Emotional expression

Valentine’s Day is a polarizing holiday – to put it diplomatically. Some enjoy the chance to revel in emotion; others find the day to be a corporatized mess, or are grappling with heartbreaks that make Valentine’s Day hard instead of happy. Plenty fall somewhere between the two extremes. And scores of others don’t feel anything about it at all. Wherever you land, there’s one truth you can't deny: There are heaps of stellar love, love-lost and lust songs by Black women artists that can, and should, be taken in. Ones that will make you smile, or move, or cry. Ones that create ambience, or pull all of your focus. Ones that have endured for years, or even decades. And all of them featuring knock-out vocals on timeless melodies that stay with you long after Feb. 14 has come and gone. No matter how you feel about V-Day, it’s always a good day for really good music. (Note: Some of the songs on this playlist contain explicit lyrics.) Editor's Note: This post, updated for 2026, was originally published Feb. 13, 2024.

Emotional expression

18 Sweet (and Sultry) Songs by Black Women Artists For Your Ideal Valentine’s Day

The Story Exchange

Emotional expression

18 Sweet (and Sultry) Songs by Black Women Artists For Your Ideal Valentine’s Day

The Story Exchange

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