Ava Hampton

Love Song – The Cure 

I consider the lyrics sung to be vows to their lover. Each line is a promise made, and this is especially evident in the chorus; “however far away, I will always love you”.

Tanto Tempo – Bebel Gilberto 

Bebel Gilberto speaks about her expectations in love, specifically how she’s been asked why she expects so much from a love that hasn’t come yet. She speaks of how she knows her love will come, and how wherever they might be, she looks for them. I consider this to be an ode to herself, a promise she has made to herself to find the love she knows she deserves. Even without looking at the translated lyrics, her voice in the song captures the serenity of knowing her love is out there.

Say Yes – Floetry

This song is pure emotion, an expression of exuberant yearning. There’s a desperation in the lead singers voice and with the lulling melody the song captures the emotion of what it feels like to want.

Gage De Leon

Virtual Insantiy – Jamiroquai 

We all felt the urge to dance when no one was around. Just by ourselves, in a room, with no eyes on us. The issue is we need some music. The best way to start a solo dance is with a little funk. Virtual Insanity has a nice upbeat tune to it that gives you that urge to dance or even move around. The music video is pretty amazing as well with how the whole set up was. I recommend checking it out if your vibe with the song. Fair warning: if you watch the video, you may attempt to dance like the man in said video. It is an enchantment that you cannot beat so just go along with it and enjoy! 

Raid – Madvillain, madlib, MFDOOM, MED 

MF DOOM is my favorite rapper. His rhymes and flow go so well. Smooth like butter and Raid is one of my favorites. The first line hooked me immediately: “How DOOM how heat and preach non-violence?” He is a storyteller when it comes to his rap. Always keeping you on your toes with double entendre that creeps in when you don’t expect it and the incredible use of the rhymes he produces. I would just play a song of his and just close my eyes, letting my imagination create a scenario based on his words. His creative mind and smooth flow are some things that I can’t get enough of.  

Everlong – Foo Fighters 

Foo Fighters are first and foremost my favorite band. I listen to so many of their songs daily from “Learn to Fly”, “The Pretender,” and “Walk”. Each of their songs fills me with different feelings. From pumping me up, to jammin’, to just calm peace. Then there is “Everlong”. A song that I listen to usually when I feel emotional. It starts soft then rams up a bit but never going crazy. It stays at this smooth, melancholy rhythm. The acoustic version is even more so. When I feel alone or just downright heartbroken, I listen to Everlong, not to cheer myself up but to help even me out. It gives me a feeling that the only way out is through so it’s ok to just let it all out. 

Ayaxe Williams

Sun and Moon – Anees 

I chose Sun and Moon because to me that is the peak of romance. My girlfriend is extremely important to me and I call her my Sun, my reason to get up in the morning and experience the day.

Fly Love – Jamie Foxx 

Fly Love is a sweet song about falling in love unexpectedly which is exactly what I did. It’s the breeze, the easiness in which I fell in love with her like I was meant to do it, as if there was no other option.

Crazy In Love – Beyoncé, JAY-Z 

Crazy In Love was chosen because it’s Beyoncé and no one does love like her. It’s also how I feel. I can’t believe I’m finally in love with someone and I do feel insane about it. Talking about how much I love this girl does feel crazy and I feel like all my friends can tell how much I love her.

Ariana Sanderson

Glue Song – Beebaadoobe  

Beabadoobee, a 23-year-old indie/alternative artist introduced the world to her “Glue Song” in 2023, which feels like the musical interpretation of falling in love and sticking with someone. Her songs are short but sweet and constructed with the cadence of poetry. 

See You Again – Tyler the Creator ft. Kalis Uchis  

Tyler the Creator, a rapper and record producer, collaborated with Kali Uchis during his studio album Flower Boy to take us through this dream relationship that’s coming to an end, with a mixture of rap and vocals. Tyler goes back and forth between someone who relies on a dream girl to save him from the war of every day and while Kali seems to be the voice in his head making him wonder if he’ll ever see the girl in his mind again. 

Bewitched – Laufey  

Laufey is relatively new to the scene, coming out as a jazz artist in 2021. The song Bewitched was a featured song in her new album Bewitched, where she explores more somber emotions like regret from childhood and unrequited love. She won the 2024 Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Bewitched is Laufey falling magically in love. She shows us both the world she’s physically existing in and the feelings in her head and her heart. 

Ashton Arellano

Fade Into You – Mazzy Star 

“Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star released in 1993 is a timeless ballad for any hopeless romantic. The song is structured in just four chords, there is beauty in its simple yet haunting melody. The song holds true to timeless themes of love, vulnerability, and the desire for closeness. The song’s lyrics are a poetic confession that encapsulates the yearning and intimacy in the desire to become one with another person. A song that is always on my replay list whenever winter comes around. 

