True Story: When I was a senior in high school, I dragged my sister (who was an adorable little freshman) to Walmart with me the night before Valentine’s Day to help pick out a present for my then boyfriend.  We settled on a singing card, a bag of candy and CD of “make out songs.”  I swear it was actually called that!

Even Truer Story: We broke up the next morning.  I know, on Valentine’s Day.  Bad timing, but it had to be done.  Instead, I signed the card to myself, shared the candy with my friends and added the CD to my own collection because hey, it was funny.  And while I could never re-create the original (it was obviously bad luck anyways), I thought I could make an even better “Valentine’s Day Mixtape.”  Make outs totally optional.

1. “I Love You Always and Forever” by Donna Lewis

Every time this song comes on mid-workout I have to remind my self not to sing out loud.  I can tell you from experience, it’s nearly impossible.

2. “Moon River” by Andy Williams

I can’t even put my love of this song into words.  It’s pure perfection.

3. “Hold On, We’re Going Home” by Drake

I know, I know, I shouldn’t.  I mean, it’s Drake.  But this song is my jam.  And Drake totally won we over after his recent hosting gig on SNL.  He kind of killed (in a good way) the first half of the show.  Just please don’t make me listen to “Started From the Bottom” ever again.

4. “In My Life” by the Beatles

I’m still in Beatles mode from last Sunday’s tribute.  The lyrics of this song pull at my heartstrings so hard.  I wish so bad that Joey was a Beatles fan, because I’d certainly consider this for a first dance song.  I guess I can always hold out for the father/daughter dance, right Dad?

5. “All of Me” by John Legend

I don’t think I will ever tire of hearing John Legend perform this song live.  His voice + the lyrics = love song perfection.

6. “Love on Top” by Beyonce

Or as she’s apparently going by in her new album, Yonce.  If you’re a normal person, you remember her singing this before announcing to the world she was pregnant.  If you’re Joey, you remember me singing this in the living room and getting embarrassingly into it as the song builds and builds and builds.  It’s a winner either way.

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

If you tell me you’ve never belted this out in the car by yourself with the volume turned as loud as it can go, you’re lying.

8. “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake

Joey claims that this is his favorite JT song…EVER!  Not so sure I’d take it all the way there, but I definitely think it’s good.

9. “I Got You Babe” by Sonny & Cher

Back before buying a song was as easy as grabbing your phone and hitting the iTunes button, I used to anxiously wait for the oldies station my mom always listened to to play this song.  Which wasn’t often.  But when it did happen, I was definitely in my happy place.  “Then put your little hand in mine.  There ain’t no hill or mountain we can’t climb.”

10. “St. Patrick’s Day” by John Mayer

It basically kills me that it wasn’t easier for me to find a real “love song” by my favorite of artists.  Please ignore that the real message of this one is “Let’s be in love till all the holidays are over,” and just enjoy it for how pretty it sounds 😛

11. “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele

Yes, I know this is originally a Bob Dylan song so I will have to credit him with the beautiful lyrics, but it in my very important opinion, Adele’s version is better.  Her voice just oozes that desperate and raw emotion that the lyrics are after.  I feel your love, Adele!

12. “Nothing Compares to You” by Sinead O’Connor

The baldness, the tear, the emotion.  The end.

13. Emmylou by First Aid Kit

This song comes up all the time on the Civil Wars iPhone Radio station I’m constantly listening to and I find it so so beautiful.

14. “Something” by the Beatles

I know, another Beatles song, but hear me out.  This is my favorite Beatles song.  Ever ever ever.  It’s that opening line, it’s that George Harrison wrote it, it’s that middle verse (“I don’t knoooow, I don’t know) and it’s that epic guitar solo.  It doesn’t get better than this.

Wish you all a Happy Valentine’s Day!