Let's Get It On"" by Marvin Gaye
Probably on every remotely romantic mix tape ever. It's cheesy, but such a good song you can't resist it. You know what I'm talkin' about!
- Megan Corbett
""Be Alright"" by Trina
As this tasteful song's title implies, everyone wants Valentine's Day to be a time of happiness and comfort, when all is right. And whose definition of that doesn't include wanting ""my ass smacked, legs wide, front back, side to side""?
- Dan Wohl
""Samson"" by Regina Spektor
The wistful tone and simplistic lyrics (""I cut his hair myself one night/ A pair of dull scissors and a yellow light/ He told me that I'd done alright/ And kissed me 'till the morning light"") paint intimate and tender pictures.
- Megan Dwyer
""My Beautiful Rescue"" by This Providence
When I first heard this song, it blew me away. A perfect mixture of acoustic guitar and soulful lyrics makes this my quintessential love song. One of the song's lyrics, ""I'm falling head over heels for you,"" is used in so many love songs. However, the rest of the song - about how the lead singer's pride is gone because of this girl - makes it different and thus, much better.
- Caissa Casarez
""The Man In Me"" by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan loves his woman so much he loves her twice, with both the external and internal Bob that only she has the ability to reveal.
- Kyle Sparks
""I'm the One"" by Descendants
This is a change-up from the mushy themes tied to Valentine's Day. ""I'm the One"" is about the torture of having persistent feelings for someone who relies on you for everything but loves and subjects themselves to exploitive relationships even when something much better - you - agonizingly waits right in front of them.
- Mario Puig
""Nothing Better"" by the Postal Service
Love is beautiful, but often depressing. As such, this track off the Postal Service's debut album is perfectly representative, featuring poetic lyrics in a harmonizing duet about a heartbroken guy as his girlfriend walks out on him. Just never tell your special somebody that this is ""our song"" - they may listen too closely and slap you upside the head.
- Mark Reichers
""Digital Love"" by Daft Punk
No love song mixes French romance with youthful infatuation quite like Daft Punk's ""Digital Love."" The Parisians of Daft Punk infuse the electronic tune with intoxicating beats and the tale of simmering, unspoken love. The result is sensational - it will alternately give listeners butterflies and the desire to bust a move.
- Jill Klosterman
""Tell Me Why"" by Neil Young
This is one of those sad love songs that makes your chest hurt. A love song that makes you cry while also being cathartic and good for the soul.
- Frances Provine
""Drive"" by the Cars
Written by frontman Ric Ocasek and sung by bassist Benjamin Orr, ""Drive"" tells it like it is from the man's point of view - he'll ""pick you up when you fall,"" ""hang it up when you call"" and he'll let you know that no matter how in love you are, ""you can't go on thinkin' nothing's wrong."" But at least you can take comfort knowing ""who's gonna drive you home tonight.""
- Eunice Abraham
""Between the Bars"" by Elliott Smith
A big part of music, especially music about love, is its ability to let the listener feel a little of what the artist was going through while writing it. Elliott Smith's ""Between the Bars,"" though it may not seem like a love song at first, epitomizes this ability. Listening to the song closely makes it almost too easy to feel the aching joy of love, especially if you know the words and can sing along with it.
- Justin Stephani
""Bless the Broken Road"" by Rascal Flatts
More than some would admit, past loves play a big part in true love. Mistakes we've made along the way to true love define who we are when we finally find it, and that's what this song is about.
- Brad Boron
""I Will Always Love You"" by Whitney Houston
This has all the trappings of a classic love song: the word ""Love,"" in the title, Whitney's booming voice, the Kenny G solo. But few newly weds and prom-goers seem to realize it is actually a break up song and a thorny and regretful one at that. Next time the DJ puts it on, sit this one out.
- Kate Marcus
""Gold Soundz"" by Pavement
This Crooked Rain standout isn't heartwarming in the traditional sense, but Stephen Malkmus codifies the formula for every offbeat romance from ""Manhattan"" to ""Fight Club"" with his self-effacing come-on: ""You're the kind of girl I like, because you're empty/ and I'm empty.""
- Matt Hunziker
""Aphrodisiac"" by Bow Wow Wow
If you can't be with the one you love and you're having trouble loving the one you're with, this song has the solution.
- Megan Dwyer
""Freak-a-Leek"" by Petey Pablo
Perfect for when you're getting it on with the woman.
- Alexander Joseph Gawenda
""The Luckiest"" by Ben Folds
Because it says it all.
- Anna Williams
""Why"" by Jason Aldean
My boyfriend and I were on the verge of breaking up when he drove over to my house and played this song as loud as his speakers could. It still makes me tear up a little.
- Megan Corbett
""Maggie May"" by Rod Stewart
The ultimate love song of the '70s that is still a makeout anthem. Besides, what guy doesn't want some older woman's lovin' once in a while.
- Shawn Small
""Eve, the Apple of My Eye"" by Bell X1
An indie song from Damien Rice's former band, this song is gentle and sweet. Written about giving love a chance, it's a beautiful song that's perfect for a gushy mixtape. It was even on ""The O.C.""!
- Josh Monifi
""Can't Help Falling in Love"" by Elvis Presley
UB40 gave it some reggae flair and the A-Teens took it down Teeny-Bopper Lane, but no one performed ""Can't Help Falling in Love"" better than Elvis Presley. The King undoubtedly wooed us with his voice, which was arguably just as provocative as those gyrating hips.
- Eunice Abraham
