Music to set the mood

Deirdre: Hello, young (and young at heart) lovers! Are you getting geared up for Valentine's Day? We've got something to help things go smooth-like: A dozen songs to get you in the mood. And while you may have heard these before, you probably haven't had a chance to get sick of them thanks to heavy radio rotation.
Alisha: And knowing what you guys know about us, you can probably guess Deirdre and I have not selected the same songs!
Deirdre: HA! So true!



Alisha: So, whatcha got on your playlist?
Deirdre: First on my list has to be a Marvin Gaye song. Not "Let's Get It On"; that's overplayed. I'm talking 'bout "I Want You." The song is candid and mature, and it's a perfect blend of love and lust, the sacred and the sensual.
Alisha: Who doesn't love Marvin Gaye? ... Topping my list is Tracy Byrd’s “Keeper of The Stars.” I’ll be honest: This is mine and my husband’s “song.” It’s just one of those country love ballads that speak right to the heart.
Deirdre: Sounds sweet. Next I'd have to go with a tune that's almost a standard: "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" It's one of the most romantic songs I've ever heard. It's been recorded by lots of great singers, but I'm partial to the version we sample here, by Mr. Mel Torme.
Alisha: I have to go with Greensboro, N.C.-based punk band, Athenaeum. A good friend turned me on to this group back in 1997. "No One" is a must-listen: "And out on your doorstep I was all butterflies/'Cause all of the moonlight in the sky/Was no match for your eyes."
Deirdre: Nice. I mentioned oft-recorded standards earlier, and here's another -- only it's Spanish: "Adoro." Every time I hear it, I sigh. Who wouldn't melt at the thought that another person adores everything about them? "You are my existence, my emotion/you are my moon, you are my sun/you are my night of love."
Alisha: Never heard “Adoro” before. You’re so worldly, Deirdre! … I'm a huge fan of Disney soundtracks. One of my faves, and it's a great song for those shy men out there, is "Kiss the Girl" from "The Little Mermaid."
Deirdre: Heh. Not too emphasize our differences too much, but I gotta mix it up and go with "Closer," by Nine Inch Nails. Sometimes you don't want tenderness and romance; you want rough passion. "Closer" is edgy, profane, obsessive and more than a little kinky. Totally hot.
Alisha: Hey, I can throw out a dirty ditty - country music style. And, this isn't one you'll find at any wedding ceremony - at least not the sober ones! Conway Twitty's "I'd Love to Lay You Down." One critic noted of this song: "Suggestive adult lyrics like these contributed a lot to Twitty's enduring popularity."
Deirdre: SOLD! I'm a big fan of cheesy '80s power ballads, so I have to include a perfect example of one: "This Could Be the Night," by Loverboy. It's all overwrought emotion and lyrics that don't quite make sense, but the message is clear: somebody's gettin' laid tonight!
Alisha: It's a good thing we have soundclips - I haven't heard half of your songs before! Speaking of the '80s - despite the fact I was 10 when this album came out - I love U2's "All I Want Is You." The lyrics tell your significant other that he or she will be given stories, harbors and diamonds, and all they have to do is be there.
Deirdre: Hey ... I just realized we don't have any chicks on this list! I'm gonna go the total opposite of today's screaming divas and pick Dusty Springfield's "The Look of Love." I'm a big fan of string sections, plus this is a dreamy, understated seduction made even sexier, I think, by the fact the woman is doing the seducing here. The look of love/Is in your eyes/A look your smile can't disguise ...
Alisha: I sense a theme with your selections: Deirdre's Top Nookie Songs. I guess I'll settle for being your sidekick with my final choice. How about LL Cool J's "Hey Lover." It's all about a crush - and what better song for Valentine's Day? "I wonder one day could it be, simple dreams turnin' into reality/Our love would come down so naturally/we would walk down the isle of destiny."

Readers, we know we missed some genres, and we're ready to raid iTunes to build the perfect romantic mix. Got any favorites you want to recommend?