On the week of Valentine’s Day, the Scout Staff has selected their favorite love songs for the holiday.
Latif Love:
“All of Me” – John Legend
Somehow, “All of Me” became one of my favorite songs as a child. I remember singing it all the time when my family would go on long road trips, and I have never and will never forget a single lyric. I’ll be singing this song at my wedding with tears in my eyes — partly because I’ve been through a lot with women and partly because I’ll have found someone who’s my “end and my beginning.”
Scarlett Rose Binder:
“Come What May” – Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman
Yes, I’m biased because Baz Luhrmann’s “Moulin Rouge” is the epitome of romance. Yes, I’m biased because I’ve grown up knowing my dad sang this song to my mom on their wedding day. But this only amplifies the power of an already beautiful ballad, even if these circumstantial elements were stripped away. I am committed to the idea that true love is unconditional. It must persist through the inevitable trials and tribulations of life. Anyone can love you on your best day. There is nothing more comforting than knowing someone will love you during your worst, come what may. This sentiment alone is enough to make a hopeless romantic like myself melt. The swelling score and compelling vocal performances from McGregor and Kidman are just a bonus.
Celine Lamirand:
“I Wanna Be Yours” – Arctic Monkeys
This song gives me the vibe of a cute, romantic movie scene between a couple. It’s calm and slow, but raw, emotional and, of course, full of love. “I Wanna Be Yours” has been a favorite of mine for a few years, not just for the music itself, but the meaning behind it as well. A poem by John Cooper Clarke inspired the song; the lyric “I wanna be your vacuum cleaner” comes from it. It has even become a common theme for couples to recite the poem on their wedding day. To me, nothing says “love” more than being able to read a poem to your new spouse that inspired your favorite song.
Paul Swartz:
“Guide Dog” – Quadeca
In a discography full of bombastic, layered, forward-thinking production, “Guide Dog” strips everything away in favor of an acoustic guitar and some soft strings. Quadeca leaves the sound unpolished, opting to keep the screeching hand movements across the guitar strings, which make the track feel as personal as possible. His songwriting has never been stronger, featuring lines like “If I could, I would trade you my eyes / ‘cause you should see you with the clearness of mine.” Quadeca pleads for trust from the person he’s fallen in love with, asking if they’ll allow him to be their “Guide Dog.” It’s a heart-wrenchingly beautiful song, made all the more special by the restrained instrumentation. It made me cry when it first came out almost two years ago, and it still hits just as hard now.
Jordan Jones:
“YUKON” – Justin Bieber
“YUKON” is the kind of love song you throw on during a late-night dive or a date with someone you really like. It’s the perfect song for awkward flirting and realizing you actually caught feelings, with Bieber spending the song telling a story that not only feels relatable, but real at the same time. “YUKON” became one of my favorite songs as soon as it was released, capturing a different part of Bieber and making the listener feel like falling in love with that one special person.
Mark Wagner:
“Say You Won’t Let Go” – James Arthur
I remember how my mom would always love it when I sang this song. “Say You Won’t Let Go” is a very popular song that I believe is still quite underappreciated. Just like how we interpret any song, it’s just fun to sing when you’re young, but you start to understand the words and feel the emotions as you get older. Plus, playing a song about marrying that someone special on Valentine’s Day of all days is just too perfect.
Davis Kinch:
“Earned It” by The Weeknd
I can’t lie, I’m not someone who listens to a lot of love songs so I had to take a moment to think of what to put. “Earned It” is definitely different from what most people think of when it comes to love songs, but the orchestral strings and towering vocals drive the song into my brain.
Jessica Taylor:
“her (feat. Annika Wells)” – JVKE
I found this song recently when it was popular on TikTok. JVKE held an open verse challenge to highlight an independent rising musician. I’ve listened to a couple of different versions, but Annika Wells specifically adds so much life to the tune. The base of the song is relatively simple, finding “her,” the one. It’s very light and celebratory. Wells’ sings from the perspective of “her”, and the added lyrics give more depth to the meaning of the song: being found when you’re still a mess, having someone help put you back together. Both sides needed each other, without knowing it. JVKE and Annika Wells tell a really beautiful story, and I just love the joy it showcases.
