Thanksgiving is finally in the rearview mirror, which means you can take a break from thinking about the perfect answers about your dating life — at least until the end of the month. While you count down the days until your next obligatory family dinner, you might as well daydream about your celebrity crush falling in love with you. Luckily, there’s an app to make that chance a little higher.
Raya is a “private, membership-based community” designed for anyone who didn’t get a rose on The Bachelor. It’s a dating app that prides itself on being exclusive (there’s literally an application process) and is known for being the celebrity romance app. (It’s a favorite among the elite like Channing Tatum and John Mayer.)
Unfortunately, you must fill in a bio — like every dating app — to get started. (Ew.) And if you have any middle school trauma around sharing your favorite music, selecting a profile song that represents you sounds like vulnerability hell. So, as a relationship writer/expert, I’ve gathered the perfect songs to add to your Raya profile! Now, take a deep breath and take a sip from your third glass of wine. You’ve got this.
Raya Profile Song: “Brown Sugar” by D’Angelo
This was Channing Tatum’s song of choice when he joined the app in 2019. I’m dead serious. He’s now engaged to Zoë Kravitz so he’s doing something right.
Raya Profile Song: Literally Anything By Neil Young
If you think your body is a wonderland, you may want to take a page out of John Mayer’s profile whose song selection was a “slideshow of photos set to a Neil Young song.” Taylor Swift, where did you go wrong? (My lawyer wants me to clarify that this is sarcasm.)
Raya Profile Song: “Garden Song” By Phoebe Bridgers
You’re basically saying you’re an indie darling! You’re not like other girls!! You’re good at giving head!!! (You’re also painfully my type so pls call me.)
Raya Profile Song: “Lips of an Angel” By Hinder
This song will solely attract cis, white men. It will land you a restaurateur in San Francisco who loves talking about his obsession with Tokyo. But he’s rich!!! So I hope you enjoy sushi and PENIS!
Raya Profile Song: “Why Not” By Hilary Duff
What’s a millennial to do but hide behind early 2000s references as an attempt to hold onto a time in their life when the biggest challenge was to crimp or not crimp their hair? Nostalgia is sexy, baby! (No hate! Hilary Duff single handedly made me want to visit Rome.)
Raya Profile Song: “Flaming Hot Cheetos” By Clairo
We get it, you’re gay. (Again, call me.)
Raya Profile Song: “Chateau” By Angus & Julia Stone
If you want to make your slideshow feel like a montage set in California, here you go. Also, enjoy rewatching La La Land for the 100th time, you poser!
Raya Profile Song: “Beautiful Soul” By Jesse McCartney
I get it. You don’t want another pretty face, you don’t want just anyone to hold.
Raya Profile Song: “Somebody to Love” By Justin Bieber
If you love Justin Biever you’re either a lesbian or 12 years old. If your purpose is to capture the eye of the former, more power to you. If the latter, please seek help.
Raya Profile Song: Taylor Swift As A Genre
Be warned, if you go this route you may attract a Swiftie that will quiz you on Taylor lore within an inch of your life. Tread lightly, friend. But if you’re willing to risk it, go all in with “Forever & Always.”
Raya Profile Song: “Fire Burning” By Sean Kingston
Nothing is hotter than confidence. Or Sean Kingston lyrics.
Raya Profile Song: “Buy U A Drank” By T-Pain
It’s basically an invite to a first date so you can skip the horrible back and forth in the chat. It also allows you to match with someone in your age group by weeding out anyone who didn’t grind to T-Pain at the 6th grade dance.
Raya Profile Song: “Do You Wanna Come Over” By Britney Spears
Depending on how horny you are, get straight to the point with Britney’s equivalent to an “R u up?” text. You might be on the wrong app for this, but who knows? Maybe a business mogul wants to recreate scenes from Wolf of Wall Street with you. Good luck!
Raya Profile Song: “Good Kisser” By Usher
Consider your dating profile a resume and “Good Kisser” is at the top of your skills list. Also, it’s a great litmus test for whether your match thinks Keke Palmer’s ex was “in the right” to publicly shame her for fangirling Usher.
Raya Profile Song: “Cigarette Daydreams” By Cage The Elephant
This song is specifically for my eighth grade crush. If that’s not you, keep scrolling. (I love you, Danny Dominguez!!!)
Raya Profile Song: “Beautiful Stranger” By Laufey
Nostalgic for the days when you met people in person? Welp, this is a dating app so get over yourself. I bet you also “hate small talk” and “love the rain.” What is it like being so original?
Raya Profile Song: “Savage” By Megan Thee Stallion
Basically the only theme song you need to introduce yourself. It will also help hype you up when you’re ghosted again. It’s not you, it’s them!
Raya Profile Song: “Water” By Tyla
If you want something that will get stuck in their head, look no further than Tyla’s “Water.” Unfortunately, it will also be all over their TikTok. But that just means they literally cannot stop thinking about you. No matter how hard they try.
Raya Profile Song: “I Want It That Way” By Backstreet Boys
I hope you have the mirror selfies to back this song up. And by that I mean you’re in full duck face, holding up a peace sign, and the flash better be on. (P.S. Let me know if you match with AJ.)
