When I was presented with this week’s specific theme I’ll be honest, I was genuinely concerned I wouldn’t meet my deadline. I thought to myself, “I haven’t been in a serious relationship in years, nobody I’ve dated has ever sang me a song before, what could I possibly know about singing love songs to a significant other?” I’m sure some of you have talented boyfriends and girlfriends who can play instruments or sing well, but we can’t all be that lucky and experience the phenomena of a serenade.

There’s a difference between loving and being ‘in love’ and—as it turns out—I have experienced or imagined what love’s various stages feel like. From first impressions, to flirting and cozying up, and finally lifelong commitment, this playlist will guide you on that journey and it is imperative that you listen to this list front to back. No cherry picking.

This playlist is classic oldies and alt rock HEAVY. In the creation of this playlist I felt extreme nostalgia for early/mid 2000s (there are few things in life quite like Death Cab’s debut album), I know you’ll feel all the feels with me.