Going through a breakup? In a happy relationship? Single as ever? Music gives us the chance to experience what other people have gone through, so that we can relate to it or learn from it. Music especially teaches us that whatever we might struggle through, we don’t go through it alone. When it comes to romance, these indie love songs reflect just about every type out there.
These 15 versatile indie love songs will hit you right in the feels.
1. “Never Meant” by American Football
Whether your tattoo has deep, sentimental meaning or not, most individuals displaying ink can stand in solidarity at the fact that they got it for a reason, even if it was a drunken whim. For many, tattoos can mean embracing your love for one of your favorite songs. “I hate my ex-girlfriend so much that I got that song title tattooed on me… The song is touching but heart breaking because it’s reminiscing on such a wonderful relationship that you have to forget,” Florida State senior James Baker said. See if this song can drum up the same passion in you.
2. “One More Love Song” by Mac Demarco
“I love this song because it came on when I told my girlfriend that I think I’m falling in love with her after a date we had, and that’s what I think about every time I listen to it. To this day it’s still our favorite thing to listen to together,” HCC Culinary School junior Alec Balingit said. Mac Demarco may appear to smoke 15 packs of cigarettes a day, but, if he does, it certainly hasn’t affected his voice one bit. The ideal setting for this song: sitting back and relaxing with your skater boyfriend or girlfriend on a picnic in the shade, cloud-watching and giving this hypnotic tune a listen in the company of those you love most.
3. “Technicolour Beat” by Oh Wonder
We’ve all had songs ruined for us, whether by an ex-partner, an ex-friend or some other relatively unpleasant situation. But how many of us can say that we took the opportunity to turn the tables on our sadness and discover new music created by the same artist we now, reluctantly, scorn? “I had my first kiss to a different song by this artist, but after we broke up I was too depressed to listen to it. I started searching other songs by Oh Wonder and immediately fell in love with this one. It’s now one of my favorite songs and always makes me less anxious,” FSU junior Juliette Espina said. Go on and take this chance to open yourself up to new music that no one has ruined for you.
4. “Taro” by Alt-J
You may have heard of Alt-J from their hit song “Breezeblocks” back in 2012, or from another of their many other catchy songs. Most of them revolve around personal experiences or individuals in the band’s lives. This one, however, recounts the love shared between two war photographers from the mid-1900’s, Robert Capa and Gerda Taro. They died several years apart in separate wars, and the song commemorates Capa’s death whilst singing about the lover’s reunion in the afterlife. The song’s mournful crooning and engaging rhythm pulls the audience into the world of the deceased couple and makes you want to know more about them and honor the love they shared.
5. “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar feat. H.E.R.
While avid music lovers might not categorize Daniel Caesar as “Indie,” he certainly fits the purposes of the list. Caesar has tons of incredible love songs, but his vocals on this song, combined with those of H.E.R., make for a creation that you can only describe as the equivalent of a cool summer breeze embracing your eardrums. With tons of clever metaphors for couples, your Instagram captions will never look better after tuning into “Best Part.”
6. “Wonder-Dummied” by Brooke Waggoner
Give this one a listen if you question whether you want to smile or cry. Brooke Waggoner, AKA Queen of Soulful Melodies, has knocked it out of the park once again with this multifaceted song about her love and admiration for her partner. The lyrics come off powerfully all by themselves, but Waggoner also seems to portray the range of her emotions through her music as well. She begins with a dreamy violin/piano combination before evolving into a jovial beat to quickly draw the listener right back into the song. Whether you fall under the category of in a relationship or single AF, Waggoner welcomes every new listener to participate in her experiences through her music.
7. “Space Song” by Beach House
The first few seconds of this track will have you feeling as if your feet unconsciously moved toward a sunset-framed horizon, leaving behind everything you’ve ever known and loved. While this song is about love, it seems to represent less about reciprocated love than love that has gone astray and become unsure of itself. This song will definitely come as a great fit for any heartbroken young student to listen to over a bowl of ice cream and maybe some wine.
