Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and there is nothing more romantic than a soundtrack for your day. Here are some of the best songs to add to your queue this day of love.
Valentine’s Day is a holiday for celebrating your loved ones. While the day can be spent with friends and family, these song selections are more focused on romantic relationships. These tunes range from upbeat R&B to slow bedroom pop, ensuring there is something for every phase of romantic love. This list will carry you through the perfect listening experience.
Early-morning listening
When you wake up in the morning, you want to start off your day on a positive note. These are the songs you must turn to. Prioritizing smoothness and comfort, these songs are ideal for adding to your morning routine.
“Diamond Boy (DTM)” by SZA
A smooth R&B guitar carries throughout SZA’s “Diamond Boy”. Released in December of 2024, this song is featured on SZA’s latest LANA release. In the song, SZA expresses intense infatuation with a new partner. She refers to this new love as her “Diamond Boy,” emphasizing his allure and significance. While it is a love song, there is a hint of self-consciousness on SZA’s part, asking whether she is “doing too much”. This song is a sincere depiction of the rumination that comes with a newfound crush.
“Handlebars” by JENNIE (Featuring Dua Lipa)
A standout on JENNIE’s 2025 debut album, Ruby, “Handlebars” is a track about jumping recklessly into a fresh relationship. While the song acknowledges the messiness of going “all-in” to a brand new fling, there is a sense of carelessness that makes it intriguing. While the lyrics embrace messiness, this song is a polished pop song with heavy synths leading it forward. This song is the perfect medium of laid-back and energetic.
“Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” by Selena
While it may have been released over 30 years ago, “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” still holds up to this day. This Spanish song is a clever representation of a heart racing when someone is thinking about their crush. The song playfully captures the physical sensations a person feels when they are nervous around someone they are attracted to. The fun nature of the song is carried throughout the production as well, with ringing cymbals and horns. It is the perfect boost of serotonin for a day like Valentine’s Day.
“I’m In Love With You” by The 1975
The 1975’s 2022 album Being Funny In A Foreign Language is filled with insightful love songs, but “I’m In Love With You” opts for a simpler message. Following someone who has been waiting for the chance to express his true feelings toward his partner, the song repeats the chorus, “I’m in love with you.” The message is basic yet impactful, highlighting the growing comfort the writer has within his relationship. The song is a catchy, confident earworm with a guitar that is worthy of playing on repeat.
“LOVE.” by Kendrick Lamar (Featuring Zacari)
Kendrick Lamar isn’t just capable of creating intense diss-tracks; he is also skilled at crafting beautiful love songs. Released in 2017, “LOVE.” is recognized for its sleek production and message of unconditional love. Throughout the song, Lamar presents scenarios, asking his partner if she would still love him through everything. If anybody hasn’t added this song to their listening rotation, they are severely missing out.
Afternoon bops
Once you get a start to your day, you might find yourself wanting some upbeat vibes. These songs are perfect for keeping your energy up throughout your afternoon.
“I Think He Knows” by Taylor Swift
If it were possible for there to be an underrated Taylor Swift song, this might be it. “I Think He Knows” is an infectious pop song about being confident within your relationship. This song is just plain fun. It has all the makings of a top-tier Taylor Swift hit, leaving many to wonder why it was never made a single.
“obvious” by Ariana Grande
A hidden gem off Ariana Grande’s Positions album, “obvious” is a snarky song about her bold love for her partner. Throughout the song, Grande presents her feelings as a given, repeatedly asking, “Could I be more obvious?” The song is a perfect bedroom R&B song that compels the listener to dance along.
“Check” by FLO
This song showcases complete confidence in a partner. The optimistic jam lists through the green flags in a partner, while the group checks each item off. The boldness in the lyrics is reflected in the upbeat production. For someone seeking an energetic, poppy R&B song, this one checks all the boxes.
“Cinema” by Harry Styles
Being one of Harry Styles’ most unique songs, “Cinema” stands out for its groovy production and melody. The intrigue of this song lies in the funky guitar and bassline woven throughout. This track emphasizes a playful, physical connection with a partner. It is definitely a standout in Style’s discography and is the perfect song to dance along to.
