February Love Song #28

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #28

Dua Lipa "New Rules"

In a twist on this month's theme, I chose a break up song for the last song of the month. We are breaking up with the love song theme as March approaches. Dua Lipa has broken into the pop scene within the last few months, with "New Rules" being the smash hit that has really put her in the spotlight. It's a powerful song about not going back to your ex, no matter what. Dua lays down "New Rules" that are supposed to help remind her of why going back won't work. It has a really catchy beat, and Dua Lipa's voice is great in its own right. Combine that with a little sass with this particular song, and it makes a fantastic song. I highly recommend other songs off of this album as well. Whether you're going through a break up or not, enjoy this song. Don't forget to check back tomorrow as I unveil March's theme!

Lyrics to "New Rules"

February Love Song #27

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #27

The Penguins "Earth Angel"

I'm taking you all the way back to the 1950s today. Of course, I think you'll more than likely recognize this song, even if you know it by one the remakes of it. This is the original "Earth Angel," recorded in 1954. It has that classic 1950s musical style, and could easily be slow danced to by couples. According to Genius, this was the B-side of another song, but DJs mistook it is the A-side, and so goes the popularity of "Earth Angel." It allowed The Penguins to get a major deal with Mercury Records, although they ended up being a one hit wonder. In my opinion, sometimes you just need a day to sit back and listen to some older songs like this. It can really be enjoyable, and I'm hoping you enjoy it today. 

Lyrics to "Earth Angel"

February Love Song #26

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #26

Eves Karydas "There For You"

I won't lie, I basically just discovered Eves Karydas yesterday. However, I immediately fell in love with her music. While listening to "There For You," I thought about how perfect of a song it was for this month's theme. This song very much has the sound of your classic indie pop rhythm. The lyrics tell of a girl who's fallen in love with a guy, presumably who may be in a relationship already. She's trying to prove to him that she can provide more love to him than this other girl. All throughout, there's also the mentions of how hard it is for her to be around the guy, since she has such strong feelings for him. Overall, it certainly seems like any other typical love story put into song. However, I think it's a pretty great song, and I hope you'll like it too.

If you're interested in learning more about Eves Karydas and her music, check out this interview

Lyrics to "There For You"

February Love Song #25

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #25

Smallpools "American Love"

Smallpools is a fantastic up and coming alternative band. I would almost guarantee that you may recognize their song "Dreaming"if you do recognize this band. Lovetap! is a truly a great listen, and I'm convinced that if this is your type of music, you'll fall in love with the album. "American Love" is about an international love story. The narrator has fallen in love with a foreign girl, seemingly from Italy, given the lyric "she flew me to Milan." The lyrics seem to indicate she is affluent and somewhat cold-hearted. But, with him, she has this soft side that he can bring out, and he has to remind her of that time and again. It's definitely a different kind of love song. It's not necessarily cushy or romantic in the way you tend to expect from love songs, but it gets its message of love across just the same. I hope you'll come to enjoy this song, and use it as a springboard to the rest of what Smallpools has to offer.

If you'd like a guide to the track list, check out this awesome breakdown by Atwood Magazine

Lyrics to "American Love"

February Love Song #24

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #24

Queen "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"

I'm sure most people would recognize Queen for a few other more famous hits. However, "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" was actually on top of the US charts for a period of time in the early 1980s. According to Genius, it's a tribute to Elvis Presley and the "Rockabilly" era of rock and roll. The chords and the feel of the rhythm certainly reflect that. Based on the lyrics, the narrator of this song has this girl that he has feelings for. He's convinced himself he's just not ready for it yet, "hitchin' a ride on his motorbike until he's ready for it." The title is most appropriate because love is crazy in the sense that it can come out of nowhere and make us do lots of things we may never thought we would. Enjoy this hit track from the 80s!

Lyrics to "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"

February Love Song #23

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #23

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros "Home"

This is a nice, soft rock love song. When you actually dive into the lyrics, "Home" is actually a fairly sweet song. Many people like to make the allusion that they don't care where they end up in life, geographically or otherwise, as long as they have that one special person by their side. This song is very emblematic to that point. The verses talk about many things that the duet loves, but that the love for all those other items cannot match the love they have for each other. Towards the end, there is a cute dialogue discussing the first time Alexander fell in love with Jade. I feel like more people would know this song than I expected. Either way, here's another great selection for this month's theme. 

Lyrics to "Home"

February Love Song #22

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #22

Miguel "Adorn"

The flow of "Adorn" has the feel of one of those classic love making songs. It's slow and rhythmic, and you can sort of get lost in the beat. In researching this song, there's actually an interesting premise behind these lyrics. According to Genius, this whole album by Miguel is based on dreams, which makes this song a dream about the perfect woman of the narrator. However, the narrator is haunted by these dreams because he knows it's been hard to establish something real with someone with these qualities. Miguel himself commented on the song, saying "It is one of those powerful words[adorn] that is barely used…But this idea of bestowing your love upon someone, kind of laying it on them, I don’t know, I just kind of like that." I personally think his explanation is actually kind of a beautiful way of putting it. We all like to think that we don't just pick anyone to love, therefore when we do choose someone, it should be important and meaningful. If you were one of those lucky people out there to have someone to "Adorn" this month, then here's a song for you today.

