For Valentine’s Day, BBC Radio 6 challenged people to make a mixtape of their six  favourite love songs. Of course, I couldn’t resist, though it was a task reducing the list down to six. I just about managed it, though there are dozens of  others I might included – from Aretha Franklin to Radiohead, from Bob Marley to Lauryn Hill.

And just to add a twist, I’ve added six of favourite heartbreak songs, too.

And I’m sure nobody else agrees with me, on either list.

Songs of love

Patti Smith, Because the Night

Van Morisson, Into the Mystic

Nina Simone, I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl

Otis Redding, Try a Little Tenderness

The Undertones, Get Over You

Yasmin Levy, Una Noche Mas

…and of heartbreak

Etta James, I’d Rather Go Blind

Aretha Franklin, Don’t Play That Song For Me

Amy Winehouse, Back to Black

John Lee Hooker, Baby Please Don’t Go

Bob Dylan, Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright

The Buzzcocks, Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t Have)

The painting is Gustav Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’