Hear Tegan and Sara’s Valentine’s Day Playlist
“A majority of love songs I listen to are sad,” Tegan and Sara’s Tegan Quin tells Rolling Stone when we ring her up to quiz her on her favorite Valentine’s Day tunes. “Valentine’s Day can be so cheesy, but still sincere and romantic.”
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The Canadian duo are well-equipped to chat about matters of the heart: Their 2013 album Heartthrob features a plethora of songs about winning and losing love, and their six prior records are all stocked with tracks that wouldn’t be out of place on a V-day playlist. Tegan ran down eight tracks you may want to spin this February 14th, from the “romantic” to the “desperate.”
1. St. Lucia, “Wait for Love”
“It feels so good listening to it. It just makes me feel so happy when he goes through the chorus and says, ‘I’ll wait for love in the morning dew.’ It doesn’t feel cheesy. It’s the most romantic song ever.”
2. Mapei, “Don’t Wait”
“Sara got me into her a couple of months ago. I’m entering a new phase of my life where it’s OK to be romantic. There’s a really romantic chorus about fighting for what you want.”
3. Say Lou Lou, “Julian”
“This is a really great track. The general vibe is that the woman is singing about smuggling her partner Julian across the border – a lot of ‘I’ll keep your secret and drive you through the night.'”
4. Maya Jane Coles feat. Karin Park, “Everything”
“This reminds me a bit of the Knife – a good electronic track. This would be a good one for someone who doesn’t have a Valentine’s date. One to post to your Facebook for your ex to see. This one’s a little desperate.”
5. My Midnight Heart, “Solace”
“This is just straight-up romantic. This would be good if you’re having a romantic evening. It’s pretty slow . . . I want to say ‘sexy’ but that word usually doesn’t come out of my mouth.”
6. Boy, “Little Numbers”
“This is a little more indie-rock leaning. There’s one line in it, ‘Seven little numbers, maybe they can be a start/Seven little numbers, I know them by heart.’ I was like goddamnit! It would not be the same if it was ‘Seven little numbers, I’ll text you.'”
7. Bruce Springsteen, “I’m on Fire”
“It’s Bruce. Please. If a girl throws on Bruce, she has my heart.”
8. Alicia Keys, “Un-thinkable, (I’m Ready)”
“This is just a perfect, perfect love song. It’s awesome.”