Lyrics to "Adorn"

February Love Song #21

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #21

The Audition "My Temperature's Rising"

The Audition is one of those bands that's a real guilty pleasure of mine. I randomly discovered them on the soundtrack of the NCAA baseball video game from way back in 2006. After doing some investigation, I discovered that I really liked their music. "My Temperature's Rising" is a simple song about a guy who has fallen for a girl. From that point forward, he's telling her everything he can offer her. I kind of feel like this is a semi accurate representation of how we tend to feel when we do fall for someone. We almost feel invincible, and that everything we can give someone would be good enough. In a way, I believe that song captures this just a little bit. I personally recommend The Audition if you find that you like this song or like this kind of music. As for today, enjoy the song!

Lyrics to "My Temperature's Rising"

February Love Song #20

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #20

Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah"

This seems like the classic romantic moment. A musician likes you so much that he or she decides to write a song about you. There are only a few romantic acts that would top that in my opinion. Unfortunately, there is no happy ending for "Hey There Delilah." While it is certainly a cute love song about loving someone, even if it's a long distance relationship, the singer and the girl do not actually get together. According to Genius, Delilah DiCrescenzo is for whom this song is written. She met the lead singer of Plain White T's (Tom Higgenson) while home on break from school in New York City. Higgenson told her he would write a song about her, and showed up a few months later with a CD that included the track "Hey There Delilah." The song was so popular that it was nominated for a Grammy, although it lost. And, while the world now knows that this love song did not work in terms of getting the girl, that doesn't necessarily mean it can't work for you. Enjoy today's selection!

Lyrics to "Hey There Delilah"

February Love Song #19

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #19

Elvis Presley "Can't Help Falling In Love"

One of the most famous faces of the music industry, "The King" will certainly never fade away so long as music exists. I think I would be remiss if I didn't include "Can't Help Falling In Love" within this month's selections. According to Billboard magazine, this is the 50th most popular wedding song of all time. This soft, smooth ballad is a simple song about not resisting the fact that you're falling in love with someone. Elvis has plenty of popular and well known songs, but this one is one of, if not the most romantic of them. Since this song came off of the album Blue Hawaii, there are nice accompanying Hawaiian rhythms here as well. I encourage you to take the time to sit back and enjoy a classic song from a classic artist, and, if able to, maybe even do a nice slow dance with the object of your affection on this one.

Lyrics to "Can't Help Falling In Love"

February Love Song #18

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #18

Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe"

I know some of you may be hating me for choosing this song. It was played quite a bit when it came out, and some would argue that it was the song of the summer in 2012. Like it or not, "Call Me Maybe" is a fun song about a girl falling in love with a guy, and hoping that he'll give her a call after she's given him her number. The verses and chorus talk about the nervousness of approaching the person she's fallen for, and the anticipation of hoping he'll actually pick up the phone and call her. This song inspired a bunch of viral videos of groups doing their own dances to this song, one of the most famous being of members of the Harvard University baseball team. Hopefully you didn't get sick of this pop mega hit that's already 6 years old, and will give it a listen today!

Lyrics to "Call Me Maybe"

February Love Song #17

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #17

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness "Fire Escape"

"Fire Escape" is a love song where the main character has just had this amazing night with the person he is infatuated with. He is describing this night full of strange characters and shenanigans. Through it all, he is always reminded that there is no one else he'd rather be beside while taking part in these activities. This is kind of a cute love song, where it reiterates that idea that you are typically willing to do anything just to be with that person you really care about. Even if that's staying up all night after a wild adventure through the city. It's a really upbeat song that you'll end up catching yourself tapping along to. Hope you'll give it a listen!

Lyrics to "Fire Escape"

February Love Song #16

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #16

Electric Guest "Dear To Me"

Electric Guest is one of those bands that, once I discovered them, I was hooked on their music. I love the instrumental to this song, and the smooth beat that it creates. It gives the song somewhat of an old school feel. The song itself is about dealing with a relationship. The lyrics mention the strain that the relationship can cause at times, but, as the chorus points out, the main character always comes back to the important realization that this person means a lot to them. Therefore, that should always be in the forefront of any decisions that are made about it. The second verse points out how this one person stuck around for the main character through everything. According to lead singer Asa Taccone, the Haim sisters helped provide some vocals for this song as well. Here's to hoping you've got someone dear to you, and that you'll enjoy the song.

Lyrics to "Dear To Me"

February Love Song #15

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #15

Breathe Carolina "Please Don't Say"

I would imagine most people would know Breathe Carolina from their hit "Blackout," which was very popular in the late 2000s. "Please Don't Say" comes off of the album after that, where as a group they add a lot more electronic to their sound. This song tends to actually deviate from the style of the rest of the songs on this album. The song talks about a love that seems to potentially rekindling. The main character of this song doesn't want the night to end for fear that those sparks that have come back may go away when the sun comes up again. He is hopeful that they can find the love they once lost. Maybe you were lucky enough to have something like that happen for you yesterday, and if so, here's a song for you.

