14 Days of Love Day 12: Valen-tunes: Love and Anti-Love Songs to Listen to This Valentine’s Day

Kate Stuzin, Managing Editor

Valentine’s Day, a day some people love and others dread. Whether you love or hate the holiday centered around love and affection, I have curated two playlists to suit your Valentine’s Day needs. Scan the Spotify codes in the design pictured above to access the playlists.

First up is the “14 Days of Love: Love Songs” playlist. This collection of songs details what it feels like to fall in love, enter the early stages of a relationship and meet your lifelong partner. Grab some blankets, sweets and cuddle with your beau to listen to this playlist and fall in love all over again. Below are some highlights:

Invisible String – Taylor Swift

This ode to Swift’s one true love, Joe Alwyn, describes the serendipities that tied the couple together before they ever met. All the pain and suffering from what felt like a lifetime of heartache and breakups brought Swift comfort, as it ended up leading her closer to meeting “the 1.”

Like Real People Do – Hozier

The lyrics tell a story of two beautifully broken people that do not attempt to fix each other’s traumas when they fall in love; instead, they move on from their respective pasts and accept and love each other for who they are, baggage and all.

First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes 

Conor “Bright Eyes” Oberst captures the transformative power of a relationship that almost feels like a rebirth. Meeting their partner restarted both of their lives for the better. The healing potential of romantic love drowns out the voice of reason, leaving them utterly defenseless.

14 Days of Love: Love Songs

  • Love Song – Lana Del Rey
  • invisible string – Taylor Swift
  • Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
  • Like Real People Do – Hozier
  • Pink in the Night – Mitski
  • Ophelia – The Lumineers
  • First Day of My Life – Bright Eyes 
  • Gravity – Sara Bareilles
  • 400 Lux – Lorde
  • The Night We Met – Lord Huron (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)
  • 18 – One Direction
  • Your Song – Elton John
  • She – Dodie
  • See You Again – Tyler The Creator (feat. Kali Uchis)

For those who are not particularly feeling the love this Valentine’s Day, I’ve also got you covered with the “14 Days of Love: Anti-Love Songs” playlist. This playlist dives into the feelings of post-breakup anger, heartbreak and teen angst. Below are some highlights:

Killer – Phoebe Bridgers

Bridger’s relationship has died, but the exhaustion and pain from the fight have not been forgotten. The “serial killer” metaphor serves to recognize the destructive strategies of control that her partner uses to strip Bridgers of her independence, making it impossible for her to leave.

Hard Feelings/Loveless – Lorde

“Hard Feelings” dives into Lorde’s emotional turmoil amid her breakup. The song transitions from Lorde begging to be let down softly into a bitter, almost satirical dig at her ex in “Loveless.” Slighted by her ex, Lorde comments that her generation does not need a partner to feel love and that loving yourself has always been enough.  

Take a Bow – Rihanna

Rihanna’s ex put on a good show to make her feel special and fell for it. Rihanna is pissed and will not accept his phony apologies. She needs this man to pack up all his things and bring his drama out of her house. She is not naive anymore, and the curtains have closed on their relationship. 

14 Days of Love: Anti-Love Songs

  • Killer – Phoebe Bridgers
  • Hard Feelings/Loveless – Lorde
  • Supermodel – SZA
  • What the Hell – Avril Lavigne
  • Night Shift – Lucy Dacus
  • Terrence Loves You – Lana Del Rey
  • Happier Than Ever – Billie Eilish
  • Before He Cheats – Carrie Underwood
  • Picture to Burn – Taylor Swift
  • no tears left to cry – Ariana Grande 
  • Womanizer – Britney Spears 
  • Take a Bow – Rihanna
  • traitor – Olivia Rodrigo
  • Chasing Pavements – Adele