With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, we are all reminded of our relationship status. The endless supply of themed Instagram ads and grocery stores full of red chocolate boxes definitely make the holiday hard to ignore. Whether happily in a relationship or facing another year single, here are a mix of cynical and optimistic songs to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
1. Taylor Swift: “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”
When crafting this playlist, this was the very first hater song that came to mind. While Taylor may be in her lover girl era with her new album, she definitely has been through some rough break ups. This is a great one to sing at the top of your lungs when trying to get over an ex.
2. sombr: “undressed”
sombr is definitely a top-tier yearner. He describes pining after someone so devastatingly. My favorite line, “I don’t want the children of another man to have the eyes of the girl I won’t forget,” really hits hard and makes my heart ache.
3. Olivia Rodrigo: “Vampire”
This is kind of a throwback song, but what better way is there to describe someone who sucked the life out of you than as a vampire? Her whole album Sour is honestly perfect for anyone trying to get over a bad ex.
4. TV Girl: “Lovers Rock”
This song is the epitome of a chill love song. Although it does have a somewhat cynical twist to it as the singer questions the potential of their romance ending in heartbreak, it encapsulates what the early and hopeful stages of a relationship can feel like.
5. SZA: “Kill Bill”
In the heat of the moment, killing your ex may have some fantasy appeal if you are as heated as SZA. The movie inspiration, Kill Bill, is also a great watch about revenge and girlbossing. Uma Thurman would never let a man do her wrong and get away with it.
6. Beyonce: “All Night”
This has been on repeat for me lately; it is such a banger. The trumpet in the song truly speaks to my soul. Beyonce’s lyricism also shines through with her line, “I’ll trade your broken wings for mine,” reminding me of a fantasy romance.
7. PinkPantheress: “Boy’s a liar”
This song does not need much explanation. That boy’s a liar.
8. Cigarettes After Sex: “Sweet”
Something about a good Cigarettes After Sex song screams “lover.” The ethereal vibes and romantically slow pace of this song captures the feeling of spending a long and lazy Sunday with your love.
9. Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea: “Problem”
Don’t let a relationship bring you down. With the Ithaca cold and the Cornell course load, no one needs another issue added to their plate. Just like your girl Ari preaches, drop that unnecessary dead weight.
10. JVKE: “this is what falling in love feels like”
Like the song name suggests, this banger absolutely encapsulates the feeling of falling in love. The rush of new emotions and the high from those first few dates are truly unmatched.
I hope this playlist gave a good representation of the wide breadth of feelings you could be facing this Valentine’s Day. What better way to recognize the holiday than with some good jams?
You can find the playlist here.
‘Solar Flare’ is a weekly playlist column where Sun contributors spotlight a slice of musical taste with the campus community. It runs every Monday.
Emma Robinson is a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at erobinson@cornellsun.com.
