All You Need to Know About Indie Love Songs
What is an Indie love song?
Indie music is produced by a do-it-yourself artist or an independent label without the traditional resources of a major label. Some independent artists are completely unaffiliated with labels and instead self-release their music through distributors, which we will discuss in greater detail later.
Indie music can be difficult to categorize in terms of genre, as its creators typically draw inspiration from a wide range of sources. So, how do independent labels differ from major labels? Let's take a look.
Indie Vs Major Labels
Major Labels
Major record labels have been in operation for over half a century and have produced some of the most successful artists in history. They often operate their own distribution companies and wield considerable influence and power.
These labels may also provide artists with substantial financial support. Majors are multinational corporations with a greater emphasis on profit-making. The Warner Music Group, Sony Music Group, and The Universal Music Group are well-known as the three major labels worldwide. The majority of popular music produced by major labels is radio-friendly and geared toward commercial success.
Independent Labels
Indie labels are the industry's new leaders. In terms of adapting to shifting cultural climates, they are considerably savvier. Indie labels cannot provide the same financial assistance or large-scale opportunities as major labels, but they are solely concerned with the music.
They provide more nurturing guidance for their artists than the majors, while still allowing the artist to exercise creative freedom. Independent record labels have historically played a significant role in the development of alternative music subcultures such as alternative rock, punk, and grunge. Numerous subgenres of independent music are incredibly popular, with many indie-pop and indie rock artists performing exceptionally well.
From wistful ballads about almost-relationships to uplifting songs about a newly discovered spark, certain love songs have the power to alter not only your mood but also your entire outlook. And while there are romantic songs for fans of every genre, something about indie songs about love strikes a particularly powerful chord.
Perhaps it is the simplicity of the production that complements such relatable subject matter so well. Or, perhaps it's the emotionally frank lyrics, which are a refreshing change from the usual formulaic commercial hits.
What are some great Indie love songs?
Living Waters - "Stay!" - A love song celebrating a forever 'Stay"-type commitment. It was part of Mike McBride's 'rebirth' when he returned to Living Waters.
Oasis - "Slide Away" - "Let me be the one / that shines with you." An epic love song from the Gallaghers, in this peerless track from their debut album Definitely Maybe.
Paul Weller - "You Do Something To Me" - The Modfather comes over all peculiar in this timeless song from his 1995 album Stanley Road.
The Stone Roses - "Ten Storey Love Song" - "Take my hand baby I'm your man / I got love maybe enough for two." Ten storeys! He's that into you! This was the lead track for The Stone Roses' long, long awaited album The Second Coming (1994).
The Smiths - "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" - "And if a double decker bus / Crashes into us / To die by your side / Is such a heavenly way to die." The most unlikely romantic sentiment ever. courtesy of this Queen Is Dead album track.
Siggie The Vintage Man - "Federales Daughter" - It's about "Love South Of The Border" and make sure she's not a Federales Daughter.
Catfish And The Bottlemen - "Cocoon" - "You go all red like the first time – I love it when you do that / God, I love it when you do that."
Courteeners - "Take Over The World" - "I think it's time for me and you to take over the world," says Liam Fray. And who are we to argue?
The Cure - "Lovesong" - "However far away, I will always love you." Robert Smith wrote this for his wife's wedding present. 'Nuff said.
The Maccabees - "Toothpaste Kisses" - “Cradle me, I’ll cradle you / I’ll win your heart with a woop-a-woo!” God, we’ll miss these guys.
SLOOT - "Cold World" - My Infulances range from Kiss, Steely Dan, Ramones, Sex Pistols, Gary Allen. and many more. This song is about about my son's mother who I had to walk away from trying to remind her of how tough the world is to be walking on the path alone without me
Arctic Monkeys - "Do I Wanna Know?" - "Do I wanna know / If this feeling flows both ways? / Sad to see you go / Was sort of hoping that you'd stay." Curious chat from Alex Turner.
Courteeners - "That Kiss" - Liam Fray sums up the perfect moment exactly: "We probably shouldn't have danced to that song."
Cabela and Schmitt - "Right In Line" - Life is an experience of ups and downs and love and fun. So love your life and your Valentine enough to be one of a kind.
Blur - "To The End" - "Well you and I collapsed in love..." They've made it to the end... of what, though?
Eagleman Band - "I WANT TO BE WITH YOU" - How we may love another one enough to want to be with them always in all that they do.
