Every couple has a love language, and for Jeff and me, one of ours has always been music. From the very beginning, our conversations about favorite bands and guilty-pleasure songs felt like little windows into each other’s worlds. Over the years, the playlists, albums, and late-night sing-alongs have created a soundtrack that feels uniquely ours.
Recently, our sweet friends Christina and Robert from The New Darlings shared a beautiful post about the music that shaped their relationship, and it got me thinking: what are the songs that have scored our own story? Which albums hold memories that can transport us back instantly? And—most fun of all—where do our wildly different tastes somehow overlap?
Different Ears, Same Love of Music
Here’s the funny thing about us: Jeff and I both adore music, but we rarely come at it from the same angle. Jeff gravitates toward classic rock, folk, and a little grunge. I, on the other hand, can’t resist soul, indie pop, and anything that could be described as slightly dramatic. On paper, our playlists look like two completely different worlds—but in practice, it’s made for a relationship full of discovery.
Some of my favorite moments together have been when Jeff plays a song I never would’ve chosen myself, but it ends up becoming part of our soundtrack anyway. And I love catching him humming along to one of my “too poppy” picks when he thinks I’m not listening. Music has this way of blurring the lines between us, weaving our tastes into something shared.
The Songs That Defined Us
A few standouts immediately come to mind when I think about our musical history.
- Our First Road Trip Playlist
I can still remember that long drive we took together early in our relationship. Jeff had put together a playlist heavy with Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, and Tom Petty. Somewhere in there, I slipped in some Stevie Wonder and Fleetwood Mac. The mix of twangy guitars and soulful melodies felt like the perfect metaphor for us—different, but somehow complementary. That playlist still makes me smile every time it resurfaces. - The Quiet Moments
Not every song has to be a “big” one. Some of the most meaningful music in our relationship are the quiet tracks—the ones that have played softly in the background while we cooked dinner together or folded laundry on a Sunday afternoon. For Jeff, it’s often Nick Drake or Iron & Wine. For me, it’s a bit of Norah Jones or Sade. Those moments are little reminders that music doesn’t have to be loud to linger. - The Dance-Party Favorites
Of course, we also have the songs that make us drop whatever we’re doing and dance in the kitchen. Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” will forever be one of those for us. So will Beyoncé’s “Love on Top,” which has seen more than a few impromptu performances in our living room.
Our Wedding Playlist
And then there’s the ultimate playlist—the one we carefully curated for our wedding. Honestly, putting that list together was one of the most joyful (and challenging!) parts of planning. We wanted it to reflect us both, to make our guests feel at home, and to set the tone for an evening full of joy.
There was Sam Cooke for the classics, The Beatles for sing-alongs, and a few hidden gems that only Jeff could’ve picked. And when Donny Hathaway’s This Christmas (yes, a Christmas song at a wedding—don’t judge!) snuck its way into the after-party, it somehow felt perfect.
We still listen to that playlist often, and every time we do, it feels like stepping back into that night. The clinking glasses, the laughter, the way the dance floor seemed to pull everyone together—it all comes rushing back with the opening chords of each song.
Why Music Matters in Love
The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that music is one of the quiet forces that keeps us close. It’s not just about taste or preference—it’s about the way a song can capture a feeling when words fall short.
For us, it’s the shared grin when a familiar riff starts playing. It’s the comfort of hearing a melody that takes us back to a specific season of our lives. It’s the way one song can be enough to turn an ordinary Tuesday into something worth remembering.
Even when our playlists don’t perfectly align (and trust me, they often don’t), the act of sharing music becomes its own kind of love language.
Our Current Soundtrack
Lately, we’ve found ourselves returning to the wedding playlist more than anything else. Maybe it’s nostalgia, maybe it’s comfort, or maybe it’s just that those songs really do represent the heart of who we are together. Each track is like a tiny time capsule, holding the joy, excitement, and overwhelming love of that night.
But of course, we’re still adding to the soundtrack as we go. A song we discover on a lazy Sunday might end up holding just as much meaning as the ones we picked years ago. That’s the beauty of it: the soundtrack keeps evolving, just like we do.
Press Play on Your Own Story
So here it is—the music that shaped us, the songs that still make us laugh, dance, and remember. Maybe it’ll inspire you to think about your own soundtrack. What songs defined your relationship? Which albums hold memories so strong they feel like old photographs?
Music has this magical way of stitching itself into our stories. And for us, it’s been one of the sweetest threads.
