For this post, I teamed up with Laura Krejčová – a journalist and a former writer for Vogue Czechoslovakia – who has experience with writing these “playlist posts”
Introduction
For most people it is a celebration of love, for some, it’s a fake marketing move to make people spend more money, for others it’s a sad day full of thinking: “Why don’t I have love?” We’re speaking about Valentine’s day. Mainly because everyone sees this day differently, we decided we will make a little different Valentine’s Day playlist that will bring something new to anyone and will show love from all different views.
It’s essential to remember that even if someone has a significant other, it’s not always just rainbows and glitters. The person can live far away. One person can have mental issues which can make the relationship quite challenging, or they just have differences that they need to solve. On the other hand, being alone can be better at times or for some people. But it also works the other way around. No matter which type of person are you, as we said, this playlist is made for anyone.
We wanted this playlist to reflect all the angles of love bright and dark. This thought was the main thing affecting the whole process. The diversity of the songs we picked paints that picture perfectly.
Song Choice Explained
Instead of sticking to one genre, we went for an open-format playlist. That way we could explain the meaning of the term “Unconventional Valentine” (only) with a list of songs. There was nothing limiting what we wanted to express with this playlist and that’s what helped create this.
Lyrics of the song “On My Way Out” by Getter featuring Joji may not sound valentine themed, but it actually is about love. It feels like someone who is singing about love but from some sort of distance. Once I heard it I knew it would make this list.
“What You Need” by The Weeknd made it to this playlist, but if you know this song you’ll notice that it sounds different. You’re right! We decided to use an unreleased version of the track which is accessible on YouTube. Even if you’re used to the original, try to get into this version that is quite different. And this song is also, in some way, about being unfaithful by the lyrics “he’s what you want, I’m what you need”.
Then we have “IFHY” by Tyler, The Creator, a song that shows that: “Someone who makes me the happiest can easily make me the saddest.” I think we all can agree that this is true. When you care about someone, it hurts more when they do something you don’t like. The same applies to “Tearing Me Up” by Bob Moses or “I Hate U” by SZA.
We won’t lie and we will tell you that love for someone also goes hand in hand with passion and sexual tension. For this specific reason, we have “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye or “Burning Desire” by Lana Del Rey in the playlist.
Even though the list contains a number of break-up songs, I want it to arouse an overall optimistic emotion. That’s why the closing track of the list is “Pieces of You” by nothing,nowhere. I wanted a little energy boost at the end and this track was perfect for it. I would also like to add that “Pieces of You” has the most wholesome music video ever. You have to watch it, especially if your valentine’s day didn’t work out quite that well.
For an unconventional valentine’s day, besides this playlist, I would recommend reading one of the John Green Books, my favorite is Paper Towns, it gave me goosebumps for real. The song “Lost It To Trying” by Son Lux in the playlist is from the soundtrack of the movie adaptation of that novel.
Another book that Laura would recommend as “unconventional love” themed is “All the Bright Places” by Jennifer Niven. It is about the fact that love can actually be really tragic. I think about this story often even though she red it 5 years ago.
Tracklist
- Joji – SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK
- XXXTENTACION – Changes (izzamusic remix)
- The Weeknd – What You Need (Unreleased Version)
- Daft Punk, Julian Casablancas – Instant Crush
- Marvin Gaye – Sexual Healing
- Santino Le Saint – Cigarettes & Alcohol (A COLORS ENCORE Version)
- Billie Eilish – when the party’s over
- Fred Again.. – Danielle (smile on my face)
- Childish Gambino – Me and Your Mama
- Teyana Taylor, Kanye West – Hurry
- Tyler, the Creator – IFHY
- bulow – Not A Love Song
- Lana Del Rey – Burning Desire
- Getter – On My Way Out feat. Joji
- The Chainsmokers, 5 Seconds Of Summer – Who Do You Love (R3HAB Remix)
- The Neighbourhood – Daddy Issues
- Bad Omens – Just Pretend
- Future, Drake, Tems – WAIT FOR U
- Zella Day – You Sexy Thing
- Cigarettes After Sex – Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby
- Billie Eilish – Billie Bossa Nova
- Son Lux – Lost It To Trying (Paper Towns Mix)
- Kali Uchis – Tyrant
- SZA – I Hate U
- Bob Moses – Tearing Me Up
- Sabrina Carpenter – because i liked a boy
- Marshmello, Mae Muller, Trippie Redd – American Psycho
- The Vaccines – Want You So Bad
- nothing,nowhere. – Pieces of You
Something For More Pleasant Listening
Unfortunately, some tracks are unavailable on Spotify so we couldn’t provide a full-fledged playlist there. We have an alternative for you tho. You can download the entire playlist in one mp3 file for free directly from this page.
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