A season full of love and longing deserves a curated soundtrack playing in the background. From familiar favorites to hidden gems, this playlist covers all the right moods, so put your headphones on and indulge in every beat of falling in love.
Baby, I Love You – Ramones
Serving as an opener to this playlist, Ramones’ rendition of The Ronettes’ Baby, I Love You gives a more pop-leaning approach rather than the original’s lush, wall-of-sound production. Different from the band’s signature punk rock sound, Ramones delivers an ecstatic and genre-bending track, standing out from their discography. The giddy and repetitive lyricism in the chorus makes for a catchy earworm of a refrain.
Don’t Worry Baby – The Beach Boys
You may be familiar with this song from the ending scene of Never Been Kissed, when Josie (Drew Barrymore), the main character, finally gets her kiss. Don’t Worry Baby shows the quintessential Beach Boys sound with their multi-layered vocal harmonies and upbeat surf rock sound. The lyrics center around reassurance, vulnerability, and standing by someone you love despite fear and uncertainty.
You and Me Song – The Wannadies
“And it’s always you and me always and forever.” The song is a sickeningly sweet love song of the alternative ‘90s rock genre. Sweden’s The Wannadies hit the 1996 UK charts with this song and made them part of the Britpop scene. From the mellow first verse, the chorus’ sudden upturn boasts of unfiltered joy and youthful romantic devotion.
You Make Loving Fun – Fleetwood Mac
From their critically acclaimed 1977 album Rumours, Fleetwood Mac is no stranger to critics. But amongst familiar hits like Dreams and The Chain, You Make Loving Fun centers around love and the fleeting wonders of the magic of falling in love. Christine McVie’s vocals deliver a jivey feel backed with the groovy and buoyant basslines, making it an essential in the soft rock scene of the ‘70s.
Something Changed – Pulp
Pulp, the eclectic band of ‘90s Britpop, known for their campy lyricism on everyday life, class, and social awkwardness, Something Changed gives a different, more linear storyline that manages to be one of their most endearing releases yet. Jarvis Cocker’s theatrical half spoken, half sneered vocals deliver a build-up for the last verse’s belty romantic proclamation and emotional conclusion.
Do You Realize?? – The Flaming Lips
The weird and wonderful world of The Flaming Lips’ Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots features Do You Realize??, a most-beloved love song from the band. The lyrics may seem gloomy at first glance, but it begs to differ from a deeper question. That realizing that life goes fast and you should make the good things last. The existentialism of the lyrics makes it a bittersweet ode to loving deeply despite impermanence.
Kokomo, IN – Japanese Breakfast
Arguably Japanese Breakfast’s most orchestrally soundtrack, the serene wistful ballad reflects on longing and holding onto a love that’s inevitably waning. “If ever you come back, wherever you find your way to, and though it may not last, just know that I'll be here longing.” It is worth noting that however dreary some lyrics go, the message of love and reminiscing on the past remains tender and sincere. Rendered with Michelle Zauner’s angelic and captivating vocals along harmonic violins, the song stays one of 2020’s mainstay in the indie music scene.
You’re So Great – Blur
Closing off the playlist is this understated gem of 90’s Britpop sensation Blur, a diamond in the rough from their usual glossy upbeat rock catalog, You’re so Great shows a softer, fuzzy, more acoustic side to the band. Straying away from lead singer Damon Albarn, the song is the first to feature lead guitarist Graham Coxon as the main vocalist. His muffled vocals mixed with a single acoustic guitar as the sole background make for an intimate arrangement.
As far as romance goes, music transcends what the eyes can see. Feelings can resonate with just the right song and love is no exception. It lingers and is remembered in melody long after the moment has passed.
