Bears Share Their Favorite Love Songs

With Valentine’s Day coming up, these are students’ favorite songs to get in the spirit and share love. Whether they’re romantic, nostalgic, or empowering, these melodies and beats capture the joy and passion of connection.

Sophomore Emily Chhen first stumbled across “Remember the Time” on social media, paired with an animation of two people falling in love. She shares a long-standing enthusiasm for Michael Jackson’s music with her mom, and the two often joke about remembering the sweet animation that matched his song so perfectly. “I really love the song, and the lyrics are just nice. The lyrics are nostalgic in the literal sense,” Chhen said. 

“Do you remember / Those special times? / They’ll just go on and on / In the back of my mind,” Jackson sings.

Daniel Caesar’s “Always” is always a playlist highlight for sophomore Josiah Staadt. “It just makes me really happy when I hear it, or if someone I care about hears it. The artist just kind of makes songs about how he feels,” Staadt said. Caesar’s silky-smooth vocals glide over a steady, romantic rhythm and beautiful harmonies as he declares his undying love.

“Always, can count on it sure as the stars in the sky / Always, you can count on it as sure as the sun will rise / Always, my love for you ain’t goin’ nowhere / Always, I will be here,” Caesar proclaims.

Junior Aylin Martinez is drawn to “Playground Love” for its rhythmic intro, mellow vocals, and jazzy saxophone. “I really enjoy the beginning of the song, like the beat. That’s my favorite part. It’s a pretty short song, but it’s just talking about how much he expresses his love towards his childhood love,” she said.

This catchy serenade by Kolohe Kai has such an upbeat ukulele and reggae rhythm, you might just find yourself dancing along. As the singer professes his love to his “Dream Girl,” he is excited by all the sweet moments that come with being in love. “I just love the words. It makes me feel special. If someone sang that to me, I would fall in love, honestly,” senior Heuifalelilo Ahomana said.

“You’re my dream girl, living in my dream world / I’m in love with you, please don’t wake me up,” the Kolohe Kai vocalist sings.

“‘Beautiful Girls’ by Sean Kingston reminds me of my dad, because I used to listen to the song with him a lot growing up,” sophomore Bradley Portillo said. Between Kingston’s rich voice and a rhythm meant to make you clap along, this song is bound to get stuck in your head.

Serendipitously titled “Valentine,” this song explores the timid but exciting novelties of love. The artist, Laufey, alternates between deep vocals and floating harmonies, complemented by jazzy piano accents. “It’s so seasonal. I listen to it every Valentine’s Day, and her voice is just heavenly. It’s very delicate,” senior Matilda Smart said.

“I’ve lost all control of my heartbeat now / Got caught in a romance with him somehow,” Laufey softly sings.

“Locked out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars is funky and dramatic as it builds to the drop. For freshman Dylan Martinez-Diaz, the song sets a perfect mood for an energetic playlist. “It’s the beat and the tempo of the music that makes me like it a lot,” he said.

Laufey has a deep selection of hit love songs, and junior Jackson Hong’s favorite is “Lover Girl.” The track features a bossa nova rhythm spiced up with a playful flute as Laufey describes herself in the kind of lovestruck fever she used to tease others about. “I really like the instrumentals. It sounds really nice and just flows well. It’s great to sing,” Hong said.

“You’ve been hosting parties in my mind / I’m working overtime / You’ve become my whole world,” Laufey sings.

For all the reasons students appreciate these songs, it’s clear that love and music are in the air this Valentine’s Day.