Anti-Valentines Day

Mercury’s early death aged just 45 robbed the music world of one of its greatest performers, and he remains greatly celebrated to this day; I was lucky enough to visit his statue and museum in Montreux in Switzerland recently, and witness first-hand the outpouring of emotion he still elicits. Thankfully the taboo around HIV/ AIDS is now greatly reduced, as is the stigma around being queer, and if Freddie were still alive today, he would hopefully be able to live openly and face far less discrimination. Although Mercury’s story ends tragically, he is a true LGBTQ+ icon that deserves to be celebrated, rather than commiserated. After all, this was the man who suggested the band name ‘Queen’, at the time a derogatory term for gay men, helping to reclaim the term for the queer community. He was one of the first mainstream performers to push gender boundaries, including his outfits and behaviour. Freddie Mercury — a Queen in every sense of the word.

Music writers share the tunes Exeter's singles should be blasting on 14th February to drown their sorrows

FEBRUARY can be a difficult time if you're single, amidst all the couples celebrating Valentine's Day. However, there are plenty of tunes those of us not in relationships can be blasting too to make us forget about our loneliness!

'Send My Love' — Adele

"Send my love to your new lover, treat her better"

The anger that accompanies when someone you loved enters a new relationship

Gracie Moore, Lifestyle Editor

'New Romantics' — Taylor Swift

"Heartbreak is the national anthem, we sing it proudly"

Swift aligns herself with those who reject modern love as fast-moving and superficial

Amy Rushton, News Editor

'Lollipop' — Mika

"Live your life until love is found, or love's gonna get you down"

An important message not to obsess over chasing love, delivered with Mika's rainbow-infused energy!

Harry Craig, Music Editor

'I'm Every Woman' — Chaka Khan

"It's all in me, anything you want done baby, I'll do it naturally"

Remembering to love yourself and that you have everything in you!

Scarlett Cracknell

'House On Fire' — Mimi Webb

"You liar. Now I'm going to set your house on fire"

Simply put: the intense anger that comes with being cheated on Gracie Moore, Lifestyle Editor

'Nobody' — Mitski

"My god, I'm so lonely"

Perfectly encompasses feelings of loneliness, abandoning and yearning

Sara Silvester

'The Music or the Misery' — Fall Out Boy

"I got your love letters, corrected the grammar and sent them back"

Absolutely savage.

Carden Cappi

'The Man' — The Killers

"I know the score like the back of my hand, them other boys, I don't give a damn" An uber-macho burst of confidence for all the single men out there!

Harry Craig, Music Editor

'Don't Call Me Baby' — Madison Avenue

"Don't call me baby. You've got to know that baby that'll never do." Simple. A fierce girly realising she can do better.

Gracie Moore, Lifestyle Editor

'Rid of Me' — PJ Harvey "No, you're not rid of me"

The lyrics capture her pain while the music captures her anger.

Kerry Myers

'Young Hearts Run Free' — Candi Staton

"I'm gonna love me for the rest of my days (...) self-preservation is what's really going on today"

Preaches self-love; need I say more?

Scarlett Cracknell

'Woman' — Andreya Triana "I can rule like a Queen, be a superhero"

Girl power. Don't need no man. Period.

Gracie Moore, Lifestyle Editor

'No Children' — The Mountain Goats

"And I hope you die, I hope you both die" I'm not sure any description I can give would do it justice.

Charlie Gershinson, News Editor

'Bad Habit' — Steve Lacy

"I wish I knew you wanted me"

The frustration when two people miss an opportunity and the timing is no longer good — so for God's sake, tell your crush you like them! Life is too short!

Gracie Moore, Lifestyle Editor

'Somebody That I Used To Know' — Gotye, feat. Kimbra

"And I don't even need your love, but you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough"

The quintessential 2010s heartbreak anthem.

Joshua Hughes, Editor

'King' — Florence + The Machine

"I am no mother, I am no bride, I am King." Because single people really are the Kings for getting through Valentine's Day without a lover.

Harry Craig, Music Editor