PSYCHOLOGY states that music offers a swirling influence on human emotions. It viscerally taps souls, making people stand on their feet to dance uncontrollably, sing along to the rhythm in a messy tune, and provides a long list of reasons to love hopelessly. Music is an addiction that no one can escape. 

The landscape of love songs with authentic and relatable storytelling creates a good impression on love, making listeners yearn for its very feeling. We have Taylor Swift for example— a popular singer-songwriter whose personal experiences laid out in music defined and influenced real-life love stories.

In a world with millions of love songs creatively crafting perfect fairy tales, the faith in love remains alive and so are the hopeless romantics. 

Who are the Hopeless Romantics

A hopeless romantic possesses a Disney-outlook on relationships and romance. In today’s myth-like concept of happy endings, soulmates, and “the ones”, they remain wishful for this kind of romance to reach them on a bright sunny day while taking a stroll on the most romantic street.

They value love as much as they breathe despite the risk of heartbreaks and uncertainties that taint its idea as a terrifying wonder. They draw a certain standard in their relationships while manipulating it into its most appealing narrative. 

However, being a hopeless romantic is a double-edged knife that if used aimlessly can cut deep. Setting idealistic standards at unattainable heights may be unrealistic and demanding to a partner. It can be an unhealthy and careless approach towards romance.

This places relationships under the microscope of perfection while ignoring the flaws that make them authentic and unique. 

Anatomy of Love Songs Listeners

Music has become accessible now with Spotify, Apple Music, Tiktok, etc. With the rise of different platforms, one can say that love is truly everywhere. 

Ivo Guizon, 22, shared her listening habit, highlighting the relevance of music in her regular-life activities. “I do po. Oftentimes, nakikinig ako because nirecommend sa akin ‘yung particular na music na ‘yon or like kapag nagbabasa ako and I really want to feel the moment better, sinasabayan ko siya ng pakikinig sa mga love songs,” she said. 

For her, music has the ability to penetrate through personal situations greatly improving the listening experience. “Hmm. Di kasi kaagad ako nakakarelate.” She laughed. “Parang later on, kapag gets ko na ‘yung lyrics and the meaning behind the song, dun ko pa lang nare-recognize ‘yung fact na relatable nga naman talaga siya. Kapag may pinagdadaanan sa buhay tapos narinig ko ‘yung certain music na parang sakto sa situation that I’m currently in, dun ako nakakarelate.” 

Interestingly, love songs have bulldozed her views about love, not for its charming concept but its intricacy and variations that makes it complex for basic understanding. She also doubted the themes of modern love songs that lack the genuine quality. 

“I guess, love songs do not make me believe in love, but rather help me to see love in a much broader perspective. I see love songs as a tool to convey one’s affection, to tell how much love makes people broken. Instead of believing, it made me realize how complex it is and complicated. May mga love songs kasi na not poured from genuine love, but from lust and such. So, ayon. I think through love songs mas nakilala ko ang love na may iba’t-ibang kalye. Hindi lahat ng love songs nakaka-inspire to try love again, ‘yung iba kasing music about it reveals the dark side of love,” she added. 

As per Trisha Mae Riego, 21, shared the same sentiments of listening to love songs like a purpose. “Yes, I often listen to music, especially love songs. Aside from enjoying them, I think it’s also because it has become a habit and part of my daily routine. Listening to love songs, or any genre I like, has always been something I naturally do,” she said.

She considers love songs as a container of her personal feelings where every lyric seems like something her words would have exactly spoken. “Every love song tells a story, combining thoughts and emotions through lyrics and melodies. There are thoughts and feelings I can’t always express, and some stories I have yet to share. Listening to love songs that reflect these unspoken thoughts and emotions makes the experience much more personal for me,” she noted. 

For millions of love songs describing love in diverse fonts, she believes that there’s enough type of love for everyone to believe in than just the traditional. “Each love song we hear beautifully portrays a different type of love, which helps me realize that love can’t be defined in just one way. The way I love may be different from others, but there are specific songs that perfectly capture those unique feelings, making me believe in love’s diversity and depth,” she pointed out. 

For Christel Robles, 22, love songs offer certain positivity that one may need in the bad corners of life. Love songs bring her flashbacks not just the sweet old memories of romance but also its bitter counterparts. “It reflects my experiences of falling in love with someone and heartbreaks from someone,” she expressed. 

She emphasized that the power of love songs lies primarily in the lyrics that pull strings in human emotions. “Through the power of words— they give the feeling of joy and excitement,” she said.

Music is inescapable; for some, it greedily occupied a significant part of their personas. Basically, love songs are the playground of love. It understands love based on the experiences of the creators. It creates a twist on love and pours a little bit of spice that can satisfy the taste buds of different audiences. However, listeners have individual interpretations to the intention and meaning that lies beneath love songs. 

So, Do Love Songs Make Us Hopeless Romantics? 

It depends on how listeners view romance as it is. Love songs are forms of expression that only seek to reinforce the idea of love but it does not teach. People already know love from their own experiences and preceding impressions. Love songs merely serve as a modifier of love as an emotion. 

Because love songs do not discriminate. It inspires people to ponder on the subject of love in diverse formats. Like queer relationships that commonly strays away from the conventional path of romance. Or people who have yet to find love or those with failed experiences. They imbue them with confidence to continue pursuing love regardless. They shed a positive light on love as if a close friend giving advice that one needs in trying times where love seems impossible. 

While there are some who look at it from a window of mesmerizing sight, some are brave enough to look beyond it and see love in different avenues than what is ideal. They refuse to stay on the fictitious lane of romance that are often portrayed in love songs. But rather embrace the complexity that surrounds it. While they have faith in love, they also have justified fears and doubts about it. That love is not solely about loving but a combined process of romantic and negative encounters. They can still be considered as romantics but never hopeless— simply realistic. 

Why Love Songs Matter 

If there is one undeniable thing about love songs, it is that they appeal to the emotions of people and see through their souls, thus, validating the hunger, thrill and joy of loving and being loved.

A love song is an artistic masterpiece. Like a Picasso painting, they evoke a certain emotion when we welcome them into our senses. They keep romance alive through its compelling narrative. They serve as a ticking reminder that falling in love is beautiful. 

We need love songs simply because as humans we need love to survive. The world is already as dark and difficult as it is. We need something as a proof that humanity is capable of such amazing things like love. Basically, the world needs the romantics, may they be hopeless or not. 

With Reports from Loyd R. Tolentino