In the 21st century, we can travel to the most remote places in the world. Scientists regularly discover cures for serious diseases. Sportpeople constantly push the boundaries of human ability by breaking records in risky disciplines. And the quality of calls we have with friends from the opposite side of the world is as good as if they were in a room next door.

Yet, most of the news we get and share is rather negative.

So even if 14 February means nothing to you, apart from just another date in your calendar, a beautiful love song can lift you up like nothing else. Here are some of my favourite ones in 2026.

PART 258 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE

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I don’t really celebrate Valentine’s Day. But somehow, I often find myself writing about it. I guess it’s because we all know a good love song when we hear it, right?

When I first posted about this topic on this blog, I let the lyrics speak for themselves. Today, it’s time to highlight new compositions that have stolen my heart since then. Because, say what you want, but musos will never stop writing about this most beautiful of human feelings across all genres, styles and aesthetics.

Like in 2020, this is not a compilation of love songs in the traditional understanding of the word. Some might talk about loss and breakup. Others might refer to a broader understanding of it than the romantic feeling. All of them are open to interpretation – only the authors know what they mean by their lyrics. But nobody can stop you from making them your own, according to how you feel listening to them.

So I’ve made you a list of 14 tracks by Aussie acts, released in the last couple of years, with their lyrics and a little commentary from my side.

“Goodbye My Valentine” by Benjamin Stewart

The title says it all. But judging by it, I didn’t expect the track to be such an energetic rock anthem.

Nobody wants to come second
Crying on the podium, dreaming of a silver screen
You’re fresh blood at the carnival
Sucking your thumb, melting in the azure heat
The perfumed air of electric chairs
It’s on my breath, it’s everywhere
Everything is as it seems
Ignore those muffled screams

So welcome to the big top! You could be forgotten
Not just broken broke
Sinking to the bottom, clutching your future
And all that rhinestoned hope
We had our time, please don’t cry
You got this kid! Just wait in line
Everything is as it seems

When you get my postcard, don’t cry
But I’ve fallen out with my valentine
That crush I’ve had since high school, my whole world
I’m sorry, honey, darling, baby girl
Goodbye, My Valentine

So let’s dance to the blatant pleas
Lifting us up like harmonies
And the bright lights of overseas
Sucking the honesty outta me
And of course, all these rolling hills
The hamster wheel of window sills
I’m really feeling myself, huh!
The money is green, and it looks like health

So welcome to the big top! You could be forgotten
Not just broken broke
Sinking to the bottom, clutching your future
And all that rhinestoned hope
We had our time, please don’t cry
You got this kid! Just wait in line
Everything is as it seems

When you get my postcard, don’t cry
But I’ve fallen out with my valentine
That crush I’ve had since high school, my whole world
I’m sorry, honey, darling, baby girl
Goodbye, My Valentine

When you’re young, you don’t hear the bells
But I’m in love with someone else
I think it’s time, it’s time to split
I’m sorry, babe, but I’m over it

Goodbye, goodbye my valentine
Goodbye, goodbye my valentine
Goodbye, goodbye

“Peripheral Lover” by Gordi

Rarely does an artist have such lyrical dexterity in describing an uncomfortable situation so poetically. So I was all ears from start to finish.

I’m in your backstage
I’m on your sideline
I’m looking your way
So, won’t you put me in your sight lines?

I want it I want it I want it all right now

Don’t you make me your peripheral lover, no
I want to be there in the middle
You need to give me something visceral, baby
I want to be there in the middle

I’m not your peripheral lover
I’m not your peripheral

You take me for a ride
You’re playing unfair
Can you make up your mind
Because you give me the impression you care
Do you care?

Don’t you make me your peripheral lover, no
I want to be there in the middle
You need to give me something visceral, baby
I want to be there in the middle

I’m not your peripheral lover
I’m not your peripheral

Don’t you make me your peripheral lover
Don’t you make me your peripheral lover, no
I want to be there in the middle
You need to give me something visceral, baby
I want to be there in the middle

I’m not your peripheral lover
I’m not your peripheral

“Like Love” by Ball Park Music

I had this tune on repeat for many, many weeks. Because it’s a powerful love manifesto.

