Break out the champagne bottles and the box of chocolates, the long stem roses and the sappy Hallmark cards – it’s Valentine’s Day. A joyous evening of love and lust for some … for others, a long night of loneliness, self-loathing and perhaps a little hard liquor. Our parents conceived us to songs such as “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye and the Righteous Brothers’ romantic anthem “Unchained Melody.” “I Will Always Love You,” a hit for both Dolly Parton and Whitney Huston and the King’s “I Can’t Help Falling In Love with You,” are other candlelight favorites and legitimate love song staples that breach generation gaps.

However, not everybody in this whacked-out world has the same feelings about love as espoused by crooners such as Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday or Joe Cocker and Celine Dion (thank goodness) – some individuals, like certain weirdoes behind the scenes at The Oracle and society at large, enjoy a different definition of love and its fickle ways. Those on the fringe want a song that speaks directly to them, not some saccharine ballad about eternal devotion. Many individuals simply reject their parents’ idea of romantic music or the status quo’s insipid interpretation … some people just can’t lower themselves to the level of most maudlin love songs … or maybe some people are just pissed they don’t have a date tonight.

Here are The Oracle staff’s favorite, ahem, romantic songs.

“Longview” by Green Day

“I’m alone right now … but I’m waiting for Billie Joe Armstong (lead singer of Green Day),” Lindsay Foster said.

“Lick it Up” by Kiss

“As long as everybody’s happy,” said Anthony Gagliano.

“Cherry Pie,” by Warrant

Chris Lemke’s comment was censored.

“Your Song,” by Elton John

“It’s hilarious that he’s talking about how much he loves her and then he doesn’t remember the color of her eyes,” said Dustin Dwyer.

“Walk On,” by U2

“It’s a breakup song … but it’s also a song about a love’s regeneration,” said Michelle Demeter.

“Lover Lay Down,” by Dave Matthews.

“Because it’s Dave,” said Grace Agostin.

“Paradise by the Dashboard Light,” by Meatloaf

“What better means to get the fires going than Phil Rizzutto and the sweet , sultry voice of Meatloaf,” said Ryan Meehan.

“Truly, Madly, Deeply,” by Savage Garden

“The song truly represents how deeply I love my boyfriend … and they (Savage Garden) also have sexy voices,” said Stefanie Green.

“Yesterday,” by The Beatles or “Why Don’t We Get Drunk (and Screw)?” by Jimmy Buffett

“Some songs are for making love and some songs are for ….,” said Carlos Villa.

“Nothing Else Matters,” by Metallica

“That’s as romantic as I get … without being sappy,” said Sam Taylor.

“These are the Times,” by Dru Hill.

“Because the words make sex seem more meaningful. It’s more than just a physical act. You’re giving them a part of you that you can never get back. It makes you feel more comfortable making that connection,” said Kevin Graham.

“Wild World,” by Cats Stevens

“This song makes every guy think of some girl they once loved,” said Chris Budzban.

“These Waves,” by Sasha & Digweed

“I haven’t had sex yet … but when I do I want these break-beat rhythms to cover all the bases,” said Steven Gregg.

“I Want Your Sex,” by George Michael

“Makes public bathrooms romantic,” said Alison McLennan.

“All that I Need,” Method Man f/ Mary J. Blige

“A sentimental song that nobody in hip-hop other than Method Man could pull off,” said Brandon Wright.

“Time in a Bottle,” by Jim Croce

“There’s something to be said for the simplicity of a man armed with only his heart and guitar,’ said Jarrett Guthrie.

“I Want to Grow Old With You,” by Adam Sandler (from The Wedding Singer)

“Sandler’s mullett-sporting ode to love is a perfect Valentine’s Day song for couples of all ages,” said William Albritton.

“I Wanna Be With You Always,” by Lefty Frizzell and “Come Away With Me,” by Norah Jones.

“Frizzell’s 1950s classic is an emotional masterpiece as timeless as any song ever recorded. Jones is one of the few individuals alive possessing a voice so intoxicating that every word she intones sinks in your ears like an arrow straight from Cupid’s bow,” said Wade Tatangelo.