Those Eyes – New West 

The song “Those Eyes” by New West is a staple love song in all my playlists. A song about tender and soft love. The soulful melody serves as a shrine to the subtle and powerful intricacies of small intimacies shared between lovers. Each verse unfolds like a love letter, expressing the joy in the act of being loved in the smallest of ways. To me, “Those Eyes” is a testament to love’s unspoken language; the nuance of a single glance shared between two people lost in each other. A small gesture reminding us that to be loved is to be seen. 

Jackie and Wilson – Hozier 

“Jackie and Wilson” by Hozier carries influences of blues, soul, and rock blending them together to craft a love narrative infused with the fierceness of youth. To me, this is a song that captures the exhilarating rush of newfound romance and the passion that comes with it. “Jackie and Wilson” is an ode to the love that drives us to change and grow for the better. Encouraging us to embrace the unknown without fear, a reminder to let passion guide us. 

Laura Lahee 

Money – The Drums 

This is a quirky story about love and poverty. I think we have all felt this way at some point in our lives- wanting to treat someone special, but you’re stopped by financial reasons. When it becomes increasingly harder to go on dates, to dinners, to museums, etc.; acts of love are being barred by money. Meaningful gifts are hard to come by as many people have less and less time in their days to plan out surprises. This isn’t to say that all gifts need to be monetary, but something as simple as a movie for two being $21 on average (and that’s not including popcorn) should be a scam in itself. 

La Circuela – Nico Play 

I love this song because it evokes the selfish desire of wanting to be with someone you don’t know. The song is beautiful even when it leads into the realm of delusional desperation. At first glance, the song has the vibes of an intimate stalker anthem, but the more you listen, it becomes wrapped in a candy coating of true love and fantastical passion.   

Perfect Girl – Mareux 

Honestly, my love for this song is purely vibes-based. Some songs don’t need meaningful analysis of simple lyrics to make people want to listen to them. It’s something nice to listen to in headphones as well as out loud or on a speaker. The tempo is nice, the guitars are catchy, but more importantly, it sounds good sped up and slowed! The Perfect Girl is just the perfect song. 

Paulina Reyes 

I Wish You Love – Sam Cooke 

I chose this song because its sweet and I love Sam Cooke’s voice. He is soulful and serenades this song lovingly. Sam Cooke is the greatest of all time, the lyrics are simple and beautiful. They take me to a place of being in someone’s arms and cuddling close. It is hard not to feel the love with this tune. The beginning lyrics are my favorite “I wish you bluebirds in the Spring to give your song to sing, a little kiss but more than this. I wish you love.” This is a song you can hold someone close and dance with too. 

Sweet To Me – Summer Salt 

Sweet to Me makes me feel like I am going on a road trip to the beach and it’s a wonderful feeling to reminisce my summers in the sun back at home. This song says how I feel because I do want to kick it back and get lazy. The harmony is fun and playful and will make you feel warm inside as much as it will make you think of summer. A song about going on an adventure with people you love is my favorite kind of song and makes me think of my friends I grew up with.  

Linda – Alberto Baldan Bembo 

A great song and short at only 1:10 seconds. It has no lyrics but the from beginning to end it the guitar coons, and I always play it repeatedly. The composer Alberto Baldan Bembo, also known as Blue Marvin, was an Italian multi-instrumentalist, arranger and composer. He joined Bruno De Filippi’s ensemble in 1963. In the 1970’s he conducted the orchestra. Linda is a gem and my favorite musical portrayal of love. It’s a soft song that enchants you for a minute. Think of it as bossa nova but love song bossa nova, that’s Linda. 

M.P. Hassel 

Yellow Eyes – Rayland Baxter 

Leaving love can leave your head in a guilty, sinking blue that holds over until the next love. “Yellow Eyes” exalts in the finding of your Self on the road and making mistakes until it all works out.

Sarah – Alex G 

Continuing and exhaling, like the panic to manufacture excitement in monotony. “Sarah” may not be your paragon, may be your mistake; in loving and leaving, tempting and torturing.

For Emma – Bon Iver

So, apropos of our short journey of leaving, I leave you too. Our thespian of the world’s stage, Camus’s Sisyphus, mon semblable, situated at the bottom of the hill and before the road forward. Let past loves pass through your memory warmheartedly.

Jayson Massey 

Turn off the Lights – Teddy Pendergrass 

Smooth Operator – Sade 

With You – Tony Terry 

Nothing from this century for me. 

Brooke Rogers 

Piazza, New York Catcher – Belle and Sebastian 

This song has some of the most beautiful, vulnerable lyrics I’ve ever heard. 

Giants – Bear Hands 

The greatest response to someone saying, “I love you” is definitely “I am loving you more.” 

Modern Love – David Bowie

Poignant lyrics you can bop to.