I’ve tried oysters
I’ve tried cocaine
I’ve looked down on a mountain
From the window of the plane
I’ve seen bright lights, I’ve seen tall buildings
Boy, I’ve been overcome with some feelings
But none of them
Oh, none of them like love

I’ve lusted for the body
I’ve had the fleas, had the habit
I’ve looked down on another
I smiled while I was at it
I’ve had some big ideas, they seemed so appealin’
Sometimes I don’t know what the fuck I’m feelin’
But none of it
Oh, none of it is like love

Wild runnin’ horses
Colour-code champagne
Once you’ve had a taste for it
It all tastes the same
I’ve been down on my knees, been sick and been reelin’
My blood filled the room from the floor to the ceilin’
But none of it
Oh, none of it was like love

Love is kind
Love is good

I’ve tried believin’
I’ve tried, I’ve tried, I’ll try again
Like the smallest thing
Even the heavy burden
Oh, I’ve seen the light from the top of a buildin’
I almost got one foot in front of my feelings
But none of it
Oh, none of it
None of it
No, none of it is like love

“Give Me All Your Love” by Don West

Is there anything better than a sensual song about the feeling we all long to experience one day?

Give me all your love and affection
I’ll give you all my love and attention
All those little words, we can’t mention
Causing all of this sexual tension

We can risk it all tonight
The only way out is through
It’s not forever
It’s now or never
To make this dream come true

Give you every song I could ever sing
I’ll give you every thought I could ever think, baby
The sweetest nothings ever told
All lies, you know that they’re lies, baby

We can risk it all tonight
The only way out is through
It’s not forever
It’s now or never
To make this dream come true

Ever since I met you, baby, I’ve been falling so hard
Ever since I met you, honey, never gonna be apart
Wait, can I see the future, through rose coloured glass, now?

Look inside
Inside baby
Ooh, look inside
Come on, look inside for me, sugar

“Freckles” by Thelma Plum

It’s not necessarily a happy love song, but I assure you, we’ve all been in a conundrum, described here, at least once. 

Do, do do, do, do do
Do, do do, do

Do you think of me in the dark?
Or do I stay hidden in your heart?
All locked up without a key
‘Round and ’round I can’t get no sleep
Bite my lip and hold my tongue
I know the words, so I’ll sing along

Do, do do, do, do do
Do, do do

All those freckles on your face
Are just kisses from the sun
I wish I could take her place
Oh, I wish I was the one
To warm you in the morning
And hold you in the night
All those freckles on your face
Are so beautiful
I can’t face it

Do, do do, do, do do
Do, do do, do

I don’t wanna be the only one
Who’s gonna get blinded by the sun
Sitting up high in your little sky.
Do you dream about me in the night?
Bite my lip, and hold my tongue
I know the words, so I’ll sing along

Do, do do, do, do do
Do, do do

All those freckles on your face
Are just kisses from the sun
I wish I could take her place
Oh, I wish I was the one
To warm you in the morning
And hold you in the night
All those freckles on your face
Are so beautiful
I can’t face it

Do, do do, do, do do
Do, do do, do
I can’t face it

All those freckles on your face
Are just kisses from the sun
I wish I could take her place
Oh, I wish I was the one
To warm you in the morning
And hold you in the night
All those freckles on your face
Are so beautiful
I can’t face it

Do, do do, do, do do
Do, do do, do

“Can You Swim?” by Chet Faker

This song is proof that you can say a lot with very few words, a piano-based melody and a simple, touching accompanying video.

Love is a tidal wave
Come crashing down
And I am a passenger
About to drown
Cause I can’t swim
My father never told me how
Can you swim?
Do you know how?

Love is a passenger
In my arms
And I am a tidal wave
Sound the alarm
Cause I can’t swim
My father never showed me how
And can you swim?
Do you know how?

Love gets in the way
And I feel like I am dumb
I try to run away
From the things I’ve said and done
All that I can feel
Are things that I run from
And it all falls down
I said it all falls down
And then it all falls down
Again

It all comes down

“It’s My Fetish, Break My Heart” by Alter Boy

It’s a tale of heartbreak, narrated from a different perspective. And I’m here for it.

I’m thirsty, girl
Come drink from the backyard hose
I like you better when you leave
That’s when I like you the most
Oh god, I remember you
Oh god, I want to
A thousand times it’s nothing new
A thousand lives I went to you

Built in the sand
This house of cards
Hurt like a mother
Gone as you are
Break like a curse
End at the start
The poison is the cure
It’s my fetish break my heart

Grown up now
Make a bong, smoke the whole world out
Cut the clothes off my back
Stand before you like an idiot
Oh dark, I remember you
Oh dark, I want to
A thousand times it’s nothing new
A thousand lives

Built in the sand
This house of cards
Hurt like a mother
Gone as you are
Break like a curse
End at the start
The poison is the cure
It’s my fetish break my heart

“Dancing2” by Keli Holiday

I’ve heard many love stories, but this one has warmed the hearts of the whole Aussie nation. For the context, visit this IG post.

