I like my love songs to tell a story.

I dislike love songs where lyrics paint a vague ephemeral "slot, my love, into space here" picture for the listener. The kind of song, when mixed with the heady potion of emotion that is love, creates the illusion that "it's written for me."

Here are my feelings on love, in ten songs.

The first few entries are for those that have experienced the purgatory of a long-distance relationship or those romantics who wish to daydream about the experience and drink the heady brew of melancholy.

(I) Maps by the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs

From the tremolo single note that runs through the song like Repunzal's hair reaching out across the distance to your faraway love, to Karen O's emotion-drenched vocals (she's crying for real in the video), this is a siren's song reaching out from my speakers.

https://youtu.be/oIIxlgcuQRU

(II) Birds and Ships Natalie Merchant

No need to spoil this by waxing lyrically about it. Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/aHbQ-rrwSt8

(III) Wings by Birdy

The sonic form of that feeling of wanting to share them now with someone who's not there.

https://youtu.be/eBKfy0FwUC8

The social construct of romantic love is often surprisingly sexually sterile. In fact, love can often be portrayed as something too pure to be tainted with the base feeling s of lust.

Those people in real relationships will know that having that little "Va Va Voom" feeling about your partner (even if he/ she wouldn't provoke that feeling in everybody) can be quite important, even if it's shared through a simple kiss. So, let's take a look at some "getting it on songs!"

(IV) Sexual Healing.

Best make-up sex song ever. Possibly saved my marriage on multiple occasions.

https://youtu.be/rjlSiASsUIs

(V) Desire by Meg Myers.

When there was that online-generated fake scandal about the sexually liberated WAP by Cardi B, I couldn't help but think about this song. Cardi B presents the woman's sexual power as being too irresistible for the man to say no, Meg Myers very much presents desire as something aggressive, and even dark and sinister. I have been hoping for the debate of women's sexuality in songs to disappear since Madonna's Erotica album (an ugly, Frankenstein monster of a record) in the '80s. I guess I'll have to keep waiting for society to accept women are just as sexual as men and stop making a big deal out of it.

https://youtu.be/P9MbI_UCqoE

The last five entries will look at love in a more general sense.

(VI) I would do anything for love by Meat Loaf

It's Valentine's day and sometimes Valentine's is about having some incredibly sugary sweet chocolates. This Meat Loaf opus magus of over-the-top rock schlock is the song equivalent of eating a box of chocolates. Don't listen too many times, you might get tooth decay.

https://youtu.be/bgghy8gmCvQ

(VII) 3 Rounds and a Sound by Blind Pilot

This simple stripped-down intimate song, exams the idea that true love is about knowing somebody more profoundly than anyone else. Even death and life are divided into knowing and not knowing.

https://youtu.be/juvwlEO-x2o

(VIII) Love You So Bad by Ezra Furman

That "bad means good and bad" wordplay hook drags you by the collar, through a dysfunctional relationship, nested in a supporting cast of dysfunctional relationships. Also, it's punk rock with Cellos, and don't we all want a little bit more of that in our lives?

https://youtu.be/QX8CiG4aRLo

(IX) Human Contact by Beans On Toast

In this wonderful heart on sleeve song, the English singer-songwriter gives voice to everybody separated from their loved ones

https://youtu.be/Tiq50_pXpWk

(X) Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye by Ella Fitzgerald.

A song of intricate artisanal beauty that my wife shares with me from time to time. We danced to this at our wedding. Our song.

https://youtu.be/nP-8dzS1_rM