How many of you had a wonderful Valentine's Day with a special love? Aw, good for you. While you're still hooked on the feeling and high on believing, revisit our celebration of love songs and have a nice weekend.

Now, how many of you got dumped yesterday, right on the buttocks? If so, you have plenty of company. According to canada.com, six million people break up on Valentine's Day. And even more break up in the two weeks leading up to February 14.

OK, I know that doesn't help much. But the fact is that most, if not all, of us have had a bad breakup that devastated us or royally pissed us off — or both. And that's the beauty of breakup songs. They're written by people who have been stepped on, lied to, cheated on and treated like dirt. So no matter how alone you feel, you always have musical company. In fact, let's help out Alice with the track scribe suggested for the breakup scene with Tasha. (For you young'uns, this is The 5th Dimension.)

My favorite breakup songs tend to be of the angry variety. I confess, every Valentine's Day I commemorate a Very Special Breakup by singing "I'm the Only One" along with Melissa, at the top of my lungs.

Ah, the sweet pill of bitterness. You never forget your first cheater.

Another good top-of-your-lungs number is an oldie, but goodie, from Nancy Sinatra. Are ya ready, boots? Start walkin'. … continue reading

OK, that's it. I've had it. I have to admit something that I was trying not to admit to myself. Believe me, facing one's limitations is a tough thing to do. Anyway, here is my confession. I'm simply not smart enough to fully understand Meshell Ndegeocello's latest album, The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams. There, I said it. You win, Meshell. I is confused! But even in my ignorance of all that the album may actually mean, I am digging it like an excavator.

I have been driving around with this CD on a loop for a couple of weeks now, and it really has taken a hold. It may not grab you on the first listen because there is simply too much to process, but I have since found that I can't seem to listen to anything else. This woman's music gets to me. Even when she taunts my intellect and makes "roc is a dunderhead!" jokes about me behind my back, I still love her.

The album was released in late September, and Ndegeocello did a show in New York a couple of weeks ago — yet the release was so quiet, it was hard to know it happened. Ndegeocello is a kind of anti–rock star; she really doesn't promote herself much. She just exists. She seems solely interested in the music, and she knows her fans will find her. And they do.

… continue reading