Let me tell you a secret. You (yes, you), are a muse worth writing love songs about. You’re the main character in the movie that is your life and you deserve a soundtrack to go along with it. However, unlike the movies we watch in theaters, our lives are difficult to pin down into a specific genre. Sometimes the roommate chronicles turn you into the infuriated lead of a chaotic drama; other days your prelim scores come back and life is suddenly a horror movie. More often than not, the days drag on in what can feel like an impressively boring documentary you would rather sleep through. But how often do you get to live out a rom-com?
There’s nothing better than walking around campus with your headphones turned all the way up, pretending you’re a romantic lead, so let's speed-run through an entire rom-com in just 11 songs.
Cue the soundtrack.
1. Haim: “Relationships”
Picture this: a panoramic shot of New York City and a brightly colored title card. We close in on the protagonist (that’s you) on their windswept commute to a fancy job. Dating is rough, your current situationship is starting to look a tad too relationship-shaped (eek!) and you just stepped in a puddle … great. These girls found the perfect mix of jaded and hopeful, and set it to an addictive beat you’ll be strutting to.
2. Sam and Sounds: “Mamma Mia Girl”
Isn’t having a crush the best feeling ever? Being the crush and listening to someone rave over you might be even better. Sunshine in song form, this expresses the giddy joy of finding someone incredible and wanting to get to know them better, otherwise known as The Meet Cute.
3. Your Neighbors, “Chicken”
The daunting first move. Putting yourself out there is hard, and your love interest is feeling the heat. Luckily, it’s nothing this punchy guitar riff won’t fix. Dancing it out calms the nerves, right? Yeah, let’s go with that …
4. Nicky Youre, david hugo: “Never Go Wrong”
Congratulations! One of you bit the bullet and what do you know, you’re both falling. Fast. It’s euphoric and charged with electricity. Nothing captures the explosive rush of chemistry quite like this one.
5. Boland, “You Should Listen Less and Talk More”
Oh, the honeymoon period. You’re head over heels for your love interest and they’re absolutely crazy about you. Dorky smiles and getting to know each other over a sunlit picnic? Time for a montage, of course. It's difficult to capture such effervescence, so it’s a good thing Boland is up to the task.
6. Jósean Log: “Pruébame a Ti”
Feelings are brewing and this is getting real. You’re standing on the edge, butterflies and all, thinking about taking the leap. This song is that jittery anticipation, the giggles and the hesitation. It’s also the reassurance that someone's going to catch you on the other side. Jump!
7. push baby: “Wishing We Were More Than Friends”
It’s official — you’re in love! This modern day ballad is swoony and honest, a straight-up love song about an inevitable connection finally coming to fruition. You two have been through it, but it’s all worth it when you’re kissing in the rain.
8. Yoandri: “Cherry on Top”
Uh oh. Just when things are at their peak, you hear a knock on the door. It’s the third act break up. This is a rom-com, so we’re still in love song territory, it’s all about the yearning and being just out of reach. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, so Yoandri brings all the feelings. You’ll still want to dance, though.
9. Alfie Jukes: “Cigarette”
No great rom-com is complete without a grand gesture. Think wind whipping through your hair as you bolt through the airport, bursting into song in front of a huge crowd, declaring your love for all to hear. This song is about putting yourself out there, risking it all because the risk is worth the reward. Go get them!
10. Juanpalitoschinos: “Hacerte Bien”
Things are winding down now and you’re settling into the rhythm of constant, incandescent joy (nauseating). As it turns out, relationships can be amazing when you find the right person, someone who makes you feel invincible and who makes you fall in love not just with them, but with yourself. You’re good for each other, and this song is good for everyone.
11. Niall Horan: “Black And White”
If this was a musical, this would be the huge closing number. Everyone’s dancing, smiles are abundant, and you’re seeing in technicolor because you’ve found your happily ever after with your perfect match! This is a rom-com, after all (I’m looking at you, My Best Friend’s Wedding). Go waltz into the sunset, Niall Horan has you covered.
Roll the credits. Our work here is done. This may have been the shortest rom-com ever, but you were the lead. I would say that makes it a pretty good one.
You can find the playlist here.
‘Solar Flare’ is a weekly playlist column where Sun contributors spotlight a slice of musical taste with the campus community. It runs every Monday.
Rafaella Gonzalez is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at rgonzalez@cornellsun.com.
