Valentine’s Day Playlist: The 10 Best Songs For Those Flying Solo This Year

emilytan | February 11, 2013 11:34 am

Sigh. While couples everywhere will be getting all cutesy with chocolates and flowers on Valentine’s Day, some of us won’t be so lucky. However instead of sitting on the couch with our favorite junk food and streaming a rom-com, we’ve whipped up a list of the 10 best songs to listen to on V-Day if you’re going it sans a date this year.

Whether it’s an empowering track reminding you why it’s great being independent or the song that explains all the ways that your ex simply wasn’t worth it in any way, shape or form, there is a jam for anyone and everyone. We’ve gathered up 10 of them below for your listening pleasure, courtesy of our customized Rdio player!

Beyonce, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” If any song that most fitting for this list, it’s this one. Sure, Bey will probably be hanging on the arm of her hubby, Jay-Z, but “Single Ladies” proves that being single isn’t a bad thing. So pull out that leotard and black pumps in the back of your closet on the 14th, and you can sing and shuffle to this all night.

Pussycat Dolls, “I Don’t Need a Man” The Pussycat Dolls weren’t hiding behind any metaphors here. Not only do they make shaving legs sexy, they also remind women that there’s a different between wanting a man and needing one. And after one round of listening to this Rich Harrison-produced cut, single women, gay men and the like will be ready to get dolled up for a great night out.

Natasha Bedingfield, “Single” If you were unsure or nervous about your single status, then Ms. Bedingfield can help you out with that. Her debut single, er, “Single” sounds like a personal declaration of independence that reminds us of what the benefits are of flying solo. Without being harsh or bitter to anyone who’s attached, the song’s fun video highlights those points.

Wiz Kalifa, Snoop Dogg and Bruno Mars, “Young, Wild & Free” If you think ladies are the only ones singing about the single life, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Kalifa and Bruno Mars bring up the male (or general) perspective with “Young, Wild & Free.” Promoting a carpe diem lifestyle with some partying on the side, the Mac & Devin Go To High School hit will have you forgetting the pressures of the day and remind you that there’s no need to tie yourself down to anything — or anyone.

Blaque, “I’m Good” Although “I’m Good” was meant for Jessica Alba‘s film Honey, the message that this R&B trio have is clear: Singing lyrics like, “Cause even if I leave alone, I’m good/And even if you come along, I’m good/Don’t mean a thing to me cause, I’m good/With or without you,” “I’m Good” will make you realize that you don’t need to have someone by your side at the party.

Robyn, “Dancing on My Own” True, this may be one of the sadder songs on the list. But Robyn’s mix of electro dance beats will make you forget that she’s singing about finding her ex with someone new. And if you’re that person, you can just forget about the lyrics, focus on the music and have your own little solo dance party.

Jason Derulo, “Ridin’ Solo'” After you had a dance-fueled pity party with Robyn, you can then skip to Jason Derulo, who is also getting over a breakup in his song “Ridin’ Solo.” With lyrics like, “Telling me to get myself together now I got myself together, yeah/Now I made it through the weather, better days are gonna get better,” the song and maybe even Derulo’s butter vocals glamorize the prospect of spending Valentine’s Day solo.

Destiny’s Child, “Independent Women Part 1” Every song Destiny’s Child records seems to act as some kind of love lesson. From telling a man to get gone with “Bills, Bills, Bills” or “Bug A Boo” to spoiling your guy, as in “Cater 2 U,” their songs fit an endless amount of relationship situations. However Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle aren’t always about relationships. “Independent Women Part 1” follows the same vein as Pussycat Dolls’ track “I Don’t Need A Man,” but has a superhero kick-ass edge. If there’s a song out there celebrating the fact that a woman can hold her own, it’s this one — which makes it a perfect addition to the list.

Kim Wilde, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” We’re jumping back over a quarter of a century with Kim Wilde’s 1987 Hi-NRG take on the Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.” Both versions of this pleading declaration of independence topped the singles chart. Have a possessive better half that you’re more than ready to kick to the curb? Gift them this track then delete them from your list of contacts for good.

Kelly Clarkson, “Since U Been Gone” We all know Kelly’s known for writing a great breakup song that won’t make you feel bad about both ditching that loser you’ve been seeing and wanting to smash a guitar at the same time. And “Since U Been Gone” is probably one of her best when it comes to self-empowerment. So if you’re still not in a good mood after the previous tracks we’ve mentioned, just stick this one on repeat.

Have any additions to our playlist? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter or in the comments below.