10. “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You,” Led Zeppelin
A Spanish-sounding chord progression works every time; it’s exotic, and it gets the blood hot. Just ask Shakira. And if you’re not one for commitment, the lyrics to this Zep ballad will make your dubious intentions known beforehand.

9. “Your Body Is a Wonderland,” John Mayer
Just cut right to the carnal chase, buddy. Mayer isn’t singing about the wonders that science and medicine have taught us about certain viruses and bacteria that dwell in the epidermis. Viruses, bacteria—bad call. Concentrate on her exterior features instead. If this sounds too complicated, just play her “Daughters.”

8. “Baby I Love Your Way,” Peter Frampton
Rumor has it that Frampton made it with all of Madison Square Garden after performing this song in New York on his 1977 tour. OK, so maybe he never got to the back row—but to think he even got as far as midcourt with lines like “I can see the sunset in your eyes/Brown and grey and blue besides.” We’re guessing that the talk box was the deal-closer.

7. “You and Me,” Lifehouse
Waltzes are the ticket to romance. Why? Because women like to dance. To make this one work, you’ve got to make eye contact with your subject when you sing the line “I don’t know why … I can’t keep my eyes off you.” No, not literally cornea to cornea. That would be painful, not to mention creepy.

6. “Wonderful Tonight,” Eric Clapton
Whatever you do, stay away from “Tears in Heaven”— it may sound sexy, but it’s tragic. Stay positive and optimistic. Talk about the future, as in later on tonight. Clapton’s classical cadences at the end of each guitar phrase make for a nice dramatic flourish. And if you plan to attempt the lead bends, please, try not to suck—your night depends on it.

5. “Name,” Goo Goo Dolls
Face it, pal—if you get any attention from successfully performing any ballad in the Goo Goo Dolls’ repertoire, you must realize that what’s-her-face is fantasizing about Johnny Rzeznik, not you. So if you play “Name” once, be prepared to play it on every subsequent date. Your lady friend’s suggestions about how you should style your hair will follow soon enough.

4. “Just Like Heaven,” The Cure
What’s more romantic than idealistic, unrequited love? A song about same, sung in a fake British accent, with lots of ocean metaphors, that’s what. She’ll think Shakespeare himself is crooning. Besides, Robert Smith in his makeup and raven’s-nest hair is the next best female fantasy to Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands.

3. “Melissa,” Allman Brothers Band
The open-string drones atop the chord changes create a dreamy atmosphere—one liable to hypnotize a woman even from 50 paces away. If the woman you're after has a three-syllable name with the accent on the second, insert hers in the place of “Melissa.” Some names that will work: Marisa, Roberta, Mercedes, Bonifa, Mandible, and Pancreas.

2. “Crash,” Dave Matthews Band
It’s a jam-band ballad—say no more! Everyone knows that the DMB’s adherents are into herbs, crystals, radical environmentalism, and, most important, loose morality. Oh, come on—this whole exercise is based on stereotypes. Loosen up. No, wait...that’s not what I meant! Where’s your sense of humor? Funny, I feel strangely attracted to you when you argue with me. I can tell you feel the same. Can I have your phone number?

1. “More Than Words,” Extreme
Power. Ballad. Put the two together and you’ve got a recipe for romance (not to mention the seeds of emo). We all know that Nuno Bettencourt’s sensitive chord voicings could explode into a blistering flurry of two-handed tapping at any moment—but they don’t. That’s the ticket: holding back. Waiting for just the right moment to make the move. OK, now solo.