February 14th has a Playlist

Whether you are having a blast slow-dancing with your romantic partner, or you are screaming heartbreak songs in the car with the windows rolled up, music has a way of speaking to our hearts - especially on a holiday like Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is a notorious holiday for big feelings on both sides of the spectrum - some feel pure love and joy, while others may feel loneliness and sadness. In moments like these, many teens turn to music not just for entertainment, but for comfort and validation. Hearing lyrics that resonate with your situation can fuel a sense of understanding within yourself.  

For some people, this means choosing songs that match their joy and energy! Upbeat and fun love tracks are the perfect way to amplify excitement about a relationship or crush. Sharing headphones, posting a photo of you together on Instagram with a cute song in the background, or sending them your defining relationship song can all become ways of saying “This is how I truly feel about you,” without having to find all of the correct words. 

For others, Valentine’s Day means more… complicated emotions. Sad or reflective songs can create space to process difficult feelings of grief, jealousy, or disappointment. Instead of pushing these emotions away, music allows listeners to sit with them in a safe, non-destructive way. Hearing an artist to describe similar struggles can make one feel understood, and it can set a reminder that they are not the only ones navigating tough struggles. Be careful of over-indulging into this type of music, though – songs with negative emotions involved can trap teens into a negative headspace, reinforcing negative emotions instead of reassuring them. 

Even outside of love and heartbreak, music can be a confidence booster! Songs about self-love can help students reclaim Valentine’s Day and view it more as a day to treat themselves. Instead of wallowing on what they do not have, teens can shift the focus on what they DO have – what they value about themselves and their relationships. 

So, why does music carry so much weight on a holiday about love? Part of music’s power comes from its ability to put language to the indescribable. Emotions are often messy and hard to define, especially in adolescence. A song can organize that havoc, giving a metaphor, line, or melody that makes everything make sense. A three-minute song can say what would otherwise take pages and pages. What someone cannot text or say face-to-face might feel possible through a pair of earbuds.  

By the time February 14^th arrives, students will walk the hallways, each person experiencing a different version of the day. Some will be listening to love songs, others to Mitski, others to songs about self-love and acceptance. In any of these emotions, each student has the same instinct – press the ‘play’ button. Music meets students where they are – and while Valentine’s Day may mean many things, there is always a song ready to tell the story! 

Sources: How teenagers use music to deal with emotions  – BOLD 

Love, Heartbreak, and Hits: Why Valentine’s Day Is Music’s Favorite Holiday - Artist Uncut