10 Anti-Valentine's Day Songs
Tunes that don't celebrate Feb. 14
Love has inspired artists and poets for centuries, resulting in some of the most timeless paintings, stories, poems and songs that help mark that crazy little thing that connects two people. It all comes to the forefront on Feb. 14 every year, the day couples declare their devotion one another via flowers, candy and CD compilations.
Some may argue, however, that Valentine's Day isn't a real holiday, as it excludes people, i.e., those who are single, whether that is by choice or not. Following are songs for those people — not to turn up one's nose at love, but to serve as a reminder that a union still takes work the other 364 days of the year.
10. "I Will Always Love You," by Whitney Houston (or Dolly Parton)
Once glance at the title makes it seem obvious this is the perfect song for Feb. 14, but a closer look at the lyrics shows otherwise. Love is indeed at the heart of this song, but the soul of it is departure — the singer is saying goodbye to someone. Not, “let’s stay together” or “let’s celebrate our love.”
9. "You Can Go Your Own Way," by Fleetwood Mac
Post-breakup, it can seem like everything hurts, but Fleetwood Mac tells listeners there is still life to live solo, and that it’s OK to do so. “You can go your own way.”
8. "The Winner Takes It All," by ABBA
Reportedly written while two members of pop group ABBA were going through a divorce, The Winner Takes It All resonates with poignancy associated with the end of a relationship. A listener can just hear the undercurrent of exhaustion and resignation in the singer’s voice.
7. "Fools in Love," by Inara George
George scoffs at anyone in love, dubbing them fools and pathetic in this little tune. She realizes in the end, though, she is but a fool, too. Sigh.
6. "You Know I’m No Good," by Amy Winehouse
She’s telling listeners straight out she’s bad news. Be gone. Stay away. No love to be had here, even though the singer realizes the error of her ways.
5. "Gate 22," by Pascal Picard
Picard reflects on a past relationship prior to taking off for parts unknown. "Gate 22" is about knowing it’s best to go for one’s own good, while still struggling with the tug of the familiar past.
4. "Hands Clean," by Alanis Morissette
A reminder of why finding finding the right person is tough and why relationships take work. Morissette sings about a relationship where one person clearly has the upper hand and is ashamed of the union. Wow, nothing says love like “under rug swept.”
3. "Who Knew," by Pink
Pink lets loose about the belief a duo may have of being together forever only to be bitten by the harshness of reality.
2. "I Will Possess Your Heart," by Death Cab For Cutie
Nothing like a song to remind the public of the different kinds of “love” out there, such as that of a stalker.
1. "Shut Up," by Black Eyed Peas
If a couple can fight in a song, it’s here. It’s intimate, it’s personal, it illustrates the “I love you/I hate you/come here/go away” feelings that come with a tumultuous relationship. No sign of Cupid here. Just agony.
Music is powerful: It can connect people and it can comfort them. Listeners can relate to songs, be it a tune about falling for that perfect person — suitable for Feb. 14, naturally — or be it a song that reminds a listener that it's OK to fly solo on Valentine's Day, or any other day of the year.
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