Normally, I use Valentine’s Day as a platform for my current favorite singles or breakup songs. But, since my dear friend Elizabeth requested that I give her a list of love songs, I decided to oblige. If I were so inclined to make a playlist for a loved one, these are the songs that I would put on there. Of course, I picked 14 for holiday purposes.

1. Lykke Li, “Little Bit” (Soft and breathy. This is a good one to send to that special someone who just doesn’t know it yet.)

2. Train, “Breakfast in Bed” (You can question my judgment, but know that lyrics that call any person as good as breakfast in bed is bound to become a lover’s playlist staple.)

3. Sleater-Kinney, “The Size of Your Love” (Maybe a tad bit on the obsessive side, but sure to rock any true riot grrl’s heart.)

4. Modern English, “I Melt With You” (One of the best ’80s love songs, hands down.)

5. The Bird and the Bee, “Love Letter to Japan” (Cute and spunky.)

6. Coconut Records, “West Coast” (Long distance love, anyone?)

7. Death Cab for Cutie, “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” (A lover’s playlist without Death Cab? Impossible.)

8. Talking Heads, “This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)” (I absolutely LOVE this song. So much, in fact, that I might use it as a first dance if I ever get married.)

9. ReginaSpektor, “Us” (A song about being together.)

10. The Starting Line, “Island” (It’s very dreamy, and surprisingly lovely.)

11. The Smashing Pumpkins, “Beautiful” (A gem buried under their normal self-destructive, manic lyrics.)

12. U2, “Sweetest Thing” (Bono wrote this song for his wife.)

13. Luna, “Lovedust” (If you’ve never heard this song, then you’re missing out. It’s good, Valentine’s Day or not.)

14. Semisonic, “FNT” (OK, I had to throw in this song after watching “10 Things I Hate About You” for the 190,708th time.)

And for all you lovers facing love gone astray, this one’s for you: Foo Fighters, “Walking After You.” Sorry, I couldn’t resist suggesting one song against the norm.

XOXO.