What would you put on a mixtape of love songs or heartbreak tunes? Photo: Andrej Lisakov / Unsplash
Kiwi musos and RNZ's resident music experts share their favourite heartbreak tunes and love songs for Valentine's Day.
Aaradhna: 'This song knows exactly what a broken heart feels like'
Aaradhna is an Indian-Samoan singer, songwriter and producer. Her favourite heartbreak tune is 'How Can you Mend A Broken Heart', sung by Al Green.
"I chose this song because while there are those that are happy in love, there are also those that are going through heartbreak. This song in particular knows exactly what a broken heart feels like and knows how to bring out my raw emotions every time it's played. From the guitar to the lyrics and especially Al Green's soulful vocals, it's all real and human."
Zen Yates-Fill: 'This slice of 70s lowdown soul will seduce even the most cynical'.
RNZ Music Programmer Zen Yates-Fill has a soft spot for 'Sweet Thing' by Rufus, featuring Chaka Khan.
"Turn the lights down low because this slice of 70s lowdown soul will seduce even the most cynical of hearts. A song of unrequited love, Khan endures the emotional spectrum of happiness, pleasure, sadness and pain as her heartfelt plea to her elusive lover goes unanswered.
"Co-written with Rufus guitarist Tony Maiden, Sweet Thing's distinctive opening riff would later inspire David Bowie's cover of Iggy Pop's China Girl."
Ewan Collins: 'This song retains an inescapable sadness'
Composer, sound designer and music producer Ewan Collins created the soundtrack to new documentary Red Mole: A Romance, directed by Annie Goldson. Their favourite love song is 'Lionsong' by Björk.
"To me, this song's strength is that it balances between love and heartbreak, longing for a love that is falling away. The production from Björk and Arca is some of the most emotive electronic writing and sound design I've heard in anything. Despite being energetic and majestic, it retains an inescapable sadness."
Claire Cowan: 'I think this is the best love song of all time'
There was no equivocating for composer Claire Cowan, who has an impressive range of scoring and composing credits for stage and screen. 'Girl', by The Internet easily topped her list of best love songs.
"It took 33 years until I heard a song sung by a woman about falling for another woman, and so 'Girl' by The Internet was quite incredible on first listen.
"In the age-old tradition of mixtapes conveying the things we want to say to the people we're dating, it was the first song on the first mixtape that my then girlfriend (now wife) gave me.
"I love the gentle swooping synth lines and the 80s bouncy bass, but most of all, the lyrics are SO direct and there's absolutely no second guessing what it's about. I think this is the best love song of all time!"
Tony Stamp: 'Buzz Moller's lyrics and lovelorn howl speak for several generations of heartbroken indie music fans'
'Beth' by Auckland band Voom helped RNZ music producer Tony Stamp get through the unhappy ending of a relationship many years ago - and it still resonates.
"I was barely out of my teens when I fled Aotearoa for Europe, following a particularly bad breakup. I remember wandering around Florence, Italy, listening to 'Beth' by Voom, thinking, "he really gets it, man", and "New Zealand music is really good".
"I recently saw the band perform the song live, some 30 years since its release, and boy does it hold up, the gutting specificity of Buzz Moller's lyrics and lovelorn howl speaking for several generations of heartbroken indie music fans."
Muroki: 'This is currently my favourite break-up song'.
Kenyan-New Zealand singer/songwriter/musician and producer Muroki chose 'Let Me Go' by Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar.
"This is currently my favourite break-up song. I picked it because most songs are written from the perspective of being left, but I like the way Daniel puts you into the other pair of shoes."
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Whero: 'I'm a sucker for a broken-hearted gal waiata'
Whero (Tainui, Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Raukawa) is an R&B fusion singer/songwriter from Hamilton. She says 'i'm Not The Same' by Aaradhna packs a double punch.
"I love this song because the simplicity allows the beautifully honest lyrics to just hit you deep in the chest. I'm a sucker for a broken-hearted gal waiata and this one hits all the right spots, especially with the unmatchable quality of Aaradhna's vocals. Even if you've never been heartbroken, you'll know the feeling after listening to this track."
Theia / Te Kaahu: 'This is a beautiful song that expresses love from one woman to another'
Ōtautahi-born alternative pop musician Em-Haley Walker (Waikato-Tainui, Ngaati Tiipa) chose 'E Hine Ē', which she performs as TE KAAHU, as her special tune.
"E Hine Ē, which was on TE KAAHU's debut album, is a beautiful song that expresses love from one woman to another. What's special is that whenever I play this waiata live, I like to explain the meaning/sentiment of the lyrics to the audience (particularly those who are non-Māori speaking) and there's always a collective sigh of 'awwwwww' that resonates throughout the room.
"The first verse essentially says, 'Oh girl, how beautiful you are. With hair like a river that swiftly flows, when you cry, and tears like dew rest on your chest, I will take care of you'.
Charlotte Ryan: 'I love this song on so many levels'
Music 101 presenter Charlotte Ryan picked an oldie but a goodie - 'I'd Rather Go Blind' by Etta James.
"I love this song on so many levels; the electric guitar, the old school organ, the backing vocalists. But mostly I love the power of Etta James' voice - and the way she can sing with the pain of a broken heart, "I would rather go blind, than to see you walk away from me"."
And if you're not feeling sufficiently loved-up, our friends at Music 101 have put together this playlist.