Top 20 Songs to Woo Your Valentine

The thing about top 10 lists, or top 20, top 50, top 100, or top whatever lists is peculiar. Everyone seems to go to them for whatever they're looking for. Why? Who knows? Maybe it's because they are easy to read or skim through. Or maybe it's just our insatiable need for lists. Whatever the reason, people love their lists, and all of us have different opinions. Even if you don't like the selections I've chosen here, you may at the very least discover something you've not thought of before, and it just might help you find that perfect ending to your own Valentine's-wooing-song-list.

It's been a long running joke that Valentine's Day was created by Hallmark to boost their sales after all the Christmas and New Year's hub-bub, but I daresay Cupid (the well known child-like winged god of desire, affection and erotic love, a.k.a. the son of goddess Venus and god Mars) would disagree, as would Saint Valentine, whom after the lover's holiday is aptly named. (And here's a little FYI- They say that Saint Valentine wrote the first Valentine message to a guard's daughter who visited him in prison. Appreciating her friendship, loyalty, and support he thanked her in a hand written note that he signed " Love, from your Valentine ." See more about the history of Valentine's Day from AC/Yahoo's own CharlotteKutchinsky here.

But no matter the history, or how many of us love to hate all the sentimental lover's exchanges, Valentine's Day is still the best time to make our loved ones feel like they're the most important thing on the planet, and the perfect time to tell our loved one's just how much they mean to us. And since this is my list, I'm making the rules. Yes. Rules. This is not some "wham-bam-thank-you-maam" type of list. It's a song-list for wooing your Valentine, simply and thoughtfully. There will be absolutely no R.Kelly-Usher-isms included in this list. I'll be adding those types to an entirely different song-list...maybe titled; "Songs that May Get You Laid If You Play Your Cards Right", or "Songs to Get the Hint Across", but not this one, no-sir-ree, Bob. Only songs that make your someone special feel how special they really are to you will be included here. So even if you're not a fan of the little winged cherub, or the sappy Saint, you may still be interested in actually gaining the true affections of the one that makes you lose your mind, the one that you just can't get enough of, your special someone.

For those that are serious about how to woo your Valentine, look no further, for in these pages you will find at least one perfect love song to beg, bill and coo, butter up, caress, charm, chase, court, curry favor, date, importune, make advances, make love, press one's suit with, propose, pursue, run after, rush, seek in marriage, seek the hand of, set one's cap for, solicit, spark, or spoon the object of your desire. (Did you get enough of those syrupy metonyms? If not see here for more "wooing your Valentine" synonyms).
Alright, ok, enough of the sap... without further ado, and hopefully without sounding too cliche, in the infamous words of the one-track-mind lover-boy, "let's get it on" shall we?

Here are your Top 20 Songs to Woo your Valentine: (click links to listen to snippets of each on Amazon.com)

20. Fade Into You by Mazzy Star; - from their album So Tonight That I Might See. This dreamy pop, soft psychedelic melody, and singer Hope Sandoval's languid, weeping willow voice with lyrics pleading, " I want to hold the hand inside you, I want to take a breath that's true", Fade into You is the perfect "warmer-upper" for this list.

19. Turn it On by Franz Ferdinand - from the album; Tonight:Franz Ferdinand , This one is for your alternative rock lovers, and the bouncy-fun-rock tune works every time. Just have a listen, you'll soon be smiling and thinking how fun and sexy these guys can make an evening.

18. Stick with Me Baby by Robert Plant/ Alison Krauss ; On their unlikely pairing from the album Raising Sand, these two can sing a love song, dreamy and true. I love their harmonies and so will your Valentine, I'd be willing to bet.

17. Danny's Song by Loggins and Messina - Who could forget this one? This 1971 pop song had everyone falling in love again with Loggins' sweet sentiments of, "Even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with ya honey " Just read these lyrics and tell me this song won't melt the heart of your loved one.

16. Moon River - Henry Mancini - from the album; Henry Mancini -The Ultimate Collection . Now really, what Valentine wooer's collection doesn't include Moon River? It's a classic and will be forever, that is, unless you don't like sentimental love songs.

15. Chet Baker's - My Funny Valentine , The famous jazz trumpeteer and vocalist does it just right on this one.

14. Annies Song- John Denver ; from; Annies Song-a Collection of His Finest Recordings John Denver- Ok, I know, it's totally sticky-sweet-sappiness, but with all the gooey tenderness in Denver's voice, how could I not include it in this list? I mean, really, how many brides have walked down the aisle to this one?

13. Say When - The Fray - from their self titled album; The Fray - If you like Coldplay, Keane, Counting Crows, or the Wallflowers, you'll probably like these guys. If this album doesn't doesn't do it for you, try their first one, How to Save a Life , and if you still can't swallow the Fray's substance, you could always go for a little Coldplay ...Chris Martin's vocals can woo the coldest lover on the chilliest day of winter. One I Love from the Live 2003 (CD & DVD) is perfect.

