This Valentine’s Day you can say it with flowers, chocolate, or jewelry. Or, you can say it with the gift of music.
Nothing let’s you express feelings or set the mood quite like a finely-crafted playlist. So, whether you’re driving her to dinner or cuddling up to him at home, make sure you’ve got the perfect soundtrack just one Siri command away.
MORE: iHeartRadio Love Songs
To avoid spending this Valentine’s Day listening to Celine Dion’s “All By Myself” on repeat while clutching a pint of Mint Chocolate Chip (not that there’s anything wrong with that), here are some helpful tips and song suggestions guaranteed to get your heart on.
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
You’re setting the mood with your Valentine’s playlist but make sure it doesn’t strictly reflect your musical tastes.
Guys, not every girl considers Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me” to be a love song. A little Shawn Mendes in the mix shows her you care.
And girls, if you think he wants to hear a lot of Shawn Mendes, well, he’s probably never going to be anything more than a BFF.
Also, when putting together your Valentine’s playlist, it’s a good idea to include some songs from artists that your significant other finds attractive. Smart guys know it’s better that she’s picturing Niall Horan than Neil Young.
KNOW YOUR MUSIC
Carefully review the lyrics of the songs on your Valentine’s playlist rather than simply going by titles. For example, “I Will Always Love You” is a nice sentiment but the song is actually a break-up ballad.
Song choices are also critical because you don’t want to make musical promises you can’t keep. Meat Loaf knew where to draw the line and so should you. “I would do anything for love,” he sang, “but I won't do that. No, I won't do that.”
So, while Bruno Mars’ “Versace On The Floor” will undoubtedly set the right mood, “Grenade” sends the wrong message about the depth of your commitment. “Throw my head on a blade for ya (yeah yeah) / I'd jump in front of a train for ya (yeah yeah)?” Yeah yeah, not so much.
Similarly, avoid The Proclaimers if you’re not willing to walk 500 miles — and 500 more — just to be the man who walked 1,000 miles to fall down at her door.
DON’T BE SO SERIOUS
Your playlist needs some retro fun amidst all those sappy proclamations of love. Nothing breaks the ice quite like Right Said Fred’s “I’m Too Sexy” or Joe Cocker’s version of “You Can Leave Your Hat On.”
But, know your campy classics! Valentine’s may not be the best night to blast a certain 1994 single by 20 Fingers feat. Gillette or, frankly, anything by Sir Mix A Lot.
SONG SUGGESTIONS
Now that you know how to curate the perfect Valentine’s playlist, it’s time to wade through the endless choice of love songs.
Here are some suggestions, customized for every situation you may find yourself in right now:
If you’re celebrating Valentine’s with the love of your life, your one-and-only… it’s time to celebrate that connection in a big way. You can go back to feeling complacent and resented on the 15th — for this one night, it’s all about your pure, unconditional love for each other.
You’ve only recently started dating and this is your first Valentine’s together? Or maybe you made the bold move to have your first date on Valentine’s? These tracks are light on the “I love you” and heavy on the “I want you.”
This is your first Valentine’s Day since breaking up? Your boo is now a “who?!” It’s probably going to be a tough night for you but remember the words of the great philosopher Dua Lipa: "If you're under him you ain't getting over him." Instead of drunk-texting your ex or using his car headlights for batting practice, play these songs.
Do you feel like Cupid and his bedazzled holiday mean nothing? Could you possibly care less about getting over-priced chocolates in a heart-shaped box? Does the thought of a flower delivery make you throw up a bit inside your mouth? You’re not alone. Well, actually, you probably are alone.
An original version of this article was published in February 2017.