“Honey” by Troye Sivan
This dance-pop song manages to blend feelings of nervousness yet confidence with a partner. The song follows Troye Sivan attempting to physically express his feelings for his significant other. While there is a hint of anxiousness, the song chooses to consider the physical sensations as a product of affection rather than anxiety. The production also taps into physicality, persuading listeners to move along with the beat.
Evening jams
After an energetic and cheerful afternoon, you might be looking for some upbeat tracks to take with you into the later hours of the day. These next five songs maintain a good level of energy while having a slightly moodier, suave edge to them.
“Sugar On My Tongue” by Tyler, the Creator
After a stellar performance at the 2026 Grammys, “Sugar On My Tongue” will go down as one of Tyler, the Creator’s greatest hits. This song is an explicit exploration of sexuality. From the lyrics to the delivery to the production, this song feels intentionally vulgar. It pushes the line of discomfort within the listener. This song makes its presence known whenever it comes on. This isn’t simply a track that can be played in the background; it demands attention.
Agora Hills by Doja Cat
“Agora Hills” is a classic example of Doja Cat’s ability to create a catchy, left-of-center pop song. Blending her melodic prowess with her eccentric lyrics, this song is all about Doja Cat wanting to flaunt her partner to the world. The progression of the song is repeatedly interrupted by Doja Cat, seemingly on the phone with her significant other. This shift catches the listener off guard every time as Doja Cat announces she is “taking a sip of her root beer.” The song feels like it was ripped straight out of a teenage girl’s text messages, emphasizing the youthful nature of love.
“CUFF IT” by Beyoncé
From Beyoncé’s critically acclaimed RENAISSANCE, “CUFF IT” is a funky disco song about celebrating love. The song is confident and unapologetic, and its production is intentionally euphoric. The song feels like an expensive date at a private club in New York City. It is a perfect upbeat track to begin a long night out with a partner.
“River” by Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus is known for her experimentation, and “River” is a gleaming example of this. Highlighting passionate love, the song feels like a fever dream with a lover. The heavily robotic synths carried throughout the song create a love song for all the extra-terrestrial travelers through outer space.
“Electric Love” by BØRNS
This song is about being completely overtaken by the intensity of love. The cinematic production “Electric Love” feels like the ultimate resolution of a coming-of-age film. It is a song that is best listened to in the car with the windows down and the midnight air blowing inside.
Late-night tracks
After a long day, you are probably ready to rest. These songs are smooth, calming tracks that will settle into your mind as you prepare to sleep.
“Dive” by Olivia Dean
It’s no wonder Olivia Dean was named the “Best New Artist” at the 2026 Grammys. This song is a smooth story about jumping headfirst into a relationship. The track is a comforting example of fully investing in the emotions that come with having a significant other. Dean’s soothing vocals are those of a siren, luring the listener into the warm waters of “Dive”.
“Margaret” by Lana Del Rey (Featuring Bleachers)
Lana Del Rey’s entire discography explores the complexities of love. “Margaret,” let’s all of this go, as Lana proclaims at the very beginning, “This is a simple song.” Inspired by her friend and collaborator, Jack Antonoff’s, relationship, this song poses the question of how someone can know when they’re in love. Rather than become muddled down in complex equations of what love is, Del Rey sings, “When you know you know.” The song is a comforting message delivered as a soft, lullaby-like piano ballad.
“All Night Parking Interlude” by Adele (Featuring Erroll Garner)
While packaged as an interlude, this song provides a detailed summary of excitement and vulnerability with a partner. Adele’s soothing vocals blended with the hypnotic production are perfect for a warm nighttime shower full of reminiscing.
“DEVOTION” by Justin Bieber featuring Dijon
This song is a slow R&B track showcasing the singer’s deep commitment to his significant other. Both Justin Bieber’s and Dijon’s vocal delivery is soft and understated. The guitar played throughout sounds intentionally drowsy, contributing to the overall feeling of comfort the song carries.
“Sweet” by Cigarettes After Sex
“Sweet” is widely considered to be one of the best songs by Cigarettes After Sex, and for good reason. The soothing vocals and guitar are accompanied by lyrics expressing mutual love between partners. The song is completely void of conflict, conveying the sense of complete comfort between a couple. This song is a savory example of what true love feels like.
Whether you’re looking for an early morning crush or an energetic evening in the city, this list has what you need. Press play on these tracks to get the most of your experience this Valentine’s Day.
