Romance has been in the air since the beginning of time, and that won’t ever change. However, the ways people express their feelings have evolved. Today, we express emotions through spoken words, heartfelt notes, or even elaborate gestures like love songs. Love songs are iconic because they resonate deeply, empowering people within their relationships. Artists like Taylor Swift and Tyla are renowned for their ability to craft relatable and moving love songs. To get into the Valentine’s Day spirit, The HyBreeze is highlighting popular romantic songs and artists, as shared by BBHHS students.
Filip Gajic, a senior at BBHHS, enjoys the song “Don’t Tell ‘Em” by Jeremih. He appreciates its “repetitive lyrics” in the hook and admires the deeper meaning behind the words. Gajic listens to it about 2-3 times a month, and his favorite genre of romantic music is a mix of party and R&B. One artist he particularly admires is The Weeknd, known for blending party vibes with a sound unique to him. For Gajic, love songs are an “all-year-round thing,” as they create a stronger connection in relationships.
He also feels this sentiment applies to others, as many believe love songs can strengthen bonds. Gajic highlights “PartyNextDoor” as an underrated artist, noting that although he’s been active in the music scene for years, he doesn’t hear many people listening to his music. On the other hand, Gajic believes Taylor Swift is overrated, saying, “She regained popularity in the past two years for no apparent reason.” Regardless, Gajic acknowledges the importance of romantic music, emphasizing how it helps people feel more secure in their relationships.
Maxsim Crencevic, a freshman at BBHHS, names Juice WRLD as his favorite love song artist due to the significant impact Juice WRLD’s music had on the world while he was creating it. Crencevic listens to Juice WRLD at least once a week, with rap being his favorite genre of romantic music. “It has a good flow to it,” he explains. In addition to Juice WRLD, he enjoys listening to Bruno Mars and The Weeknd, although he doesn’t listen to these artists too often.
Interestingly, Crencevic’s parents don’t share his taste in romantic music, as they primarily listen to Serbian music. He believes others have similar listening habits to his own, saying, “It all depends on how people are feeling, and Juice WRLD isn’t releasing any new music, so it would just be the same songs.”
Like some other students, Crencevic also thinks Taylor Swift is overrated. “She is talked about so much for her music being mediocre,” he says, adding, “She’s always on screen in the NFL.” Despite his critiques, Crencevic appreciates the impact of love songs, saying they can help people through tough situations by freeing their thoughts and relieving stress.
Emily Garlock, the choir teacher at BBHHS, is a fan of the album “In the Wee Small Hours” by Frank Sinatra and the song “It Had to Be You” by Harry Connick Jr. She attributes her love for these classics to growing up listening to old jazz music, which she considers the most romantic style. Garlock often hears these songs on jazz playlists, where they come up every few days.
In addition to Sinatra and Connick Jr., she enjoys the works of Chet Baker and Ella Fitzgerald. Garlock believes that love songs resonate with everyone because they make up such a significant part of the pop genre. She praises Laufey as an artist who was once underrated but is now gaining the recognition she deserves for her incredible talent.
Unlike others, Garlock doesn’t believe in labeling any songs or artists as overrated. “Everyone likes what they like,” she says. She also reflects on the emotional impact of romantic music, noting that it can make people feel “very brave or very lonely.” For some, it inspires boldness, while for others, it highlights feelings of isolation. As she puts it, romantic music can be both a blessing and a curse.
