By Kelly Smyth
While we await summer, the Irish weather makes sure to punish us. Blistering winds, biting cold, and lashings of rain can leave you feeling deflated- and that’s ok! It might be made even more difficult by Valentine’s Day, especially if you are spending it alone this year. Modern hustle culture may be encouraging you to plaster a smile on your face 24/7, which may leave you feeling even more exhausted while you dream of summer romance and warmth on your skin. Well, I think it’s important to live in the moment and be present even if it’s hard. Processing those negative emotions is a big part of self-care and is completely normal. So here is my recommendation for gloomy throwback tunes as well as some modern indie rock you can listen to as you bundle up under the covers, light a few candles, and let it all out.
For Love– Lush
What initially comes across as a heartfelt love song transforms into a cynical and more tormented expression of love in this 1992 tune. Having reached the top 40 following its release, it is no surprise to see why. While the guitar track the lyrics are placed on is uplifting in some ways, For Love lyrically masters the experience of losing oneself to doubt and the search for validation in a relationship. For many of you, this may be a relatable feeling, especially in the modern dating environment where validation is near-centric on dating apps. Hopefully, you can find some solace in knowing you aren’t alone in this feeling as you sit back and reflect.
Wicked Game– Chris Isaak
Chris Isaak’s slow burn hit perfectly captures the feeling of loving someone you shouldn’t as part of a haunting ballad. Originally released in 1989, the song only reached the Top 10 charts in the US in 1991- thanks to its inclusion in David Lynch’s film Wild at Heart. It was also included in an episode of the hit sitcom Friends alongside Ross and Rachel’s date at the planetarium (if you know, you know). If you desire someone you shouldn’t or perhaps spent the night with someone which completely altered your dynamic, this is a must-listen.
Love Songs on the Radio– Mojave 3
Unlike the previous entries, this song is refreshingly optimistic despite its more cynical track. However, it may be bittersweet when you are still pining for that person you can’t yet have. The lyrics encapsulate this idealistic desire: “She looks just like an angel/When she walks across the room/She shines tonight, her golden light/Is everything I need”. While the meaning behind the song is more positive, it has a slightly dreary yet comforting melody, perfect for staring longingly out the window as you dream of what it’s like to be with that certain someone.
Leach- Cryogeyser
We’ve all had that one ex. You know, the one you wish you never met? Well, if you know what I’m talking about, this 2019 song is perfect at describing those complex and often frustrating emotions that can come with trying to move on from that person. Part of you wishes you could move freely without the memories, to go back in time and forget that person ever existed, and that’s exactly what the singer expresses, saying: “Haunting all the places I’m going/You always end up showing/Up at all the wrong times”. While you may wish to forget that person to find “Freedom”, you may end up seeing them everywhere. So, if you spent Valentine’s weekend without them, this may be a nice way to process your emotions.
I’m Not in Love– 10cc
In my opinion, nothing encapsulates the ‘staring out the rain-streaked window’ vibes like this reflective and spacey tune. While it is a love song, it expresses the more complex side of love- conflict and denial. 10cc’s 1975 track is made up of a collection of over 600 voice recordings, layered into an angelic and slightly haunting melody. Whispers of “big boys don’t cry” floating over the piano solo really fuel that sense of romantic trepidation expressed throughout the lyrics, allowing reflection on what exactly all of it means. Like Wicked Game, if you have feelings for someone you are conflicted about, this one is for you.
Hopefully, my recommendations will bring you some solace. Remember love and compassion for yourself should always come before your love for someone else. Feel free to use these songs as a way to be present this time of year, and to process those complex emotions that surround us when it comes to love.