One of the things that never ceases to amaze me about listening to music is the ability a song can have to evoke a very specific feeling in a listener.

Whether it’s remembering the lovestruck joy of a first kiss and the jittery anticipation of things to come, or the painful despair of a heart-wrenching breakup, songs about love can be some of the most powerfully emotional of all.

It seems that nearly everyone who has ever picked up a six-string or belted out a few notes has done a song about love. The crazy thing about the 10 bazillion love songs ever made – you may want to check my math on that – is that each one manages to put their own spin on what it means to experience this uniquely personal act.

When you really think about it, isn’t falling in love with a song much the same as falling in love with a person? You never know when it’s going to strike.

It may be obvious – a new hit by your favorite band, or it may be unexpected – a classic tune you didn’t know existed – but once it hits, you cannot get the thought of it out of your head.

And like great loves, great songs may come and go, but you never really forget them.

That said, here’s a sample of some of the love songs I’ve loved over the years.

Chances are, you have a long list of your own favorites, but if you find yourself in a bind for Valentine’s Day date music, these might be worth a try.

Check out http://tinyurl/streaminglove to download any or all of them as an iTunes iMix.

Al Green, “Let’s Stay Together”

Honestly, I don’t think anyone can rival the Rev. Green when it comes to making love songs. Many have tried to match the smooth soul sounds of the many hits this man produced over the years, but none seem to nail the lyrical sincerity or the warm textured voice of this musical legend.

Listen.

Garth Brooks, “The Red Strokes”

Sure, it’s a bit cheesy, but as an artist, I’ve always been a sucker for the metaphors used in this country classic. Plus, the lyrics are just a such as beautiful depiction of what love is all about.

Dean Martin, “You’re Nobody ’Til Somebody Loves You”

There’s not much to be said about the song that can’t be summed up by the title, but there’s definitely something undeniable about it’s big sound, earnest message, and Martin’s velvety voice delivering the command “So find yourself somebody to love.”

Listen.

Counting Crows, “Colorblind”

This song says a lot about the insecurities of love with some of the most amazing, understated piano riffs. There’s some debate about its true meaning, but to me it seems to talk about the defenses we put up to keep people from seeing our true natures and the amazing yet terrifying feel you get when you let your defenses down for someone you love.

Listen.

Journey, “Open Arms”

If I had to survive on one power ballad for the rest of my life, this would be it. Almost the opposite of the Crows’ previous track, this tale of love lost and found and giving yourself fully to one another is one of the most touchingly theatric pieces of rock music ever made.

Listen.

Bob Dylan, “Make You Feel My Love”

I’m generally annoyed by Dylan – so sue me! – but this is an amazingly soulful track. Its touching lyrics are so great that it’s been covered by everyone from Billy Joel to Garth Brooks to Adele, but Dylan’s nasal rasp delivers lines like “There ain’t nothing that I wouldn’t do/To make you feel my love” better than anybody.

Listen.

The Beatles, “All You Need Is Love”

It’s probably too cliche to even mention, but the combination of a recent viewing of “Across the Universe” and those always-on Blackberry commercials brought it to the top of my mind.

Listen.

Amos Lee, “Arms of a Woman”

This sweet Southern tune is a beautiful description of the feeling a woman’s love can bring a man. It’s a bit unclear, but it seems to me as though he’s referring about being alone and seeking the same feelings of love and comfort from another woman as he had from his mother as a child.

LL Cool J, “Hey Lover”

Although it’s really about stealing a girl away from her boyfriend – romantic, huh? – you gotta give this rap legend some credit for being the first to get out there and make love songs while still trying to look hard. From the get-go, LL was making hits off of love songs like “I Can Give You More” and “I Need Love,” but for me, adding in love song veterans Boyz II Men on the hook puts this song above the rest.

Listen.

Usher, “U Got It Bad”

This guy has been all sorts of smooth since coming up as a young R&B prodigy in the mid ’90s and has made plenty of love-worthy hits. I chose this partially for its powerful refrain “I’m your man/You’re my girl/ I’m gonna tell it to the whole wide world” and partially on sentimental value – it was “our” song for my wife and me in college and the first dance at our wedding.

Listen.

Incubus, “Southern Girl”

These rockers have a nice set of soft songs scattered among their more bombastic catalog, but this ranks among the best. With lead singer Brandon Boyd’s vocals ranging from a an ethereal whisper to a desperate wail, he brings to life a great description of a man willing to do anything to get a woman he sees his one-in-a-million match.