Last year’s Valentine’s Day feature was so successful that we couldn’t resist going for another round. Here are 14 tunes chosen by The Plugg staff that would hopefully make today’s cheese-fest just a little brighter…

RustyCat
Anyone Else But You – The Moldy Peaches
Well, if you haven’t seen Juno by now, you must be giving up on movies all together. The lovely indie comedy drama about a sixteen year old girl who gets pregnant and all the characters surrounding her is spot on the brightest film of the year. That being said I feel like the last frame we see in the movie of the two leading chracters singing this tale to one another captures it all. For me this is the ultimate alternative love song.
The line that says it all - “We sure are cute for two ugly people”

Lee H
Habeas Corpses (draconian love) - El-P
In the song “Habeas Corpses (Draconian Love)” El-P is a prison guard who falls in love with prisoner # 247290 ZED. During their courtship he whispers sweet nothings into her ear like “You know, you look really pretty without handcuffs on.” Ah, forbidden love.

D Thompson
Punk Rock Girl - The Dead Milkmen
Here’s the irresistible image of two punk kids running around in love and giving the world the finger that much more because of it.

Ryan
This Heart’s on Fire - Wolf Parade
There’s nothing like a dark, iconic love song that rocks. Wolf Parade’s “This Heart’s on Fire” is an admission of guilt. Picture yourself admitting to yourself over a cold beer that you give a damn or that you are happy to set yourself up for a big fall. Happy to be subjected to pain, Dan Broeckner sings a mantra that could be dripping blood. “It’s Getting Better All The Time….” I think he means it - but it’s awful hard to tell if it’s a good thing. An amazing song!

Mozzer
Open Your Eyes - Snow Patrol
Though simplistic, the lyrics are pleading and heartfelt. The impassioned dynamics are present as tension builds, the dam bursts, and we are awash with emotion in the climactic finish. Love, as always, comes through in the end.

Yaya
A Song For Me - Noa Babayof
Taken from Noa’s debut album, recorded and produced by Greg Weeks of the Espers in his studio in Philadelphia. The song brings a familiar yet refreshing perspective on love and relationships. Led by Noa’s unique vocals and performance, along with Weeks’ strings arrangements, this is one of the best love songs written in recent years. The entire album is mesmerizing and captivating.

Charbarred
Pawnshop (Ain’t No Place for a Wedding Ring) - Whiskeytown
This was the first song by Whiskeytown I’ve ever heard (mainly due to a spelling error when searching for them on Napster). Nevertheless, the imagery of a man so desperate to propose that he’s willing to buy a wedding ring at a pawnshop just gets me every time. Add to that the fact that they keep repeating the lyrics over and over, and you’ve got yourself a winner.

D Thompson
Green Grass - Tom Waits
Leave it to Tom Waits to sing a love song from the point of view of a dead guy. Who else could sing about green grass and mean the green grass on his grave.
How romantic!

Mozzer
Tonight, Let’s Dance - Elefant
This is for all who’ve yearned to ask that special someone to dance, but never got up the nerve. So goes a similar story, except the person here abandoned all reservations and pursued his desire. Will romance blossom from his moment of lovelorn bravery? Being that this is Valentine’s Day, romantic affection is almost assured.

Ryan
That’s How Strong My Love Is - Roland Gift
I have selected a good-old fashioned lover’s classic to share on this Valentine’s Day. Roland Gift is the former lead singer of the Fine Young Cannibals. Here he performs Otis Redding’s smoldering “That’s How Strong My Love Is,” a track that threatens to break hearts and at the same time, soothe souls. This soul-drenched track played a large part in the movie, Beautiful Girls - a film that leans very heavily on its strong soundtrack.

RustyCat
Someday You Will Be Loved - Death Cab for Cutie
Although this tune might feel sad at times I find it a very hopeful tale and I think it’s a definite alternative love song. The production is great; it’s got all of deathcab’s greatest songwriting shticks and flows from start to finish.

Charbarred
Sparrow- Selfish Gene
I wrote this song many years ago. Before I even brought it to my band I played to this girl I was seeing. I insisted it wasn’t a love song. I don’t know if she bought it, but I think my band did. I perceived it as a song about getting your muse back. Looking back at it after all those years, it’s quite obvious it is a love song, and one of the few I’ve ever written. It being Valentine’s Day, I figured it’s due time I re-dedicate Sparrows as a love song to that girl I was seeing who would later on become my wife.

Lee H
This Ain’t A Surfin’ Movie - Minus The Bear
I really haven’t had time to dig into Minus the Bears most recent album “Planet of Ice” yet. I’m still infatuated with “Menos El Oso.” “This Ain’t A Surfin’ Movie” is about two people deciding to leave everything behind and live out their days on the beach. It’s a very Southern Californian way to live which would make total since if they weren’t from Seattle.

Yaya
Your Wedding - Smog
Oh babe, let me feel your warmth. Let me hear your heavy breathing. Let me see the lust in your eyes. Stab me with your kitchen knife. Lick the blood off my eyes. Call me in years time. Tell me all about him. I’ll bring a friend, we’ll celebrate together. Can I have the second dance? The breath is soar. I hope Ma and Pa are aging well. It ain’t me babe, It’s Mr. Walker. Love me babe till the end of times. Hope you’ll die tomorrow morning.

Happy Valentine’s Day!