13 Love Songs That Rock

Yes, 13 love songs that rock. Even though I’m Adam 12. Because for some of us, Valentine’s Day isn’t lucky in love, it’s unlucky.

I wrestled with this every year, as I’m sure you might as well. The pessimist in me says that Valentine’s Day is a Hallmark holiday. It’s an expression of love by way of capitalism, which isn’t an expression of love at all when you break it all down. Then the optimist gently reminds the pessimist that the world needs more love in general, so any expression of love on any day is worthwhile.

This even played out when I was putting together the Valentine’s Day edition of my 3-Way @ 3. If you’re not familiar, weekdays at 3, I play a three-song set with a theme. At the beginning of the third song, you can call in and guess the theme, or try to solve it if you’re following ROCK 92.9. on Twitter. There’s even a “home version” you can play any time right here.

My conundrum: do I put together a three-song set where the theme is “Love?” A celebration of love, on Valentine’s Day, seems like an obvious choice. But what about those who don’t “love” Valentine’s Day? Do I listen to the pessimist and toss together a theme that thumbs its nose at Valentine’s Day and mocks love?

13 Love Songs That Rock

I actually went in a different direction with my 3-Way theme. Which means I have a whole slew of unused “love” songs. Some deal with love, some deal with when love goes wrong. But what they all have in common is that they rock. So no matter how you spend your Valentine’s Day, you’ll find at least a few songs here that can help you soundtrack your celebration, get you through a tough day, or just help you rock for awhile.

• 1) Aerosmith "Love In An Elevator"

  “Good morning, Mr. Tyler. Going…down?” The Bad Boys of Boston can’t not be naughty. Even in a department store.

• 2) Def Leppard "Love Bites"

  Maybe low-key the best song on Hysteria? And it’s open to interpretation. Love can “bite” in that it sucks. Or it can give you a little nibble on the neck…

• 3) George Thorogood & The Destroyers "Who Do You Love?"

  Snakeskin on Valentine’s Day? Snakeskin EVERY day. Get after it, George.

• 4) The J. Geils Band "Love Stinks"

  Sometimes love stinks. Sometimes it doesn’t. But one thing is certain: that riff is iconic.

• 5) Led Zeppelin "Whole Lotta Love"

  Led Zeppelin: “We love you, Willie Dixon!”

  Willie Dixon: “Thank you.”

  Led Zeppelin: “We love you so much we’re going to steal your song!”

  Willie Dixon: “???”

• Queen "Somebody To Love"

  Those harmonies. How can you not love ’em? How can you not love Queen?

• R.E.M. "The One I Love"

  “This one goes out to the one I love. This one goes out to the one I left behind.”

• Stone Temple Pilots "Interstate Love Song"

  We love Weiland in a cowboy hat. We love Weiland in any hat, frankly. We love Weiland.

• Tesla "Love Song"

  We love Tesla the band much more than Tesla the car because Tesla the band is road-tested.

• Van Halen "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love"

  Maybe the best Roth-era “love” song? And it’s not even because of anything Dave does, per se. It’s that nasty-ass riff.

• 11) Van Halen "When It's Love"

  Gotta get a Sammy jam in the mix, too. Equal-opportunity Sam & Dave guy here.

• 12) Whitesnake "Is This Love"

  RIP, Tawny Kitaen. You’ll always be our Valentine.

• 311 "Love Song"

  Figured I’d throw in the cover version just to “mix things up” a bit. Get it? “All Mixed Up” is another 311 song! Oh, never mind.