Young Ghanaians are moving away from traditional romantic "scripts" in favour of a more honest, flexible reality. This shift is clearly reflected in their music choices; they are stepping back from the total devotion of classic hits like John Legend’s All of Me and instead embracing the more anxious, uncertain vibes of Billie Eilish’s WILDFLOWER. This transition is particularly striking as these two tracks represented the most streamed love and heartbreak songs on Valentine’s Day last year.

This talking stage acts as an unofficial middle ground where two people are more than friends but not yet a couple. It is a digital-first trial period defined by late-night chats and subtle social media hints. Data shows that Gen Z is the most active in this space; those aged 18–24 account for 56% of heartbreak streams and 34% of love streams. As listeners move into the 25–31 age bracket, the numbers settle slightly, making up 24% of heartbreak and 25% of love-related listening.

Since this stage of love has no official name, young people have created new words to describe their feelings. It begins with "Rizz", the charm used to start a conversation. Gen-Z has created 77% of these playlists in Ghana. As connections grow deeper, the "Simp" phase takes over, with 69% of playlists showing that young Ghanaians are embracing the softer side of love. However, the most common feeling is that quiet ache felt while waiting for a text, with 61% of “Yearn” playlists created by young Ghanaians.

The choice of music also highlights a generational gap in how Ghanaians process romance. For those aged 18–24, the go-to anthem for heartbreak is Billie Eilish’s WILDFLOWER, while the 25–29 group leans towards the soulful reflection of Adele’s Easy On Me. Interestingly, John Legend’s All of Me remains the universal language for love across both age groups (18–29), proving that even while modern romance changes, some classics still hold weight.

This deeply emotional vibe is part of a much larger trend, with a 91% increase in Valentine’s Day playlists made to capture the day’s unique energy. People are becoming much more open about their feelings. Between 2023 and 2025, streaming habits showed that Ghanaians are leaning into their emotions more than ever. Streams for "Heart" (heartbreak) content grew by 105%, while "Love" content jumped by 114%. Accra has become the centre of this trend, ranking as the top city for both love and heartbreak music. In the city, the "Yearn" has found its voice through moody soundtracks, proving that young people want to process their feelings rather than ignore them.

The most striking finding is the shift in how men express their feelings; in Ghana, men are actually the primary listeners in these categories. For heartbreak songs, men account for 67% of streams, compared to 32% for women. Similarly, love songs see 65% of streams coming from men, with women at 34%. Drake’s GIMME A HUG was the most shared song in Ghana on Valentine’s Day last year, perfectly capturing the moment a man moves past being "cool" to admitting that he wants a real connection.

Valentine’s Day has also become a more private, digital experience. More Ghanaians are using Blends, shared playlists that mix two people’s musical tastes. On 14 February 2025, the top track in these spaces was z-beta 2 - Super Slowed by qaraqshy and MC LONE, a song with a slow pace that perfectly matches the mood of modern romance.

This digital connection goes beyond just music. To navigate the confusion of in-between relationships, many also turned to podcasts on the same day. A standout was the "I Said What I Said" episode, Love From Beginning To End. By mixing their favourite soundtracks with expert relationship advice, Gen Z is proving they are highly self-aware and intentional about their romantic lives.

Spotify is leaning into this nuance with its 100 Best African Love Songs experience. Recognising that love isn't a "one-size-fits-all" emotion, the platform now uses listening signals to adapt to a user's specific romantic archetype. Whether a listener is feeling deeply romantic, cautiously guarded, or in the process of healing, the experience mirrors their personal journey. It highlights a simple truth: there is no single way to "sound" in love, especially when navigating the complexities of the talking stage.

"It’s inspiring to see how young Ghanaians are expressing themselves during Valentine’s season," says Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa. "Listeners are embracing vulnerability more than ever, using music to navigate the ‘talking stage'. At Spotify, our goal is to ensure that no matter where you are on the romantic spectrum, you can find a soundtrack that resonates with your truth."

This generation has the courage to live with uncertainty. Using music to explore the talking stage allows young Ghanaians to prove that a relationship doesn't need a label to be meaningful. They accept both heartbreak and devotion as essential parts of the journey, showing that being honest about your feelings, even when things are undefined, is the most romantic thing of all.

Explore the playlist HERE