I love tunes dedicated to that one special person. It doesn’t matter if the sentiment is romantic, heartbroken, or joyful: There’s just something about the intensity of emotion that pulls me in. Writing or singing a song for someone is such an intimate gesture, but when I listen to these tracks it doesn’t feel like I’m intruding. I think of it as listening to highly personal and deeply felt messages that the artists want me to hear, too. This one’s for you, and you, and you—and me.

Photo from the cover of Nina Simone’s Suzanne.

Dear You

Illustration by Minna.