49 must-have songs on your Valentine’s playlist

*Songs 1-24 picked by Ryan Pitkin; songs 25-49 picked by Barry Falls Jr.

 

1. “Fool for Love” by Sandy Rogers

This song got it’s time on the spotlight thanks to a spot on the 1992 “Reservoir Dogs” soundtrack. Country singers just don’t make them like this anymore.

 

2. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston

Perhaps Houston’s most well known song. Her tragic death will more than likely bring the inevitable spike in sales for all of her music, but this song will remain timeless for decades to come.

 

3. “Saw Red” by Sublime Feat. Gwen Stefani

This song was released in 1994 before Sublime or No Doubt were known by much of anyone outside of the Southern Cal. music scene. Lead singer Brad Nowell dated Stefani for a time before making this song.

 

4. “All I Want is You” by Barry Louis Polisar

Once you get past the corniness of this song, featured on the “Juno” soundtrack, you realize it’s just great feel good music. It also kind of makes you want to square dance.

 

5. “You Got Me” by The Roots Feat. Erykah Badu 

This track tells the story of a man and woman that met in France while the man was on tour. They bring their relationship back to The Roots’ hometown of Philadelphia.

 

6. “I Hate the Way You Love” by The Kills

With its distorted guitar and anti-Valentine’s Day lyrics, the song is a perfect representation of a typical Kills song.

 

7. “The Littlest Things” by Lily Allen

Of all the songs slamming her ex in her debut album, this one takes a nostalgic look back at a relationship that has run its course.

 

8. “Ms. Fat Booty” by Mos Def

What would a list of Valentine’s songs be without a song titled “Ms. Fat Booty?” Not the generic B.S. rap song that it sounds like.

 

9. “Wild Young Hearts” by The Noisettes

This track talks about the dumb things people do for love when they’re young. Everyone makes mistakes in the name of the opposite sex, but that’s just how we learn.

 

10. “Love Song” by Sara Bareilles

This song was actually written as a rebellion against Bareilles’ record company when they asked for a generic pop hit.

 

11. “It Takes a Muscle” by M.I.A.

It’s easy to get lost in this song, especially listening to M.I.A.’s seemingly helium-induced voice through the chorus. The dreamy song is a perfect example of her choice to sing as much as she raps on her latest album.

 

12. “Hot Summer Night” by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

This song, about a significant other heating up a cold winter night, goes right along with a holiday based on love placed in the middle of February.

 

13. “Hey Mama” by Kanye West

Don’t forget about the other special woman in your life on this Valentine’s Day.

 

14. “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum

This track was just about ruined by a horrible club mix and radio overkill. If you strip the ode to the drunk-dial down to the roots and forget about the rest, it’s still a great song.

 

15. “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey

This is far from being a song I truly enjoy, but I always know that if I want to make my girlfriend happy, this song will never let me down.

 

16. “Back to Black” Amy Winehouse

Yes, I am not ashamed to include a few break up songs on my Valentine’s list. Not everyone has someone to spend this day with, and nothing helps get over the gag reflex of watching everyone else’s lovefest than some good soul searching music.

 

17. “Son of a Preacher Man”  by Etta James

You can’t listen to this song and not just want to dance. It’s a classic that will probably live forever.

 

18. “Yellow Sun” by The Raconteurs

Everyone’s been there at some point. In love with someone who doesn’t love you back, or they might not even know about your feelings. This song covers a mix of both predicaments.

 

19. “Head Over Feet” by Alanis Morrisette

While Morrisette is usually blasting men who have spurned her throughout this album, she takes a turn on this song. However, she still includes the lyric “It’s all your fault.” Classic Alanis.

 

20. “It’s True That We Love One Another” by The White Stripes 

The song’s title seems to play with the much-talked-about relationship between Jack White and his drummer, Meg. The mood of the song is also playful, with Jack, Meg and British singer Holly Golightly trading childish jabs.

 

21. “Baby I’m Afraid” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

From their debut album, “Fever To Tell,” this song showcases Karen O as she talks someone just as damaged as her into giving love one more try. “Cool kids belong together,” remains a favorite of YYY fans.

 

22. “’03 Bonnie and Clyde” by Jay Z & Beyonce 

The super couple made their unstoppable relationship very public with this one. There’s nothing too complex here, just plain feel good stuff.

 

23. “Everlasting Love” by The Black Keys

This song took a turn from what Black Keys fans had been used to. Lead singer Dan Auerbach’s voice is about two notes too high, but somehow it really works.

 

24. “Time of Your Life” by Little Brother Feat. Carlitta Durano

This song is about that feeling when you get your paycheck and you just can’t wait to spend it on a night of fun with your special someone. Wining and dining done at its best by the NC-based rap group.

