It’s no exaggeration to say Australian singer Courtney Barnett is one of the most exciting artists making music right now.
Her clever free-flowing, stream of consciousness lyrics bring to mind the wordy genius of 60’s era Bob Dylan. And it’s all delivered in her deadpan style, a dry reportage of the world around her.
She’s an incredibly witty observer of life and when it came time to ask someone to make a Valentine’s Day playlist for us, she seemed like a natural choice.
She decided to put together a mixtape she would make for a crush — some of her personal favorite bands alongside classic love songs, the sort of music that would be completely necessary for any Valentine of hers to like too, or it might be a dealbreaker.
It features a few fellow Aussies — “Heavy Heart” by alt-rockers You Am I changed Courtney’s life and is one of her favorite songs ever. Also, Darren Hanlon is her “hero” and a musician she finds incredibly inspiring as a lyricist.
She also includes Nirvana, one of the first bands she listened to and a clear influence. She went with their first Sub Pop single, a cover of Shocking Blue’s “Love Buzz”.
(Click to stream or check out the Spotify playlist below)
Courtney Barnett Valentine’s Day Playlist
“I Want to Hold Your Hand” – The Beatles
“I Wish That I Was Beautiful For You” – Darren Hanlon
“Love Will Tear Us Apart” – Joy Division
“Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Bonnie Tyler
“I Believe In a Thing Called Love” – The Darkness
“One is the Loneliest Number” – Three Dog Night
“Love Me Tender” – Elvis Presley