11 Awesome Valentine Songs for Every Day of the Year | Playlist 🎧

11 Awesome Valentine Songs for Every Day of the Year features music from 5 Seconds of Summer, Fiona Apple, LANY, OutKast & Ryan Beatty.

“Happy Valentine’s Day (every day the 14^th) / I don’t think y’all heard me.” As far as we’re concerned at The Musical Hype, like OutKast, every day can be Valentine’s Day.  What better way to celebrate your totally lit relationship or being single for the millionth year than by scrolling through a playlist? Hey, that’s our recommendation for Valentine’s Day, and it won’t cost you one flipping penny! 11 Awesome Valentine Songs for Every Day of the Year mostly sticks to the script, but we threw Ryan Beatty and “Cupid” into the mix once again (hey, it’s an awesome, fitting record).  In addition to giving the Boy in Jeans some more love, artists appearing on this love-centric playlist include 5 Seconds of Summer (“Valentine”), Fiona Apple (“Valentine”), LANY (“Valentine’s Day”), and last but not least, OutKast (“Happy Valentine’s Day”).

1. 5 Seconds of Summer, “Valentine”

Youngblood • Capitol • 2018

“So deep, your DNA’s being messed with my touch / Can’t beat us / So real, fueling the fire until we combust / Can’t touch us.” Alrighty there Michael Clifford – you and your girl definitely have something special apparently. Aussie pop band 5 Seconds of Summer returned in compelling fashion on their third studio album, Youngblood with a sleek, modern pop sound. One of the slickest cuts from Youngblood is “Valentine.” The excellent production isn’t surprising, considering Mike Elizondo is on the boards. “Valentine” sounds far removed from the likes of “She Looks So Perfect” or “Jet Black Heart”.  In the context of the album, more of the band gets into the ‘vocal action,’ including the aforementioned verse by Michael Clifford.  In addition to the production and ‘sharing the wealth’ vocally, the lyrics are fun and clever.

The chorus is “where it’s at.”

“I can take you out, oh, oh
We can kill some time, stay home
Throw balloons, teddy bears, and the chocolate eclairs away
Got nothing but love for you, fall more in love every day
Valentine, valentine.”

2. YK Osiris, “Valentine”

Valentine [Single] • Def Jam • 2018

“Girl, I got you / But do you got me? / Baby, I’d ride for you / But would you ride for me?” YK Osiris will definitely hold this girl down, but questions if she’ll reciprocate on his 2018 single, “Valentine.” According to YK Osiris (via Genius), “My inspirations was that a girl broke my heart.  I wanted to make it up, so I was in my feelings.  It was close to Valentine’s day.” Wow! “Valentine” benefits from its smooth production, featuring electric piano and sleek, hip-hop drums. YK delivers distinct sung vocals throughout the course of the record, with a cutting, semi-aggressive delivery.  This definitely supports his assertions that he was “in [his] feelings.”

The doubts run rampant for the heartbroken urban contemporary singer throughout “Valentine.” “You tell me that you want me, but I want you more,” he YK sings on another excerpt from the lengthy chorus.  On the bridge, he comes out and states the titular lyric:

“Tryna waste my time
You know you on my mind
Do you wanna be mine
Be my valentine
Girl.”

3. Michael Bublé, “My Funny Valentine”

Love • Reprise • 2018

“My funny valentine / Sweet, comic valentine / You make me smile with my heart.” Traditional pop standout Michael Bublé remains consistent on his 2018 album, Love, featuring classics and a couple of brand-new songs. Among the surprises of Love is a more ‘radical-than-expected’ take on “My Funny Valentine.” Sure, Bublé maintains the sanctity of gem, but the production goes more ‘outside of the box’ at times.  It still brings plenty of traditional elements – strings namely – but also incorporates a unique groove and keyboards/synths.

“So, don’t change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little Valentine, stay
Each day is Valentine’s day.”

4. Ryan Beatty, “Cupid

Boy in Jeans • Boy in Jeans • 2018

“And when we get older / And y’all break up someday / And this is not a secret / Maybe then you’ll say you love me back / But until then I’ll be dreaming about that.” Breaking away from songs that explicitly feature ‘valentine’ within their respective titles, “Cupid” still feels fitting given its exploration of love and of course featuring a figure closely associated with Valentine’s Day.  Sweetening the excellence of “Cupid,” a standout from Boy in Jeans, is the fact that openly gay pop singer Ryan Beatty does a great job singing about boys. As aforementioned, Beatty is ‘out and proud’ with nothing to hide. “Cupid” finds him singing to a high school, closeted boy crush.

