Season of Love: A Playlist

By Avery Dawson
Music Journalist

1. The Mamas & The Papas – Dedicated To The One I Love

Starting off with a not-so-classic throwback, “Dedicated To The One I Love” draws on the yearning love in couples that are distanced by a literal or metaphorical separation. Though they are most commonly known for other tracks, such as “California Dreamin’” or “Dream A Little Dream Of Me”, this song really stands out creating sounds that are bigger than life while still being gentle. The soft and angelic vocals matched with the delicate plucking of an acoustic guitar help create an incredible contrast to the bold piano/drum combination backing the perfectly layered voices. This is truly a song that embodies the feelings of love that come with Valentine’s Day.

2. Baby Mollusk – Feelin’ Like a Bean

Contrary to the previous song, this one is a bit of an anti-V Day song. Baby Mollusk, a lo-fi bedroom pop group, wrote the perfect song for anyone who is post-breakup and looking for something to hate their ex to. Lead vocalist Rachel Gordon says in the chorus, “I will kiss the whole world on the mouth/Before I see you again” expressing quite clearly that she is completely done with being disappointed by this person. Good on her (or anyone) who gets out of a toxic relationship!

3. Fox Academy – And Also I’m Really Scared

Listening to the beginning of this song you almost immediately get drawn back to the first crush you ever had and the innocence of young love. The opening line says, “I met you at the summer camp/All alone,” giving an instant relation to each listeners memories of their younger years. Though the lyrics lead a different way, the whole song maintains the innocent feel. This song was meant to be played in the background of a new pair’s first kiss.

4. Paul McCartney – The Lovely Linda

Of course I had to slip in a song by one of the greatest musicians of all time, Sir Paul McCartney. By one listen, it is clear how much love was shared between McCartney and his late wife Linda, who the song is named after. Being the first wife of the teenage heartthrob, she was surprisingly loved by all the fans, and the grief when she passed away in 1998 was incredible. However, this song remains eternally preserving the deep connection between the two. The loving tone and adoring lyrics make for a short but sweet tune that is the perfect backtrack for the date night of long-term lovers.

5. Jonathan Richman – Les Printemps Des Amoureux Est Venue

I think we can all agree French is one of the most romantic languages. The curves and flowing nature in which it is said is absolutely hypnotic, and that is amplified by about a thousand when it is sung. Richman, originally an American artist, delivers the lyrics with such a soothing, mesmerizing tone while still being purposeful with singing. As for understanding the French words, the title translates to “The Lovers’ Spring Has Come,” and it talks about dusting out the garden of love as spring begins, and looking for new love. Isn’t that what spring, the season of love, is all about?

Featured image by Avery Dawson.