12. Charlie Parker - Bird (jazz lovers) from ; Bird: Complete Charlie Parker on Verve . Or if jazz isn't your thing, then put in some of U2's greatest love songs such as; With or Without You, All I Want is You, Ultraviolet (Light my Way), One, The First Time, Desire, or Sweetest Thing, and you've got a winner. You can find a few on; U2 Best of 1980-1990 , Achtung Baby , or just about any of them from Boy .

11. All of Me by Billie Holiday -or The Very Thought of You; from Love Songs and Billie Holiday - Greatest Hits (Sony) . There's nothing like Billie's voice, and swingin' jazz to let a little love into the room, thought these selections aren't very wild or swingin', they'll definitely get your Valentine in the mood.

10. 'S Wonderful, or The Look of Love by Diana Krall ; from The Look Of Love . Actually, this entire album should be included with any wooing, as Diana's sultry voice goes just right with any Valentine's encounter.

9. Sade- Your Love is King or any off of The Best of Sade . This girl puts the exotic-sultry-love-song thing into a whole 'nother category. Sade is sure to win the heart of your Valentine.

8. Something -on the "Crown jewel of the Beatles catalogue"; Abbey Road OR Real Love by John Lennon on his Imagine (Original Soundtrack) . The tenderness of "Something," one of George Harrison's best songs (and only Beatles A-side single contribution) is perfect for this list, as well as John Lennon's Real Love, both would be great, but one would be sufficient. John's lyrics get me every time, " Thought I'd been in love before, But in my heart I wanted more, Seems like all I really was doing, Was waiting for you ".

7. Sacred Love by Sting - Coolly crooning," You're my religion, you're my church
You're the holy grail at the end of my search " Sting always weaves world beat rhythms and instrumentation with rock, jazz and pop in the coolest of ways. His smooth-sultry voice calls to anyone with a heart and this song in particular is perfect for wooing the girl or guy of your dreams.

6. Dream a Little Dream of Me by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Ella & Louis for Lovers ; Everyone knows that the mixture of Ella's smooth style and Louis' gravelly voice makes any lover's meeting more special. And not only is this song perfect for Valentine's Day, but the entire album is great too.

5. Ice Cream by Sarah McLachlan from Fumbling Towards Ecstasy , or I Love You from Surfacing or Mirrorball, OR Love Come from her newest Laws Of Illusion or Loving You is Easy from album of same name. Sarah's sweet-angelic voice and dreamy-ethereal piano and background instruments will woo your Valentine into next year. There's just something about the essence of Sarah's music that speaks to the heart.

4. Tony Bennett - The Best is Yet to Come ; from the The Essential Tony Bennett CD . This old-time crooner is number four on my list for all the hearts he caused to flutter in his day. And his techniques of wooing are indisputable even in this day and age.

3. When a Man Loves a Woman - Percy Sledge from; Ultimate Collection - When a Man Loves a Woman - This list would not be a top 20 list to woo your Valentine without a little Percy. This song gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

2. Anything by Frank Sinatra , - Anyone who has listened to music in the past knows that "old blue eyes" is the way to go when trying to win the affections of your sweetheart, and I couldn't choose only one of them, but if I had to chisel it down to a few albums, then Romance: Songs From the Heart , Sinatra & Strings or Greatest Love Songs are all excellent choices. Did you know that only Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson could rival Frank Sinatra for biggest-selling solo artist of all time? Well, if you didn't, then you know now, and after listening to these choices, you'll see why.

1. This is almost too obvious, and with my huge hint at the intro, I was sure you'd figure this one out. At number one, Marvin Gaye's " Let's Get It on " may be the best Valentine wooer's theme song of all time, with Marvin's velvety-smooth chocolate sound, it may be better than any dessert you could offer and this whole album is the perfect ending to your Valentine's wooing courtship. It will certainly seal the deal for anyone with a beating heart. Check out what Samhot had to say, "Marvin takes us on a romantic odyssey which is every bit as seductive as the title suggests - so seductive, you can almost taste it. Smooth-as-silk vocals give way to fiery, impassioned, ecstatic releases, which are punctuated by the caramel harmony vocals, hushed congas and bongas, strings and a multitude of other instruments. The result? Something as close to the actual...real thing, it's overwhelming. To borrow a quote from the man himself, "you know what I'm talkin' 'bout..." it's so good, it almost makes me cry."

Ha! That was a joke, that number one. I fooled you! No, really and for real, I had to update this list for the number one all time favorite love song to woo your Valentine to the magical genius Stevie Wonder, and a wonder he is. With his "You are the sunshine of my life" single, he wooed every living breathing human alive. You can find this little gem in a great album; The Definitive Collection. Check it out and you won't be disappointed!

So that's it, your top 20 songs to woo your Valentine, and if that hasn't worked yet, and your Valentine isn't wooed entirely, never fear, I have a Bonus selection here.. .with Stevie again, "I was made to love her" from the same album listed above ( The Definitive Collection.). You just can't go wrong with Stevie Wonder...and as that infamous Eddie Murphy lispy line goes, "Stevie Wonder is a musical genius"...still rings true.

Happy Valentine's Day, and good luck wooing your special someone ! Oh, and if you want to make your own cd; get some of these; blank cds

Resources & More Reading;

Amazon.com- Music- Love Songs on Amazon

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