A Romantic Playlist, Just in Time for Valentine’s Day
By • February 8, 2024 0 276
Compiled by Kate Oczypok
In honor of Valentine’s Day, The Georgetowner has created a playlist of our favorite romantic songs curated by staff members. We compiled a Spotify account for you to save the playlist to listen to during this season of love. You can find us on Spotify @TheGeorgetowner or click on this link to find our Valentine’s Day playlist.
Photo by BHOFACK, DREAMSTIME.
Kate Oczypok, Director of Content and Advertising
“It Had to Be You” (Big Band and Vocals) by Harry Connick, Jr.
“When Harry Met Sally” is my favorite movie. I’ve loved this version of “It Had to Be You” since I was a teen. I had to include it in our playlist, as it always reminds me of the wonderful Norah Ephron film, and my own husband. The lyrics describe love perfectly: “For nobody else gave me a thrill, with all your faults, I love you still, it had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you.”
“Lover” by Taylor Swift
I don’t know if Swift even realized it at the time, but she created a modern version of what will become a timeless love song. I love it so much that my husband and I chose it for our first dance at our wedding. Since then, he’s become a Swiftie just as much as I am. There was nothing better than hearing the song sung live at Swift’s Eras Tour this summer.
“When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge
I first fell in love with this song when I watched The Big Chill as a teen. The romantic scenes at the end of the movie were so sexy (and still hold up today). There’s nothing better than hearing that trumpet and sax groove to “get you in the mood,” so to speak!
Chris Jones, Managing Editor
“’03 Bonnie & Clyde” by Jay-Z and Beyoncé
I know Bonnie & Clyde is on a commercial for airBnB right now, but this one’s such a sincere boyfriend/girlfriend song. It’s clearly a confession of love from Jay-Z — someone who had always sung about being such a player — And they’re both expressing such a hard-fought connection in this love song about a certain kind of ride-or-die commitment and comraderie. It’s a great combination of Jay-Z and Beyonce’s voices and such a feel good romantic song for Valentine’s Day.
“And I Love Her” by The Beatles
This song always make my heart melt. When I was a child and first heard the “A Hard Day’s Night” album, I had a real sense of future longing and love that I couldn’t even imagine. The song always makes me almost tear up hearing it. It’s such a perfect, sincere and cleverly composed confession of love in a beautiful melody.
“Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good to You?” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
I love that the song is adapted for both the male and female parts by Fitzgerald and Armstrong. Instead of man telling woman “Ain’t he good to her?,” it’s Ella also saying back to the man, “Ain’t I good to you?” It’s great interplay gender-wise, and an incredible jazz song at Fitzgerald and Armstrong’s peak, particularly in Fitzgerald’s voice. It’s fun to listen to the duo reflecting on being irrational about how much they love someone, and in such bluesy and slow jazzy tones.
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” by Ms. Lauryn Hill
A cover of the original Frankie Valli song, Hill’s is a more soulful take on the song with a more compelling vibe. It’s got a perfect back beat and is so sincere and beautiful, like most of her songs.
Vivien Dobrescu, Intern
“L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole
One of my favorite songs of all time is “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole which was featured in the iconic [Lindsay Lohan version] Parent Trap movie. The Parent Trap was one of the first movies I watched in my childhood and quickly became a favorite of mine for its rom-com drama and sweet ending.
“This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole
Another song in the Parent Trap movie soundtrack that’s become a favorite of mine is Natalie Cole’s “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love).” This song, written by Nat King Cole’s daughter, plays during the happy ending of the movie. I suppose I fell in love with this duo at an early age and still love to listen to these songs today. I didn’t mean for these selections to be related to a Disney movie, but it seems like it had a long-lasting impact on my favorite music!
Robert Devaney, Editor-in-Chief
“Just the Two of Us” by Bill Withers (Grover Washington, Jr.)
This was our wedding song in 1983. We saw Bill Withers sing this romantic fantasy in Blues Alley a few years later. The music and love remain; the marriage does not.
“All You Need Is Live” by the Beatles
This Fab Four ditty was part of the first live, global TV broadcast ever, in 1967 — “Our World” by the BBC. The song’s words offer a simple solution to complex problems and proclaim an eternal truth.
“When The Stars Go Blue” by the Coors and Bono
Andrea Coors, Bono and rest of the Coors harmonize in a lilting, sexy melody that is hypnotic — an ear worm for the heart.
Honorable mentions: Love songs by Stevie Wonder, Stevie Nicks, Katy Perry and Beyoncé.
Sonya Bernhardt, Publisher
“All About Our Love” by Mapache
“Such a Simple Thing” by Ray LaMontagne
“And I Love Her” by Pat Metheny
“Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra
“My One and Only Love” by John Coltrane
“Times Like These” by the Foo Fighters
“Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star
“Baby Can I Hold You” by Tracy Chapman
“Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer
“It Had to Be You” by Billie Holiday
“Something” by The Beatles