 

25. “Babygirl” by Anthony Green

Anthony Green’s newest release- “Beautiful Things” proves this vocalist has come a long way since his screamo days of Saosin.

 

26. “Will You Return” by The Avett Brothers

When this North Carolina-based folk group wrote “Will You Return,” they made one of the catchiest tracks in their discography with a youthful motif of love and indecision.

 

27. “All The Small Things” by 

Blink 182

There is a reason this song this song is still known as one of the pop punk group’s signature songs. “All the Small Things” is surprisingly romantic, accessible and above all else- fun.

 

28. “The Scientist” by Coldplay

The potent combination of Chris Martin’s falsetto voice and simplistic piano tempo makes “The Scientist” one of the band’s greatest ballads and one of the greatest ballads in general.

 

29. “A Real Love Song” by Erika Blatnik

This once common frequenter of the Charlotte music scene balances bold force and emotional vulnerability in ways that others just can’t.

 

30. “Everlong” by Foo Fighters

“Everlong” features all the heart and force you’d expect from Foo Fighters.

 

31. “Slide” by The Goo Goo Dolls

With the upbeat guitar strums and romantic lyrics, it may seem strange that this song is actually about a young couple contemplating an abortion.

 

32. “Good Feeling” by Violent Femmes

From Violent Femmes’ self-titled album, “Good Feeling” is a cult classic written by high school kids in the mid-eighties. It’s also Marshal and Lily’s song.

 

33. “Dig” by Incubus

The second single released from the alternative rock band’s sixth studio album, “Dig” lyrically counters the conditional aspects of life with unconditional love perfectly.

 

34. “23” by Jimmy Eat World

Arguably Jimmy Eat World’s best song, “23” is a contemplative song about life, the search for love and ultimately turning 23.

 

35. “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane

The third commercial single from the British new wave band, “Somewhere Only We Know” is beautifully layered and lyrically ambiguous. This piano rock song will seems to tell a different story through each listen.

 

36. “Everything” by Lifehouse

Like a lot of great love songs by semi-Christian bands like Switchfoot or Lifehouse, it can be hard to distinguish whether the song is a love song or a worship song. “Everything” is no exception.

 

37. “Somewhere Out There” by Our Lady Peace

This track was the most successful single from one of the most successful albums of one of the most beloved pop rock groups from the 90’s. Our Lady Peace managed to create one of the group’s most mainstream love songs with the uniqueness that you’d find on any of the band’s albums.

38. “Alive with the Glory of Love” by Say Anything

Full of just as much angst as heart, “Alive with the Glory of Love” is a semi-biographical ballad about two Jews who fell in love during the holocaust.

 

39. “Spoils of War” by Sugar Glyder

Expertly layered with ambient guitar strumming and lead singer Daniel Howie’s stretched vocals, “Spoils of War” brought the Charlotte-rooted band’s debut album to an anthemic conclusion.

 

40. “Only Hope” by Switchfoot

Before it was artificially covered by Mandy Moore in “A Walk to Remember,” “Only Hope” was one of Switchfoot’s better-known songs for its confessional lyrics and intoxicating candor.

 

41. “Blinded” by Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind’s last charting single is highly sing-along-able and an energy-filled wonder to see performed live.

 

42. “With Or Without You” by U2

A few of you might remember “With Or Without You” as the first single off of the band’s most critically acclaimed album. The rest of you probably remember it as Ross and Rachel’s song.

 

43. “Goodnight Elisabeth” by Counting Crows

Almost every Counting Crows song reads like just another reason why it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to date Adam Duritz. While the song isn’t exactly a love ballad, it paints a romantic, intimate picture.

 

44.“I Go Blind” by Hootie and the Blowfish

What you might not know is that this is actually a cover of a Canadian alt rock band 54-40. “I Go Blind” is a must-have on your Valentine’s playlist regardless of which version you prefer.

 

45. “Anyone Else But You” by The Moldy Peaches

Quirky, simple and romantic, this anti-folk duet always finds a way to burrow into your head. “Anyone Else But You” was also covered by Michael Cera And Ellen Page in the iconic conclusion of the 2007 indie hit- Juno.

 

46. “You Belong To Me” by The 88

It’s true, The 88 are “The Wiggles of wedding bands.” And “You Belong to Me” is one of their best.

 

47. “Pachuca Sunrise” by Minus the Bear

Minus the Bear always has a way of making listeners feel like they’re in the song rather than just listening to it. The Seattle-based indie group will be playing later this month at Tremont.

 

48. “Pictures of You” by The Last Goodnight

The pop rock band’s first single from the debut album will certainly add a Eve 6-meets- Maroon 5 pop sensibility to your Valentine’s playlist.

 

49. “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” by The Smiths

Captivating and haunting, this classic Smiths track appears on my iPod in about six different versions.