Valentine’s Day is not good or evil. Like most things it’s how we perceive the day that determines whether it’s a life affirming romp into the eternal optimism of love in full bloom… or a soul crushing  confirmation that love does, in fact, stink.  This is a playlist for those in the latter camp.  It’s a little beautiful and a lot cheesy, full of guilty pleasures, deep confessions and turgid guitar solos. We hope you will crank it loud, sing along and arrive at the conclusion that, in spite of the ups and downs, it’s pretty awesome to have a heart that can feel so much.  On this Valentine’s Day if we could give you a Necco Conversation Heart, it would say “You Rock.”

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J. Geils Band – Love Stinks

Bon Jovi- You Give Love a Bad Name

Patty Griffin- Mad Mission

Coldplay- The Scientist

Poison- Every Rose Has Its Thorn

Elton John- I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues

REO Speedwagon- Keep On Loving You

Stars- Your Ex-Lover is Dead

Eric Carmen- All By Myself

Band of Horses- No One’s Going to Love You Like I Do

REM- Losing My Religion

U2- With or Without You

Phil Collins- One More Night

Death Cab For Cutie- Your Heart is an Empty Room

Jeff Buckley- Last Goodbye

Ben Harper- Walk Away

The Wedding Presents- Dalliance

Gotye- Somebody That I Used to Know

Bob Marley- No Woman No Cry

The Magnetic Fields- Absolutely Cuckoo

Kate Nash- Foundations

Whitesnake- Here I Go Again On My Own

Nada Surf- The Blankest Year

Simple Minds- Don’t You Forget About Me