11 Pop Love Songs That Deserve to Be Modern Classics
Graphic by Maryam ElSharkawy
Run Away With Me - Carly Rae Jepsen
Die-hard fans have long touted their queen’s excellence but it’s really about time that we all recognize how well Carly Rae Jepesen has honed her craft. “Run Away With Me” may just be her magnum opus. The song kicks down the doors with a saxophone solo for the ages and never lets off the gas for a moment. Whether through the 80s inspired synths or Jepsen’s spirited performance, the song communicates the pulse-pounding rush of a crush on the edge of reciprocation. By the time the song is through, even the most skeptical of listeners stuck on Jepsen being the “Call Me Maybe Girl” can’t help but want to run away into romantic bliss.
Cuz I Love You - Lizzo
If there is any song that packs a punch from its very first second, it’s “Cuz I Love You.” Lizzo’s powerful voice paired with a brass section at full force delivers a one-two falcon punch of lovestruck torment unlike any other. The song builds up a soulful, jazzy flair that compliments Lizzo’s bombastic charisma. With the mainline “I’m crying ‘cuz I love you,” Lizzo’s impressive vocal gymnastics carry the earth-shattering feelings of being hit by Cupid's arrow, the pain, the joy, and everything in between.
Fallingforyou - The 1975
The 1975 may be known for their pithy pop-rock adorned with a healthy dose of nihilism and British pronunciations. However, they tapped into something special when they chose to hang back and let simple sentiments speak for themselves. On this track from their 2013 IV EP, (and later the extended edition of their self-titled debut,) the group constructs a song perfect for somber late-night swaying. Lines like “I'm falling for you / And maybe you, change your mind” do all the talking as they float through the echoing soundscape of reverb-drenched synths and drums.
Honey - Kehlani
Looking at Kehlani’s discography, one might not immediately guess that a one-off single from 2017 would become one of her most notable cult hits. With this spare acoustic cut, Kehlani constructs pointed portraits of the women she loves. Accompanied by little but a guitar, snaps, and cooing backing vocals, Kehlani’s vocals glow with warmth and affection. “Honey” is an unapologetic expression of queer love in the nonchalance of its delivery. It shines with significance, through its tenderness and its simplicity.
Don’t Delete The Kisses - Wolf Alice
We need more love songs that capture the feeling of stumbling through the dark, tripping over your words, and the overall embarrassment that comes with intimacy. British rock band Wolf Alice hit the nail on the head with this song off their 2017 album Visions of a Life, blending alternative and indie pop to create a monument to the mortifying ordeal of being known. Lead singer Ellie Rowsell whispers over the fluttering synths in a panicked stream of consciousness before soaring free in the chorus. As the song builds, she declares what you’ll always know deep down when you meet someone you click with: “me and you were meant to be.”
Touch - Little Mix
Little Mix are a girl group for the books, churning out hits all while maintaining dynamic vocal interplay with one another. “Touch” is a stellar highlight in their catalogue, showcasing the sheer power of a pop song done right. It’s the heady elation of crush down to its most commanding and catchy possible form. The harmonies are lushly layered, pure candy to the ears, and once that rush of tropical-tinged synths drop on the chorus, there’s no turning back. Little Mix have you under their spell.
My My My! - Troye Sivan
For his sophomore album, Troye Sivan emerged from the candy-colored suburbia of his debut and morphed into a sound that was just as colorful, but just a little bit darker. Concocted of vocal samples and stuttering snares, “My My My!” morphs into a sensual dance jam with an edge of risk. With lines like “Let’s stop running from love” and “I die every night with you,” Sivan manages to capture the urgency a night can hold. The song’s title may feign innocence, but the intense magnetism thrumming under the surface promises so much more.
Paper Rings - Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is no stranger to love stories or love songs. Her seventh album Lover totes several, (including the title track,) but “Paper Rings” stands out. The song’s key strength comes from its genuine heart and chintzy charm, whether that be the call and response vocals on the pre-chorus, the glitzy tambourine, and bells, or Swift’s lyrics detailing a little bit of friendly internet stalking. Sure it’s a bit silly, but it’s earnest. The core idea of being willing to go through thick and thin with the person you care about is solid. Besides, who cares if it’s a bit silly when you can’t help but smile whenever you hear it?
Best Part - Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R.
Having racked up over half a billion streams, “Best Part” is already well on its way to becoming a classic. Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.’s vocals melt and mingle amongst a strummed guitar, forming skin-pricking harmonies with ease. The lyrics are simple, but sometimes the best things are. There’s an easygoing straightforward authenticity to lines like “You're the Tylenol I take when my head hurts.” It won’t be a surprise if this becomes the default Gen Z wedding song in ten-odd years.
watch you sleep. - girl in red
girl in red has made a name for herself crafting low-fi bedroom pop anthems for the downtrodden, those who were more likely to perpetually pine than be romantically satisfied. However, “watch you sleep.” shows her painting a rare picture of romantic bliss. The soundscape washes about in waves of soft guitar, the lyrics tenderly detailing the scar on the addressee’s back, the vocals carefully murmured as if not to wake them. Not to worry, though. The titular line evokes the trust in letting see someone at your most vulnerable, and a sleepy morning spent with the one you care about.
Love Is A Wild Thing - Kacey Musgraves
With her 2018 country opus Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves crafts ballads (and bops) dedicated to love of all kinds. On “Love Is A Wild Thing,” she talks of the all-encompassing nature of love. It may be hard to find at times, but it’s always there. The melancholic guitars swell, but with her pointed lyrics depicting flowers growing from concrete and shadows, Musgraves builds an atmosphere that is hopeful above all else. Because love has a way of persisting, even in the darkest or most dire of times.