When you’re in love, it’s great. But at some point, if you’re no longer in love, it stinks.

There it is, folks — Valentine’s Day in a nutshell.

Love is so strong an emotion that when we’re in it, we want to sing to the world about our love, about the beauty and wonder of the world around us.

It’s also so strong that it can quickly turn bitter when our love is spurned. And when that happens, we want to sing to the world again — of our anger, of our hurt, of our hopelessness.

So on this Valentine’s Day, give these songs a listen and enjoy.

Or cry.

AIMSEL’S LOVE SONGS

“You Take My Breath Away,” Tuck & Patti

“Orion in the Sky,” Shawn Colvin

“Heroes,” David Bowie

“This Must Be the Place,” Talking Heads

“Falling Slowly,” Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

RAY’S LOVE SONGS

“You Are So Beautiful,” Joe Cocker

“Almost Like Being in Love,” Nat “King” Cole

“Walking on Sunshine,” Katrina and The Waves

“Close to You,” The Carpenters

“Cherish,” The Association

AIMSEL’S ANTI-LOVE SONGS

“Untouchable Face,” Ani DiFranco

“Putting the Damage On,” Tori Amos

“Please Do Not Go,” Violent Femmes

“The Last Day of Our Acquaintance,” Sinead O’Connor

“Delicate,” Damien Rice

RAY’S ANTI-LOVE SONGS

“Love Stinks,” The J. Geils Band

“Used to Love Her,” Guns N’ Roses

“All By Myself,” Eric Carmen

“Alone Again (Naturally),” Gilbert O’Sullivan

“Forget You,” Cee Lo Green