But if “Grenade” or “The Edge Of Glory” aren’t hitting the spot this year, perhaps a new tactic should be employed: a journey to the rap world to seek the best verses spawned by love struck emcees.

Jay-Z featuring Beyonce – “ ’03 Bonnie & Clyde”

Nine years before they were proudly showing off Blue Ivy Carter to the masses, Jay-Z and Beyonce collaborated on this single for Hova’s “Blueprint 2” album. From metaphorical high-speed car rides to Beyonce’s “Sex in the City” obsession – Jay-Z covers all bases of their relationship as he raps proudly about how he’s “got my thoroughest girl wit me.”

Jay-Z’s song samples the beat from 2Pac’s “Me and My Girlfriend.” But the latter rap should best be left off romantic night playlists – unless lines like “Watch em fall screaming, automatic gunfire, exorcising all demons” seem to somehow fit the mood.

Eric B. & Rakim – “What’s On Your Mind”

For all those couples that love to recount their first meeting, this 1991 song will be the perfect addition to a Valentine’s Day mix CD. The rap duo goes into great detail about a fateful meeting with a beautiful girl on a train. There’s even an entire verse dedicated to a single telephone conversation; talk about properly chronicling the moment.

50 Cent – “21 Questions”

When looking across the table into the eyes of a Valentine’s Day date, it’s natural to feel some uncertainty. Luckily the talented lyrical wizard 50 Cent has created a blueprint of questions to pose to a suitor. The queries have extraordinary range, from the simple – “If I wrote you a love letter would you write back?” and “If I didn’t smell so good would you still hug me?” – to the real things that matter in life: “If I got locked up and sentenced to a quarter century, could I count on you to be there to support me mentally?”

LL Cool J – “I Need Love”

For anyone having trouble expressing themselves to their date, pop on “I Need Love” and let LL Cool J speak for you: “When I’m alone in my room sometimes I stare at the wall / And in the back of my mind I hear my conscience call / Telling me I need a girl who’s as sweet as a dove / For the first time in my life, I see I need love.”

Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige – “I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need”

Awkward silence on the post-date car ride? Pop on this track to get those duet juices flowing.

Inspired by Marvin Gaye’s love song “You’re All I Need To Get By,” Method Man teamed up with Mary J. Blige to create this 1995 love rap single. “Back when I was nothin, you made a brother feel like he was somethin,” raps Method Man. “That’s why I’m with you to this day, boo, no frontin / Even when the skies were gray, you would rub me on my back and say, ‘Baby it’ll be OK.’”

Lupe Fiasco – “Paris, Tokyo”

By the end of the night, a date might be seeking some form of commitment. There’s no better time to play a song that promises some international loving.

This Lupe Fiasco song was released in 2008 but has the feel of a classic 90s rap beat. “Let’s go to sleep in Paris and wake up in Toyko,” goes the chorus. “Have a dream in New Orleans, fall in love in Chicago.” Of course, Fiasco is taking all the trips solo and is just with his love in spirit (“Wherever I go, she goes”) but perhaps one’s suitor won’t notice this small detail.

Eminem – “Space Bound”

And of course, no rap love songs playlist is complete without a twisted Marshall Mathers melody. Most of Eminem’s verses center around his self-conscious nature and anger at a lover he is convinced is betraying him. But with a chorus line like “I’m a space bound rocket ship and your heart’s the moon and I’m aiming right at you” how can this song not tug at the heartstrings?

Chris Shores can be reached at [email protected].