Valentines Day, eh?
I’ll be the first one to admit this really isn’t my favourite “holiday” of the year. I won’t go as far as to say I hate it, but the fact that a commercial holiday was created to remind us to tell our loved one’s how we feel seems like a cop out for all the lazy lovers out there.
On the other hand, we all do need a reminder every now and then. I do enjoy some of the aura around this time of year. I don’t enjoy spending money on flowers, chocolates, dinner, hotel rooms, etc.
So this compilation isn’t you’re traditional “get you in the sack” or “mood setting” type mix. It’s more of my own personal taste and personal feelings towards a song. It might be because a particular significant other just totally reminded me of a song. It might a certain time or place and that tune will never be forgotten. Regardless, this list is something that I myself would make for a special person in my life.
311 – Love Song
I first heard this tune at my work when we were playing the 50 First Dates Soundtrack. I was hooked instantly, mostly because at the time, I was trying to see a co-worker of mine. When that fizzled, this song still stuck in my head. It’s a fantastic tune and while I may be blasted for using this one and not the original by The Cure, I think this one seems to have a better vibe to it and is a great way to kick off this tape.
Incubus – Stellar
It’s a really damn good rock song that conveys its message perfectly. And to be honest, I know a lot of girls that either love the song because it sounds great or because they’re cheesy boyfriend tried to do karaoke to it.
Deftones – Rx Queen
I confess: I’m a ridiculously huge Deftones fan. And this song was mine and my ex’s song. To this day, whenever I hear it, I think of her. And not in a bad way either. The lyrics “‘Cause you’re my girl, and that’s alright. If you sting me I won’t mind” just fits perfectly for guys like me who never know the right thing to say. It’s simple, sweet, and the actual tone of the song itself is remarkable.
Sade – No Ordinary Love
The groove in this song alone is awesome. It has a total “I want to mack you” vibe and the lyrics work perfectly. While it may be old school, this classic should be on every Valentine’s mix tape until the Earth caves in or something.
Bush – Inflatable
I first heard this song on “Smallville” and it just seemed to fit the mood so perfectly. I downloaded it and became hooked and depressed at the same time. I don’t think it’s meant to be a depressing song. But if you’re not in a relationship, it could be a crappy song. If you’re in a relationship, this song is golden.
No Doubt – Underneath It All
Another co-worker fling song. Why I remember this song so well is because of how badly I screwed up that potential relationship. She deemed this one “our song” and I wasn’t going to argue. Gwen’s voice in this song screams of two things: love and innocence. Why innocence? It’s just the way it sounds. It’s a beautiful song and a reminder to me of what could or couldn’t have been.
Damien Rice – The Blower’s Daughter
Everyone knows this as the opener and closer to the film “Closer”. And so do I. A nice quiet song that may have some questionable lyrics in it, but it’s a fantastic song that’s mellow and the main lyrics “Can’t take my eyes off of you” seems to work with the ladies.
Puddle of Mudd – Blurry
This song is an at the moment type of song. I was in a relationship that really wasn’t the best one and I knew I probably should have gotten out of it, but for whatever reason I was still in love with this girl. And when I heard this song on a long drive it totally hit me. Every lyric in this song aptly described my feelings at the time. For the record, I’m not a Puddle of Mudd fan, but really dig this song.
Our Lady Peace – 4A.M.
I was really young when I heard this song and was in the middle of my first crush. I really didn’t know what to feel or think, so I let this song do the thinking and feeling for me. What got me the most is the chorus to song – “And if I don’t make it known that I loved you all along, just like sunny days that we ignore”. When you’re 14, that’s powerful stuff.
Alanis Morrissette – Head Over Feet
This song proves that you can love someone even with your own fallacies. Well, that’s what I think anyways. It’s more of a proclamation song that says “Hey, I can love even though I suck.” I guess for me personally, overcoming your own shortcomings and coming to grips with it is hard enough when you’re courting someone.
Randy Travis – Forever and Ever, Amen
I’m not a country fan at all. But this song is so sweet, so genuine, and so amazing that I wouldn’t be able to leave it off of this compilation. I don’t really know what else to say about this song except that if you truly love someone unconditionally, this song should hit you like a bullet to the head.
Metallica – Nothing Else Matters
There are two songs in my life that I want my first dance to be to with my wife. This is one of them. The epic feel, the lyrics, the emotion, the intensity make this song nearly perfect. While I doubt she’d go for this, I’d make her take a good listen to it before condemning me. So what if I want a metal song? Otto wanted Poison and look how that worked out. Oh, wait…
Lifehouse – Everything
This would be the second song I’d want with my wife and probably be my first choice. This song has conveyed every emotion I’ve ever felt about what I think love is. It’s just incredible and one of those songs that while you may hate everything else the band has done, you still appreciate this song for what it is – a heartfelt love song.
The songs listed above are just a few of the one’s running through my mind this Valentine’s Day. Maybe I’ll actually put this list to use someday for someone I care about. Or maybe it’ll stay dormant and remain in my head as a reminder of the one’s I’ve loved, lost, messed up, lusted for, and just generally had emotion for.
