Musical Love Languages

Source: Me :)

Hi everyone!! I'm Isabel, a new podcaster for UIC Radio. My show is called, "Spoiler Alert!" on Saturdays from 2:00-3:00, go check it out! In this blog post, I want to discuss the 5 different love languages and apply a song that I think encompasses that specific love language.

As most of us know the 5 love languages are words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. The two songs that gave me inspiration for this blog post were, "Love Language" by SZA and "Love Language" by Deye Domino. Both of these artists briefly discuss how they wish their partners would show or tell them their love languages. In Deye Domino's song she even describes "putting on a show" and not knowing the other persons love language. I personally am touched by this subject since I love love SO MUCH! The world needs to express love more often. It would be a lot easier for everyone if other people knew your love language, don't you think?

To start off, words of affirmation is described as loving through verbal compliments or appreciation. This love language is meant to uplift the other through reassurance and positivity. I think this is a beautiful way to interact with your partner. A song that feels the same way is "Everything" by Michael Bublé. Within this song, Michael writes describing his partner as everything saying, "It's you, it's you, you make me sing/You're every line, you're every word, you're everything." He goes on to gush about his partner by adding, "And I can't believe, oh that I'm your man". This reconfirms how highly he thinks of his significant other. By stating how much the other means to him, he is using words of affirmation to solidify his feelings for the other.

Next, quality time is described as loving through time/activities spent together or having meaningful conversation. This love language is one of my personal favorites, being in a person's company and sharing experiences together is a very meaningful way to build a connection with a partner. It's being able to do something, maybe as simple as cooking and knowing it was done together that makes it special. A song that feels the same way is "Stateside" by PinkPantheress. During the beginning of this song she sings, "I tracked your plane ride for when you're in tonight.../I'll take the same flight/Wait at your bedside, I'll land right next to you". All of this insinuates her desire to be in close proximity to the person of her affection. She goes on to say later in the song, "I'm flying intercontinental with you." Again, expressing her desire to be next to her partner. Even though the song doesn't allude to there being significant relations between her and the person she's writing about. I argue that her expression of wanting to be next to her partner across continents shows the amount of quality time she wants with this person.

Next, receiving gifts is described as loving through thoughtful gifts that symbolize affection. A gift can make another person feel appreciated, thought of, and understood. Like your partner knows you unlike anyone else! A song that reminds me of this is "Passport Junkie" by Rod Wave. Though the feeling of competition is tied with showing love through gift giving within the lyrics, Rod Wave also expresses using money as a way to keep his partner happy. He states, "I'll do whatever for your love, it ain't no leavin' me/Spend a million in a month, who gon' compete with me? /I might take her to Paris, fly out her whole family". Gift receiving is on his partners end of this love language; however, we may add gift giving to this language. He shows his love through activities he's paid for and even offers to fly out her family. Expressing to a person he may be competing with for his partners attention adding, "He rented a yacht and took her to Miami/Listen, I love Miami/But she don't wanna go no more/...She's a passport junkie/Takin' trips out the country". This highlights his reasoning for spending money on the partner he has, for fear of competition, but also as a way of acknowledging the desires of his partner who wishes to travel.

Next, acts of service, described as performing acts that ease the other of burdens. This is another one of my favorites, thinking about a partner is one thing but going out of your way to make their life maybe a bit easier shows a selflessness that love amplifies. A song that makes me feel this is "party 4 u" by Charli XCX. This song repeatedly says the phrase, "I only threw this party for you, for you, for you". The repetition of this song confirms the act of doing something for another person. Though throwing a party for your partner may only be a way to gain their attention, it is an act that has been stated to be for the person of interest. Within the electric melody of this song, you get a feeling that Charli XCX did this for someone who she isn't fully sure will show up creating an anxious vibe. This alludes to the potential that your acts of service may not be appreciated by the person receiving the service.

Lastly, physical touch, this language is described as loving through gestures such as hand holding, kissing, close proximity, etc. This is another one of my favorites, (I know I've said that about almost all of them, but seriously, love makes me so happy!). Being able to express your love for another person physically is I think maybe the easiest love languages. A song that feels like this is "2 hands" by Tate McRae. Within this song it states in the chorus, "I just want your two hands on me/At all times, baby/If you let go/Better put 'em right back fast/...Like my life needs savin'/Let 'em all know". This directly affirms the physical gesture wanted by a person from their specific partner. The song repeats that phrase a few times throughout, reconfirming Tate McRae's desires for her partner.

Love is beautiful in so many ways, what is your favorite expression of love? Or what is your favorite love language someone else can show you? 

xx

Isabel