You’re well advanced in your Valentine’s Day preparations. You’ve worked out your Valentine’s Day personality type from our highly scientific quiz and made adjustments accordingly. You’ve zoned into romance as a concept and you’ve selected your romantic evening activity of choice. All that remains is to ensure you have a playlist to have oh-so-casually playing when you get back to your place. Here’s some tips for what to include:
1. “Eyes” – Rogue Wave
Why: This is an early-in-the-evening song. It says gentle romance and promises of something even better to come.
Crucial lyric: But one thing I’m missing is in your eyes.
2. “Too Young” – Phoenix
Why: While the lyrics i.e. suggesting someone is too young and lost love, are not inherently saucy, there is something about this tune that’s completely suitable for being on the couch and hoping your knees will touch. Sometimes lost love is romantic too. This was one of the songs used in Lost in Translation by Sofia Coppola who was dating the lead singer, Thomas Mars of Phoenix at the time. They’re now married. That’s romantic. Also, the video clip features the band managing a commercial fishing harvest on a wharf which is a good speaking point if you’re lost for words.
Touching lyric: Tonight everything is over.
3. “The Morning” – The Weeknd
Why: House Of Balloons has been one of the biggest albums to come out in the last 12 months for the terminally cool. If you haven’t been listening to this, hand back your fixed gear bike. So, this one’s important for your credibility and also because it’s a genuinely emotional song to have playing in the background. Again, it’s not a song about romance but the exact opposite. You’re post-modern like that, right? Also, the film clip is genuinely disturbing so you should be able to bond with your paramour over the trauma.
Only lyric that is not an expletive: Downtown loving, When the moon coming
4. “Born to Die” – Lana Del Ray
Why: Another important one for your credibility since she’s been, like, everywhere, in 2011. This is a great tune that makes you feel like you’re an extra in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet, but in a good way.
Poignant lyric: But I’m hoping at the gates, they’ll tell me that you’re mine
5. “Come Undone” – Duran Duran
Why: Yes, you’d maybe forgotten about Duran Duran or written them off as cheesey retro pop but back up a step there, cowboy: this is emotional, this is gritty and real, this is about you going in for the kiss with someone you shouldn’t. Anyone can slap on a couple of Adele songs and call it heart-wrenching (PS. Don’t do that) but this shows you’ve been emotional since the Eighties. The film clip is a triumph of Simon LeBon at an aquarium with a woman in the water in chains. Shut up, I don’t even want to understand it.
Killer lyric: Happy birthday to you was created for you
6. “All I Need” – Air
Why: This lilting tune calmly suggests something is about to happen. It’s not so boppy that it will require you to get up and dance but provides the perfect level of background enthusiasm for you to get highly romantic. Oh, and if you’d prefer a same-sex version, use this alternative from our friend Nicolas Randall.
Crucial lyric: All I need is a little sign
7. “Destiny” – Zero 7
Why: The person you are sitting next to is your destiny, are you following? Your destiny. This is utterly beautiful, purely romantic and about long-distance lurve which you never want to have with that sizzling person next to you but you would, you know, because that’s how much you like them. At least for tonight.
Compelling lyric: When I’m weak, I draw strength from you; and when you’re lost, I know how to change your mood
8. “Let’s Get it On” – Marvin Gaye
Why: There is no question this is cheese but you, my little romantic camper, are listening to it ironically. Or if it turns out that it gets you into the bedroom, so ironically it’s no longer ironic because honesty is sexy, yes? Anyway, this track was originally written as a religious ode to life, but was later re-written as a political ditty before finally being reworked to be about “making sweet love.” Thank goodness!
Critical lyrics: All of them.
9. “Angel” – Massive Attack
Why: Rhythmic and not too many lyrics. This is for when you’re getting to the serious part of the evening because what could be more poignant than words? No words.
Critical lyrics: Who cares, you should not be listening to the words at this stage.
10. “Let’s Go to Bed” – The Cure
Why: This really is the quintessential “back at my place” song. Not only is it a good song in and of itself, but if you can’t convert with this on the stereo, it’s never going to happen. Press play and make your move.
Killer line: You think you’re tired now but wait until three.
If you need a little liquid inspiration for the evening, why not try the Maker’s Mark Rosie Posie? All you need is:
50mls Maker’s Mark
10mls BOLS Triple Sec
5mls Monin Rose Syrup
Squeeze of fresh orange
60mls Pineapple juice
Glass: Coupette
Garnish: Red rose petal
Method: Shake well for 10 seconds & strain into chilled coupette. For extra romance, drink from the same glass with two straws while gazing longingly into each other’s eyes!
Published on 14 February 2012 by Esmerelda Clark