Rockin' Valentine's Day Mix-CD Track Suggestions

It never fails. Just as you're starting to dig through the mountain of bills from the holiday gift buying you just did, Valentine's Day rolls around. In a perfect world, monetary concerns wouldn't even enter the picture. In times like these though, with economic uncertainty all around, it may be good to go with a gift from the heart. Maybe too, it's time to bring back an old classic: the mix tape.

Of course, most folks don't own a cassette deck anymore, so you'd have to update the technology to a mix-CD. You could design your artwork, put together your tracks and burn your loved one a great looking CD using a lot of software that comes free on your computer, or free from the Internet. What if your special someone isn't into the mushy, gushy love songs one might normally put on a CD like this? No problem! Here are a few suggestions of some rock songs that would fit nicely on a Valentine's Day mix-CD.

"I Believe In A Thing Called Love" by The Darkness - The Darkness are one of those bands you either love or hate. They were unabashedly a throwback to the 1980s with their high-falsetto vocal harmonies and their high-voltage guitar solos. No one can deny the fun and excitement of this, their biggest hit. Who wouldn't believe in love after banging their head around to this song?

"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen - It was the group's biggest hit in America, and it gave Freddie Mercury yet another chance to shine. From the strumming acoustic guitar in the song's intro to the grooving, walking bass line that John Deacon puts down to the almost country or rockabilly way in which Freddie Mercury sings, this song will get everyone's toes tapping.

"Mystery Dance" by Elvis Costello - Off of his debut album, "My Aim is True," it's one of the most sublime references to bedroom activities ever recorded. The lyrics are full of double entendre, but never in an overtly sexual way. In fact, it's not until the second or third listening that one realizes exactly what the "Mystery Dance" really is.

"2000 Light Years Away" by Green Day - This song comes from their last indie label album "Kerplunk!" It encapsulates not just what Green Day has come to mean with it's catchy pop-punk melody and guitar work, but it also captures that feeling of young, unrequited love. It's still a fan favorite now, 20 years after its release.

"Friday I'm in Love" by The Cure - Sure, you could call it the cliche choice from this band, but in terms of upbeat songs about love, The Cure really knocked it out of the park with this one. The opening is instantly recognizable and the song's melody is an ear worm if there ever was one.