Filled with vocals featuring unique effects, he begins addressing his desires:

“He’s the only one on my mind
He’s the only one I call when I’m feeling reckless
Tell me that you’re mine.”

The second verse is particularly telling:

“Press your lips against my neck
With me you don’t pretend like you’re with your girlfriend
She’s nice but she’s not me
She’s nice but hates me
Date me, I’m just playing
Didn’t mean to say that...
But if you’re down, so am I
I can’t lie.”

“Cupid” also appears on other playlists on The Musical Hype, 15 Songs Where Guys Sing About Guys and 13 Songs That Address Matters of the Heart.

5. Coyle Girelli, “Valentine”

Love Kills • Honey Lemon • 2018

“Maybe I never had a chance my valentine / And I never should have danced the dance, my valentine / Your friends said you were crazy I ignored the signs / I played that card, I rolled those dice / My valentine.” Ah, English alternative singer/songwriter Coyle Girelli suffers from the plight that is love on “Valentine,” a highlight from his 2018 debut album, Love Kills.  Matters of the heart play a role throughout Love Kills, including the stellar title track.  Here, with powerful, robust, ultra-expressive vocals and a dramatic, theatrical backdrop, Girelli convincingly opens up essentially about how love can totally be a not-so-nice, five-letter word.

Among the most elite moments of “Valentine” arrive at the end of the record.  Here, Coyle Girelli is turned all the way up, singing with the utmost passion over an enthusiastic major key.  Even so, as aforementioned, love is still a [bleep].

“One by one
I wait for love
In my kingdom of lust alone
One by one
Let the world come undone
In my kingdom of lust
I wait on and on
For you my valentine
My valentine
My valentine.”

6. LANY, “Valentine’s Day”

Malibu Nights • Side Street Entertainment • 2018

“Counted up the days / Since it went to hell and I watched you walk out / Counted up the ways / I’ve tried to save myself and I’ve kept my head down.” Hmm… sounds like total heartbreak.  Even so, one of the most radiant records on this valentine-centric list arrives courtesy of indie-pop collective, LANY.  “Valentine’s Day” appears as the seventh song on the collective’s brief 2018 LP, Malibu Nights. Even though Paul Klein is ‘on the rebound’ (“I’m hanging out with someone else / I think they like me too”), he makes it clear, “She’s not as good as you.” As Fantasia once said, on her Grammy-winning hit, “This shit is Bittersweet.”

In regard to sound, “Valentine’s Day” features ultra-smooth vocals, beautifully shining over a warm, piano-based backdrop.  The record takes its time to evolve, with a percussive component only entering the picture upon the arrival of the second verse.  More electronic components complement the addition of sweet electric guitars as the record progresses.  The vocals remain top-notch and incredibly genuine and sincere.  Yeah, Klein is bittersweet, but there’s nothing bittersweet about the excellence of this particular record.

7. Train, “Valentine”

A girl a bottle a boat • Columbia • 2017

“I’m never gonna tell ya lies / I’ll always stand by your side / So when’re ya gonna realize? / I’m never gonna say goodbye.” Train is enthusiastic to the nth degree on “Valentine,” the lucky number seventh song from their 2017 LP, A girl a bottle a boat.  Basically, this sweet, tropically-tinged pop/rock record finds Pat Monahan reassuring his bae that he will always remain true.  He’s willing to do any and everything for her – period.  According to Pat, any doubts that she has, well, it’s “all in her head.”

“Baby, it’s all in your head
Do you remember what I said?
When we sat there on your bed.”

Nah, Pat doesn’t offer many specifics, but it seems he’s going to be her emotional rock as well as hold it down in the bedroom (“Gonna prove it every day / All night in every way”).

8. David Bowie, “Valentine’s Day”

The Next Day • Columbia • 2013

David Bowie served up some old-school sounding rock on “Valentine’s Day,” a highlight from his 2013 album, The Next Day. Perhaps without diving deeper into “Valentine’s Day,” it comes off as one of the most standard, straightforward records from the LP. Early on, the listener is blessed with the grit of the electric guitars. Also, acoustic guitar can be heard in the mix as well.  One of the pros beyond the fact that this is a David effing Bowie record is the ‘optimism’ of this cut.