I was blind, the flowers bloomed
You were quiet in the loudest rooms
I was dancing

I heard the loudest whispers that never made it true
You were looking for an answer while I was looking for you
You were dancing

I was shot out of a cannon over every moon
Then I saw your face in a crowded room
You were dancing, and I was dancing too
Guess I was dancing too

I was looking for the kingdom of clowns and fools
‘Til I saw your face in a crowded room
You were dancing, and I was dancing too
Yeah, I was dancing too
You were dancing

I was burning every candle
Like a dog without a bone
You were lighting every flame
Through a shiny phone
Yeah, you were dancing

I was kicked up outta heaven
Forgot not what I know
Then I saw you preaching from a plastic throne
Now I’m dancing

I was looking for the kingdom of clowns and fools
‘Til I saw your face in that crowded room
You were dancing, and I was dancing too

It takes 28 years just to figure it out
28 ways just to let it out
How it gets to you
What’s left of you
You got 28 years just to work it all out
Another 28 years just to figure out what it meant to you
Now I’m next to you, and we’re dancing too

You were dancing, yeah, you were dancing
And I was dancing too

You were dancing, and I was dancing too
And I was dancing too

You were dancing, and I was dancing too

“Giving Up Air” by The Temper Trap

One of my fave Aussie bands came back after almost a decade of radio silence. And they dropped this moving song about the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one in tragic circumstances.

Disarm
Disarm my heart
Disarm, lay it down
All of the visions of you are fading
Where have they gone?
And this house feels like it’s sinking (ooh, ooh)
Feels like it’s sinking (ooh, ooh)
And it’s hard to breathe in

Givin’ up air, layin’ it bare
Hoping my dreams will reappear
When everything I know is hanging on a prayer (ah, ah)

Givin’ up air, layin’ it bare
Hoping my dreams will reappear
When everything I know is hanging on a prayer (ah, ah)

Disarm, no use resisting
Disarm, break it down
Holding on tight, choking the life out (ooh)
‘Til nothing was left
And this house is surely sinking (ooh, ooh)
Feels like it’s sinking (ooh, ooh)
And it’s hard to breathe in

Givin’ up air, layin’ it bare
Hoping my dreams will reappear
When everything I know is hanging on a prayer (ah, ah)

Givin’ up air, layin’ it bare
Hoping my dreams will reappear
When everything I know is hanging on a prayer (ah, ah)

It’s like giving up air
Givin’ up air, givin’ up air, givin’ up air, givin’ up ai
When everything I know is hanging on a prayer

“He Said No” by Meg Mac

Here’s a tongue-in-cheek confession of having your heart broken by your number one, for a change.

He said no, and I could not believe

Everywhere I go
He follows
Everything I do
He’s there
Until my world came crashing down
Who’s gonna love me now
He’s not there?

Oh, yesterday was wonderful
‘Cause I didn’t know what he was gonna say
I drove him to the airport
Thinking I’m the one who’s gonna make him stay

Then he said no
Now I’m crying at the airport
My number one is on the run
And I don’t know when or if I’ll ever see him again
I’m begging someone bring him home

He said no, no, no, no (He said no, and I could not believe it)
He said no, no, no, no, no (He said no, and I could not believe it)
(He said no, and I could not believe it)

I sit here watching planes as they touch down
I’ll count each one until he comes around
Oh, yesterday was wonderful
When I thought I knew what love was all about
(I thought I knew, then he broke my heart)

When he said no
Now I’m crying at the airport (Crying at the airport)
My number one is on the run (My number one)
And I don’t know when or if I’ll ever see him again
I’m begging someone bring him home

Can you believe it?
He said no, no

Then he said no
Now I’m crying at the airport (Crying at the airport)
My number one is on the run (My number one)
And I don’t know when or if I’ll ever see him again (I don’t know when)
I’m begging someone bring him home (I’m begging someone bring him home)

“Stay” by Fisher

Who doesn’t love (pun intended) a pretty love song you can dance to?

Stay with me, lay with me
Holding me, loving me, baby
Here with me, near with me
Feeling you close to me, baby, baby

Stay with me, lay with me
Holding me, loving me
Stay with me, lay with me
Holding me, loving me
Stay with me, stay with me

Stay with me, baby (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Hold me all night long (oh, oh, oh, oh)

Stay with me, lay with me
Holding me, loving me, baby
Here with me, near with me
Feeling you close to me, baby, baby

Stay with me, lay with me
Holding me, loving me
Stay with me, lay with me
Holding me, loving me
Stay with me, stay with me
Stay with me, stay with me
Stay with me, stay with me, baby

Stay with me, lay with me (oh, oh)
Holding me, loving me, baby (oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)
Here with me, near with me (oh, oh)
Feeling you close to me, baby (oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)

Stay with me, baby (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Hold me all night long (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Stay with me, baby (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Hold me all night long (oh, oh, oh, oh)

“Not Enough” by Mia Wray

Remember that “butterflies in your stomach” feeling? Mia Wray just reminded me of it in this playful track.

