Valentine’s Day: When You Care Enough To Make The Very Best Segue

The calendar page has turned from January to February again, and the days creep ever closer to Valentine’s Day. This creates a dilemma for nearly every man: “Should I continue seeing this woman, and be forced to make some effort in purchasing a gift?” For decades now, those seeking a simple and inexpensive out from the present-giving game have headed toward their stereos in search of the answer: The Valentine’s Day mix. Idolator reviews some online Valentine’s Day selections to help you with your own lazy venture.

Sexy R&B Slow Jams by Mike Street Mike Street uses his cred as a former BET employee (one can only hope he worked on some episodes of Midnight Love) to assemble a mix that is the likely soundtrack at Smoove B‘s condo this weekend. MOST SURPRISING INCLUSION: Mary J. Blige, “I’m Goin’ Down,” a track that’s more lament than love jam. HIGHLIGHT: H-Town, “Knockin’ Da Boots.” Classic, all the way. LOVE JAM RATING: Two dozen roses (out of five). No Keith Sweat, no credibility.

The Lovecats’ Valentine’s Day Mix JamieMorr, contributor to mixtape-sharing site Art of the Mix, uses the holiday to mix the indie and the indie favorites, from the Smiths to Daniel Johnston. The cute factor runs pretty high, with a Bunnygrunt song and the Lemonheads’ “Into Your Arms”. If you met your significant other picking out overly tight sweaters at the local Goodwill, this mix might be up your alley. MOST SURPRISING INCLUSION: The Beach Boys, “Forever.” For many, this song was ruined by John Stamos’ rendition on a very special Hawaii episode of Full House. HIGHLIGHT: The Cure, “This Twilight Garden.” Picking an obscure B-side? Way to work that credibility with your discography-obsessed partner. LOVE JAM RATING: Three dozen roses (out of five). Cute, but more likely to inspire cuddling than “boot knockin'”.

Dan Gibson’s Valentine’s Day Mixtape for his Wife (2006) Sadly, the tracklisting for this masterpiece is not currently available on the web, but we can assure you it was chock-full of hits. Starting with the Mr. Big classic “To Be With You” and working through fifteen other hits like the Zombies’ “This Will Be Our Year” (note: it wasn’t), it still took a fancy meal to complete the February 14th experience. Unfortunately, this leaves us with little to work with this year, increasing the possibility of having to purchase something. MOST SURPRISING INCLUSION: Robert Nighthawk, “Cheating and Lying Blues.” In retrospect, selecting a song with a chorus that begins “I’m gonna murder my old woman” was a tactical error. However, the Chicago blues classic proved to be a favorite, despite the misogyny factor. HIGHLIGHT: Charanga 76, “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.” We have no idea what they’re saying, but it sounds like a Spanish cover of the McFadden and Whitehead song. Can’t miss. LOVE JAM RATING: Three dozen roses (out of five). We also made the mistake of omitting Keith Sweat.

H-Town – Knockin’ the Boots [MP3, link expired] The Cure – This Twilight Garden [MP3, link expired] Robert Nighthawk – Cheating and Lying Blues [MP3, link expired] BONUS! Keith Sweat – I Want Her [MP3, link expired]