Open your hearts, open your ears

Joy Ma, Staff Writer • February 14, 2025

Bruno Mars is one of the eight artists, who is mentioned as having strong love songs of this century. Mars’ song ‘Just the Way You Are’ was released in 2012. love songs Photo courtesy of Flickr through Creative Commons.

Falconer’s favorite love songs from the 21st century:

“We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey

A classic and powerful R&B ballad about yearning and heartbreak, Carey depicts the anguish of loving a relationship that seems irreplaceable with soaring vocals and incredible emotion. “We Belong Together” is an unforgettable piece with a beautiful piano melody and sincere lyrics.

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“LOVE. FT. ZACARI” by Kendrick Lamar

Tender and beautiful, Lamar’s “LOVE. FT. ZACARI” is an intimate ode from affection and loyalty from lover to lover. Lamar’s contemplative lyrics, accompanied with Zacari’s heavenly hook come together to create a magical listening experience.

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“Juna” by Clairo

“Juna” by Clairo is a production so delicate and dreamy, it puts its listeners in a heavenly lo-fi trance. Gentle instruments halo Clairo’s soft-spoken profession of love to her significant other, mirroring the vulnerable and quiet moments of falling deeply for someone.

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“Mystery of Love” by Sufjan Stevens

“Oh to see without my eyes,” from “Call Me By Your Name,” Stevens sings a hauntingly beautiful ballad that captures the bittersweet nature of longing and love. The song depicts the fleeting yet profound beauty of passion and heartbreak with its ethereal instruments and heartfelt lyrics.

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“Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars

In this upbeat pop hit, Mars makes a timeless statement of love. “Just the Way You Are” reminds listeners that genuine beauty is found in authenticity and in celebrating unconditional admiration. With poignant lyricism and a mellow tune, Mars emphasizes that true love is unconditional.

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“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran

Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” is a modern love song that promises enduring loyalty. It depicts a steadfast, timeless love story through touching language with a raw, acoustic arrangement.

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“Snooze” by SZA

SZA’s intimate and deeply personal song, “Snooze,” examines the euphoric state of being in love and the pain of not wanting to let someone go. Listening to this track feels like a late-night confession of an individual’s everlasting love for their lover as her smooth voice drifts along a warm, mesmerizing melody.

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“Kingston” by Faye Webster

“Kingston” is an alluring love song featuring Webster’s trademark gentle vocals and nostalgic flair that is both melancholy and captivating. This piece is perfect for hopeless romantics and wistful daydreamers as it effortlessly conveys the story of a lover’s silent desire and admiration.

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About the Contributor

Joy Ma, Asst. Editor-in-Chief, Long-form

Did you know that frogs were the first land animals with vocal cords? TPHS’ biggest frog fanatic, Joy Ma, embodies the calm, adaptive and curious nature of her favorite amphibians as she steps into her role as Assistant Editor-in-Chief for her third year on the Falconer. Born and raised in Hong Kong and fluent in three languages, Ma brings a global perspective and a unique voice to the team. Chiefly the epitome of wanderlust, Ma has traveled to over 12 countries, her favorite travel spot being Toledo, Spain, where she was captivated by the intricate damasquinados. For her senior year at TPHS, Ma is eager to elevate the paper’s storytelling and continue to foster a dynamic, inclusive newsroom environment. Outside the newsroom, Ma is an avid reader with a particular fondness for Mary Oliver, Ocean Vuong and Fyodor Dostoevsky (The Brothers Karamazov is the greatest book of all time — do not even attempt to fight her on this). When she’s not buried nose-deep in a book or working on the newspaper, you’ll likely find her spending humorously large amounts of hours on Pinterest searching for future home inspiration or unique outfit combinations. Looking to the future, Ma is excited to continue her journey of growth and exploration and cannot wait to make lifelong memories with her favorite “Falconerds.”