Songs of Love

"Beckett, how do you know you're in love?"

"All the songs make sense." - Castle

Many current pop songs revolve around going to the club, dancing at the club and imbibing great quantities of liquor (looking at you Ke$sha) while at said club. However, love seems to remain the most popular theme. I listen to music at work all day and with Valentine's Day approaching I've been paying more attention to the kind of love songs that I'm hearing. Here are a few of my favorite love songs, categorized by what type of love you might be in the mood for this Valentine's Day. I may have gotten a little carried away. Please add your own favorites in the comments!

Unrequited Love

My Freeze Ray - Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Boy meets girl, boy falls in love, boy invents freeze ray to join the Evil League of Evil.  You know how it goes.

"That's the plan, rule the world

You and me, any day."

Who wouldn't love this guy?

Bittersweet Love

Thirteen - Elliott Smith (originally by Big Star)

Delicate, sweet and sincere

"Would you be an outlaw for my love?

If it's so then let me know

If it's not then I can go

I won't make you."

And So It Goes - Billy Joel
I grew up listening to my mom listen to Billy Joel, and this song stuck with me.

"So I would share this room with you

And you can have this heart to break"

Long Distance Love

Postcards from Italy - Beirut

This may or may not be about a relationship that didn't work out, but the music is beautiful.

"And I would love to see that day, that day is mine

When she would marry me outside with the willow trees"

My postcard from Siena, Italy.

Love with Synchronized Dancing

Bye Bye Bye - *NSYNC

I'm not ashamed to admit it - this was my favorite song well into 2004.

"Ain't no lie."

Tearjerker Love

The Luckiest - Ben Folds

Though this is one of the most pure love songs I know, the stanzas express love in a darker way than I normally expect.

"What if I'd been born fifty years before you

In a house on a street where you live

Maybe I'd be outside as you passed on your bike

Would I know?"

Love Without Lyrics

The Single Petal of a Rose - Duke Ellington

From the "Queen's Suite"

Symphonic Dances from West Side Story - Leonard Bernstein

This clip includes "Somewhere" and "Mambo" and features conductor Michael Tilson Thomas. "Mambo" is one of the most fun pieces I've ever played in an orchestra.

This also falls into the category of "star-crossed love."

Not Feeling the Love

Demons - Guster

From the point of view of someone ending a relationship

"Honest is easy

Fiction's where genius lies"

Song for the Dumped - Ben Folds Five

Please be warned that he uses explicit language!

One of the funniest break-up songs I've heard.

"I wish I hadn't bought you dinner

Right before you dumped me on your front porch."

Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart - Johnny Cash

It speaks for itself.

"Up the elevator of your future, I've been shafted."

Just Love

Hey Soul Sister - Train
My favorite and one of the happiest love songs I know.

"I can be myself now finally

In fact there's nothing I can't be

I want the world to see you'll be with me" 

Teenage Dream - by Katy Perry
I pretend that I don't like Katy Perry, but it's catchy and this version features Darren Criss, a University of Michigan grad!

"I've finally found you

My missing puzzle piece

I'm complete"

What are your favorite love songs?

From xkcd.com