There was a time when creating a mix-tape was a thing. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a painstaking process of compiling, arranging and recording or burning of songs that best represent your feelings for someone special, usually using a cassette tape or CD.

For the more creative ones, the line-up of songs is meticulously arranged to tell a story of how their feelings have grown or how hard it’s been since their special someone left them for another love. It can be either a painful or inspiring experience or both back in the day. 

Since recording on a cassette recorder and CD trays are not even an option in most gadgets these days, you could probably instead use the titles on this list for a Spotify playlist that you can easily share to that paramour. 

How can I fall – Breathe 

Give me time to care, the moments here for us to share

Still my heart is not always there

What more can I say to you

It has to start with a song that opens up the possibility of a romantic connection. This song from the British band Breathe hits the right notes. There is even a local rendition of this song from Filipino singer Jed Madela.

Romance may be a thing of the past for some but there are still better ways of articulating your good intentions, and it should start with something as gold as this. 

Come back to me – Janet Jackson

All my life I’ve waited

To see your smile again

In my mind I hated

Not able to let go

If you want to rekindle something that you once lost, this song will glide into someone’s heart like an angel’s lullaby. This has got to be one of Janet’s best slow jams. Definitely not for the faint of heart. It may bring about some regret and longing and that may be the last thing you need right now. 

But it’s heartfelt and perfect for those moments of solitude and deep contemplation.

Rush Rush – Paula Abdul

You’re the whisper of a summer breeze

You’re the kiss that puts my soul at ease

Keanu Reeves, one of the nicest guys in Hollywood, graced the music video as Paula Abdul’s leading man. Nothing like first encounters and the excitement of new relationships. Every beat of the drum here feels like the patter of raindrops while spending time with a date by a patio with a view somewhere.

Dreaming of you – Selena

Late at night when all the world was sleeping

I stay up and think of you

There has to be space in a relationship to build on the emotional attachments. This is the song if you want someone to miss you.  Someone once said: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

Selena was such a talented artist and her death all the more made this song sound so bittersweet. It has to be played in a quiet room, without any distractions. 

Till they take my heart away – Claire Marlo

Hey now, let me hold you, it’ll be OK

Cause I will love you till they take my heart away

You are not going to believe how much the vinyl album of this song is going for in the market today. A copy will set you back for a cool P25,000. It just shows that a lot of people love this song. 

It’s a good thing you can still profess your forever without losing your shorts on this one as it’s available to stream. 

There you have it. Songs that will melt your heart this Valentines. Make sure they’re on your playlist as you brave the trip out to celebrate the romantic month of February.