Well, here we are folks. It is Valentine’s Day and while I, personally, don’t like to make a big deal out of this day by complaining about it, a lot of shit has happened over the past eight months that keeps me on the cynical side of love. I also just realized that I am in the exact same place as I was ten years ago, only less dramatic, so go figure.
I’m not one to complain about being single. I enjoy being single. However, I don’t appreciate the pain that comes with not having that one person by your side through it all. When I write my so-called poetry, I’m referencing a certain person (or two) yet everyone seems to think that I’m this miserable single gal who cannot be happy unless I have someone, which couldn’t be more further from the truth!! There’s a difference between being genuinely lonely and the emptiness that comes with not having one specific person in your life. Now that that’s out of the way, on to the music!
The title explains it all – a mix of Selena Gomez‘s “Same Old Love” and Coasts‘ “Modern Love,” – sharing my sentiments on how love is perceived in this modern age and how just that word alone has lost its meaning entirely. Frankly, I’m sick of it and I’m tired of being thrust into a society that accepts this hookup bullshit. These 19 songs represent those out there who are hurting right now and who – though we try to stay optimistic – just can’t catch a break in the love department. I see you. This one’s for you!
I think Troye Sivan explains it beautifully in his track, “DKLA,” which stands for “don’t keep love around.” Featuring up-and-coming female rapper, Tkay Maidza, she matter-of-factly states, “Pleased to meet you, I’m kinda moved but that last one was my antidote.” Things get more dramatic during “The Beach” by The Neighbourhood which I sort of refer to as my song about my messed up relationship with God right now. Halsey’s “Is There Somewhere” is a classic and was one of the tracks I held on to this summer as I felt my heart smash into a million pieces but somehow got put back together halfway by someone who only wound up breaking it all over again; this time a lot harder than the first. “Cause I clutched your arms like stairway railings and you clutched my brain and eased my ailing.” Flor‘s “Let Me In” revolves around that same person. If you’re reading this, check your mixtape…last track.
Of course no emotional playlist would be complete without my favorites, Garbage. In “I Hate Love,” singer Shirley Manson shares how love can brutally fuck you up if it’s the wrong kind while the appropriately-titled “Valentine’s Day” by Linkin Park has been a favorite for a while with it’s dark, brooding honesty. “Goner” by Twenty One Pilots (who have recently become my new favorite obsession) brings me right back to where I was a decade ago in high school, sobbing on my bedroom floor and becoming emo as fuck with everything going on around me. “I’m a goner / Somebody catch my breath / I wanna be known by you.” It’s that simple.
We all crave love and when circumstances show us that we may not be worthy of it, it breaks us down. Obviously that’s not the case at all but I can’t help but wonder when whatever powers that be up there will show us differently. Just once.
Happy Valentine’s Day and remember: Half-priced candy tomorrow!! :p
