Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air. And you want to set the mood with a little bit of music. But you don’t want any of those cheesy adult contemporary soft rock songs overproduced pop power ballads clogging up your speakers. So what’s a person to do?

The answer is to turn to the blues of course. And here’s a more specific suggestion: let Joe Bonamassa serenade you and your lover this Valentine’s Day. However, you can’t put on just any Joe song. “Sloe Gin” might be something of a mood killer on this particular occasion.

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled a special Joe Bonamassa playlist just for your Valentine’s Day. So light those candles. Give them those flowers and box of chocolates or, if she’s really lucky, something sparkly. And enjoy the Joe Bonamassa Blues Rock Valentine’s Day Playlist.

1. “Oh Beautiful!’
From the album Different Shades of Blue
Written by Joe Bonamassa & James House

“Oh Beautiful” is a striking interpretation of what a killer Led Zeppelin groove would sound like in the 21st century. And while musically it may sound like a rock prayer to sex, drugs and music, a closer look at the lyrics reveals a deep yearning for love. The no-holds-barred, edge of your seat guitar solo that Joe elicits like maniac channels that deep desire and frustration of unrequired love that we’ve all experienced. Sometimes, the love not yet found is even all the more powerful than that consummated and this song nails that power. If you’re looking for a song to get you fired up about asking your big crush on a Valentine’s Day date, this is the droid you’re looking for.

2. “Steal Your Heart Away”
From the album Black Rock
Originally written and performed by Bobby Parker

“Steal Your Heart Away” was originally written the by the blues rock pioneer, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Bobby Parker. Parker was most known for his song “Watch Your Step” from 1961, which was highly influential, especially to The Beatles. Joe’s take on the tune adds muscle, swagger, and serious guitar chops to a song that declares the intention to conquer the heart of the beloved. Though the original cut has deep R&B influences, Joe’s transformation of the song into a hard, loud blues rocker highlights the confidence and even aggression underlying the song’s lyrics. Want to win that girl’s heart this Valentine’s Day? Go get her, tiger.

3. “Close to My Fire”
From the album SeeSaw
Originally written by Peter Hoppe and Stephanie Popp
Originally performed by Slackwax featuring Anna Leyne

“Close to My Fire” is a song original recorded by the German duo Slackwax whose electronic music is influenced by a variety of more traditional rootsy genres like blues, soul and jazz. Electronic music isn’t Joe or Beth Hart’s traditional wheelhouse, but when you listen to the original version of this tune with its R&B syncopated guitar strikes and punchy baritone saxophone accents, it all makes a ton of sense. “Close to My Fire” is a straight up song of seduction. Joe wrote a riff for this song that just begs for one’s lover to come hither, and Beth Hart’s crooning is impossible to resist. “Strike a match and set me on fire” she practically begs. This song is hot, hot, hot.

4. “You Upset Me Baby”
From the album Blues Deluxe
Originally written by B.B. King, Jose Josea, & Jules Taub
Originally performed by B.B. King and his Orchestra

Normally in the blues, when you’re upset it’s because you’ve got problems. Not this time. Instead, Joe’s upset because the woman he loves is sooooo damn fine. “Yes, she's thirty-six in the bust / twenty-eight in the waist /Forty-four in the hip, she got real crazy legs / You upset me baby, yes, you upset me baby / Well, like being hit by a fallen tree / Woman, what you do to me. An early classic by the iconic bluesman B.B. King, “You Upset Me Baby” was originally recorded by King in 1954. Joe’s take on the song is filled with passion and confidence – cockiness? There’s no doubt what’s going through his mind – or his guitar – in this instance. Sometimes you have to tell the woman you love just how gooood lookin’ she really is.

5. “Hidden Charms”
from the album Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks
Written by Willie Dixon
Famously performed by Howlin’ Wolf

Although technically this song was first released by Charles Clark and the Willie Dixon Band in 1958, it was Howlin’ Wolf’s take on the tune in 1964 that brought out its not-so-hidden charms and made it a famous blues classic about love. When one thinks of the Wolf, one tends to think of the big guy cryin’ and moanin’ in the moonlight somewhere near a smokestack that, perhaps, is being struck by lightning. Not so this time. This is a Howlin’ Wolf song about being crazy in love. Joe’s take on the song from his famous Muddy Wolf at Red Rocks concert is an upbeat, swingin’ dance tune that’s perfect for any pair of lovers that wants to cut loose and cut a blues rug. It’s the perfect ode to that feeling when you know you love all the things about your partner that everyone else does – but you get to know their secret hidden charms too. And that can be even lovelier. Oh, and it’s got a rockin’ Joe guitar solo to boot!

6. “I Got All You Need”
from the album Driving Towards the Daylight
Written by Willie Dixon

This Willie Dixon song that Joe covered on his album Driving Towards the Daylight is a tune about unlimited devotion to your lover. It’s an upbeat blues rocker that celebrate and jubilates in the feeling of wanting to do anything and everything you can for your partner. I got bread for you when to get hungry / I got water for you when you run dry / I got good time when you get lonesome / I got Heaven before you die / I got all you need! We recommend clearing some space out in your living room so that you can dance to this once. Of course, when you’re done boogying on down and want to dance a little bit closer…

7. “Drive”
from the album Blues of Desperation
Written by Joe Bonamassa & [GET OTHER NAME]

Hands down, no doubt about it, right now we think this is the sexiest and most romantic song in Joe Bonamassa’s whole catalog. In fact, if we have any say in the matter, this song will be right up there in the canon of great blues romance songs. From its minor blues key to its seductive, siren call riff and Joe’s subtle, smoky pianissimo vocals, nobody could resist the romantic power of this one. Its multi-layered acoustic-electric guitar texture and sultry female backup vocals add to its charming allure. A lot of things can go wrong on Valentine’s Day. Maybe you forgot the roses. Maybe you were late for your date because you got stuck in traffic. But throw this song on, and we guarantee you’ll have the date night of your life.

Enjoying your Joe Bonamassa Valentine’s Day? Make sure to check out the Joe Bonamassa Official Store to purchase your copies of Blues of Desperation, Driving Towards the Daylight, and the other fine Joe Bonamassa albums sampled in these playlist now.