Maggie Rogers - "Love You For A Long Time" - Came in like a vision from the old west mindlike some bright new dream that I was stepping in I saw your face and I knew it was a sign
Ella Henderson - "Glorious" - We got flaws in all of us But that's what makes us glorious. Time goes by in front of us So let's just make it glorious.
JP Cooper, Astrid S - "Sing It With Me" - Singing your favorite songs out loud And it's making me go crazy. Wish that I could take you out Oh, I can't afford it But I can write a song and record it Give it to you and wait and hope that.
What are some great Indie love songs for weddings?
You're in luck if you're looking for the best indie songs to round out your wedding day playlist. We've compiled 102 indie and alternative songs for you to walk down the aisle to or to get your guests ready for a night of dancing and celebration.
"Sleepwalking," by Modest Mouse - Lyrics of Love: "I fell in love and I needed a road map/To find out where you lived so excited, now"
"Walking on a Dream," by Empire of the Sun - Lyrics of Love: "On and on and on we are calling out and out again/Never looking down I'm just in awe of what's in front of me"
"Everything Has Changed," by Ed Sheeran ft. Taylor Swift (Jasmine Thompson & Gerald Ko Cover) - Lyrics of Love: "'Cause all I know is we said, 'Hello'/And your eyes look like coming home"
"California Daze," by Peace - Lyrics of Love: "She tastes like sunlight/And she's always gonna be there in the back of your mind"
"You Really Got a Hold on Me," by Smokey Robinson (She & Him Cover) - Lyrics of Love: "You've really got a hold on me/You've really got a hold on me, baby"
"Jackson," by Johnny Cash (Florence + The Machine ft. Josh Homme Cover) - Lyrics of Love: "We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout,/We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out"
"There Will Be Time," by Mumford & Sons ft. Baaba Maal - Lyrics of Love: "And in the cold light, I live to love and adore you/It's all that I am, it's all that I have"
"I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," by The Proclaimers (Sleeping at Last Cover) - Lyrics of Love: "And when I'm dreamin', well I know I'm gonna dream/I'm gonna dream about the time when I'm with you"
"Only You," by Joshua Radin - Lyrics of Love: "All I needed was the love you gave/All I needed for another day"
"Sweeter," by Awake or Sleeping - Lyrics of Love: "I don't wanna wake up without you by my side/I don't wanna fall asleep until you say goodnight"
"This Year's Love," by David Gray - Lyrics of Love: "When ya kiss me on that midnight street/Sweep me off my feet/Singing, 'ain't this life so sweet?'"
"Can't Help Falling In Love," by Elvis Presley (Ingrid Michaelson Cover) - Lyrics of Love: "So take my hand, and take my whole life too/'Cause I can't help falling in love with you"
"Turning Page," by Sleeping at Last - Lyrics of Love: "I've waited a hundred years/But I'd wait a million more for you"
"Skinny Love," by Bon Iver - Lyrics of Love: "Come on skinny love just last the year/Pour a little salt we were never here"
"Say You Won't Let Go," by James Arthur (Boyce Avenue Cover) - Lyrics of Love: "And I wanna stay with you/Until we're gray and old/Just say you won't let go"
"Angel/Better Together," by Jack Johnson - Lyrics of Love: "She gives me everything I could wish for/She gives me kisses on the lips just for coming home"
"Colors," by Amos Lee - Lyrics of Love: "'When you're gone all the colors fade/When you're gone no New Year's Day parade"
"Home," by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Lyrics of Love: "Well, holy moly, me oh my/You're the apple of my eye/Girl, I've never loved one like you"
"The General Specific," by Band of Horses - Lyrics of Love: "In time I'd find a little way to your heart/Down to the general store for nothing specific"
"Stuck On You," by Meiko - Lyrics of Love: "You are so dreamy/Feel like I'm in the movies/I feel so happy I'm stuck on you"
"Electric Feel," by MGMT - Lyrics of Love: "I said ooh girl/Shock me like an electric eel/Baby girl/Turn me on with your electric feel"
"Silver Lining," by Rilo Kiley - Lyrics of Love: "Hooray hooray/I'm your silver lining/Hooray hooray/But now I'm gold"
"Primadonna," by Marina and the Diamonds - Lyrics of Love: "'Got you wrapped around my finger, babe/You can count on me to misbehave/Primadonna girl"
"You've Got the Love," by Florence + The Machine - Lyrics of Love: "Sometimes I feel like saying 'Lord I just don't care'/But you've got the love I need to see me through"
"Maps," by Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Lyrics of Love: "Wait, they don't love you like I love you/Wait, they don't love you like I love you"
"First Day of My Life," by Bright Eyes - Lyrics of Love: "Yours was the first face that I saw/I think I was blind before I met you"
"Closer," by Tegan and Sara - Lyrics of Love: "All I want to get is a little bit closer/All I want to know is, can you come a little closer?"
