Photo Credit: Belinda Fewings
For my beloved single readers of The Mike!
Rosie McDonald, Copy Editor
Happy Valentine’s Day to those who celebrate, and happy Independence Day (not the Fourth of July) to those who don’t. For many, February 14th will be spent with family, with friends, or as a party of one as opposed to with a significant other. I’ve decided to create a soundtrack for the life of a single person on Valentine’s Day. To preface, this is not a depressing score to a melancholic movie about loneliness or unrequited love. This is an upbeat, enjoy-your-independence, angry-in-a-good-way, bitter-but-happy playlist that will have you dancing around the city and redefining your relationship with cupid.
We set the tone with Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff” because February 14th is truly one of those days. Consider setting this one as your alarm. Get it out of your system first thing in the morning.
Next, we switch it up with “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper, one of my personal favourites from the mix. This one isn’t just for the girls, though. We all just want to have some fun, and it’s impossible to resist dancing along to this track.
Along the same lines as the last song, “My Life” by Billy Joel embraces being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want, and letting go of the negative opinions others have of how you live your life.
Moving on to “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon — this is another song you can’t help but dance to. The lyrics speak to those with self-centered exes (if that’s you, you might enjoy this one a little bit more), but the tune is for everyone.
Even though, at first glance, the lyrics of “Somebody to Love” by Queen might seem a bit sad for the theme of this playlist, the song itself is one of the best songs to sing/scream alone in your room while pretending to be part of the band. Give it a shot.
Some may say “Shake It Out” by Florence + The Machine is corny. Those people aren’t single. This song will drag you right out of any funk — even a Valentine’s Day funk.
“Roses” by OutKast is one of the catchiest and funniest breakup songs of all time. I couldn’t help but add it to the mix.
Like the aforementioned Queen song, Mitski’s “Nobody” is a song with painfully relatable lyrics but an undeniable funky groove that should help you embrace having nobody (nobody, nobody) to spend the day with.
Track number nine: “I Drink Alone” by George Thorogood & The Destroyers. Need I say more about this one?
Finally, “F**k You” by CeeLo Green goes out to the singles with exes they’re thinking of fondly on Valentine’s Day. My suggestion for this one is to go find a karaoke place that will let you belt it out.
Embrace the day, single readers of The Mike! Put my playlist to use and enjoy your independence and freedom. No tacky dinner dates or ugly heart-shaped jewelry for you: only dance parties.
Track List:
- “Break Stuff” — Limp Bizkit
- “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” — Cyndi Lauper
- “My Life” — Billy Joel
- “You’re So Vain” — Carly Simon
- “Somebody to Love” — Queen
- “Shake It Out” — Florence + The Machine
- “Roses” — OutKast
- “Nobody” — Mitski
- “I Drink Alone” — George Thorogood & The Destroyers
- “Fuck You” — CeeLo Green
