What's Love Got To Do With It: A Valentine's Playlist (For all Occasions)

What's Love Got To Do With It: A Valentine's Playlist (For all Occasions)

Posted
iggy, patti
 Patti Smith, Iggy Pop & James Williamson circa 1974. Photo by Suzan Carson/Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images.

Valentine’s Day, the most romantic day of the year, for some; for others, it may feel more like an annual exorcising of rose-coloured memories of love's past. From the crazy in love to the heartbroken heroes ... and everything in between, we’ve compiled a list of classic hits, we think, will cover all the feels. 

Iggy Pop | ‘Candy’

From the Godfather of Punk, one of the most pure hearted love songs of all time. 

Prince | 'Kiss'

Nothing sets the mood quite like Prince’s 1986 chart-topper, Kiss. From the instantly recognizable opening riff to the Purple One’s almost whispered vocal delivery, the entire song teeters on the edge of excitement. 

Tina Turner | ‘What's Love Got To Do With It?’

"Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken" - OUCH. This scorn-driven power-ballad, from her 1984 smash Private Dancer, gave Tina Turner her first #1 single, won her three Grammy Awards, an MTV Award for Best Video and an induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012. Autobiographical by all accounts, this runaway mega-hit brought a whole new weight to the term ‘power-ballad’. For anyone going though a painful breakup – this classic is bound to make the future feel bright again. 

Grover Washington Jr. | 'Just the Two of Us' [feat. Bill Withers]

Featuring the late, great Bill Withers (who also wrote the song), this smooth and soulful declaration of togetherness is guaranteed to melt any heart. 

The Pretenders | 'I’ll Stand By You'

A binding ballad of love and devotion with a chorus that throws its arms around you… with the strength of Chrissie Hynde behind you, surely anything is possible.    

Joy Division | ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’

One of the few Joy Division songs in which frontman Ian Curtis played the guitar, albeit minimally. For a soul as melancholy as Curtis's, the idea of romance was fraught with conflicting emotions. While the song’s lyrics lament on his marital problems and growing disillusionment – from his worsening Epilepsy – in the lead up to his tragic suicide in May 1980 at just 23 years old; the intensity of his ruinations suggest romance was simultaneously his obsession and his Kryptonite. The phrase "Love Will Tear Us Apart" is forever inscribed on Ian Curtis’ tombstone.

Eric Clapton | 'Wonderful Tonight'

From his 1977 smash, Slowhand comes this sweet, homespun love song. As the story goes, Clapton penned Wonderful Tonight while watching is girlfriend at the time, Pattie Boyd cycling through outfits to wear to Paul and Linda McCartney's annual Buddy Holly party.

Foreigner | 'I Want To Know What Love Is'

This may be one of the most classic love songs of all time! So good that not even its creator, Mick Jones, is prepared to take credit for it, with the guitarist once saying: “I Want To Know What Love Is came up at three in the morning sometime in 1984. I don’t know where it came from. I consider it a gift that was sent through me. I think there was something bigger than me behind it. I’d say it was probably written entirely by a higher force.”

Eagles | 'The Best of My Love'

Love stories rarely have perfect endings, which might explain why the Eagles' mantra to treasuring the good times gave the band their first #1 single. Wrapping up an age-old universal theme in smooth creamy harmonies makes this tune impossible not to sway along to. 

The Cure | 'Just Like Heaven'

If Robert Smith was to ever send a love letter, we imagine it would go just like this; because for his wife Mary, that’s exactly what this song is. The ultimate love story, Robert and Mary have been married since 1988, the same year he also penned Lovesong as his wedding present to Mary. 

Fleetwood Mac | 'Everywhere' 

Devotion has never sounded so sweet. From those heavenly opening bells, this Christine McVie-written Fleetwood classic sounds like the soundtrack to ascension. 

For those in the mood for the Mac's more angsty side, we recommend:

Fleetwood Mac |’ Go Your Own Way’

Phil Collins | 'One More Night'

If you’ve ever found yourself searching for the words to sum up your undying love, we suggest studying the seductively smooth hits of Phil Collins. One More Night was his second of six number ones during the 80s, including Another Day in Paradise, Against All Odds, Two Hearts, Groovy Kind of Love.  Safe to say, if anyone knows how to cut straight to the heart, it’s Phil! 

Cyndi Lauper | 'Time After Time'

Cyndi Lauper's most endearing masterpiece captures both the complexity and the simplicity of unconditional love in one line: “If you're lost, you can look and you will find me, time after time." No wonder it’s been voted one of the Best Love Songs of All Time by both Rolling Stone and MTV

For all these classic tunes and many more, listen to the Crazy In Love playlist on Spotify: 

Listen to Crazy In Love on Apple Music: 

Related Posts

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE