Gothic Love Songs
Happy Valentine’s Day! Whether you’re spending it yearning for a lost love or slow dancing with your eternal flame, here are my favorite love songs to set the mood for this heartbreakingly beautiful holiday.
1. “Lovesong” by The Cure
“Lovesong” by The Cure is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful songs ever written. It is famously known as Robert Smith’s wedding gift to his wife, Mary Poole; which makes it even more romantic. There’s something so powerful about knowing that a song this timeless was born out of a real, enduring love.
“However far away, I will always love you.” I mean… COME ON! If I don’t have a love like that in my future, I don’t want it!
2. “Somebody” by Depeche Mode
“Somebody” by Depeche Mode is a deeply emotional song that captures everything I feel about love itself. The track carries a longing for someone that isn’t there yet, but you hope will be someday. The lyrics acknowledge how complicated and frustrating love can be; but through all of the uncertainty, there is hope. I think that this song is about wanting someone who sees you completely, flaws and all, and choosing each other anyway.
3. “Bury Me Deep Inside Your Heart” by HIM
It was nearly impossible to not turn this entire list into just a tribute to HIM. The way Ville Valo writes about love is so perfect. To me, “Bury Me Deep Inside Your Heart” is about the agonizing intensity of an all-consuming, eternal love. I’ve watched far too many edits pairing this song with clips from The Crow (1994); it will forever remind me of Eric Draven and Shelly’s tragic love story.
Other HIM songs I desperately wanted to include, but had to show some restraint, are “For You - Intro,” “When Love and Death Embrace,” “Gone With The Sin,” “The Funeral Of Hearts,” and of course their most iconic track, “Join Me In Death.”
4. “We Live Forever” by Vandal Moon (Feat. New Spell)
“We Live Forever” by Vandal Moon, featuring New Spell, is truly one of my favorite love songs. Everything about it—from the dreaming synths, the layered vocals, the lyrics—is so stunning. Honestly, words can’t fully describe how much this song means to me. All I know is that I hope I get to feel that way about someone someday.
5. “Sacrifice” by London After Midnight
“Sacrifice” by London After Midnight is a quintessential love song within the goth scene. It is dark, intense, and beautiful all at the same time. The song is literally about sacrificing yourself for the one you love. My favorite part about this song is the gorgeous rain in the background, it reminds me of “The Same Deep Water As You” by the Cure, another gorgeous love song that nearly made this list.
This playlist features every track mentioned in this blog post, along with some other love songs to soundtrack your gothic Valentine’s Day festivities. Enjoy listening!
Resources
“We Live Forever (Feat. New Spell), by Vandal Moon.” Vandal Moon, Bandcamp, 2020, vandalmoon.bandcamp.com/track/we-live-forever-feat-new-spell.
“Sacrifice (9119), by London after Midnight.” London After Midnight, Bandcamp, 2021, lamofficial.bandcamp.com/track/sacrifice-9119.