by MK Burnell
With winter on the way and wild winds buffeting the city, a lot of lovers are choosing to snuggle up for an at-home date night. Skipping the fancy restaurant or exclusive club not only saves you some petty cash, but also lets you set the mood for the evening any way you like! Candlelight and a nice Montepulciano will only take you so far, though; to really transform your living space into a romantic getaway, you need the proper background music. Here are five can’t-miss tunes to get you started.
One of jazz’s all-time greats on the tenor saxophone, Coleman Hawkins can provide a beautiful mellow ambiance like nobody else. Sensual yet subtle, Star Dust is a great choice for a date night playlist – at nearly nine minutes long, it’s just right for your appetizer course.
Any romantic playlist has to feature some bossa nova! Bebel Gilberto’s sultry English-language cover of Os Mutantes’ “Baby” is a less conventional choice. With its gentle guitar and Mediterranean vibe, it’s just a tad outré and sure to become one of your favorites.
No romantic playlist is complete without a duet. Bublé’s irresistible vocals mesh perfectly with Furtado’s for a charming bilingual samba. It’s sweetly melodic and sure to add that special touch to a home-cooked dinner for two.
This playful little French tune will add a touch of whimsy without breaking the mood. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a sweet dessert or hot toddy . . . as long as your sweetheart doesn’t speak French.
While Edith Piaf may have made the song famous, something about Louis Armstrong’s mellow trumpet evokes a sweet nostalgia for a simpler, more elegant time. La Vie En Rose is pure romance; and the Armstrong version can make a simple table set for two feel like an intimate, smoky 1940s jazz club. It’s perfect for an after-dinner slowdance, too!
So don’t be afraid to cozy up at home once in a while. A date can be even more special when you’ve put in the effort to create the ambiance yourself. With the right music, the right meal, and the right company, you’ll be in the right mood in no time. And remember, there’s no such thing as PDA in the privacy of your home!
