A good soundtrack is the perfect complement to any love story. Whether they make us tingle with fond memories or burn with passion, certain songs can trigger a special spark in all of us.

This Valentine's Day, we've scoured through our libraries to find a collection of tracks that get us in the mood for love.

Molly Snyder Edler
Staff Writer

I first became aware of romantic songs at the roller rink when I was about 12 years old. I remember holding hands with a boy and slow-skating to "Don't Stop Believin'." Consequently, I cherish the double CD of Journey's greatest hits to this day. "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" makes the lists because it always reminds me of my first boyfriend, and "Total Eclipse of the Heart" evokes fond, funny memories of slow dancing with a girl at my sisters' wedding -- which caused much drama among our relatives.

My husband and I share a ton of special songs, including every cut on Greg Brown's album "In the Dark With You" and, more recently, The Decemberists' song, "Sons and Daughters." Also, I flood with love whenever I hear any song from the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine," particularly "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds," because my boys adore it so much.

Julie Lawrence
Staff Writer

Tom Waits -- "Sea of Love"
Drew Olson includes the original Phil Phillips version, but the darker, grittier Tom Waits cover is about as romantic as it gets for me.

Devendra Banhart -- "Lover"
If you can excuse the fact that it was incorporated into the 2008 romantic comedy "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist," this woo-er deserves credit for being a modern-day classic.

Jeff Buckley -- "Lover, You Should Have Come Over"
That falsetto voice. The desperation. The regret. The passion. Pretty much sums it up.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds -- "Do You Love Me?"
Nick Cave does not deal with matters of the heart lightly and in this song in particular he poses an intense question that comes off as bold and vulnerable -- but definitely sexy.

Radiohead -- "All I Need"
Thom Yorke does not pen straightforward love songs, but this one off "In Rainbows" is as delicate, honest and intimate as they come from Radiohead.

Drew Olson
Senior Editor

Marvin Gaye --"Let's Get it On"
Nat King Cole -- "Unforgettable"
Elvis -- "Love Me Tender"
Phil Phillips -- "Sea of Love"
Bruce Springsteen -- "Tougher Than the Rest"

This topic was tougher than it originally seemed -- primarily because most of the good, meaty romantic songs have become pop culture cliches over the years. Either that, or they are misinterpreted like "Every Breath You Take," by The Police. A lot of folks find that to be a "pull your partner close" ditty, but I think it's really a sinister song of surveillance and mistrust. I find romance in poppy, innocent numbers like "I Can't Explain" by The Who and "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles, but they weren't really made for slow-dancing at weddings and proms, were they.

A wise man once said "When in doubt, stick with the classics."

You really can't go wrong with "Let's Get it On," by Marvin Gaye. (Even the Jack Black version from "High Fidelity" is pretty solid.) I've always been a sucker for "Love Me Tender" by Elvis, but "Can't Help Falling in Love" is good, too. Years ago, I'd have said "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel, but that conjures images of a young John Cusack holding a boom box in that girl's yard.

I've always liked "Insider," an obscure Tom Petty song, because I like the lyrics and Tom and Stevie Nicks do such a great job on the vocal. Though beautiful, it conjures feelings of melancholy rather than romance. "I'm the one you couldn't love." I've always liked the song "We Belong," which was written by Eric Lowen and Dan Navarro, who didn't make any real money on it until Pat Benatar put it out, without the Spanish verse.

I remember a romantic encounter during college took place with Madonna's "Crazy For You" in the background. I didn't like the song then, but don't mind it now.

Oh, and the 8-year-old in my house suggests "Love Story" by Taylor Swift. Who am I to argue?  Page 1 of 2 (view all on one page)

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3 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by MLM30 on Feb. 15, 2009 at 9:36 a.m. (report)

I agree with the pick of "Lover You Should Have Come" Over by Jeff Buckley. Also, "Here With Me" by Dido and "In My Life" by the Beatles.

Posted by vasser on Feb. 15, 2009 at 8:01 a.m. (report)

I will go with a non traditional, but meaningful, top 5... And throw in a bonus #6. 1. There is a Light that Never Goes Out- The Smiths 2. Could You be the One- Husker Du 3. Love Will Tear Us Apart- Joy Division 4. The Lights- Juliana Hatfield 5. Slip It In- Black Flag 6. Fool For Love- Sandy Rogers

Posted by paulm on Feb. 14, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. (report)

Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis, by Tom Waits. You can't go wrong with Tom.