Lyrics to "Please Don't Say"

Valentine's Day Love Song

VALENTINE'S DAY LOVE SONG

Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You"

I only thought it appropriate to choose one of the top selling love songs of all time for Valentine's Day. Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" is a cover of Dolly Parton's version from 1974, and it was done for Houston's movie The Bodyguard. In large part because of this cover, the soundtrack from that album is the highest selling movie soundtrack of all time. At the time that it hit #1 on Billboard, it remained there for 14 weeks, which was a new record at that point. The song reappeared after Houston's death in 2012, reaching #3. The lyrics to this song actually suggest a sad love song, in which the main character is expressing her love for someone she is leaving. The passion in this song shows how much the characters loves this person, and that they will always hold a special place in their heart. Which, given the plot of the movie it is from, seems pretty fitting. While I certainly hope you aren't loving someone who is going to leave you on this year's version of Valentine's Day, I hope you will enjoy this love song classic today.

Lyrics to "I Will Always Love You"

February Love Song #13

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #13

Foster The People "I Would Do Anything For You"

I think most people would recognize Foster The People from their hit "Pumped Up Kicks." "I Would Do Anything For You" is off of the same album as that hit, and "Torches" as a whole is a pretty good selection of tracks. This is a smooth love song with some great instrumental work in my opinion. It is a song about a guy professing his unwavering love for his girl. The lyrics talk about putting her before himself, and doing what it takes to make sure she is happy. While this is another song that doesn't really have any deep meanings behind the lyrics, it's still a pretty fun, upbeat song that you can enjoy. Of course, you can always put your own meaning behind a song if it has a special relation to someone or something. Go ahead and enjoy this Pre-Valentine's Day selection.

Lyrics to "I Would Do Anything For You"

February Love Song #12

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #12

Alicia Keys "You Don't Know My Name"

This song was an absolute smash hit for Alicia Keys. While I don't believe it to be the first thing that really put her on the map, it was certainly something that helped with launching her career. It's crazy to me that this song is 15 years old. This song is about a girl falling in love with a guy who she sees come into the diner she works in. She's waiting for him to make some sort of move, to really notice her. The lyrics are an expression of the main character's imagination, as she is picturing a future with him. At the end of the song, she can't wait any longer, and makes the first move herself. The music video is a great portrayal of the song itself. Enjoy a great love song, and Alicia Keys' amazing vocals with today's choice. 

Lyrics to "You Don't Know My Name"

February Love Song #11

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #11

FO&O "My Girl"

Ironically enough, today's selection is also a boy band, although a modern one. I had no clue that this was the case when I first selected this song. FO&O, or the Fooo, or The Fooo Conspiracy, depending on where you look, is a boy band out of Sweden. The song itself is another basic song about a boy professing his love for a girl. He is imploring her to let him be the one, to call her his girl. One thing I really like about this song is the saxophone that comes out for the chorus. It adds a nice touch to the rest of the song in my opinion. Overall, this song is has some very upbeat tones, though it also is basically a song about longing for someone. Hope you'll enjoy it!

Lyrics to "My Girl"

February Love Song #10

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #10

Backstreet Boys "As Long As You Love Me"

It should come as no surprise that the age of the beloved boy bands produced a number of love songs. In the late 90s and early 2000s, both the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC had skyrocketing popularity. Whomever you preferred, I think it's safe to say that both bands stole the hearts of many teenage girls. "As Long As You Love Me" may be a great song or a corny song depending on how you want to look at it. As a simple explanation, this song is about professing your love to the woman you love. In particular with this song, the man is letting the woman know that he doesn't care about her past. The only thing he cares about are the feelings he has for her. According to my lyric database at Genius, the band said in an interview that this was a last minute addition to the album it appeared on. It was obviously a great one, as it became very popular. Whether you like boy bands or not, I hope you'll give this one a listen today.

Lyrics to "As Long As You Love Me"

February Love Song #9

FEBRUARY LOVE SONG #9

Jeremy Passion ft. Luke Edgemon and Tori Kelly "Lemonade"

This song was recommended to me by a dedicated follower, and after giving it a listen, I think it's a perfect fit for this month's theme. "Lemonade," according to the music video, was a song first comprised by Jeremy Passion 10 years ago. And, with the help of the internet, it has now become one of his more popular songs and lifted him into the spotlight. There is also a ukulele version of this song. It's a real simple song in terms of composition, with one guitar (or ukulele) and then the voices of the artists. In a way, it's almost acoustic in nature. The lyrics are full of metaphorical comparisons about the love provided to the main character by his lover. If you enjoy slow and sweet love songs, then today's pick is definitely for you. Shout out to Robbie G. of Topeka, KS for the recommendation!

Lyrics to "Lemonade"