The Valentine Mix Tape

The Set List

by Brian Washburn

The mother of all nonholidays is upon us once again. No, I’m not talking about Halloween. I’m talking about Valentine’s Day. The holiday created by Hallmark and Hershey’s. The holiday, which either requires you to empty your wallet or watch depressing movies at home while you reflect on your lonesome life. But there is hope.
No, Valentine’s Day will be not obliterated from the calendar. You will still have to sit through your basic romantic comedies, whether or not you have a date. Hope will come in the form of the everyman medicine: music.
Whether you are hopelessly in love, broken-hearted or simply just looking for a good time on this hellish holiday, an array of mix tapes will suffice in all of this situations. And it might also save you money when your thoughtfulness overtakes that $100 bracelet you were supposed to buy your longtime girlfriend. Showing her you care through song will be more than enough. With these songs as starters, you can really show your Valentine you care. Warning: Michael Bolton came nowhere near this list.

1. “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s. This song has about everything a sappy love song should. A great melody and it’s emotional with extremely catchy lyrics. It’s acoustic.

2. “Everlong” by Foo Fighters. Not your typical love song, but it definitely rocks. It will take a turn off the cliche path your mix tape is probably heading toward at some point and mix it up. Plus, who wouldn’t fall for a line like “you gotta promise me not to stop when I say when?”

3. “Umbrella” by All Time Low. A cover always has to be on the track list to a great love soundtrack, especially if your significant other has an ear for pre-teen pop-punk bands. “Umbrella” might not be the best choice for the cover selection, but everyone can pick their own poison. A reminder, though, any coverof “Wonderwall” has become redundant at this point in time.

4. “Hold My Hand” by Hootie and the Blowfish. What says Valentine’s Day more than a little Hootie? For those more adventurous, substitute Poison’s “Talk Dirty To Me.”

5. “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley. One of the greatest voices in music history singing one of the greatest songs ever written. It’s slow, moving and simply mind-blowing. Buckley construes the ear to the point that flowers and chocolates won’t be necessary.

While Valentine’s Day is all about lovers and significant others, it also has a downside. Yet, there is hope for those lonely hearts, as well. Just sit back, listen and reminisce on the songs that take the saying “living well is the best revenge” to a whole new meaning.

1. “Heartless” by Kanye West. It might be a downer at first, but it is just the beginning of the Valentine’s Day rehab program. It gives the brokenhearted the swagger of Kanye with the resentment of a just-got-dumped junior high kid. Trust me, it will set the mood.

2. “Surprise Surprise” by The Starting Line. “I’ll be your friend in hell, until then I’ll despise you.” With these words shouted from any mouth in any direction, it’s only a matter of time until the night becomes yours.

3. “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” AC/DC. It’s definitely acceptable to wail about hiring a hit man for girl nagging at you night and day, especially when it’s enough to drive you nuts.

4. “About a Girl” The Academy Is. The most emo song about standing strong on the most emo of holidays. It’s at this point in the night you pump the music loud and scream at the top of your lungs “I’m not in love.” Just make sure your neighbors don’t hear you, it might be a bit embarrassing if they realize this is how you’re spending your night.

5. “Rock and Roll All Night” by KISS. It’s not a love song. It’s not even about being heartbroken. But by this point on Valentine’s Day you have either gotten over your loneliness and are ready to rock, or you have drunk so much it doesn’t matter any more … and you’re ready to party.