Some random thoughts about Valentine’s Day and “romance”, both of which I hate.

1. There’s an episode of Malcolm in the Middle where Lois challenges Hal’s statement that he never even thinks about other women. Lois says something like, “If that’s true, that makes me look bad because I’ve looked at other men. It means you love me more.” And Hal answers, “Oh honey, I’ve always known I love you more. If you loved me as much as I loved you, nothing would ever get done. We’d never leave the bedroom.”

That notion of accepting you love someone more and being perfectly ok with it? That’s the most real, romantic version of love I’ve ever heard of.

2. I’ve never seen the movie Say Anything, but if a guy was going to stand outside my window holding a boombox, I’d really want it to be playing this song.

I want a girl with a mind like a diamond
I want a girl who knows what’s best
I want a girl with shoes that cut
And eyes that burn like cigarettes

I want a girl with the right allocations
Who’s fast and thorough
And sharp as a tack
She’s playing with her jewelry
She’s putting up her hair
She’s touring the facility
And picking up slack

I want a girl with a short skirt and a lonnnng jacket……

3. In spite of being a dysfunctional unromantic beast I can be brought to tears by love songs AND anti-love songs (which are really still love songs, just to former or unrequited loves). Here’s this year’s soundtrack.

Just Give Me a Reason- P!nk and Nate Ruess

I can’t even with this song. I love it so much. I’ve been there, where there is no logical reason to go on with a relationship, and you’re begging for something to hold onto. Or, I can equally relate to it as a love song to someone with a mental illness.

Also, I just want to give Nate Ruess big hugs. All day long.

True Love- P!nk

P!nk does all the best dysfunctional love songs. When this one came out, I saw a lot of people on Facebook who really had a problem with the lyrics and I was baffled. I told Jeff it was our song and I’m pretty sure he’s refused to ever listen to it.

Anyway, the video is a bit silly, but so is the song.

Say Hey (I Love You)- Michael Franti & Spearhead

Makes me smile all the smiles. I think this would make a great first dance at a wedding.

You’re No Good- Bob Dylan

It’s not a playlist unless Dylan’s on it. I love to sing this one. (There’s a YouTube video of me singing it out there somewhere.)

Say Something- A Great Big World with Christina Aguilera

This is the first time I’ve seen the video, and I don’t love it. In my mind’s eye it’s a couple in the middle of a fight and one has just given up arguing… the other is trying to fight for the relationship but ultimately realizes the loving thing to do is to let both parties go on with their lives and try to find happiness elsewhere. Very similar to Just Give Me a Reason, I suppose.

Please Do Not Go- Violent Femmes

I’ve loved this song for so long I’m at a loss to explain why. It was one of the first ones I demanded my son learn to play after he started playing guitar.

Same Love- Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Not my favorite Macklemore song, but the one I’m happiest to see get airplay. “No freedom until we’re equal, damn right I support it.”

Don’t read the comments. Just don’t.

Jesus & Mary Chain and Hope Sandoval

This song = my teenage dating years.

Take a Bow- Rihanna

I’m not a big Rihanna fan AT ALL, but this is a beautiful song. Full of hurt and anger over misplaced love… the video is pretty cheeky though, takes the edge off.

Gives You Hell- All American Rejects

Am I getting old? This video doesn’t make any sense to me. Great anti love song though (even as it smacks of “why didn’t you love meeeee?”)— pretty much every spurned teen’s fantasy to be have this song apply to them.

You Oughtta Know- Alanis Morissette

Still my vote for best scorned woman anthem ever. (Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats gets an honorable mention.)

Right Here Waiting- Richard Marx

Including this one as a present to my husband. Happy V Day Jeff! This is as romantical as I get.

Here’s last year’s playlist.

Here’s a tongue-in-cheek Valentine’s Day playlist arranged by BPM I put together for FitFluential. “Love” or “Heart” shows up in the title or band name, but mostly it’s a fun cardio playlist to get your heart rate up.

RedEnvelope posted a love song/anti love song list this week too. It’s pretty good (and I’m sharing because I had a kickass experience with them this month as a customer so they’re on my nice list).

Hit me with your favorites! I love new playlists.