You set the room, you set the lights, and even attempted to cook something edible. But something's missing.

Music is the key, the clincher to completing your Valentine's Day mood motif. But it can get pretty tricky with all of the different mood music out there.

Although music is supposed to be in the background, the wrong music could have a definite impact on the outcome of your V-Day festivities.

If it's your first date with that special someone, you would probably want to avoid the classic love-masters like Marvin Gaye and Barry White.

Those big guns are reserved for the seriously devoted, or at least the seriously ambitious.

First date music should be relaxing, but stay away from Enya. You want to relax, not fall into a blissful coma.

Brian McKnight would be a good choice for those in the early stages of the game. His songs are slow to mid-tempo, so he won't drag down the mood, but he won't overpower it either. His most recent album Back at One (1999) got mixed reviews, but one thing the critics agreed on was its abundance of fireside love songs.

Another sure shot is Boyz II Men. These guys have based their musical careers on their smooth love ballads with standard moody lyrics. Their latest release Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya (2000) isn't anything radically new, but use what works, right?

For those entering the gray area of middle ground, musical choices can present a problem. It's not brain surgery; you just have to be selective.

If you're feeling slightly seductive, Sade would be a good pick. Her newest album By Your Side will come out just in time: Feb. 13. If you're one who likes to be prepared, then another selection by the silky songstress that would work is Best of Sade (1994).

Buying a new album can put a nice dent into your bank account, especially if you already took a good size chunk out of it for presents, food or flowers. Solution — rummage through your old tape collection.

Remember tapes? Remember the way R. Kelly and Jodeci used to sound?

R. Kelly's multi-platinum 12-Play, and his self-titled album from 1995 inch near the top of the ladder of mood music, but the soft-funk aspect of his music curb it somewhat.

Jodeci is pushing it a little. Use these guys if you're on the border between the middle ground, and the seriously ambitious. Take caution, albums like Diary of a Mad Band (1993) has a bump 'n' grind aspect, which might be overkill for those in love limbo.

Those at the upper end of the love spectrum have it pretty easy. There's the classic approach and the contemporary approach.

The oldies but goodies are of course, Marvin Gaye and Barry White. If you stick with their greatest hits, you can't lose. Gaye's "Let's Get It On" is the staple mood maker, and White's low melodic voice will definitely help to set the mood.

For those looking for something new but still suggestive, Maxwell and Carl Thomas would be a good working pair.

Thomas's Emotional (2000) is more of a mellow choice, while Maxwell's Embrya (1998) will definitely let your date know what's on your mind.