"Cameron Winter seeks to remind us that it's those inconveniences that make love so sweet in the end. After all, 'love will make you fit it all in the car,' whether you like it or not."
Heart-on-sleeve anthems and swooning deep cuts, our Rough Trade staff have lovingly assembled a list representing every shade of indie romance, personally curated as all great mixtapes should be - especially when collecting songs about love.
Spanning eras and emotions, these are the tracks our staff would choose for a homemade tape, whether for a special someone on Valentine’s Day, a self-love soundtrack, or simply the songs that forever pull at the heartstrings.
From slacker rock to modern dream pop, indie sleaze anthems and post-punk, our Rough Trade staff compile a mix showcasing the messy ache of being in love.
The Morning of our Lives (1979)
Jonathan Richman
Sometimes love needs to be directed inwards. This song is one of the best for shining a light on the self, being comforted by The Modern Lovers, that for 5:36 minutes, feels like long lost friends.
Lizzie, Rough Trade Office
Shivers (1979)
The Boys Next Door
Written by Rowland S Howard at age 16 - a wonder.
Emma, Rough Trade Office
Night and Day (1982)
Everything But the Girl
Such a minimal yet gorgeous take on Cole Porter's 1930's original - a beautiful first single from Everything But The Girl (who were 19!) It's intimate and almost bedroom-feel makes you feel like a teenage girl in love, and Porter's timeless lyrics perfectly capture the obsessive and ever-tormenting nature of a having a crush!
Cammy, Rough Trade Office
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (1986)
The Smiths
Both romantic and melancholic, with devotion entwined throughout.
Carrie, Rough Trade Office
Head On (1989)
The Jesus and Mary Chain
Makes you wanna feel, makes you wanna try, makes you wanna blow the stars from the sky.
David, Rough Trade Berlin
Friday, I'm In Love (1992)
The Cure
"I don't care if Monday's blue. Tuesday's grey and Wednesday too. Thursday, I don't care about you. It's Friday, I'm in love."
A rare, more joyful number amongst The Cure's existential repertoire, supposedly inspired by lead singer Robert Smith’s adoration for his wife, Mary Poole. Listen to this to feel like your heart could burst.
Georgia, Rough Trade Office
Into Your Arms (1993)
Lemonheads
A simple, sweet tune about longing to be in a loving embrace and belonging. What more do you need out of a love song?
Dima, Rough Trade NYC
The Wild Ones (1994)
Suede
"Cause on you, my tattoo will be bleeding and the name will stain."
A gut-wrenching, gritty song full of desire and drama that feels like it began life as a love poem.
Nina, Rough Trade Office
Chasing Rainbows (1998)
Shed Seven
The definitive 'raise your beers to the ceiling, group hug, singing your little hearts out' track. Honest, no drama, full of love and regret. What more can you ask for from an indie love song?
Nina, Rough Trade Office
Bohemian Like You (2000)
Dandy Warhols
Familiar to everyone, and a banger to everyone.
David, Rough Trade Office
Piazza, New York Catcher (2003)
Belle & Sebastian
"Elope with me, Miss Private, and we'll sail around the world
I will be your Ferdinand, and you my wayward girl
How many nights of talking in hotel rooms can you take?
How many nights of limping round on pagan holidays?
Oh, elope with me in private, and we'll set something ablaze
A trail for the devil to erase - I love you
I've a drowning grip on your adoring face
I love you, my responsibility has found a place
Besides you and strong warnings in the guise of gentle words
Come wave upon me from the family wider net absurd
"You'll take care of her, I know it, you will do a better job"
Anthony, Rough Trade Office
Maps (2003)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
"Wait, they don't love you like I love you"
Earth-shattering simplistic beauty that resonates from generation to generation. Indie sleaze is really for lovers?
Georgia, Rough Trade Office
M83 (2008)
Kim and Jessie
The best indie love song I can think of. I never get tired of listening to it.
Christopher, Rough Trade Berlin
Losing You (2012)
Solange
"Tell me the truth, boy, am I losing you for good?
Baby, you know I tried
Can't lose you from my life"
The opening track to Solange's 2012 EP, True (co-produced by Dev Hynes). A Seat at The Table may be Solange's magnum opus, but this album single is always what I think of when I feel like I want to listen to Solange. The whole album is a retro-soul rumination on love and just hits that happy-sad sweet spot so perfectly. No notes.
Georgia, Rough Trade Office
I Belong In Your Arms (2012)
Chairlift
Chairlift’s 2012 I Belong In Your Arms is one of my favourites. It’s instantly nostalgic and romantic. Between indie darling Caroline Polachek’s airy vocals and Patrick Wilmbery’s signature syncopation, the song is a classic and underrated love song in my book.
Lucie, Rough Trade NYC
This Old Dog (2017)
Mac Demarco
Mac has so many effortlessly romantic songs, this being among the sweetest. A perfect declaration of enduring love. This old dog ain't about to forget.
Jess, Rough Trade NYC
crushcrushcrush (2017)
Coco and Clair
The antithesis of cuffing season, the fancy free life of dating in the summertime. Why have a boyfriend when you can have three?
Lizzie, Rough Trade Office
Miracles (2022)
Alex G
"Baby, I pray for the children and the sinners and the animals too / and I pray for you"
Such a sweet, simple love song.
Kenya, Rough Trade NYC
Love Takes Miles (2025)
Cameron Winter
A poignant, nostalgic, and beautiful song about love and all its inconveniences. In Love Takes Miles, Cameron Winter seeks to remind us that it's those inconveniences that make love so sweet in the end. After all, "love will make you fit it all in the car," whether you like it or not.
Alexandra, Rough Trade NYC
You got time and I got money (2025)
Smerz
With neither time nor money personally, this song evokes pure, unadulterated fangirling of your new beau, and I am here for it.
Lizzie, Rough Trade Office
On the B-Side...
Our love for music always overspills. If 20 tracks aren't enough to satisfy your appetite for romance, we have a few more numbers in our love locker.
Jeff Buckley - Lover, You Should’ve Come Over
Buckley's music is pure poetry. Romantic. Magical. Undeniable. There simply aren't enough adjectives to describe the beauty of this song.
Georgia, Rough Trade Office
DAF - Verlieb dich in mich.
If your heart breaks, then just watch Gabi dance.
Emma, Rough Trade Office
College - A Real Hero
Not only does this song, of course, remind me of Ryan Gosling in Drive (the snake jacket), but the woozy synths bring an air of undeniable romance.
Lizzie, Head Office
Flight of the Conchords - Business Time
2 weeks to go, business socks are on standby.
David, Rough Trade Office
The Band - It Makes No Difference
Probably in my top 10 fave songs ever - Damn, what a beautiful song. It's a sad love song but there's always a time and place for sad songs.
David, Rough Trade Office
Buzzcocks - What Do I Get?
"What do I get? Nothing at all, because I don't get you"
Lizzie, Rough Trade Office
Press Play...
Although we swoon over analogue and the power of the mixtape, our friends at Qobuz have helped us compile our list digitally, for your listening pleasure in real time.
Share with friends, lovers and everyone in between. What did we miss? Let us know @roughtrade.