Pop music is saturated with ballads of the heart, and on no day are we more reminded of this than February the Fourteenth. With love songs being broadcast from radios, AirPods, and even our own choral department, the melodies continue to wash over you until you feel as if you are drowning in a wave of romantic monotony. As cracks appear in the facade of your sanity, you ask yourself: Does all music sound like this? Is this really all there is?
You may have never asked yourself this question, but needless to say, I have. And so, for the sake of all the disillusioned platonic-music connoisseurs of the world, I have compiled The Enloe Eagle’s Eye’s latest and greatest NON-romantic song collection, featuring exactly fourteen songs (in alphabetical order) in honor of the holiday that we are very obviously not celebrating. I hope you enjoy!
6 Gnossiennes: No. 1, Lent, Erik Satie, c. 1890
This piano composition is, to put it simply, mysterious; it’s unclear what the title refers to, and it was written without time signatures or bar divisions. To make things more interesting, Satie left some cryptic performance directions, like “With the tip of your thought” and “Open the head.”
Attaboy, Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile, 2011
This epic instrumental collaboration is from The Goat Rodeo Sessions, which won a Grammy in 2013 for Best Folk Album. I mean, come on, this is Yo-Yo Ma playing bluegrass — it’s just too good to pass up!
Baba Yetu, Christopher Tin, 2005
“Baba Yetu” (meaning “Our Father”), an arrangement of the Lord’s Prayer in Swahili, is a true masterpiece. As the opening song of Civilization IV, it was the first song from a video game to be awarded a Grammy, placing it in the Guinness Book of World Records.
C is for Conifers, They Might Be Giants, 2005
This is your new favorite song about trees. I recommend playing it while studying for your upcoming APES test.
Crowded Table, Andrea Ramsey, 2020
My favorite version of this ode to community is a choral arrangement that I performed in eighth grade. I was totally convinced that it was a traditional folk song, but it was actually written by The Highwomen in 2019.
Dublin, Richard Ruane, 2001
If you weren’t listening carefully to the lyrics, you would never know that this song is about (almost) getting mugged. The closing whistle/mandolin duet is the best part, and the 35 views on YouTube are mostly from me. And no, there isn’t any connection to Ireland.
The Friendship Song, Carbon Leaf, 2009
If the title didn’t give it away, this is one of the few songs out there that celebrates the beauty of friendship and what it means to care about another person more than yourself. In the context of Curious George: Follow That Monkey, it’s talking about the friendship between a monkey and an elephant, but humans can relate, too.
Frunzulita Lemn Adus, Gheorghe Zamfir, c. 1991
“Frunzulita Lemn Adus” (“Fluttering Green Leaves”) is an instrumental Romanian folk song, famously performed by Gheorge Zamfir, the “Master of Pan Flute.” It was featured in the soundtrack of Studio Ghibli’s Only Yesterday; Zamfir’s “Cintec De Nunta” was used as well.
The Lark Ascending, VOCES8, Jack Liebeck, 2022
A collaboration between the (mostly) British, (usually) acapella ensemble VOCES8 and violinist Jack Liebeck, this is an impressionistic melody of nature and flight with lyrics from a poem by George Meredith. “Till lost on his aerial rings / In light, and then the fancy sings…”
Loretta Lynn’s Lincoln, Josh Turner, 2006
This is not your average country song; the singer tells a rather bizarre story about buying a Lincoln that used to be owned by country singer-songwriter Loretta Lynn. Once Dolly Parton shows up, you start wondering if it’s all just a dream.
Lullabye for a Stormy Night, Vienna Teng, 2002
Supposedly, Teng wrote this song at 3 a.m. while procrastinating writing a high school English paper; you definitely can’t tell, though, as it combines warm vocals with beautiful piano accompaniment. The song “Anna Rose” is a sequel of sorts, dedicated to a young girl who loved “Lullabye” and sent Teng a drawing she made about it.
The Rain, Joe Hisaishi, 1999
This song and “Summer” are two instrumental gems from the gorgeous Kikujiro soundtrack by Joe Hisaishi, a composer best known for his work with Studio Ghibli. While “Summer” is very upbeat, “The Rain” starts on a more somber note and emphasizes a violin soloist over the rest of the orchestra.
Talkin’ Bout a Revolution, Tracy Chapman, 1988
This song may be from 1988, but many of us today can still see aspects of the world that are far from ideal. Maybe instead of planning Valentine’s/Galentine’s outings, we could focus more on how we can help our communities.
Tsubasa Wo Kudasai, The Red Birds, 1971
“Tsubasa Wo Kudasai” (“Please Give Me Wings”) is a Japanese folk song that conveys a sincere wish for a life of peace and joy. Its simple message is easy to resonate with during these often stressful times.
Whatever soundtrack you have in the background, I wish you all a very happy Valentine’s Day!
