The Ultimate Valentine’s Playlist

Single or taken, in a committed relationship or just looking to have some fun, chances are your Valentine’s Day is going to need some kind of soundtrack. With a little help, I’ve compiled an Ultimate Valentine’s Playlist, covering the most romantic to the sexiest to the most perfect songs for celebrating single’s awareness day. Obviously this isn’t comprehensive, but it’s a start, and will hopefully make your Valentine’s Day a little more musically intriguing.
 

Romantic
 
The songs you find most romantic probably vary on a lot of things – whether you were in a relationship or not when they came out, if they have a special meaning for you and your significant other, or maybe you just love that perfectly soppy line. Sophomore Donna Hassani said her ultimate romantic song is “Truly, Madly, Deeply” by Savage Garden. “It’s a song for the hopeless romantic,” Hassani said, “It may not reflect reality, but if a guy were to sing or play me that song I would melt.”
 
Sophomore Kevin Echavarria has a slightly different view of romantic. He picked “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield as his epitome of romance, saying “It’s gotta be something ‘80s, those songs are so cheesy.” Junior Adam Docksey took a slightly more classic route and said, “Anything by Frank Sinatra.”
 
Long-term couple Courtney Hardin and Peter Krivicich had different responses for their most romantic songs, but similar reasons for picking them. Hardin chose “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and said, “There’s a line that says ‘Home is wherever I’m with you,’ and this summer when Peter and I were separate, we would think of that song when we would see each other, and it made the distance so much more bearable.” Krivicich also said “Home” as one of his most romantic songs, but said that he also loves “Beyond the Sea” by Bobby Darin. “Courtney and I will sometimes take study breaks and dance to it,” he said, “I like to sing it to her too.”
 
Also on my list that I think should be on yours:
 

1. I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith – Have you seen “Armageddon”? If you haven’t, watch it immediately.
2. Everything I Do (I Do it For You) by Bryan Adams – Another great movie theme song from “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.” I know not many people have seen this movie, but again, you really should.
3. The Scientist by Coldplay – I didn’t have my first first kiss to this song, but I had one of my first really meaningful ones to it, and let’s just say the song made it that much more amazing.
4. Elephant Love Medley from “Moulin Rouge” – This is the ultimate, because it combines some of the most brilliant, classic love songs of all time into one gorgeous medley sung by Ewan McGregor. Brilliance.
5. Look After You by The Fray – This song is pure, beautiful, honesty.
6. Can You Feel the Love Tonight? By Elton John – Or you can just go with “The Lion King” version, because let’s be real, Simba and Nala’s love story is one of the best of all time, and this song just perfects it.

 
Sexy
 
Now Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about romance, like any other day of the year. Sometimes you’re just looking for something fun, whether for a night or as a “friends with benefits” deal. But whatever the situation, having a great hook-up playlist is essential.
 
Freshman Hillary Hafke cited the classic sexy song as her ultimate – “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye. “He’s like having an orgasm during that song,” said Hafke, “That song is amazing.” For Junior Deepa Ramadurai, it’s “Neighbors Know My Name” by Trey Songz. “It has a good beat but a slow, sensual melody,” she said, “And his voice is incredible, and the words are really sensual too…I could go on forever about Trey Songz.”
 
My List (with contributions from “The Harpoon Tunes,” created by UVA Second Year Nabilah Jiwani):
 

1. Hypnotized by Plies
2. Come On Closer by Jem
3. Whatever U Like by Nicole Sherzinger
4. Bed by J. Holiday
5. Sex On Fire by Kings of Leon
6. My Love by Justin Timberlake Feat. T.I.
7. Fantasy by Ludacris
8. Turnin’ Me On by Keri Hilson

 
Reasons for all of those – because they’re really really hot.
 
Single/Girls’ Night In/Girls’ Night Out/Sticking it to the Ex
 
Pretty self-explanatory category, and the playlist that I plan on blasting tomorrow night. Singles for the win.
 

1. Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper – I used to dance around to this with my mom and my sister when we were little. Okay, maybe we still do that occasionally…
2. Wannabe by Spice Girls – What college-age girl didn’t grow up listening to this?
3. Pretty Girl Rock by Keri Hilson – A new addition to this list, but one that I plan on keeping on it for a long time. The perfect song to make you feel great about yourself and that you don’t need anyone else to tell you that.
4. Single Ladies by Beyonce – Self-explanatory.
5. (Forget) You by CeeLo Green – Depending on your mood you can listen to the uncensored or censored version.
6. Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood – This is for the super bitter out there. But it is pretty empowering.
7. Nothing by The Script – Another new addition. It’s about a man who goes out with his mates to get drunk and ends up stupidly calling his ex to try and win her back. I think a lot of people can empathize with that…
8. Single by Natasha Bedingfield – Total single anthem.
9. Independent Women by Destiny’s Child – Another epic anthem.
10. Maneater by Nelly Furtado – This is just too great not to include on this list.