"Towers," by Bon Iver - Lyrics of Love: "In the towers of your honeycomb/I'd have tore your hair out just to climb back, darling"
"Are You Gonna Be My Girl," by Jet - Lyrics of Love: "Take my hand and come with me/Because you look so fine/And I really wanna make you mine"
"Rhythm of Love," by Plain White T's - Lyrics of Love: "We'll watch the world from above/As it turns to the rhythm of love"
"I Will Follow You Into the Dark," by Death Cab for Cutie - Lyrics of Love: "Love of mine, someday you will die/But I'll be close behind and I'll follow you into the dark"
"You and I," by Ingrid Michaelson - Lyrics of Love: "Don't you worry, there my honey/We might not have any money/But we've got our love to pay the bills"
What are some sad Indie love songs?
"Oh, Boy" by Hailaker
Fans of Novo Amor will enjoy Hailaker, not only because he produced this song and one of its members, Ed Tullett, is one of his frequent collaborators, but also because they sound eerily similar.
Holding, the sophomore album by Hailaker, was released at the end of April, when most people began to realize how grave COVID-19 is. There has never been a better time for this album, especially the dejected "Oh, Boy" track.
"Lose This Number" by Christian Lee Hutson.
Are these harmonies familiar to you? Yes, that is Phoebe Bridgers, who exploded this year and produced the entirety of Hutson's third album, Beginners. The album was released at the end of May, when some believed they could see the end of the pandemic, but this song was here to comfort us when it only got worse.
"Further Away" is a song by Beabadoobee.
Once they give Beabadoobee a chance, Clairo fans won't be able to stop listening to her (plus, she previously supported Clairo on tour; imagine how incredible that must have been live). Fake It Flowers, the debut album by Beabadoobee, was released in mid-October, right around the time we gave up all hope of spending the holidays with our loved ones. This album served as a support for us during this realization.
"Keep Me" is a song by Novo Amor.
Speaking of Novo Amor, he released his third album, Cannot Be, Whatsoever, at the beginning of November, when there was a massive increase in coronavirus cases, the election was supposed to be over, but votes were still being counted and everyone was still eating pits. His third album offers a change of pace and a departure from his gloomy beginnings. However, he left behind several depressing songs, including "Keep Me."
"Sleepwalking" by Mokita (feat. Mike Kinsella)
Mokita's "sleepwalking" single, which features Mike Kinsella of Owen and American Football, was released just one week after Novo Amor's album. Apparently, Mokita wanted to ensure that the gloomy atmosphere remained. Mokita provides enough melancholy for an entire Owen album, despite the absence of Kinsella's recognizable, wistful vocals. His calloused hands play the acoustic guitar beautifully.
"Gray light" by Soccer Mommy
Any fan of Bridgers, Mitski, or any other female sad indie singer-songwriter will fall hopelessly in love with Soccer Mommy. Her sophomore album, color theory, was released at the end of February, when COVID-19 began attracting attention, but serious concerns had not yet emerged. However, in a hurry, the album became a reliable resource for the upcoming difficulties.
"The Story" by Conan Gray
Gray cannot be compared to anyone, as he is unique and possesses incredibly distinctive vocals. His debut album, Kid Krow, was released precisely when everyone needed it: after college students were sent home and the virus ravaged our nation. Even though Gray is better known for his single "Maniac" and subsequent relatable emo track "Heather," everyone should be familiar with "The Story" from this album.
"The Contours" by Owen
Tired of continually botching things and severing relationships? Kinsella most certainly is. Since the release of Owen's gloomy debut album in 2001, his feelings have remained unaltered for the past two decades. His most recent album, The Avalanche, which debuted in June, not only continues to breathe life into emo and indie flawlessly but also captures the emotions of this year to a T.
"Savior Complex" by Phoebe Bridgers.
Although it was the worst year of most people's lives, it was probably Bridgers' best. Following the June release of her sophomore album, Punisher, she is now nominated for four Grammys, has released an orchestral EP, has appeared on virtually every late-night talk show, and has infiltrated the collective consciousness. There was no better time for her folky, emo music to emerge into the spotlight.
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