As Valentine's Day quickly approaches, everyone is going to be looking for that perfect song to play that reminds them of their SO. While the obvious artists, like Ed Sheeran and Adele, will be blasting on that beautiful Wednesday, there is a whole genre that will most likely go forgotten.
This particular genre holds songs that transcend the normal scape of love songs and attacks you with poetry and imagery. Songs from musicals have been used as love songs for years, but since this generation would rather listen to Top 40 hits, nobody remembers them. I have compiled a playlist for you to use on Valentine's Day to show the person you love just how much they mean to you.
1. "I'll Cover You" - Rent
A musical that has managed to stay relevant since 1996, Rent shows the trials and tribulations of love and life with AIDS in Greenwich Village, NY. A song performed by Angel and Collins, who are not only interracial but also pansexual, brings a new perspective to the common love song.
2. "Someone Like You" - Jekyll and Hyde
A haunting reimagination of the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, this show brings the beloved characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to life, but this time through song. At this point in the show, the character of Lucy, who has held the attraction of Jekyll, wonders about her life with him. She thinks about her attraction to him, which has developed into a love. It's a beautiful song, with a few haunted elements due to the nature of the show.
3. "When It's Time" - American Idiot
Based on the 2004 rock opera album by Green Day, the musical follows the journey of three guys who have never left their hometowns navigate adulthood. When this show is sung, the main character, Johnny, is trying to write a song that explains his love for a sleeping Whatsername, wondering when the perfect time to say, "I love you" will be. In real life, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong wrote this song about his now-wife when they started dating. It's a sweet change of pace when surrounded by their heavy punk rock sound.
4. "Falling Slowly" - Once
This show began as a simple Indie movie, following the relationship between Guy and Girl, a Hoover repairman by day/street performer by night and an immigrant who sells flowers on the street. This song, written for Guy's ex-girlfriend, is performed in a music shop by Guy, accompanied by Girl's sweet vocals. A song about anonymity and wanderlust is a beautiful addition to the day that celebrates love.
5. "Tonight" - West Side Story
A classic show turned movie, West Side Story portrays forbidden love among cultures in an era that was so sensitive to the subject. The song is performed by Tony and Maria, the modern-day Romeo and Juliet in the show. Within the song, you hear themes of puppy love and a want that cannot be given. A truly beautiful song to share with your SO if you are newly dating or have been together for years.
6. "Something To Believe In" - Newsies
This particular song was written specifically for the stage production and not the original movie. The story covers the historic Newsboy Strike of 1899 and what happens when you get involved with a girl who could end up hurting or helping you. This song, in particular, sung by main characters Jack Kelly and Katherine Plumber, shows the raw emotion that they both feel, knowing that what they're both doing is wrong. It's a great song if your SO inspires you, or your relationship is something that happened by chance.
7. "Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me" - Waitress
This show, based on the movie and filled with songs by Sara Bareilles, follows a woman as she becomes pregnant with her horrible husband and falls for her gynecologist. A silly song from such a wholesome show, this song shows the awkward side of meeting someone from a dating website and getting to know them. It may seem like word vomit, but it works in a way that seems sweet.
8. "Only Us" - Dear Evan Hansen
As the most recent Tony Award-winner for Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen depicts the reality of living life as a teenager with severe anxiety, when a guy at his high school kills himself and lies spiral out of proportions. The song, in particular, is between Evan and his longtime crush, Zoe, as they try to give each other reasons to fall for each other. This sweet moment, one of only a few throughout the show, helps pull the audience out of the depressing subject matter at hand, all the while showing how love can be achieved, even though anxiety can build a barrier around it.
9. "No One Else" - Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812
A show that I have written about already, which you can read all about here, this song holds a very important place in the show. At this point in the show, one of the title characters, Natasha, is singing about her betrothed, Andrey. The way she describes him in explicit detail down to the way his smile reminds her of children is such a sweet way to think about your love.
10. "In A World Like This" - A Bronx Tale
As one of the only shows on this list based on a true story, A Bronx Tale follows the life of Chazz Palminteri and his upbringing on Belmont Avenue. In this song, Chazz, called by his birth name of Calogero, is singing alongside his forbidden love, Jane. The only reason their love was forbidden was that it was an interracial relationship in the 60's in a predominantly Italian-American neighborhood. This song shows the struggles of their time, but ultimately seeing past color and into their hearts.
11. "Helpless" - Hamilton
Do I even need to introduce this show? Lin Manuel Miranda's hit musical is historically accurate and hits the nail on the head with the only real love song in the show. Sung by Eliza about Alexander, she describes the next few weeks following their meeting. The way she talks about her father and Alexander meeting and the smile on her face that is eminent throughout the entire song makes this a feel-good song that any relationship can relate to.
12. "Suddenly Seymour" - Little Shop of Horrors
An iconic song in itself, it stems from the classic show Little Shop of Horrors. After Audrey is left on her own, Seymour comforts her, letting his true feelings out. Having someone tell you that they will be by your side no matter what is such a special feeling. The sweet nothings spoken to each other are something you could hear from your SO and makes you feel like your SO is your best friend.
13. "Vanilla Ice Cream" - She Loves Me
Possibly one of the least known songs on this list, yet one of the most classic, this show follows a couple who get to know each other through letters, eventually meeting. This song follows one of the characters, Amalia, as she is writing a letter to her friend describing the man she is communicating with, Georg. The whole song centers on the fact that he got her vanilla ice cream, which is so pure. Having a love so pure like theirs makes for a beautiful song to share with your SO.
14. "Seventeen" - Heathers
This one might not be the most conventional choice, but hear me out. With so many songs about teen angst strewed throughout the 80's cult classic-turn-musical comedy, it's nice to have a song that is used as a buffer between Veronica and JD. This song, in particular, is the only one that makes the two seem human when they literally just killed someone. I know that it's not the ideal choice, but when you look at the lyrics, it truly is a beautiful ballad.
No matter who you spend Valentine's Day with this year, there's no reason you shouldn't listen to some great songs. Even if you can't relate, there's always a song from all of these shows that resonate with you. If you do one thing this year, it should be spreading the love. Happy Valentine's Day!