I close my eyes and try to hold my breath
Sink underwater, I count back from ten
Can’t reach the bottom, I’m out of my depth
And for a moment I’m myself again

It’s not enough to keep my love a secret
It’s not enough to say, “It’s nice to meet you”
It’s not enough to kiss you in my head
I wanna know how this story ends

Even if it breaks my heart
I wanna hold your hand, don’t wanna hide who I am

Even if it falls apart
If I’m not in your arms, then it’s not enough

And now she started picking up the pace
She said she loved me right then to my face
I’ll always remember us this way
It’s in her arms I’ll forever stay

It’s not enough to keep my love a secret
It’s not enough to say, “It’s nice to meet you”
It’s not enough to kiss you in my head
Can you tell me how this story ends?

Even if it breaks my heart
I wanna hold your hand, don’t wanna hide who I am

Even if it falls apart
If I’m not in your arms, then it’s not enough

Someday, we’ll be driving down the highway
Saying things that we could never say
“We made it out of yesterday”

Oh

Even if it breaks my heart
I wanna hold your hand, don’t wanna hide who I am

Even if it falls apart
If I’m not in your arms, then it’s not enough

Not enough
It’s not enough

“A Cold Play” by The Kid LAROI

Who would have thought that such a young artist could paint such a convincingly poignant picture of lost love in an R’nB song…

Who was I to think that I could fix you, baby? (Who?)
Who would I be if I didn’t miss you, baby? (Who)
I hope that you know you were appreciated
Around my house, I still got up all of our pictures, baby, mm
‘Cause I still love you, that’s how I feel at my core
Flew different states to come see you in between tour
I gave you everything I had and even more

Just understand it’s not like me to give my heart away, ayy
Now you takin’ distance and it’s hard to take, ayy
I tried everything to get your thoughts to change, ayy
I tried not to listen when they all would say, ayy
This was temporary and you’d walk away
It’ll always be easy to blame you
But it’s my fault for thinking I could

Fix you, fix you, fix you, fix you
Fix you, fix you, fix you, wish I could
Miss you, miss you, miss you, I miss you
It’s really hard to accept the fact that I can’t
Fix you, fix you, fix you, fix you
Fix you, fix you, fix you, wish I could
Miss you, miss you, miss you, I miss you
It’s really hard to accept the fact I can’t fix you now

You said to me, baby, you was all in
I think we just probably should’ve stayed friends
I think that we probably could’ve saved tears (and saved years)

Just understand it’s not like me to give my heart away, ayy
Now you takin’ distance and it’s hard to take, ayy
I tried everything to get your thoughts to change, ayy
I tried not to listen when they all would say, ayy
This was temporary and you’d walk away
It’ll always be easy to blame you
But it’s my fault for thinking I could

Fix you, fix you, fix you, fix you
Fix you, fix you, fix you, wish I could
Miss you, miss you, miss you, I miss you
It’s really hard to accept the fact that I can’t
Fix you, fix you, fix you, fix you
Fix you, fix you, fix you, wish I could
Miss you, miss you, miss you, I miss you
It’s really hard to accept the fact I can’t fix you now

“Love Balloon” by Ocean Alley

Love is all about feeling like you’re on cloud nine. And this catchy track perfectly reflects that emotion.

I never was good at being romantic
But I can with you
You’re the only one that seems to understand me
We feel so in tune
Oh, I feel it’s real, there’s no denying an attraction
Oh, I feel it’s real, put me in a mood

When my heart is beating
Do you feel it too?
Woah, we could touch the ceiling
From our love balloon

Now our love is feeling fantastic
Can we take off soon?
Floating high and going intergalactic
Just enjoy the view
Oh, I feel it’s real, there’s no denying an attraction
Oh, I feel, it’s real, put me in a mood

Funny thing, loving you comes automatic
You told me you don’t know love until you have it
I can tell that you also feel the magic
Yeah, you do

When my heart is beating
Do you feel it too?
Woah, we could touch the ceiling
From our love balloon

Woah, when my heart is beating
Do you feel it too?
Woah, we could touch the ceiling
From our love balloon

Finally, let me quote another artist, albeit not Australian, who recently made history, on many levels.

Both accepting the Grammy award for Album of the Year and at his SuperBowl halftime performance, Bad Bunny shared a simple message: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”

Let that be food for thought this Valentine’s Day (and beyond). And check out the full playlist:

_{Cover art by Christine Sandu on Unsplash}

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