(In no particular order)
Lovesong by The Cure – It’s so great it has been covered and remade by bands like 311, Anberlin and A Perfect Circle. It’s pretty straightforward and is one of the most recognizable tunes in rock music even today, 16 years after its release.
The Line: Whenever I’m alone with you, you make me feel like I am free again.
Nightingale by Saves the Day – I first heard this "emo" song around 2001 and it kind of stuck to me ever since. It’s got a catchy tune for a song by a punk band and the lyrics make it feel almost regal. It’s one of those songs you can’t get out of your head that sometimes it becomes annoying.
The Line: If I were king of this night, would you become my queen?
Tonight, Tonight by the Smashing Pumpkins - This song has this epic sound that makes the song feel like it’s the only one that exists. Billy Cogan’s voice is priceless in pulling off this masterpiece of a song.
The Line: Believe in me as I believe in you, tonight.
Heart-Shaped Box by Nirvana — From the "In Utero" album, this song was Kurt Cobain’s tribute to wife, Courtney Love. Containing the same kind of grunge-metal sound Nirvana is known for, but with unusually sweet lyrics, Heart-Shaped Box is arguably the largest proof the rockers have a mushy side.
The Line: Hey! Wait! I’ve got a new complaint. Forever in debt to your priceless advice.
Vermillion part 2 by Slipknot — Notoriously heavy rock band Slipknot experiments with simple guitar acoustics in this song. I must say, they do a heck of a job in pulling it off. The song is sweet, sad, desperate and mellow. Slipknot creates an unrequited love song to be remembered, despite stepping out of character.
The Line: She’s a myth I have to believe in.
The Sweetest Thing by U2 — This is Bono’s "I’m Sorry" to his wife after forgetting an important date (it was either her birthday or their anniversary). U2 delivers a light, melodic tune filled with lyrical irony and playful images. I’m quite sure Bono was forgiven after he sang this to his wife. I guess the money he raked in with this hit was just icing on the cake. Oh, the sweetest thing.
The Line: I’m losing you. Ain’t love the sweetest thing.
Letters To You by Finch — This song is a modern punk classic. Letters to You features the screams and heavy guitars one might expect from a punk rock band. Its longing-for-you lyrics though are what separate it from the pack.
The Line: But I’m not sleeping and you’re not here. The thought stops my heart.
Magdalena by A Perfect Circle — The intensity of this song is so strong that you could call it a song of worship. Found in their "Mer De Noms" album, Magdalena is a song about obsession, sacrifice and worship. This is probably the most intense in the list.
The Line: So pure, so rare to witness such an earthly goddess.