HOPEFUL ROMANTICISM: 10 SONGS TO DEDICATE TO YOUR LOVER(S)

ACE
Feb 14, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Mar 1, 2024

Valentine's Day: The pagan produced hallmark holiday dedicated to love and all its outcomes...or incomes!

As much as it is promoted to celebrate your significant other and make singles feel shitty about their relationship status, it's important to use the opportunity honor those we love outside of romance. Whether it be our besties, our grandma's, ourselves or God (ooh controversy) we should be cultivating and spreading around the abundant universal energy that keeps us going.

In no particular order, let's get into some tunes that "set the mood" as a pregame to any and all festivities:

1. Bangs- Take You To The Movies (2010)

Some may disagree, but nothing beats a good ole fashioned movie date. Which is why when the topic comes up this internet classic plays loudly in my subconscious.

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2. Kaysha- One Love (2005)

Kaysha has a track record of making beautiful music with some very suspicious lyrics. And as much as he ignited romance over this zouk/kizomba beat, I can't help but to hyper focus on one of the opening lines where he says "when I get stronger, I'll walk up to my ex and tell her I'm history"

Kaysha.

Wtf do you mean "when"?

How did we get h e r e if your ex is still in the picture?

But infidelity aside, I do find to be a great song and one of the few I can recite word for word if my life depended on it.

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3. Ferre Gola - 100 Kilos (2004)

(bad babe + cool car) x (all the guys)^(killer lyrics) = masterpiece

Now this song isn't in English, in fact it's a mix of Congolese Lingala and French.

Do I know Lingala? not aside from the word "bolingo"

Do I know French? enough to get me in and out of a conversation

But you know when a song feels so good you have to look up the lyrics? That's how I ended up finding out this is one of my favorite love songs to date.

The song is a dedication to all the real #yearners out there as he goes into vivid detail on how he's running out of ideas on how to win over her love. With the "100 kilos" referencing the 100 kilos of handpicked flowers that he sourced at the dead of night and supporting phrases that roughly translate to:

"If the UN didn't ban slavery I would've been one because even your gaze is a caress"

"I don't have a red carpet but I'll put my clothes down from front street to my front door as your runway"

Sounds a lot smoother in a love language, however I'd recommend for all lovers, Fally stans included. <3

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4. Runtown - For Life (2018)

Simple & to the point. I wanna love you for life.

Great video, somthing I'd do tbh, & catchy tune.

Bonus points for Runtown's taste in women he stays with a model chick & I live for the representation.

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5. Young Thug - Worth It (2016)

SHE GET WHAT SHE WANT, SHE WHINEEEEE.

& frankly the rest was history.

This song brings me back to an era...one where Jeffery was free... but also one of simpler times. As much as it could be used to dedicate to another, it doubles as a great self affirmation song considering yknow...you are worth it

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6. Jimah ft DNDSection - Can't Believe It Remix (2023)

Most times I couldn't care too much for all these samples and remixes but this a flip that I can get behind...and did (shameless self promotion)

From the psychedelic backgrounds, to the entrancing vibes from the cast & cameos, I love that the lyrics still embody the message of catering and courting that we loved so much in the original.

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7. Seyi Sodimu - Love Me Jeje (1997)

Speaking of remixes, this is one of those early Afrobeat hits that have been slice, diced and done over in many different ways. Why not throw in the OG into the mix?

In the song it tells a tale of boy-meets-girl boy-then-beats-his-chest-until-he-wins-girl-over. I wouldn't bump it all the time but it's funny and light hearted and a 9ja cultural staple.

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8. Jah Cure- Never Find (2009)

Now the concept of scarcity and fear of it isn't one that I subscribe to but I can ignore it for the overall message: devotion.

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9. Brandy- Afrodisiac (2004)

Them 90's girlies loved a good lil rain dancing scene.

I know I started off leaning away from lusty undertones and the agenda still continues I promise! If you were to replace or mute the word "Afrodisiac" with something more wholesome it would be a cool gospel song (ooh controversy)

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10. Alexandria - Complement (2016)

My queen!

Alexandria can make herself some good ass R&B yall.

Like I'm talking she's gone triple platinum off of mixtapes in my home. From breakups to love songs she's got a lullaby for it.

I say that to say, it was hard to chose, but this is the perfect song for the lover in you and I hope you align with all those who complement you.