Nothing says “I love you” like diamonds. But if times are a little tight (or you’re only 90 percent sure you’re in love), a mixtape can say almost as much. Of course, the key is choosing the right songs. And to best serve the hopeful Romeos in our audience, we asked a hodgepodge of stars and music-business types ranging from Ashlee Simpson and Kelly Clarkson to Paul Stanley of Kiss and J Records head Clive Davis to help us assemble the perfect Valentine’s Day mix CD. Don’t miss “Date Movie” actor Eddie Griffin’s very, er, scientific approach to the art at the end …

Beyonc: “[Anything by] Luther Vandross. He was nice, so sweet, and he had great love songs: ‘A chair is not a chair, a house is not a home.’ What’s the best love song I’ve ever written? ‘Dangerously in Love.’ “

- MTV News