Love it or hate it, Valentine's Day has produced some great music. From sweet love songs to steamy love-making songs, the following playlist contains the Arts and Entertainment staff's choice tracks.
1. “Electric Relaxation” by A Tribe Called Quest
Ever wondered what sex would sound like if it were put to music? "Electric Relaxation" is the answer. The entire song is like a form of hypnotism, from the suggestive moans to Q-Tip's repeated phrase "Relax yourself girl, please settle down." A sexier melody doesn't exist.
— Dan Goff
2. “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie
Lead singer Ben Gibbard's voice combined with a haunting chorus about eternal love makes this a perfect pick for Valentine's Day.
— Thomas Roades
3. “Africa” by Toto
That drum fill! The flute solo at the three-minute mark! The moment this song first breaks into the swooning chorus with "It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you," you're in a higher plane of existence. Whatever "the rains down in Africa" are, you'll feel them if you play this song for your special someone tonight.
— Aline Dolinh
4. “Versace on the Floor” by Bruno Mars
Picture Bruno Mars slow dancing to this song. Its groovy Michael Jackson vibes are hot and the lyrics will be stuck in your head before you know it.
— Maggie Snow
5. “How to Love” by Lil Wayne
With refined vocals and understated acoustic instrumentation, Lil Wayne sincerely sings about receiving and offering love in this career-defining ballad. It is romantic, poignant and totally charming ― proving that underneath the hard exterior lies a sensitive soul and a heart of mush.
— Darby Delaney
6. “You Are the Music in Me” by Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens
How can there be a romantic playlist without the inclusion of everyone's favorite television couple? There are many romantic hits in the High School Musical series, but this is the song that really cemented Troy and Gabriella as power-couple goals. "You Are the Music In Me" is a modern masterpiece and the perfect song for deep intimacy.
— Sam Henson
7. “Every Other Freckle” by alt-J
Whoever said alternative rock can’t be as sexy as R&B or as romantic as country has never listened to this steamy track by folktronica band, alt-J. Lead singer Joe Newman’s sexy voice invites listeners into his racy mind as he sings metaphorically about all the PG-13 things he’d like to do with a lover. He claims that he wants to be “all showers that shower you,” and wants to do “all the things your lungs do so well,” singing sensual poetry to his lucky lover.
— Julia Stembridge
8. “Location” by Khalid
The smooth yet lilting voice of neo-soul newcomer Khalid in “Location” is perfect for any Valentine’s playlist — with a honey-sweet, love-drunk chorus ending in “I don’t need nothing else but you,” one easily envisions the rose-petalled, anticipatory lustiness of a bedroom slow dance, making for a night even Barry White would be jealous of.
— Araba Dennis
9. “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” by The Smiths
No one can express feelings better than Morrissey himself. Best kept for the end of the playlist because once this song ends, there's really nothing more to say.
— Marshall Perfetti
10. “Tonight (Best You Ever Had)” By John Legend
With "All of Me" John Legend established himself as a romantic. With "Tonight" — probably the hottest song ever sung he finds a way to bring the fire to the bedroom.
— Anne Duessel
11. “I Love You, Honeybear” By Father John Misty
"I Love You, Honeybear" is about as close as Father John Misty — also known as J. Tillman — will ever get to romanticism. In the song, Tillman — with a transparent lack of basis — seeks to overcome existential darkness with old-fashioned love and sex. Tillman describes the theme in "Holy Shit," declaring "Maybe love is just an economy / based on resource scarcity / what I fail to see is what that's got to do / with you and me."
— Paul Rohrbach
12. “Thinkin Bout You” by Frank Ocean
Frank Ocean’s breakout hit holds just as much weight now as it did upon release five years ago, and the longer it percolates the more it begins to look like a modern classic. “Thinkin Bout You” is as moody and contemplative as Ocean’s more recent work, yet retains the innocence and simplicity the newer “Blonde” lacks.
— Ben Hitchcock
Listen to the full playlist below or on the Arts & Entertainment section’s Spotify page at CavalierDailyAE.
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