Bowie
11. "No Distance Left to Run" -- Blur
12. "Eyes Be Closed" -- Washed Out
13. "Live Alone" -- LCD Soundsystem (Franz Ferdinand cover)
14. "Lights Out, Words Gone" -- Bombay Bicycle Club
15. "Can You Tell" -- Ra Ra Riot
16. "Decide" -- Caveman
17. "Love You Madly" -- CAKE
18. "Nothing But Our Love" -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
19. "One Day Like This" -- Elbow
20. "Outro" -- M83