Valentine's Day, Vol. 6

I think we could all use a little extra love right now, how about you? And wouldn't you know it, Valentine's Day is a great excuse for it. Whether you need some romantic, platonic, familial, or self love right now, I hope you get it in spades this year, maybe to the tune of our 2025 Valentine's Playlist, collected from the Master Playlist available on Apple Music @audioaesthetics. Let's see what's on it this time around!

Bubbly by Colbie Caillat (written by C. Caillat, J. Reeves)

Featured on Caillat's 2007 album Coco, this sweet little song was huge when I was in high school, and I still think it's super cute today. That first love feeling is difficult to forget, and the lyrics do a good job putting words to those feelings.

I’ve been awake for a while now/You got me feeling like a child now/‘Cause every time I see your bubbly face/I get the tingles in a silly place/It starts in my toes and I crinkle my nose/Wherever it goes, I always know/That you make me smile, please stay for a while now/Just take your time wherever you go

Hold My Hand by Hootie & The Blowfish (written by D. Rucker, J. Sonefeld, D. Felber, M. Bryan)

Featured on Hootie's 1994 album Cracked Rear View, I think this is a great song for romantic, platonic, or familial love. Sometimes, one of the best ways to love someone is to simply be there for them with a hug or a helping hand.

With a little love and some tenderness/We’ll walk upon the water, we’ll rise above the mess/With a little peace and some harmony/We’ll take the world together, we’ll take ‘em by the hand/‘Cause I’ve got a hand for you, oh/‘Cause I wanna run with you/Yesterday, I saw you standing there/Your head was down, your eyes were red, no comb had touched your hair/I said, "Get up and let me see you smile/We’ll take a walk together, walk the road awhile, ‘cause/‘Cause I’ve got hand for you/I’ve got a hand for you/‘Cause I wanna run with you/Won’t you let me run with you, yeah"/Hold my hand, want you to hold my hand/Hold my hand, I’ll take you to a place where you can be/Hold my hand, anything you wanna be, because/I wanna love you the best that, the best that I can

Got Me Going Crazy by Jonas Brothers (written by N. Jonas)

Featured on the JoBros' 2008 album A Little Bit Longer, this banger feels every bit the late-00's song that it is in the best way. I've always thought this one was underrated, and these lyrics portray the angst of a new crush very well.

Hey there, pretty lady, tell me how you’re doing/Tell me, what can I do to help/‘Cause I’ve been thinking of you for a little while now/And this right here is how I feel/Girl, you got me going crazy, knock me off my feet/Now you got me begging, baby, begging, baby, please/All I wanna know is do you wanna get away, get away with me/‘Cause girl, I don’t know what to do ‘cause I’m so in love with you

Love So Soft by Kelly Clarkson (written by J. Shatkin, P. Renea, M. McDonald)

Featured on Clarkson's 2017 album Meaning of Life, this banger of a love song is perfect for those in relationships, be it brand new or long term. It always gets me pumped up, and it's so fun to dance with my husband to this one if we're feeling silly.

Every kiss is a door/Can I knock on yours, can we knock a little more/If a touch is a key/Keep on twisting, keep on locking, keep on turning me/Let me in/I wanna be closer to you, let you under my skin/If I let you in/You got be careful with it, let me tell you again, hey/Love so soft, you ain’t had nothing softer/Break it then you buy it and it sure gonna cost you/Love so soft that you can’t rub off/You gon’ love it if you try it, got you hooked, now you’re caught up/Love so soft, so soft/Love so soft, so soft

Come On Get Higher by Matt Nathanson (written by M. Nathanson, M. Weinberg)

Featured on Nathanson's 2007 album Some Mad Hope, this song evokes an emotional reaction in me every single time I hear it. It's just sweet, simple, and beautiful, nothing too over the top.

I miss the sound of your voice/And I miss the rush of your skin/And I miss the still of the silence/As you breathe out and I breathe in/If I could walk on water, if I could tell you what’s next/I’d make you believe, make you forget/So come on, get higher, loosen my lips, faith and desire and the swing of your hips/Just pull me down hard and drown me in love/So come on, get higher, loosen my lips, faith and desire and the swing of your hips/Just pull me down hard and drown me in love

Lover by Taylor Swift (written by T. Swift)

Featured on Swift's 2019 album Lover, this one of my favorite love ballads she's released. Whether you're just starting out in a new love or you're comfortable in one that's lasted through the years, this song can speak to anyone.

We could leave the Christmas lights up ’til January/This is our place, we make the rules/And there’s a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you, dear/Have I known you twenty seconds or twenty years/Can I go where you go/Can we always be this close forever and ever and oh/Take me out and take me home/You’re my, my, my, my lover

Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers (written by H. Zaret, A. North)

Featured on The Righteous Brothers' 1965 album Just Once in My Life, this is arguably one of the most famous love songs of all time. It's been covered so many times by so many different artists, but this one will always stand out amongst the greats.

Oh, my love, my darling/I’ve hungered for your touch/A long lonely time/And time goes by so slowly/And time can do so much/Are you still mine/I need your love/I need your love/God speed your love to me

If you're celebrating later this week, happy Valentine's Day! Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!