Whether you’re coupled up or riding solo, here are some songs for the lover in you.
To act as though love can be bound to any single day would be a disservice to the varying forms of love that arise each day.
Love is romantic. Love is platonic. Love is waking up each day and feeling sunrays and cool air hit the skin. Love is also music, showing up through masterful melodies and meticulous arrangements of instruments as an artist declares the extent to which they care for that lucky someone.
Love is universal and ever-present. But there’s nothing wrong with giving love its day to shine.
Whether your Valentine’s Day will be spent with a lover, a friend, or solo, here are 20 songs to nurture the lover in you.
- Day Dreaming – Aretha Franklin
“He’s the kind of guy that you give your everything/ You trust your heart, share all of your love/ ‘Til death do you part…”
Aretha Franklin captures the essence of infatuation – along with the lure of a lover’s getaway – via this angelic tune.
- You and I (We Can Conquer The World) – Stevie Wonder
“Here we are on earth together, it’s you and I /God has made us fall in love, it’s true/ I’ve really found someone like you…”
At a mere 22, Stevie Wonder captures one of love’s key attributes– it makes you feel as though you can conquer the world.
- If Only You Knew – Patti Labelle
“If only you knew/ How much I do/ Do love you…”
Though we presume the unnamed subject is unaware of Patti Labelle’s affections, she leaves it all on the track.
- All My Love – Kirby
“Such a supernatural feeling/ Such a cosmic release/ See the loving used to give me pain/ But with you I get peace…”
Not only does this love make Kirby feel free, but it leaves her with nary a care in the world.
- Feel Like Makin’ Love – Roberta Flack
“Strollin’ in the park/ Watchin’ winter turn to spring/ Walkin’ in the dark/ Seein’ lovers do their thing…”
On a lovers’ stroll, Roberta Flack finds herself inspired by the love all-around.
- Really Love – D’Angelo
“When you look at me/ I open up instantly/ I fall in love so quickly/ (Doo Doo Wah) I’m really in love with you…”
D’Angelo and The Vanguard portray a love that is patient, pure, and long-standing.
- Love, Love, Love – Donny Hathaway
“Love, love, love, you can’t imagine what you do to me, oh baby/ And love, your love, every time you smile, it goes through me all the time…”
Donny Hathaway – a man whose voice of conviction has yet to be copied – laments over a love so real it, too, could not be copied.
- Baby, This Love I Have – Minnie Riperton
“And all I know is true/ Is this love I have for you…”
Songstress Minnie Riperton tries her best to express the love she has for her unnamed lover– and succeeds.
- I Couldn’t Love You More – Sade
“Take me by the hand, come on/ Be my darling, be the one/ I wouldn’t want to lay or ever love with another…”
Sade Adu makes it clear that her lover is more than adequate.
- Settle for My Love – Patrice Rushen
“Settle for my love, settle for my kiss/ Settle for my love, that you’ll never miss…”
Patrice Rushen can give neither the moon nor the stars, but she can certainly give a love so true and from the heart.
- Sweet Love – Anita Baker
“Your heart has called me closer to you/ I will be all that you need/ Just trust in what we’re feeling/ Never leave ’cause, baby, I believe…”
In the world of Anita Baker, this sweet love is all she needs.
- Know That You Are Loved – Cleo Sol
“Know that you are loved/ Even if you don’t love yourself…”
Through a lullaby-esque melody, Cleo Sol reminds us that we are always loved– even if it doesn’t always seem that way.
- Love Again – Alex Isley, Jack Dine
“The thought of your arms, I’m already safe/ Thought I had done it all, but I’ve got some grace…”
Alex Isley brings us through a journey of sweet, redemptive love.
- I Wish You Love – Sam Cooke
“I wish you bluebirds in the spring/ To give your heart a song to sing/ And then a kiss, oh, but more than this/ I wish you love…”
Though the “King of Soul” is dedicating his wishes to a past lover, his wishes remain earnest and pure.
- In Love With You- Erykah Badu, Stephen Marley
“And when I look in your eyes/ I know that you were meant to be/ My solider, so baby come on/ I mean it desperately…”
Over stripped down acoustics, Erykah Badu and Stephen Marley sing of a sweet, gentle love.
- He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat) – Jill Scott
“You co-write me, you love me, you like me/ You incite me, to chorus…”
On her debut album, Jilly from Philly sings of a transformative love– one that incites her to chorus.
- The Sweetest Thing – Ms. Lauryn Hill, Refugee Camp All-Stars
“The sweetest thing I’ve ever known/ Was like the kiss on the collarbone/ The soft caress of happiness/ The way you walk, your style of dress…”
Hailing from the Love Jones soundtrack, Ms. Lauryn Hill sings of a love so sweet that it is more valuable than all her worldly possessions.
- How Does It Make You Feel – Victoria Monet
“Just like the sand, I’ll always be for shore/ Deal any hand, I couldn’t love you more/ I’m saying yes, like a million times/ Be it rain or shine, you’re forever mine…”
Whether the subject is a loved one or a lover, Victoria Monet details a love designed by God himself.
- Adore – Prince
“Until the end of time/ I’ll be there for you/ You own my heart and mind/ I truly adore you…”
With Prince, you can never fake the funk. On this track, he doesn’t try to fake the adoration he has for his lover.
- This Is For The Lover In You – Shalamar
“ ‘Cause the meaning of love/ Is always shown to me when you are wrapped in my arms…”
A sweet declaration of a love set to last– quite literally crafted for the lover in you.
The Rhyme Suite 
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