Are you ready to dive into the sonic seas of passion with one of the most enigmatic bands from the ’90s alternative music scene. Look no further than the Deftones and their heart-wrenching, soul-stirring love songs.
These Sacramento natives have redefined the boundaries of romance with their captivating mix of ethereal soundscapes and raw emotional depth.
Sit back and let us take you on a musical whirlwind sprint through the outstanding, intense, and tender emotions that set the stage for the 11 best Deftones love songs.
1. “Sextape” (2008)
🎵 Song Name: Sextape
🧑 Artist: Deftones
💿 Album: Diamond Eyes
📅 Release Date: 2008
🕒 Song Duration: 4 minutes 2 seconds
Released in 2008, “Sextape” from Deftones’ mesmerizing album Diamond Eyes is a powerful and enchanting love song. The lyrics paint an intimate and sensual picture, taking listeners through a journey of escapism and desire.
“Floating underwater” and “the sound of the waves collide” suggest a feeling of being engulfed by love, while lines like “take me one more time” reveal an intense yearning. The underlying themes of passion and connection have resonated with fans, making “Sextape” one of Deftones’ best love songs. The track perfectly showcases their skill in evoking pure emotion and creating a captivating atmosphere.
While listening, you can’t help but get swept away by the “wave” of emotions in this unforgettable song.
2. “Beware” (2006)
🎵 Song Name: Beware
🧑 Artist: Deftones
💿 Album: Saturday Night Wrist
📅 Release Date: 2006
🕒 Song Duration: 6 minutes 1 seconds
Deftones’ hauntingly seductive track “Beware” from their 2006 album Saturday Night Wrist is considered one of their best love songs, skillfully blending their signature ferocious sound with tortured romance. The song’s cryptic lyrics suggest an unhealthy relationship, as the protagonist pleads for self-awareness in lines like “You should know (by now), really/That this could end, really“.
The chilling repetition of “Beware the water” serves as a powerful reminder of the potential danger within love, while the poignant lyric “Do you like the way the water tastes?” alludes to the irresistible pull towards a harmful love. Overall, “Beware” highlights Deftones’ dark and mesmerizing take on love’s complexities.
3. “Passenger” (2000)
🎵 Song Name: Passenger
🧑 Artist: Deftones
💿 Album: White Pony
📅 Release Date: 2000
🕒 Song Duration: 6 minutes 9 seconds
“Passenger” by Deftones, from their 2000 album White Pony, is hailed as one of their best love songs featuring an exhilarating musical journey. The collaboration with Maynard James Keenan of Tool adds a thrilling element to the track.
Lyrics like “Chrome buttons, buckles, and leather surfaces” and “Roll the window down/ This cool night air is curious,” exude an air of seductive escapism. Listeners are taken on a sensual ride, drawing them into the intimate world of passion and connection.
The song’s ability to create an intense and captivating atmosphere makes “Passenger” a standout track for Deftones fans.
4. “You’ve Seen the Butcher” (2008)
🎵 Song Name: You’ve Seen the Butcher
🧑 Artist: Deftones
💿 Album: Diamond Eyes
📅 Release Date: 2008
🕒 Song Duration: 3 minutes 31 seconds
“Deftones’ mesmerizing track, “You’ve Seen the Butcher,” from their 2008 album Diamond Eyes stands out as one of their most captivating love songs. Featuring raw lyrics and intense emotions, the song pulls listeners in with its vivid imagery.
The lyrics, “I wanna take you home and watch the world explode from underneath your glow,” hint at a passionate, all-consuming love, while lines like, “You slowly enter, because you know my room,” reveal an intimate connection. Furthermore, the tremendous impact of the song comes from its timeless message of burning desire, leaving its mark in listeners’ hearts.
5. “Mascara” (1997)
🎵 Song Name: Mascara
🧑 Artist: Deftones
💿 Album: Around the Fur
📅 Release Date: 1997
🕒 Song Duration: 3 minutes 45 seconds
Delve into the mystique of Deftones’ “Mascara” from their 1997 album, Around the Fur. This intriguing love song is fueled by intense lyrics that paints a picture of unconventional romance.
The song seems to discuss the singer’s emotional attachment to a person despite their imperfections, as highlighted by lines like “I hate your tattoos, you have weak wrists, but I’ll keep you.” The captivating chorus about the allure of “her long, shady eyes” encapsulates the undeniable magnetic pull towards this person. “Mascara” ultimately showcases Deftones’ ability to craft a powerful love song that leaves a lasting impact on listeners.
