From ads encouraging men to buy a thousandth piece of heart-shaped jewelry to romantic Valentine’s Day sitcom episodes, the holiday primarily focuses on heterosexual couples. “I’ve seen one or two that have been gay or lesbian couples, but it’s mostly straight,” said Sammi Shelton, a Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club leader and junior at Ida B. Wells. This Valentine’s Day we could all use a little more music by LGBTQ artists. Here are 10 cute queer love songs to dance around to this February 14.
Amelie Day’s 2023 single, “Skippin’ Down the Sidewalk,” perfectly encapsulates early butterflies and explosive happiness in the beginning stages of a relationship. Day’s sound is reminiscent of the American folk duo, The Indigo Girls. This high-spirited love song is perfect for skipping down the sidewalk on a sunny day with lyrics including, “You’re on my mind/And I’m feelin’ free.”
Non-binary musician, Corook is best known for their song “If I were a fish” featuring Olivia Barton, which went viral on Tik Tok in 2023. But the singer’s love songwriting abilities cannot be matched. “Emergency Contact” is a song about being confident in your worth and finding someone else who sees it too. It touches on feelings of security with lyrics like, “Call me whenever, I’ll be there/An emergency or just to stare at you in your brand new bright blue dress.” With a catchy but thoughtful tune, “Emergency Contact” fits into any Valentine’s Day celebration.
Last November, UK-based band, flowerovlove released, “A Girl Like Me” a track about hoping your crush would like someone like you. This fast-paced and hopeful love song has something for everyone. One standout section is the bridge where lead singer Joyce Cisse sings, “Would a boy like you like a boy like me? Would a girl like you like a girl like me? Could someone like you like someone like me? Would a boy like you like a girl like me?” The lyrics are like a stream of anxious thoughts. If you’re overthinking this Valentine’s Day, “A Girl Like Me” is the song for you.
It’s important to note that love songs can also focus on points of self-love and acceptance. “One song that I really like is ‘Cherry’ by Rina Sawayma,” said Malija Stone, a freshman at IBW. “The song turned into her [Sawayma] embracing her pansexuality and through the lyrics she encourages listeners to be passionate about the people they love and comments on the lack of representation for pansexual people.”
The track “She” from Dodie’s 2019 album Human is the cutest unrequited love song you will ever hear. With lyrics like, “She tastes like birthday cake and story time and fall,” it’s hard not to root for her. With peaceful vocals and calming production, the song is as soothing as it is adorable.
Bea Kristi better known as Beabadoobee, is loved for her light and calming vocals that put listeners in a dream-like state. One of the bisexual singer’s highest streaming songs is “Glue Song” a lovable track about becoming attached to the person you love. With thoughtful lyrics such as, “Never thought I’d find you/But you’re here and so I love you,” this belongs in your queue on Feb. 14. When in need of a peaceful track to dance around to in a field of flowers, look no further than “Glue Song.”
The song “Julia” by Australian musician, Hollie Col, stands out for it’s happy beat and pleasing vocal layering that drowns out the sad lyrics. Col paints the story of a girl she loves moving away to New York and trying to convince her to stay with lines like, “And I know you’re packing your bags/But if I let it out would you say it right back/ Could you love me like that?” The contagious chorus of “Julia” is impossible not to sing along to.
Singer-songwriter Jude York didn’t hesitate to release a thoughtful queer love song after receiving a direct message from a fan asking him to write a track for them to walk down the aisle to. “All I See Is Him” combines heartwarming lyrics about finding your person such as, “He’s every daydream in slow motion that I’ve ever had,” with a soulful sound that’s best appreciated through headphones.
South African singer, Babyqueen, is famous for her contributions to the Heartstopper soundtrack including “Colours of You” and “Dover Beach.” Her hilarious stream of sarcasm is a common theme throughout her discography including “Dream Girl,” a song about when your dream partner is already in a relationship. While an unconventional love song, the lyricism in “Dream Girl” tackles the unfortunate role that jealousy plays in romantic relationships. Wishing the love of your life would ditch their boyfriend for you? If so, this track belongs on your V-Day playlist.
If the phrase “be mine” was a song this would be it. “I’ll Call You Mine” is a standout track on girl in red’s (Marie Ulvin) 2021 album and might just fit into your Valentine’s Day if you’re planning to hold your hands out a car window. The song explores feelings of worrying your romantic history will repeat itself, but still wanting a person to be yours. One standout lyric is a plea for security when Ulvin sings, “Show me that you’re gonna stay on my worst days.” The standout electric guitar and energetic bridge separates this love song from so many others.
The song “It Was Me” by Rosemary Joaquin explores the feeling of telling your friends after keeping a relationship secret and the excitement and nerves that come from it. She describes this feeling by singing, “Losing our old hiding place/ But it’s cool/ Long as I don’t lose you.” It’s impossible to hear this track without feeling bubbly and excited. With quirky lyrics and a catchy beat, “It Was Me” deserves to play on your chosen streaming app.
No matter what your Valentine’s Day plans are, add these LGBTQ love songs to your playlist whether it serves as a background for dramatic window gazing or a romantic picnic.
