11 Songs For Singles This Valentine’s Day

Mike Wass | February 1, 2012 12:09 pm

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. For music fans, that means being serenaded by power ballads, slow jams and schmaltzy love-song dedications every time you turn on the radio. But what if Cupid’s arrow whizzed straight past you this year and hit someone else? Nobody wants to hear “The Power Of Love” while heating up a TV dinner for one. Happily, we’re here to provide you with a selection of vastly less-depressing alternatives. No matter if you’re single by choice, brokenhearted, bitter or just resigned to living alone with 10 cats, there’s a song to get you through February 14. Jump below to find solace in these 11 top tunes for singles on Valentine’s Day. 11. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” – Kelly Clarkson (Video) Nobody does bitter quite like Kelly Clarkson. Her seminal 2004 hit “Since U Been Gone” set the bar for break-up anthems, and she’s churned them out with alarming regularity ever since. What makes the inaugural American Idol’s latest single the perfect soundtrack for pissed-off singles this Valentine’s Day is the positive spin it puts on finding yourself man- or woman-less. “You know the bed feels warmer sleeping here alone,” purrs Kelly before declaring “doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone” later in the song.

10. “Ridin’ Solo” – Jason Derulo (Video) While Kelly wears her single status like a badge of honor, Jason Derulo couldn’t really care less on “Ridin’ Solo”. He’s too busy reveling in his bachelorhood — partying with friends and hooking up with pretty ladies — to even remember his ex. “Now I’m feeling how I should, never knew single could feel this good,” sings the 22-year-old on this memorable 2010 Top 10 hit. Play “Ridin’ Solo” on your way to the club this February 14.

9. “Me, Myself And I” – Beyoncé Blue Ivy’s mama is the Queen of female empowerment anthems. From DC’s “Independent Women” to her own 2011 hit “Run The World (Girls)”, Beyoncé has been issuing directives to ladies (both in and out of relationships) for the past 15 years. And while “Single Ladies” is her most famous musical mission statement, “Me, Myself And I” is arguably the better Valentine’s Day choice — at least for jaded daters who can’t be bothered putting gloss on their lips or having a man on their hips. As Queen B preaches: “I took a vow from now on / I’m gonna be my own best friend”.

8. “Dancing On My Own” – Robyn (Video) If you’re looking for music to cheer you up this February 14, then it’s probably best to skip Robyn’s depressing synth ballad about watching an ex hook up at the club while you dance alone in the corner. However, if you’re a glutton for punishment and feel like wallowing in your own misery, this is the V Day jam for you!

7. “Ain’t Thinkin’ Bout You” – Bow Wow Feat. Chris Brown (Video) Here’s one for the boys. Bow Wow and Chris Brown join forces to plot a game plan for the emotionally fragile single gentleman. “Tonight I’m gon’ get tipsy, over 21 all the girls have fun and watch the ladies jump on me,” croons Breezy before concluding, “I ain’t thinkin’ ’bout you tonight”. The message is clear. Move on and hook up with someone new after popping bottles at the club. It clearly worked for these two in-demand Romeos.

6. “I Don’t Need A Man” – The Pussycat Dolls The title says it all. Ms Scherzinger and her back-up dancers are not particularly well remembered for their lasting contribution to feminism, but the gang struck a blow for independent women everywhere on “I Don’t Need A Man”. Nicole sings a shopping list of self-worth mantras, including “I don’t need a ring around my finger to make me feel complete” before going there: “I can get off when you ain’t around”. Men, you have been put on notice.

5. “June 28th (I’m Single)” – Ruben Studdard (Video) It’s been a couple of years since we’ve heard new music from Ruben, but the victor of American Idol season 2 is back in 2012 with an album about his recent divorce and this soulful jam about his new single status. This makes it perfect Valentine’s Day fodder for people that unexpectedly find themselves back on the market. The 33 year old’s approach to finding a new lady is advertising. He sings: “When you see me on the street don’t be scared to speak, I’m single”. Time to start letting random strangers know you’re available!

4. “(This Is) A Song For The Lonely” – Cher Cher has your back. The patron saint of heartbroken clubbers (note: “Believe” and “Strong Enough” are equally appropriate choices for down-on-their-luck singles) delivered a message of hope for the desperate and dateless with this single off her most recent album. Lady Gaga’s future duet partner urges fans not to give up by declaring, “Wherever you may go I’m right beside you, you don’t have to look no more”. Who needs a relationship when you’ve got a 65-year-old pop legend by your side?

3. “Single” – Natasha Bendingfield Natasha Bedingfield raises a number of salient points on her 2004 UK debut. First, being single is a valid lifestyle choice (“I’m single right now, that’s how I wanna be”). Second, playing the field is a lot of fun (“I know I’ll settle down one day, but till then I like it that way”). And last but not least, it’s not cute to settle (“I’m not gonna get hooked up because you say I should”). E-mail the Brit’s feisty anthem to unhappily partnered friends this February 14.

2. “Young, Wild & Free” – Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa Feat. Bruno Mars (Video) Who cares if you’re single on a holiday invented to sell cards and flowers? Take the advice of three wise men that know better and enjoy being young and irresponsible — “So what what we go out? That’s how it’s supposed to be, living young and wild and free”. Seriously, forget about your Facebook status. Which admittedly is a lot easier if you’re as baked as these guys.

1. “Lullaby For Myself” – Barbra Streisand If you’re not wild, free or even particularly young, don’t worry. Spinsters have their own feel-good anthem this Valentine’s Day courtesy of Barbra Streisand! Recorded way back in 1977 for the diva’s Superman album, “Lullaby For Myself” sets out the benefits of single life in the most pragmatic (and hysterical) way possible. For starters, you can eat what you want (“not to share a pair of pork chops when you crave champagne and cheese”) and have free reign in the bathroom (“take an hour in the shower, use the water while it’s hot”). Brace yourself for Babs’ words of wisdom below.

Did we include your favorite singles’ anthem on our list? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section below, or by hitting us up on Twitter and Facebook.