The Californian editors compiled their top 10 love songs for Valentine’s Day. Enjoy.
“I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston is an amazing love song that doesn’t talk about the cliche love that we hear in modern music. It’s about a realistic love where she can’t go on without him, but at the same time she won’t compromise who she is. This is embodied in the lyrics, “Take me for what I am. ‘Cause I’ll never change all my colors for you.”
Houston starts with a soft voice but gradually gets into her louder vocals as she gains confidence to speak how she feels. The deep meaning in the lyrics and Houston’s beautiful voice combine to create a magical song that students can sing along to. That is if they can hit the high notes. – Caleb Yi
“Friday I’m in Love” by The Cure shows the impatience of love as lead singer Robert Smith goes on about how he can’t wait to see his love on Friday. The song starts cheerful but slowly gets louder, with funky vocal changes and a loud but secret kiss exchanged at the end.
This shows how the thought of Friday gets him more excited to see his lover. The lyrics, “Saturday wait. And Sunday always comes too late. But Friday never hesitates,” perfectly describes the feeling of waiting to see your significant other. It’s an even more perfect love song since Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday! – Gina Germano
“10,000 Hours” by Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber is a beautiful, sweet love song showing the undying love one has for their partner. The lyrics convey a deep sense of devotion, with the singers expressing how they’d spend a lifetime learning to love this person and trying to understand them so they can make them feel cherished.
The melody complements the sincerity of the message, and the smooth blend of country-pop elements adds an emotional warmth that makes the song relatable and timeless. It’s not just about love but the effort and dedication required to nurture and grow in a relationship. The song beautifully captures the idea of unconditional commitment and the lengths someone is willing to go to for their partner. – Vihaan Tigadikar
“Blue” by Yung Kai is an ethereal love song that captures the essence of young love with a soft melody. Inspired by the popular C-drama, “When I Fly Towards You,” and “Blue,” it embodies the feeling of innocent and eternal love. Similar to the name, the artist references “blue” elements throughout the song in order to create vivid imagery and the underlying melancholy of losing a loved one.
The song opens with, “Your morning eyes, I could stare like watching stars,” alluding to the beauty of the sky and comparing it to the artist’s lover. Kai continues with reassurances to his lover with apprehension that she will leave him in the future, represented by the sadness blue is often associated. But Kai comes to terms with the bittersweet nature of love, shown by the song’s ending with a fading tune. The duality Kai brings to the concept of love makes it a perfect love. – Gabby Huie
“Best Part” by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R. is often considered one of the best love songs because of the authenticity of the heartfelt lyrics. The lines “You’re my water when I’m stuck in the desert. You’re the Tylenol I take when my head hurts,” illustrate the deep comfort and support a partner provides. These verses express how the person they love is the most beautiful and meaningful aspect of life.
The sweet-sounding instrumentals combined with soft guitar riffs create a serene background that complements the duo’s heartfelt vocals. The genuine chemistry between the singers enhances the song’s impact. Since its release, the song has been featured in various romantic settings confirming it should be added to a Valentine’s Day playlist. – Riya Reddy
“Lover” by Taylor Swift is the type of song I can listen to on repeat but still feel mesmerized each time. Ten-year-old me who swore that she was taking a break from Swift jumped right back on her bandwagon after hearing this song. Even years after its release, I still attempt to sing “You’re my my my my …. Lover” in the shower.
There is nothing as bittersweet as looking back at your old stories from a new chapter. This song captures raw feelings of moving from a memory but not forgetting it. The timeless and almost vintage feel with its waltz-like rhythm and dreamy production is perfect. Love is a concept that goes beyond words, and love songs in general are made to celebrate this feeling. – Mansi Swaminathan
“Love Story” by Taylor Swift is the best love song to exist. She changes the narrative of the classic love story, “Romeo and Juliet” by transforming it into a story of young love that ultimately leads to marriage. The song captures the emotional journey of falling in love by making the lyrics relatable to listeners. It has a powerful chord progression that creates a nostalgic feeling all generations of listeners can love.
This creates a fairy-tale-like experience which is shown in the iconic lyrics, “You’ll be the prince and I’ll be the princess. It’s a love story, baby, just say, ‘Yes’”. Swift turns a centuries-old tragic tale into an anthem of youthful optimism and romantic possibility by giving the classic love story a happy ending with a marriage proposal. – Anvi Kataria
“Here With Me” by Marshmello and CHVRCHES is a beautifully modern love song about finding the right person. Lauren Mayberry, CHVRCHES’ lead vocalist, captures the deep appreciation for someone who feels like home and the vulnerability of longing for someone’s presence. The lyrics, “Can I tell you something just between you and me? When I hear your voice, I know I’m finally free,” illustrate the transformative comfort of love and the way it brings peace into a chaotic world.
The upbeat tempo and dreamy synth-pop aspects of the song give it a joyful vibe, and paired with the emotional lyrics, the song balances euphoria and longing perfectly. It’s a reminder that love is about connecting and cherishing moments with those who make life brighter. – Shelly Parekh
“Still Think About You” by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie is a deeply emotional track that captures the lingering pain of heartbreak and betrayal. What makes this song so powerful is its raw exposure, as A Boogie reflects on the struggle of moving on from someone who meant the whole universe to him.
The chorus, “Girl, I still think about you,” is an everyday reminder that love doesn’t fade easily, even when trust is broken. The song is a perfect blend of relatable lyrics and emotional depth, making it a standout anthem for anyone dealing with love and loss. – Zak Syed
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley is the best love song because of its timelessness and emotional simplicity. The song’s few lyrics compare love to the natural flow of a river, capturing the essence of love’s inevitability. The slow melody brings a sense of timeless beauty that complements Presley’s voice perfectly.
Lines such as, “Take my hand, take my whole life too,” express a pure, selfless devotion listeners can instantly connect with. Unlike generic love songs today, Presley’s lyrics convey the timeless feeling of falling in love. Presley has encapsulated the indescribable feeling of falling in love in a few short lines. – Nidhi Sudheendra