Songs To Put You In The Mood
When Alexandra of Good Day Regular People suggested a blog hop in which we talk about the best songs for Valentine’s Day listening, I agreed right away. February 14th is, after all, a day for getting in the mood. And nothing sets the mood faster than the right soundtrack, as St. Barry White has proven again and again.
What’s most entertaining to me, though, is how the songs to set the mood differ for a 23-year-old woman who is on her third date with a guy she swiped on Tindr, and a 40-something woman who has been married for as long as that girl has been alive. At this stage, I don’t want to hear that you only have eyes for me. If you love me, you will also have eyes for the level of oil in my car and the overflowing compost bin on the kitchen counter.
So here’s my hot, steamy, and extremely realistic Valentine’s Day 2016 playlist.
Black Coffee In Bed – Squeeze
I can’t adequately explain the tidal wave of love that engulfs me when my husband rolls out of bed five minutes before me to hit the “on” button for the coffee pot, so I can get back to dozing until the beep tells me it’s brewed. There is no point to me in being vertical if I can’t pour a hot cup of joe within 60 seconds of achieving that state. And, apologies to Squeeze, but I don’t even want it brought to me in bed, because if it spills I have to wash the sheets and that’s one more damned thing on my to-do list. The mere pressing of the “on” button: that’s good lovin’, right there.
Winds of Change – Vance Joy
During the morning hour in which we perform the precisely timed choreography of “who gets the bathroom when” as we all prepare for our day, there is a constant information exchange in the background: do you need me to pick up the dry cleaning, are you going out to a concert tonight, are we driving the girls to ballet or home from ballet, did you remember to call the insurance agent? And always, always: When are you coming home, my love? Because I need to know what time to start dinner.
Check the Rhime – A Tribe Called Quest
That midday phone call isn’t for whispering sweet nothings or expressing longing for when we will be reunited. It’s for seeing if the bike store called yet about the obscure part that had to be mail-ordered, or what the phone number is for that ophthalmologist who is not turning in the glasses receipt to the HSA account. When you work at a big bank with very restrictive Internet policies, it’s more efficient to call the little woman and ask her to “just check one thing” for you. I may as well check the rhime while I’m at it.
Bills, Bills, Bills – Destiny’s Child
The mail arrives and the most exciting thing isn’t the Valentine’s Day card. It’s the bill from the Bay Bridge Authority because your Fastrak transponder didn’t register last Thursday as your car sailed through the tollbooth too fast. But don’t worry, I got you, Boo. I’ll pay your bills (from our shared bank account.) In part because it’s clear from the picture on the bill that it was me at the wheel.
WTF – Missy Elliott
The 4:30 panic. What should I make for dinner tonight? Please, for the love of all that is holy, say something, anything besides “anything.” I was officially out of dinner ideas in 2003. WTF am I going to make tonight? Me thinking of the answer sometimes looks a lot like me practing my fresh new hip hop moves in front of the big reflective window the kitchen.
Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen
My husband was the one who made me into a Bruce fan, so the Boss is our love language. Plus, the Bay Bridge is jammed with bike-riding banker heroes on a last chance power drive, trying to make it home in time for the aforementioned dinner.
Girlfriend in a Coma – The Smiths
Remember when we used to go out for a romantic evening to celebrate our love, dear? Me neither. Depending on the day either one of us has had at work, this song could be “Husband in a Coma” or “Wife in a Coma” or “Couple in a Coma” once we hit the sheets. We are long past the point where our kids tuck US in at night, turn off all the lights and set the alarm. We’re usually completely asleep before 10 pm.
Though maybe we can rally for Valentine’s Day.
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It’s a good old fashioned (by which I mean circa 2013) blog hop! Click through to see what songs put these fab bloggers in the mood…
want more? Here’s a bonus “The Bitter With the Sweet” playlist from my friend Matt Fogelson of Fine Tuning.
CommentsBut wouldn't our 23 year old selves be surprised that the ... by Nancy Davis KhoI'm spending Valentine's evening at the hairdresser's with two ... by Nancy Davis KhoThank you. Because nothing says love like, “Bills Bills ... by Nancy Davis KhoANd now I want to do my list over! Nancy, this is superb (and ... by Alexandra RosasYou slayed this. Squeeze and The Smiths and The Boss? I ... by LanceYour list. Tis a thing of beauty. xox by Lisa Page RosenbergRelated StoriesDance, MomSuper Bored 50!Whooooo You Looking At?