“Valentine told me who’s to go…
The teachers and the football star
It’s in his tiny face
It’s in his scrawny hand...
He’s got something to say, it’s Valentine’s Day...
Teddy and Judy down.”

Wait a minute – that’s not the least bit optimistic, despite the major key or Bowie’s passionate vocals.  This references a violent mass murder situation, seemingly a school shooting/massacre of sorts.  So much for the ‘feel-good’ sentiment, damn.  The chorus is simple – only two lines – but certainly memorable by all means:

“Valentine sees it all
He’s got something to say, it’s Valentine’s Day.”

9. Fiona Apple, “Valentine”

The Idler Wheel is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw… • Epic • 2012

“You didn’t see my valentine / I sent it via pantomime / While you were watching someone else / I stared at you and cut myself.” Ouch… that’s not good Fiona Apple. “Valentine” appears as the moody third track from the singer/songwriter’s 2012 album, The Idler Wheel… (feel free to look up the full album title on your own time).  “Valentine” commences with subtle thudding kick drum.  Initially, Apple slackens the tempo, contextually contrasting the malicious sounding “Daredevil.”  As always, Fiona Apple impresses pianistically, incorporating some clever piano chords.  The harmonic progression is brilliant. Initially, Apple delivers sensitive vocals, but with a quicker tempo arriving during the chorus, she adds more grit, passion – bite.

Speaking of the chorus – as well as the pre-chorus that precedes it – it’s arguably the crème de la crème of the record.

“I’m a tulip in a cup
I stand no chance of growing up
I’ve made my peace I’m dead and I’m done
I watched you live to have my fun
I root for you, I love you...”

10. Lloyd, “Valentine”

Street Love • Universal Motown • 2007

“So, what do I do baby, I / Give my heart to you my valentine / Through and through a thousand times / It feels so true this love of mine.”  Taking it back to the 00s, specifically 2007, Street Love marked the biggest album of R&B artist Lloyd’s career.  Why? The 2007 LP featured radio hits such as “You” (featuring Lil Wayne) and “Get It Shawty”, along with other gems like “Certified” and “Hazel.”  None of those four heavyweights quite fit this valentine-centric list, but no worries – the same album features a fitting record, “Valentine.”

“Valentine” finds Lloyd blessing us with his hella smooth pipes, including some sick falsetto.  Also helping his cause is a sensual, vibe-laden backdrop, courtesy of Wirlie “Wyl-e” Morris.  The well-sung record runs a bit long and doesn’t quite achieve the same high marks as the aforementioned gems, but Lloyd clearly executes his point throughout – no questions!

“If this is a dream, don’t wake me
The thought of bein’ with you just takes me
To the moon and the stars
The world revolves around my heart.”

11. OutKast, “Happy Valentine’s Day”

Speakerboxxx / The Love Below • Arista • 2003

“My name is Cupid Valentino, the modern-day Cupid / And I just want to say one thing.” No Valentine’s Day or valentine playlist would be complete without one particular song – “Happy Valentine’s Day” from André 3000.  The eccentric, quirky “Happy Valentine’s Day” appears on the Grammy-winning double album by OutKast, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (The Love Below is André 3000’s disc).  The best way to describe “Happy Valentine’s Day” is that it’s truly scrumptious – quite a musical treat.

André 3000 continues to do André 3000, and that’s nothing short of a blessing.  The personality is at an all-time high, as 3000 imparts the tale of Cupid on the verses (“Now when the arrows don’t penetrate, see (Cupid grabs the pistol)”). Besides incredible fun lyrics and plenty of attitude, the production is funky as hell, featuring an inescapable, feel-good beat.  But let’s revisit the lyrics once more, specifically the chorus, performed by Joi, Screechy Peach, and of course, André 3000.

“Ya won’t believe in me
But you would fancy leprechauns or groundhogs
No, thank you, Easter Bunny
There’s all this talk about Santa Claus, but see
Love will rule supreme.”

11 Awesome Valentine Songs for Every Day of the Year 🎧[📷: Arista, Boy in Jeans, Capitol, Columbia, Def Jam, Epic, Honey Lemon, Pexels, Pixabay, Reprise, Side Street Entertainment, Universal Motown]