25 Songs for 25 Years of Solitude (Part 1 of 3)

This 2014, I want to make Valentine's Day extra special by celebrating my 25 years of romantic solitude. I initially planned to pen poems but due to my frequent travels the month prior, I found myself having started nothing. So instead, I will share 25 songs with themes ranging from the forlorn lover to the rejected lover, to the celebration of freedom from being single and to the disdain for settling down too soon. I will also include very nice songs with a hopeful message.

1. Nymphea- Malaikatmu (Your Angel)

This song is about declaring one's identity as separated from being a docile lover. It reminds a partner not to be controlling and that one's freedom is of paramount importance.

Aku bukan malaikatmu

Yang akan selalu ada

Disampingmu sepanjang waktu

Ingin bebas

2. Lương Bích Hữu ft. Tam Hổ- Duyên Phận Ý Trời (Fated)

This song is about star-crossed lovers as dictated by tragic fate. Even the music video is enough to make one cry even though one doesn't understand the lyrics.

C yêu sao phải xa nhau, phải quên bao kí ức một thời
Chắc tại trời không muốn mình được gần nhau yêu nhau mà thôi

3. Zivilia- Setia (Faithful)

Like a wedding vow turned into a lovely song with nice lyrics, Setia is a song about promising to be faithful despite life's ups and downs until the very end.

Bersama dalam suka dan duka

Bersama dalam tangis dan tawa

Bersama dalam susah dan senang

Bersama melangkah seiring sejalan

Sampai hari ini ku masih setia

4. X-Japan- Endless Rain

This superb ballad about a broken heart with lyrics so depressing that one can definitely say that there is beauty in sadness. Watch the band perform live (below) before their breakup. It's one of the most passionate performances I have ever seen.

Click here for the PV.

It's a dream, I'm in love with you
まどろみ抱きしぬて

5. X-Japan- Say Anything

Again from X-Japan is another brilliant ballad about disillusionment from ideal love, a desperate plea after a separation. Also figuring in the song is madness and bitterness at being left behind.

明かりの消えたon the stage一人見つめて

通り過ぎた日々に抱かれる

壊してくれ何もかまかざった愛も

時の砂に消えるまで

6. Saint Ex- Je Pense à Toi

This is a sweet song about a girl who sings to her distant paramour of her promises to him.

Je pense à toi, égaré,

que tes pas soient plus légers

7. Jay Chou- 白色風車 (White Windmills)

The song is about parting after a very brief encounter, with the man persuading the girl not to think too much and to stay.

你說我若一個人會比較自由

我不懂妳說什麽反正不會鬆手

8. Baek Ah Yeon- 사랑학개론 (Introduction to Love)

I'm not a fan of anything Korean but if there is one thing I like, it's their ballads, most of which are sappy to the extreme. "Introduction to Love" explores a woman's awakened feelings of love for a special someone who taught her what love is.

난 두근 두근거려-요

사랑앞에서

9. MDO- Te quise olvidar
This song by boy band Menudo is about the inability to forget a girl even though he is already with another girl.

sigo noches frias buscandote en mi cuarto 
y no encuentro mas que un alma hecha pedazos 

Next: 25 Songs for 25 Years of Solitude (Part 2 of 3)