Still In Bloom

For Valentine’s Day, I was inspired to write a happy post on love. This Valentine’s Day, I’ve found that love doesn’t just have to be limited to the romantic kind. There is love all around us, from the love we give ourselves, to our environment, and to our friends and family.

Here’s some songs that embody the best kinds of love:

Romantic

These songs possess a sweetness, a safety, a joy and an excitement when it comes to love and desire. There’s also a sense of exclusivity and understanding.

• As, I Just Called To Say I Love You, All I Do, That Girl, Ribbon In The Sky, My Cherie Amour, – Stevie Wonder
• Treasure, Just the Way You Are, – Bruno Mars
• Die With A Smile – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
• All Night, Virgo’s Groove, Plastic Off The Sofa, II Hands to Heaven – Beyoncé
• Fallen – Mya
• Love Hangover – Diana Ross
• On Sight, You – CoCo Jones
• POV, Safety Net – Ariana Grande
• Check – Flo
• Say A Little Prayer – Aretha Franklin
• I Can’t Help It, The Lady In My Life, Liberian girl – Michael Jackson
• Get Me, Take It Out on Me – Justin Bieber
• Nothing Can Come Between Us – Sade
• Luther – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
• Never Too Much – Luther Vandross
• Angel, Sweet Love, Just Because – Anita Baker

Of course there’s lots more that could go in this category, but just sharing some of my favorites which also happen to be some of the greatest love songs in existence.

Familial

Many mistake Isn’t She Lovely to be about romantic love, but it is actually an ode to Stevie Wonder’s daughter. Familial love can be beautiful too, and when its pure, there’s nothing else like it.

• Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
• My Rose, Protector – Beyoncé
• Dear Mama – 2Pac
• Dance with My Father – Luther Vandross:
• We Are Family – Sister Sledge

Self Love

As Whitney Houston said, self love is the greatest love of all. Loving yourself can be a journey, which sometimes requires isolation, and other times in learned in community and even in romantic relationships. At the end of the day, you’re left with yourself, so its important to have a deep love for yourself.

• Free – Destiny’s Child
• This is Me – Demi Lovato
• Good Morning Gorgeous – Mary J. Blige
• I’m Here – The Color Purple Soundtrack
• I’m Changing – Dreamgirls Soundtrack
• Good As Hell – Lizzo
• Flowers – Miley Cyrus
• The Greatest Love Of All – Whitney Houston
• Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae

Friend

Friendship is also a powerful form of love. There should be more songs about these kind of relationships that can sustain you in the worst of times, and bring you back to life.

• Girl – Destiny’s Child
• Best Friend – Doja Cat & Saweetie
• Friends – The Carters

Spiritual

For those who believe in a higher power, there is a great love from the (uncolonized) creator. Some songs I’ve appreciated in my Christian upbringing:

• Brighter Day, Love Theory – Kirk Franklin
• The Best in Me – Marvin Sapp
• I’m in Love, Mercy – The Walls Group
• Open My Heart, Someone Watching Over You – Yolanda Adams
• Love Him Like I Do – Deitrick Haddon, Ruben Studdard, Mary Mary
• Addictive Love, Lost Without You – BeBe & CeCe Winans

Other/Unspecified

These songs are up to the listener to decide which type of love they’re about. Some songs could also not be about a person but a place, a moment, a festival, etc.

• DtMF – Bad Bunny
• Heal the World – Michael Jackson
• At Your Best – Aaliyah/Isley Brothers
• Moments in Love – Art of Noise
• For Good – Wicked Soundtrack
• These Three Words – Stevie Wonder
• II Most Wanted – Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus
• You’ll Be In My Heart – Phil Collins
• Rather Be – Clean Bandit
• Matsuri – Fujii Kaze
• Brown Skin Girl – Beyoncé & Wizkid