Cupid’s Shuffle

No Valentine’s Day would be complete without sweet love songs to set the mood for a day to be spent with that special someone. From Marvin Gaye’s soulful crooning to The Cure’s brand of bittersweet rock, this playlist covers every V-Day occasion and every relationship status. For those who are spending this Valentine’s Day single, never fear, there are a couple songs included for celebrating singlehood too.

Crushing on someone and finally ready to ask him or her out? The tried and true “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepson is a good choice, or take a risk and surprise your crushee with Death Cab for Cutie’s “I Will Possess Your Heart.” The song ensures success, because not only do the lyrics explicitly say “you got to spend some time with me,” but the band and the song immediately recall ’90s nostalgia — an instant heart-softener, preventing any chance of a “no.”

Just started dating and headed together to a party? Ask the DJ to play “Rock Your Body” by Justin Timberlake (the original or a dubstep remix!). With its danceable beat and super-sexy lyrics, it can be a vehicle to express your attraction to one another. If you can’t dance, do it anyway. No matter how silly the moves, having fun with each other is the first step to building any relationship.

Got a daytime date planned at Six Flags or the Santa Monica pier? Blast The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” on the drive there to get those warm fuzzies going. The song describes a budding love between two free spirits — that is, before the girl disappears. OK, the lyrics are bittersweet — but the beat is lively and Robert Smith’s vocals are lilting, the perfect combination for a day of thrills. Roll down the windows and ignore the traffic as you shout along that your love is “just like a dream!”

Ready to make it serious? “Wild Horses” by the Rolling Stones is easily one of the sweetest songs in all of classic rock and would be a perfect choice to serenade a loved one with, accompanied by an acoustic guitar. A little corny, yes, but Valentine’s Day is the time to be lovably corny. Plus, the chords and lyrics are easy enough to learn and the declaration that “wild horses couldn’t keep me away” is guaranteed to melt the listener’s heart.

Looking for the perfect song to complement candles, roses and a home-cooked dinner? Bust out that iHome and play the sexy and soulful tracks “I’ll Make Love To You” by Boyz II Men and “Let’s Get It On” by the late, great Marvin Gaye. Frankly, the titles say it all. Moving on.

Need a song for cuddling to? No song does the job better than the aptly named, “Never Gonna Leave This Bed” by Maroon 5. Old Maroon 5 songs all serve as great love songs, but this particular one takes the cake, as it is literally about staying in bed and figuratively about never leaving a relationship. And as Adam Levine’s voice soars, it wouldn’t be a terrible idea to whisper along to the lyrics, because “take it, take it all, take all that I have” sounds pretty romantic, right?

Single? Sure, watching The Notebook and crying into a pint of Ben & Jerry’s can be therapeutic, but it’s not worth waking up the next morning bloated with puffy eyes while everyone else is practically glowing with leftover Valentine’s Day cheer. Try having a singles’ party instead, where you might even find a potential someone. Or, if that sounds too sad, just hang out with your best, single friends, and as Park and Recreation’s Tom Haverford would say, “treat yo’self!” Whether that entails a concert, a spa trip or snowboarding, these are the songs to jam out to.

Girl’s day out? Recently anointed the urban girls’ anthem by the television show Girls on HBO, Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” has a pulsing beat and only mildly sad lyrics. So, you can wallow a little, but then proceed to pick yourself up, have an impromptu dance-along and celebrate “Galentine’s” with your single girlfriends and maybe a little retail therapy.

Doing some bro bonding? Jason Derülo certainly isn’t worked up about, being alone as he announces in “Ridin Solo.” Take a page from Derulo’s book and work on your “shine” instead. Take a trip to Mammoth, go see a horror flick at LA Live, trade workout secrets or discuss the merits of Mila Kunis — the options are endless.

Want to have a singles’ party? “Young, Wild and Free” by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa is an instant crowd-pleaser and suggests embracing being single, because it is the equivalent to being young, wild and free. Why not?

Whatever your plans this Valentine’s Day, these songs will set the mood — be it romantic or apathetic — and impress your date or your friends with their appropriateness. Happy Valentine’s Day!