45. Sing along if you know the words

The rumours are true, I am in love. It was the classic case of realising your lover has always been there when you needed them, right under your nose the whole time. Each day with them is a constant reminder of the plethora of emotions they support you through.

It’s no secret that I am in a loving relationship, with music. Music brings me more comfort than anything else. There’s a magic I can’t describe but will attempt to explain for hours on end if you’d let me. This Valentine’s Day, I wanted to share my love for music with a satirical twist. Reflecting on some of my dating history, I realised a common thread on all the dates: music. 

Whether we are listening to it, dancing along with it or talking about our favourite artists, music tends to fuse a bond, strong or weak, between my date and I. If they’re blessed enough to see me more than once, we always have music interests to return to as a safe, least political topic of conversation.

On the occasions when we agree on a music taste, songs are shared via text throughout the week which is initially flattering and exciting. Nothing stops me from adding it to my yearly playlist and listening to it to get to know the person better. When these songs become part of my usual listening, I think of this person more and more - for better or worse. 

I may attribute a song to a certain person when listening to other music, attaching them to reminiscent lyrics. When things inevitably turn sour, and by that I mean I realise things aren’t going to work and politely message them so, or I get ghosted, I regret even listening to the songs in the first place. Here are those songs with minimal context, a Lottie’s Lyric (LL) and, of course, non-disclosure.

Sway - Michael Bublé

I’m officially on a mission to redefine this song in the context of my individual life, I will NOT let you take any MB song from me. Keep your lying, swaying hips far, far away from me Fabio.

LL: “I can hear the sound of violins, long before it begins”

Seventeen, Troye Sivan

There’s only so much you know about love when you’re young. And then you grow up and it is redefined over and over again.

LL: “I wasn’t looking for love, but I was seventeen. Maybe a little too young, but it was real to me”

Exit Sign - Hilltop Hoods

Jump back in your Honda and drive away. Never to be seen again, you overly-confident, strange Scorpio who dared to give me dating advice.

LL: “I’m just looking for the exit sign”

Good Guys Go, Cub Sport

Frankly, what an underwhelming date which I turned into one of my more self-empowering nights once we parted ways. I hope you enjoyed the drinks I bought you.

LL: “Where do all the good guys go? It’s all I want to know”

Father Figure, George Michael

Harris Dickinson, please give me a chance. 

LL: “Please let me love you (I will be the one who loves you) ‘til the end of time”

Don’t Hold Your Breath, Nicole Scherzinger

Please use your words. I prefer modern Oxford English, not the text language my 15-year-old brother would use to flirt.

LL: “You can’t touch me now there’s no feeling left, If you think I’m coming back, don’t hold your breath”

Knowing Me, Knowing You, ABBA

This one almost isn’t worth the words, but I said almost. Is it ever really over? 

LL: “Knowing me, knowing you, it’s the best I can do”

Bad Guy, Billie Eilish

Sorry, you’re just too nice for me, perhaps I’m too pragmatic for you. Let’s quit while I’m ahead, buddy.

LL: “I’m the bad guy. Duh”

Love is a Battlefield, Pat Benatar

I didn’t realise I went in for war but man oh man did I battle through this one. But when you assign yourself a task, the last thing you want to do is let yourself down.

LL: “Do I stand in your way, or am I the best thing you’ve had?”

Crush, Jennifer Paige

I would rather you tell me you don’t want to see me than lie to my face. I genuinely have better things to do than wait for a text from you, don’t flatter yourself. Boy, bye.

LL: “It’s just a little crush, not like I faint every time we touch”

See, I listen to an array of music outside of Taylor Swift’s discography - I’m not overly obsessed like some. Happy Valentine’s Day, here’s cheers to being single!