Romantic Songs Playlist for Valentine's Day 2016

It's that time again... I've noticed that people have been searching for a Romantic Songs Playlist by clicking on my prior posts from 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 so I better get to this year's line up. As always, it's a mix of old and new songs that deal with the many facets of being in love. I can't help but indulge in some tunes from the 80s, when I was young and in love and NYC served as our playground for late nights with a soundtrack heavy on the synths. Other picks are newer creations of all genres and many moods across the musical spectrum. Link to listen on Spotify here, enjoy!

1. "Space Age Love Song" - A Flock of Seagulls
2. "Temptation" - New Order
3. "Snowden" - Doves
4. "When U Love Somebody" - Fruit Bats
5. "Always Love" - Nada Surf
6. "So Now You Know" - The Horrors
7. "About Today" - The National
8. "Finish What I Started" - Will Butler
9. "If You Leave" - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
10. "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" - Soft Cell
11. "It's My Life" - Talk Talk
12. "We've Been Had" - The Walkmen
13. "Lips Like Sugar" - Echo And The Bunnymen
14. "Don't Lose Your Love" - Ivan & Alyosha
15. "I Don't Want to Change You" - Damien Rice
16. "Going To A Town" - Rufus Wainwright

Unearthed Gem of a Song: "Life's What You Make It" By Talk Talk

This pick, "Life's What You Make It" by English new wave band Talk Talk, appeared on my radar again thanks to a daily listening habit of "John In the Morning" on KEXP.  As music instantly does, hearing it again took me right back to the 80s when my life stretched out ahead and decisions demanded some sort of path.  From the thumping bass line to singer Mark Hollis' undulating, emotional vocals, the tune is a good reminder that life is indeed what you make it -- wherever you are on your own personal road.  Talk Talk's other big hit also took on the big picture, extolling individual purpose with "It's My Life." It was revisited with great success by No Doubt in 2003 (video here) and I was glad to hear it enjoy a second life, while also having another reason to delve into the original.

This video for "Life's What You Make It" has the band at their instruments, with floppy hair and wearing what is now considered Mom jeans. Since they were essentially trio for a decade (from 1981 to 1991), I suppose I'll forgive them for not inviting a guitar player for those epic hooks or anyone else to trigger those luscious synth layers that were so emblematic of the 80s. The song was the single for Talk Talk's third album, The Colour of Spring, from 1986.

Set the time machine and enjoy the video on YouTube or below!