For block number three, the folks at DM came up with the most wide-open theme imaginable: Love songs and hate songs. Technically, duets are also being billed in this segment’s title, but the focus is definitely on the latter two concepts. Since about 99 percent of every song ever written in the history of mankind deals with love or the lack of it, this category offers a lot of potential.

The main element to keep in mind during block three is having a healthy mix between banging love dance tracks and a few slow songs for slow dancing, the one time during DM taking the pace down, wrapping your arms around your partner and swaying a bit is acceptable. Pretty straightforward prompt, so lets start feeling the love and hate.

Showstoppers

1. “PYT” by Michael Jackson

One of the great looked-over tracks (you never hear about this Jack-O song anymore), it’s also super dancey. Maybe not the sappiest love song, but Mr. Jackson certainly sounds like he’s lusting over someone here (insert toddler joke here). Also, this song can be played, even if Kanye’s “Good Life” sampled the final few seconds of this song.

2. “Ain’t No Mountain High” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel

You could stick a lot of versions of this song into this block, but this is my personal favorite, and my article. Fulfills the the love and duet requirements set forth by this block, and clears both wonderfully. A song most people know the words to, so fun sing-a-long potential ahead.

3. Sometime in the Middle: “My Love” by Justin Timberlake

Pitchfork summed up this song best - pure emotional napalm. Nothing sounds quite as grand as this, Timberlake’s vocals colliding with Timbaland’s massive waves of sound. Everything you play after this song sounds just a little less grand. Which is why I think it works in the middle - it’ll get eveyrone going, but also allow for a chance for a few mellower songs to play afterwards. Probably the highlight of this block.

4. “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles

Finally, a song about love gone wrong! An oldie but a goodie. Plus, we can’t use that other song about moving on just yet.

5. Last Song: “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper

A prom and ironic prom staple, this should close Block 3 on a strong, lovely note. Definitely a slow dance number, but it would be the fitting ending theme for such a lovey dovey stretch of time. The best part is the song, while clearly star-eyed and in love, contains just a hint of melancholy, which makes its role as block ender even better, since half the songs played should be a little spiteful or sad.

Avoid at all Costs

1. “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt

Emotional dribble, factory manufactured feelings that mean absolutely nothing. Plus, how do you dance to this?

2. Anything Jack Johnson ever belched onto the world

Ditto.

3. “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s.

The worst offender. Ahhhhhhh, sick.

A Few Other Songs to Include With No Reason

- “That’s What You Get” by Paramore
- “Heartbeat” by Annie
- “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac
- “And I Am Telling You” by Jennifer Hudson
- “All You Need is Love” by The Beatles
- Like, you can really stick hundreds of song here and be good

Indie Songs That Would Work But Will Never Be Played

- “All You Need is Hate” by The Delgados - Imagine a Beatles pop song, an amazing song with an awesome chorus and singable verses. Now, pretend the song sounded upbeat, but pretend the word “love” never comes up. But the word “hate” gets sung a lot. You have this song, and it rules.

- “(This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan” by Dntel - Indie only by band name standars. This is a collaboration between Ben Gibbard and electronic artist Jimmy Tamborello. Or, better known as The Postal Service. “(This Is)” is the first meeting of the two, and their best work to date, a dreamy electro song about fantastical love.

- “Love Is” by Common - Common isn’t remotely indie (GAP ads equal no cred), but you never hear about this song, so we’ll drop it in here. The main draw here is the warm beat, constructed by the late, great J. Dilla. Marvin Gaye’s ghost haunts this track, but in a good way.

Great Videos to Show

- “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service - The machines moving around so intricately is just a great visual, and the song itself oozes head-in-the-clouds love.

- “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak - Considered one of the sexiest videos of all time. Plenty of skin for both sexes, so I’m sure that would also be a welcome relief for dancers.

- “Smile” by Lily Allen - Ahhh, a song about the sweet feeling of watching your ex/former love interests life go to hell. One of the best feelings in the world. The video plays off that, and makes me smile. Love the ending.

- “Digital Love” by Daft Punk - I just really want to fit this song in. Forget all the other Daft Punk songs you hear at random house parties, because this is the best song the French duo has and will ever make.