With Valentine’s Day coming up, many people either think about the different ways they cherish the people they love or mourn past relationships. There’s no denying that music is a beautiful way to display emotions, whether it’s the butterflies in your stomach when you’re crushing on someone, or the pain you feel after a breakup. Over the years, many breathtaking songs about romance and heartbreak have been released. Here are some of the best ones about these feelings.
Heartbreak
“we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” by Ariana Grande
The song is perfect to listen to when a failing relationship ends. Grande’s vocals and the ethereal instrumentals are a sonic representation of what heartbreak sounds like. This is one of Grande’s most poetically written songs, with vivid lyrics such as “I don’t like how you paint me, yet I’m still here hanging.”
“The Night We Met” by Lord Huron
This heart-wrenching song’s lyrics reminisce about a past relationship. The line “I had all and then most of you / Some and now none of you” symbolize up the feelings of falling in and out of love with someone. It also feels like grieving someone you lost, like a family member or friend, which makes this song even more depressing.
“Casual” by Chappell Roan
This song about a failed situationship is one of my personal favorites from Roan’s album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess”. I always sing along to the bridge when I hear this song because of the sheer emotion Roan’s voice conveys. The lyrics are equal parts angry and depressed, like the thoughts one can have after having their heart broken.
“Slide Away” by Miley Cyrus
This song is very calming, even though it’s meant to be somber. The lyrics talk about accepting that a relationship is at its end. My favorite part of the song is the pre-chorus, which addresses the different lifestyles amongst lovers that can be a contributing factor to breakups. Cyrus’ amazing vocals and the lines of the song make this the perfect breakup song.
“I Love You, I’m Sorry” by Gracie Abrams
The sequel to her song “I miss you, I’m sorry,” this heartbreaking hit shows Abrams turning the page after the story of her past relationship. The song shows little anger or contempt towards an ex, just pure sorrow. The lyrics “That’s just the way life goes / I like to slam doors closed” may seem dismissive, but they hint that the person in the song may be hiding their real feelings about the breakup.
Romance
“Cornelia Street” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift has released several love songs in the past, this one has to be one of my favorites.. The best part it has to be the vulnerability of the lyrics. They don’t just reflect on the feeling of falling in love, but the fear of losing the person you have feelings for. Many couples bond over special places, whether it’s a coffee shop they first met in or a city they visited together. Swift named this song after her “special place”, the street she and her now ex-boyfriend rented a house on.
“Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s
This has to be my favorite love song of all time. The sweet lyrics talk about missing someone you fell in love with. I think that many people have their “Delilah”, whether it’s an ex or a long distance lover. I never get tired of listening to this song, even 18 years after its release.
“Dandelions” by Ruth B
This adorable love song feels like being around the person who stole your heart. It’s about the relatable feeling of desperately wishing someone to be yours, and Ruth B’s soft vocals pair so well with the lovestruck words to the track. The lyrics “And I see forever in your eyes / I feel okay when I see you smile” encapsulate the feeling of falling in love.
“The Only Exception” by Paramore
This guitar ballad has a beautiful message about learning how to love and let your guard down. Many songs about romance are about impatiently waiting for love to come to you, but few embody the struggle of opening up your heart like this one does. The sentimental lyrics are enough to make you want to listen to this song over and over again.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER by Billie Eilish
This hit song from Eilish’s newest album is an ode to unconditional love, whether it’s between friends or lovers. It’s unlike any other song by Eilish because of the more upbeat instrumentals and vocals. The lyrics perfectly describe the feeling of a ride-or-die relationship.
