Love songs and nu metal don't typically go hand-in-hand. However, that doesn't mean that some of our favorite artists don't know how to express their feelings in their own way. Whether it's a song about a lover's beauty, being emotional and vulnerable, or just wanting to have sex, here are ten songs you could send to your valentine to articulate how you feel about them.
Warning: Results may vary (no, not the Limp Bizkit album).
"Passenger" - Deftones
Spoiler alert: "Change (In the House of Flies)" does not appear on this list. While it does play in the background of one of the hottest scenes in cinema in Queen of the Damned, the song itself is not romantic. Chino Moreno just has that kind of voice, especially on White Pony, that would make any song a perfect backdrop for romantic bathtub vampire sex. "Passenger", which features vocals from Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan, amps that up to eleven. Moreno and Keenan's voices alternate beautifully, with Moreno even incorporating light breathy singing at times. The lyrics seem to describe literal car sex, but is not brash and crude about it. A deeper message can be extrapolated though, that of giving up control and trusting your partner enough to let them lead while you play the role of the passenger. As is true for many Deftones songs, the lyrics can be interpreted in many different ways with no real wrong answer.
"Let's Fuck" - Dope
Now this is a song that isn't shy about its intentions. This track quite literally is about wanting to fuck someone in a multitude of different manners. Whether that be outside, in the car, in public, for the purpose of procreation, an orgy, all day, and in the dark. The title of the song appears fourteen times in the two-and-a-half minute song. It's not romantic in the slightest, but hey, sometimes your valentine isn't someone you want to spend the rest of your life with. It could just be someone very attractive that you want to hook up with and call it good. If that's the case, this is the perfect song to send to them or to blast in the car without any hint of subtlety.
"Love Dump" - Static-X
The meaning of "Love Dump" has been contested since it came out on Wisconsin Death Trip in 1999. The standout lyric from the song is "Your shit's like chocolate cake and your ass smells like a rose". Like, who thinks to put that in a song? It can be interpreted as being romantic in a very strange way, which would be fitting coming from Wayne Static. Some fans interpret the song in a literal way, as describing anal sex or eating ass. Others read between the lines and infer that the narrator of the song is infatuated with a woman so much so that she can do no wrong and that her shit doesn't stink even when it's still shit. Another meaning could be that the narrator doesn't know how to express romantic feelings in a non-sexual way. Rather than seeing it as weird, the narrator thinks he's flattering the woman by coming up with such an obscure way to compliment her. Regardless, the song is a peek into the enigma of a brain that Wayne Static possessed and I would be remiss to exclude this song from this list because it's a certified banger.
"Butterfly" - Crazy Town
This is one of the more tame tracks on this list that is actually heartwarming."Butterfly" is about the singer finding hope and stability through his girlfriend during a tumultuous time in his life. There are two sides to this song; the first one is admiring how attractive his girlfriend and how he wants to treat her well in bed, while the other part is showing appreciation for her sticking by his side and showing him that a better life is possible. "Butterfly" has been overplayed on the radio for years, but it has a sweet sentiment and is super groovy. Pretend like it's 2000 again and send this to your woman, surely she would appreciate it (even if she doesn't share the same taste in music).
"Sore Eyes" - Mad Kelly
If you take this song at face value, it can seem like a song that was written with a lover in mind, talking about how beautiful and wonderful they are, even if they don't realize it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that interpretation either, it makes for a wonderful love song to send to a significant other. After digging a little deeper, the message of the song is also that of self-discovery and growth. Calling someone a "sight for sore eyes" means that the person is relieved to see them, especially after a long period of stress or absence. This track can be about welcoming the new person that one has become after trying times, embracing changes and finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Someone who once may have struggled with accepting compliments and seeing their own worth and beauty has come out the other side. Even if you don't have a lover to share this song with, you can blare it on your own and remember to love yourself too.
"I ♡ YOU BABY!!" - Paledusk
"I ♡ YOU BABY!!" gets straight to the point. Have you ever loved someone so much that it makes you want to scream? While "Love Dump" is from someone who doesn't know how to convey their attraction, this song takes the straightforward approach by repeating "I love you baby" numerous times. It may be the most aggressive yet sweet form of expressing love for one's partner I've ever heard. Paledusk is one of those bands who bends different genres to create their own unique sound, so this one is for all of you eclectic motherfuckers out there. Who knew that mixing sappy lyrics about shooting stars, flowers, love letters, and heart palpitations would combine so well with headbanging riffs and intense screams?
"Summer Romance (Anti-Gravity Love Song)" - Incubus
Speaking of genre bending, Incubus's S.C.I.E.N.C.E. gifted us with a funky, catchy love song featuring jazzy elements and even a saxophone solo. Brandon Boyd shows off his vocal ability in this track, with the hushed singing giving the vibe of two teenagers in love sneaking out to meet up. The anti-gravity aspect could be describing that feeling during the early stages of young love where you feel so blissful and joyous that you feel like you could float away. It may not be summer yet, but this is a great love song for all year round despite what season it is. It's a charming and groovy track that is sure to sweep your valentine off of their feet.
"A.D.I.D.A.S." - Korn
You knew this one had to be on here. This song is definitely more on the filthy side and not romantic, but that's okay. If there's any day to get a free pass for being "horny on main," as the kids say nowadays, it's Valentine's Day. This entry has got you covered whether you plan on making love to your longtime partner, a quick hookup with a hottie, or even pleasuring yourself because you're alone.
Disclaimer: Please for the love of god, be safe and use protection.
"The Reason" - Hoobastank
There's the chance that you could be spending this Valentine's Day alone due to an argument or conflict with your would-be Valentine. While "The Reason" may be overplayed by now, the sentiment of the song still stands. If you want to make things right with your partner, of course communication is the first step. True love is admitting when you're wrong, apologizing for the hurt caused, and vowing to become the best version of yourself for the sake of your partner. This song covers all of those bases. But you could go the full nine yards and take it back to 2003 by including this song as part of your apology. Get a boombox, a box of chocolate, a bouquet of flowers, then blare "The Reason" outside of the window until they acknowledge you. Make it like a scene straight out of a cheesy early 2000's coming of age movie.
"Sextape" - Deftones
I didn't want to include an artist on here more than once but come on, it's Deftones, how could I not? Concluding this list is the most beautiful and mesmerizing song featured here. With a title such as "Sextape", one could assume that the track would be vulgar, but it is the total opposite. Moreno's soft vocals with the calm instruments creates an image of love, adoration, and worship. The music video elevates the song, with beautiful women underwater with colorful lights all around. "Sextape" captures the essence of how it feels to make love with your special person and the euphoria of being intimate and passionate.
