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These love songs are for you—whether you're single or taken, Valentine's Day or not

By NICK GARCIA Published Feb 13, 2024 8:03 pm

“Panahon na naman ng pag-ibig,” the Rivermaya song goes.

That’s what February is, primarily due to Valentine’s Day which is generally marked by flowers, chocolates, letters, sweet nothings, and sex.

Moreover, music defines and captures love not just this month but all year round.

Here are a few songs that manifest the universal feeling, that everybody can listen to any time, whether you're single or not.

214 – Rivermaya

In this classic from the legendary OPM band, which holds a reunion concert on Feb. 17, the persona assures the beloved that even if “the world could die and everything may lie,” there’s no reason to cry as “I’ll be by your side, forever.”

Baby I’m-a Want You – Bread

The ‘70s hit shows how badly the persona wants and needs his dearly beloved, who’s “the only one I care enough to hurt about,” who the persona prays to “always be a-stayin’ beside me.”

Fix You – Coldplay

In this early hit from the British band, which visited the Philippines last January, the persona vows to always be there for his beloved, and amid troubles “I will try to fix you.”

Ikaw Lang – kiyo

Through the hip hop track, the persona shows enough adoration and loyalty to his beloved. He is forever grateful for knowing her in this lifetime.

Love of My Life – South Border

The persona of this pop and R&B classic gushes over his beloved, who he says he’s “destined forever” with. For him, “there’ll be no other” and “loving you is all that I can do,” which “no one can it away from me, nobody but you.”

Mahika – Adie, Janine Berdin

The OPM duet depicts a boy and a girl realizing—and confessing—that they have feelings for each other. What’s within their heart is just too intense to still keep it a secret: “Giliw di mapigil ang bugso ng damdamin ko.”

Nakauwi Na – Ang Bandang Shirley

In this indie song, the personae tell their beloved that they always feel at home whenever they’re together, even if only for a while. They also tell their beloved that there’s no need to get sad or cry, and that they wish to be of service.

No One – Alicia Keys

In her classic song, Keys, who had a special appearance at the Usher-led Super Bowl halftime show, expresses how she wants her lover close, “where you can stay forever.” For her, they’ll get “through the days and nights,” and she doesn’t worry because “everything’s gonna be alright.”

Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now – Starship

The ‘80s smash hit just delivers a powerful statement: that as long as two lovers remain committed to each other, even if “this world runs out of lovers,” they’ll still have each other, and “nothing’s gonna stop us now.”

Sigurado – UDD

As its title suggests, the OPM track shows how the persona is certain about her beloved and gives assurance: “Di ka bibitiwan Kahit ano pa ang sabihin mo,” “Hindi kita iiwan / Kahit ipilit mo / Ako’y iyong iyo.”

Till They Take My Heart Away – Clair Marlo

The persona makes a lifetime commitment to her beloved: “I will love you till they take my heart away.” Even if she loses her beloved, she’d stay true to her promise.

Uhaw – Dilaw

The OPM smash hit shows the persona’s burning desire to be with his beloved. But as the title goes, his thirst is unquenchable whenever he pines for this person.

Until I Found You – Stephen Sanchez

The 2023 smash hit screams ‘50s with its singing and playing style. The persona notes how “I would never unless it’s you I fall into” and how he was “lost within the darkness until I found her.” A duet version with Em Beihold is also available, with the woman’s perspective on how she’d “rather die than let you go.”

When I Met You – APO Hiking Society

In this OPM classic, the persona’s ordinary life turns extraordinary all thanks to his beloved, who “gave me a reason for my being” and “gave me a meaning to my life.”

You and Me – Lifehouse

In this song, the persona is head over heels for his beloved that he thinks time has frozen: “This clock never seemed so alive.” Despite her being apparently out of his league—and him being among “all the people with nothing to do, nothing to lose/prove”—he’s there to prove his worth as a serious lover.