Love Songs for Grown-Ups

For Valentine's Day, a Mixtape of tunes that take a more practical, realistic, mature approach to relationships.

So many love songs deal in platitudes and hyperbole—a lot of “hanging the moon” type of nonsense. That’s all well and good when the two of you are making out in a back room or a backseat, or even when you’re saying your vows at the altar. But what about when the rent comes due, or the laundry needs folding, or the dog needs their heartworm meds, or you need to ensure each other’s medicines are administered properly, or where the passwords are for the bank and other online accounts?

Love may be a many-splendored thing, but it’s more than just flowers and candy and public pronouncements. For this Valentine’s Day, here’s a Mixtape of songs by and for grown-ass people. It’s made up of tunes that illustrate what it takes to stick it out during the tough times, the bad times, the lean times, the times of doubt and uncertainty. Telling someone you’d walk 500 miles and then you’d walk 500 more only works if you’re willing to help pay the bills, empty the trash, and mow the damn lawn once you get there.

Happy Valentine’s Day to those who celebrate love in all its unpoetic, dirty, resilient, frustrating, beautiful complexity, including the love of my life, Liz—for whom I would absolutely hang the moon if I could. Until I can, I hope she’ll settle for me to help cook dinner, empty the litter box, and keep the toilets clean.

Click here to access this Mixtape on your preferred streaming service.