“Love” is the most popular subject for rock’n’roll tunes, so to help you get (or stay) lucky on Valentine’s Day, we’ve narrowed it down to our 20 favorite love songs ever. From New Wave to chill wave, from emo to smooth hip-hop flow, we’ve compiled a heart-y list of tracks, perfect for all you coquettes and casanovas.
We’ve even included some anthems for the jilted and dateless, too. Don’t fret! There’s hope — and whiskey!
Enjoy.
SPIN’s Valentine’s 2011 playlist
1. Joy Division, “Love Will Tear Us Apart”
Ian Curtis finds beauty in his desperate self-loathing.
2. The Cure, “Lovesong”
Simple and declarative, Robert Smith “will always love you.”
3. Daft Punk, “Digital Love”
Dreams of love come true, even for robots.
4. The Knife, “Heartbeats”
Love and all its promises, delivered in a dancefloor ready slow jam.
5. New Order, “Bizarre Love Triangle”
Why limit yourself this Valentine’s? Love the one(s) you’re with!
6. Talking Heads, “This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)”
So many perfect lyrics, but how about, “Love me ’til my heart stops, love me ’til I’m dead.”
7. Teenage Fanclub, “What You Do to Me”
On the other hand, a good love song can say a lot by saying very little.
8. Amy Winehouse, “Just Friends”
And then there’s the Valentine’s booty call….
9. Jay-Z & Beyonce, “’03 Bonnie & Clyde”
Their Valentine’s date will be far more posh than yours.
10. Band of Horses, “No One’s Gonna Love You”
For those who can’t quite let go of love lost.
11. Paul Westerberg, “Waiting for Somebody”
All the single ladies (and gents) — stand tall!
12. Kings of Leon, “On Call”
Call Caleb Followill, and he comes runnin’.
13. Best Coast, “Boyfriend”
Even if you don’t have a Valentine, wish for one anyway.
14. Jawbreaker, “Want”
“I’m lying naked at your feet,” sings ever eloquent Blake Schwarzenbach after declaring his love. “Don’t crush the heart that beats.”
15. Shudder to Think, “Day Ditty”
Love now, because you “might not live another day.”
16. Magnetic Fields, “The Book of Love”
“The book of love is old and boring,” says Stephin Merritt, but he loves it when his lover reads him things.
17. Portishead, “Glory Box”
“Give me a reason to love you,” Beth Gibbons coos.
18. The National, “Slow Show”
One of the band’s best lines: “You know I dreamed about you for 29 years before I saw you.”
19. Nada Surf, “Inside of Love”
One of the prettiest, most hopeful songs about finding love, someday.
20. Death Cab for Cutie, “Transatlanticism”
“I need you so much closer,” chants Ben Gibbard, on an utter classic for long distance longing.
