It’s Valentine’s season once again, and the Internet will be divided between those who have dates and those who are bitter about not having one. But what about those who are happily single? Yes, such people exist. These are the people who don’t mind spending the day of hearts on their own. In fact, the biggest luxury of this year’s Valentine’s (which is set on a Sunday) is to date yourself at home, with some take-out (or a gourmet meal if you’re so inclined), a good book, or some movies.
Today, we celebrate those who are happy alone. We gathered the 14 most empowering songs for singles. Feeling blue? These songs are also for you:
1. “Love Myself,” Hailee Steinfeld (Haiz, 2015)
We got to appreciate Steinfeld’s vocal prowess in Pitch Perfect 2. While she did an amazing job singing Jessie J’s “Flashlight,” it’s her debut single “Love Myself” that got her lots of attention. Fans and media have called the song “an ode to masturbation” because of the lyrics “I’m gonna put my body first / And love me so hard ’til it hurts / I’m gonna touch the pain away / I know how to scream my own name” and for wearing a leotard that said “self-service” in the music video. However, Steinfeld said that it’s open to interpretation and that “It’s an empowerment record and it’s ultimately about taking care of yourself and indulging yourself, whether that be emotionally or physically or with material things.” Take note of the chorus: “Gonna love myself, no, I don’t need anybody else.”
2. “I Don’t Need a Man,” The Pussycat Dolls (PCD, 2005)
The gorgeous ladies of The Pussycat Dolls said it best: I don’t need a man. The former burlesque group proudly proclaims: “I don’t need a man to make it happen / I get off being free / I don’t need a man to make me feel good / I get off doing my thing / I don’t need a ring around my finger / To make me feel complete.” And if Nicole Scherzinger and her girls say that you can look this happy and beautiful being single, then you know they’re in on something good.
3. “Me, Myself, and I,” G-Eazy and Bebe Rexha (When It’s Dark Out, 2015)
The dark music video shows that you can feel alone even while you’re surrounded by people, but Rexha’s beautiful voice assures us that it’s okay, that “It’s just me, myself, and I / Solo ride until I die / ‘Cause I got me for life // Oh, I don’t need a hand to hold / Even when the night is cold / I got that fire in my soul.”
4. “Independent Women,” Destiny’s Child (Survivor, 2001)
This enduring classic has become the anthem of women everywhere who say that they don’t need a man to be happy. The shoes on her feet? She bought it. The clothes she’s wearing? She bought it. Because she depends on herself. The song was used as the theme song for Charlie’s Angels, a movie about a group of butt-kicking women crimefighters. Completely appropriate.
5. “I’m Coming Out,” Diana Ross (Diana, 1980)
If you’ve been worried about your single status, you should listen to this Diana classic. She sings, “There’s a new me coming out / And I just had to live / And I wanna give / I’m completely positive / I think this time around / I am gonna do it / Like you never knew it / Ooh, I’ll make it through.” Who cares that you’re single if you’re having fun? It’s time for you to break out of your shell and shout, “I’m coming out!”
Check out the rest of the songs on the next page!
