Just in time for one of the most simultaneously loved and hated holidays of the year (12 days to go, but who’s counting? Well yea, I am, but that may be because it’s also my birthday. what’s up Aquarians!?), our good friends at Sonic Boom have compiled this slightly unconventional Valentine’s Top Ten to warm your cold February hearts.
Special thanks to Brad Davis at Sonic Boom for an awesome job on this! Loads of Valentine’s Day karma headed your way this year, Brad.
We’re also giving away a vinyl copy of Sonic Boom’s Valentine’s Top Ten #1 – The Beach Boys “Pet Sounds” to the reader who sends in their top Valentine’s Day-themed song by a Toronto artist to toronto@thevinyldistrict.com. You can get creative with it like Brad does below and think outside the hearts, flowers and chocolate box for this. Good luck everyone!!
#10 – Belle & Sebastian – Write About Love
Belle & Sebastian have always written about love; this time they decided to be overt about it.
#9 – The Ramones – Ramones
A lot of people aren’t going to go along with this – and I understand. The debut album by The Ramones does contain such anti-amorous classics like “Beat On The Brat” and “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue”, but it also contains the crème de la crème of punk rock love songs, “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend”.
#8 – Van Morrison – Moondance
The legendary curmudgeon keeps things beautiful and uplifting on his master work from 1970.
#7 – Teenage Fanclub – Bandwagonesque
This bona fide ‘90s classic has finally received its first American pressing on LP. When the airwaves smelled like Teen Spirit, Teenage Fanclub responded with bittersweet power pop gems like “What You Do To Me”, “December” and “Guiding Star”.
#6 – Big Star – Radio City
The 2nd LP by Alex Chilton and company contains the double punch of “Thirteen” and “I’m In Love With A Girl”, songs that could warm the coldest of hearts.
#5 – Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On
This is perhaps the most obvious and, also, the sexiest album on the list. As a guy who spends most of his time in a record store basement thinking about obscure 7” singles you can trust that I know a thing or two about sexy.
#4 – Chet Baker – Sings
When he had teeth, Chet Baker’s soothing croon embodied romance. This album has a calm and sultry tone that makes it a perfect choice for Valentine’s Day. It also has him singing “My Funny Valentine” to keep things good and literal.
#3 – Magnetic Fields – 69 Love Songs
C’mon! It’s a box set of love songs! And while the concept occasionally gets pushed to its limit (e.g., “Punk Love”), songs like “Come Back From San Francisco” and “The Luckiest Guy On The Lower East Side” make this an essential Valentine listen.
#2 – Al Green – Let’s Stay Together
The title track and “I’ve Never Found A Girl (Who Loves Me Like You Do)” are soul classics and his version of the Bee Gees “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart” takes the already great song to new heights. I think Al Green knows a thing or two about being in love.
#1 – Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
Not usually the first band to come to mind in frigid February, but Pet Sounds contains some of the greatest pop love songs of all time. If “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows” don’t give you faith in love, then Sir/Madam I pity you, and I bid you good day.
