I'd like to preface this list by saying that I totally wussed out. Love songs are a personal thing, you know? I couldn't assign numbers to these songs, no matter how hard I tried. I know some people would have chosen different songs - songs that tug at their heart-strings more - and I know that some people will not like some of these songs at all - but this is my list, dammit.

I will tell you, however, what my favorite Tacoma Love Song is. It's "Weird Liars in Love" by the defunct Mama Loves Daddy.

Why is this my favorite? Because it is.

Without further ado, here is my list of the Top Tacoma Love Songs, ordered thematically:

"Have Love, Will Travel" by The Sonics

If we're talking about Tacoma music, we'd be remiss to leave out The Sonics. To the love song, they brought a hopefulness that's somehow masculine, childish and pining. They expressed a desire to travel the world to find their one true love, but never imply that the search is in vain.

"My Hometown" by Girl Trouble / "Thrice All American" by Neko Case

Not standard love songs, these tracks are about love for and pride in Tacoma. Girl Trouble's take is fiercely anthemic, while Neko Case writes a wistful folk tale about the heart of a city that no one seems to appreciate as much as her.

LINK: "My Hometown" video

"King of Diamonds" by Motopony

Say what you will about Daniel Blue (and plenty has been said already), but he knows how to write a damn good pop love song. "King of Diamonds" sounds like a long-lost FM classic. It's simple and infectious. It's just about perfect.

"Pppps" by The Nightgowns

Possibly the hardest part about this list is deciding which Nightgowns/Elephants love song is my favorite. It seems like every song they release is a pop gem. Ultimately, "Pppps" won my heart via Trevor Dickson's plaintive declaration that he's "still got more to say to you. I do."

LINK: "Pppps"

"Commitment Chant" by Alexander and the Optimistics

Alexander and the Optimistics bring to this list the purest depiction of that desperate longing and fear that love can bring into your life. Over a chugging beatbox, with his soulful warble, Alexander chants these lines over and over: "I'll be there when you die; will you be there when I die? I had my heart set on you."

LINK: "Commitment Chant"

"Hands" by Paris Spleen

Paris Spleen briefly lifts the veil on their trademark machismo swagger for this song, sounding more like the Cure. Josh Vega betrays a wounded jealousy, wondering if the men currently sleeping with his former flame ever remind her of him. It's that oh-so-familiar last vestige of pain that occurs right before you either move on or get lost in the aching indefinitely.

LINK: "Hands"

"In Too Deep" by The Skins

"In Too Deep" resembles a lot of classic pop love songs, when singers weren't too proud to beg for their ex's love back. The narrator blames only himself, saying that he knew he would disappoint her - and he did. Relationships are complicated, and sometimes being good isn't enough. Sometimes love fades. When that happens, love songs will always be there to console us.

LINK: "In Too Deep"