8. “Undercover Martyn” by Two Door Cinema Club
Many of us have had the indescribable blessing of being exposed to Two Door Cinema Club’s untouchably poetic lyrics for years. “Two Door Cinema Club was actually pretty much the only thing I listened to when I was in middle school … I always thought this song was so cute and really catchy too. He really sounds like he loves her when he sings about her,” Nova Southeastern University junior Caleigh Altman said. Catch up while you still can, and bless your ears with the sweet, pure lyrics of a man truly infatuated.
9. “Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene” by Hozier
Much like his debuting song on the radio, Hozier took us to church and back with this haunting love song. While he may have fallen off some people’s musical radar, no one can forget his old bops. They will remain timeless, romantic classics in the Indie universe forever. This tune, in particular, practically worships the woman he refers to, so much so that he makes her a deity of sex and love. In conclusion, Hozier easily portrays who all artsy Tumblr feminist boys think they come off as. Keep trying, boys.
10. “40 Day Dream” by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes
Most girls probably wouldn’t want to think that their presence makes a man fall asleep when around them, but I would encourage you to keep an open mind. This guy finds himself so in love with his girl that he thinks he’s dreaming because he can’t imagine love better than this. He documents how long their relationship has lasted by how long his “sleep” has persisted. Meanwhile, most of us get giddy when they message us back 6 hours after we triple texted them. Take a hint, and instead of staying with someone who’s sleeping on you, find someone who equates being with you to a perpetual daydream.
11. “She’s A Riot” by Jungle Giants
“I feel like it’s about a guy that likes this super cool girl but maybe he’s sort of geeky and so he’s almost trying to convince her that dating him is the right thing to do. I just really like the song, it’s fun to drive to. I’ve gotten pulled over to it before,” FSU junior Sophie Kuntzmann said. If you have a girl in your life who you can only describe as the equivalent of a leather jacket, but you relate more to a sweater vest, have no fear. Others have found themselves in your situation, and they made a song just for you. Give it a listen, won’t you?
12. “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane
If Bridge to Terabithia brought you to your knees in anguish for the blossoming awkward couple that lost each other forever, feast your ears upon this magnificent representation of wanderlust love. A good song for best friends who secretly like each other, the music has a vibe that very much comes across as childhood friends who each have feelings for the other, but whose fear to admit as much holds them back. You can interpret it in a ton of ways, so give it a listen and decide for yourself.
13. “Bloom” by The Paper Kites
If a group of woodland creatures suddenly found themselves in a midlife crisis and formed a band, teaching themselves to play instruments crafted from forest supplies, it would sound like this song. That’s simply how pure and blessed the experience of listening to this song makes you feel. “I’m not really sure if this song is about two guys or not. It’s SO pretty. I heard it playing in a Macy’s one time and looked it up and here we are. I really hope it is gay, though. It is Pride month after all,” said University of Florida junior Aleeza Kessler. Us too, Aleeza. Us too.
14. “Keep You” by Wild Belle
What ranks as one of the worst things your partner can do to you? If you said cheat, then you might find this song your perfect match. “Keep You” tells a tale of a woman in love with a man who constantly gets around and canoodles with other women. The worst part: she knows about it. The woman wants her man to stop his womanizing ways, and she questions why he doesn’t seem satisfied with her. In other words, the national anthem of ladies played by frat boys. Join us in chanting, “Leave him, sweetie.” He’ll never make himself good enough for you.
15. “Librarian” by My Morning Jacket
“This sounds really dumb but honestly the first time I heard this song I was watching American Dad. I Shazamed the song that Stan was having all kinds of hallucinations about and ‘Librarian’ was the song. It’s still the first thing that comes to mind when someone says ‘Indie’,” FSU junior Katie Baldridge said. The song makes you feel as if you’ve transported to the 1970’s and walk through a college campus.