6. “Entombed” (2012)
🎵 Song Name: Entombed
🧑 Artist: Deftones
💿 Album: Koi No Yokan
📅 Release Date: 2012
🕒 Song Duration: 4 minutes 59 seconds
“Entombed” is one of Deftones’ most heartwarming love songs from their 2012 album Koi No Yokan. Emphasizing a sense of closeness and attachment, the lyrics tell a story of unwavering commitment, as the protagonist promises to remain “by your side” since “the day you arrived.” Entombed refers to being encased and protected, while the chorus’s “shapes and colors” signify the vibrant emotions evoked by love.
The song’s soothing and ambient tone, along with its tender lyrics, create an enchanting atmosphere that captures listeners’ hearts, making “Entombed” one of Deftones’ standout tracks in their love-inspired repertoire.
7. “Beauty School” (2008)
🎵 Song Name: Beauty School
🧑 Artist: Deftones
💿 Album: Diamond Eyes
📅 Release Date: 2008
🕒 Song Duration: 4 minutes 48 seconds
Diving into the world of Deftones, “Beauty School” from the album Diamond Eyes (2010) is a captivating love anthem that takes listeners on an alluring journey of infatuation. The powerful lyrics effortlessly showcase the raw emotions of a blossoming romance, with lines like “You’re shooting stars from the barrel of your eyes.” Chino Moreno, Deftones’ charismatic frontman, uses metaphorical language to paint vivid images, making this a memorable love song for the band.
“Beauty School” has a uniquely atmospheric sound, blending its haunting melody with dreamy vocals, creating a lasting impact on listeners. This beautiful fusion of intensity and passion is why it remains one of the best Deftones love songs.
8. “Needles and Pins” (2003)
🎵 Song Name: Needles and Pins
🧑 Artist: Deftones
💿 Album: Deftones
📅 Release Date: 2003
🕒 Song Duration: 3 minutes 23 seconds
“Needles and Pins” from Deftones’ 2003 album Deftones stands out as one of the band’s best love songs. The powerful lyrics speak of a passionate connection between two people, a fitting theme for frontman Chino Moreno’s intense vocals.
The bold imagery of “you’re pins, I’m needles” emphasizes a sense of unity and intensity. The line “come fall in love with the sound” showcases the band’s love for music while inviting their partner into their world. The plea to “tune out everyone in the crowd” demonstrates this relationship’s exclusivity, with the outro asking “who wants to fuck with us now?” further emphasizing the couple’s strength together.
9. “Rivière” (2006)
🎵 Song Name: Rivière
🧑 Artist: Deftones
💿 Album: Saturday Night Wrist
📅 Release Date: 2006
🕒 Song Duration: 3 minutes 45 seconds
The song “Rivière” by Deftones, from their 2006 album Saturday Night Wrist, showcases a powerful dark love theme. The lyrics describe a haunted woman who longs for genuine connection as she waits for a new face.
The striking imagery of red and injured arms suggests self-harm and suffering. This haunting love story is accentuated by the chorus, where the singer is willing to destroy any obstacles for the love they share, emphasizing the dedicated relationship between the two.
Tinged with melancholy and desperation, “Rivière” is one of Deftones’ most captivating and memorable love songs.
10. “Xerces” (2006)
🎵 Song Name: Xerces
🧑 Artist: Deftones
💿 Album: Saturday Night Wrist
📅 Release Date: 2006
🕒 Song Duration: 3 minutes 42 seconds
“Xerces,” one of the standout tracks from Deftones’ 2006 album Saturday Night Wrist, showcases the band’s knack for blending heavy, atmospheric instrumentation with poetic and introspective lyrics. This ethereal love song finds its inspiration in the idea of a comet whisking away the singer and their loved one to a new world, as they wave goodbye to the life they left behind.
The lyrics touch on themes of uncertainty and change, but also on the enduring nature of love, exemplified by the line “Cause the craving remains the same.” As one of Deftones’ most memorable love songs, “Xerces” leaves a lasting impression on listeners and serves as a reminder of the band’s immense versatility and creativity.
11. “Pink Cellphone” (2006)
🎵 Song Name: Pink Cellphone
🧑 Artist: Deftones
💿 Album: Saturday Night Wrist
📅 Release Date: 2006
🕒 Song Duration: 5 minutes 5 seconds
Upon listening to “Pink Cellphone” from Deftones’ 2006 album Saturday Night Wrist, it’s hard not to be captivated by its experimental sound and enigmatic lyrics. The song starts with a recurring theme of belief in “the one true power,” which could be interpreted as a commentary on blind faith.
The verses and chorus are more ambiguous, featuring lyrics like “Can’t stop the sound / I can’t stop you” and “X your eyes / Let the tape roll.” Listeners might sense themes of control and vulnerability woven into the narrative.
The spoken-word portion adds further intrigue, through its satirical reflection on society’s misguided adherence to religious zealotry. Ultimately, “Pink Cellphone” showcases Deftones’ ability to craft unique and evocative love songs that defy conventional norms and spark lively discussions amongst fans.
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