They say that when you're in love, you have a song in your heart.

But when it comes to romancing your sweetheart, a little of the real thing never hurt, either.

This Valentine's Day, musicians will be performing that fine art of seduction known as the serenade for lovers everywhere.

Whether it's a serenading singer, strolling violinist, strumming guitarist or pianist just playing it again, love songs are a time-tested part of Valentine's Day.

"(A serenade) is something that you will have a very difficult time trying to top the following year," said Ron Russell, chapter president of the Golden Valley Chorus, which annually offers singing Valentines. "It's a close situation, and it brings up a lot of nostalgia of what Valentine's Day really is."

Members of the Golden Valley Chorus are among the myriad performers in the Central Valley and foothills who break out their most passionate material on Cupid's big day. But for all their varied musical styles, they share a common goal.

"The music that we play are love songs, boleros," said Joe Dominguez, who plays in the Trio Los Latinos. "So when we play, a lot of romantic stuff happens, which is what we want."

Several restaurants in the area will have musicians on hand to set the mood on Valentine's Day, from downtown Modesto's 15-O-Five to the Mexican eatery El Palomar and Columbia's historic City Hotel.

Longtime Modesto guitar instructor Darin Morris will play acoustically at 15-O-Five. The accomplished performer, who plays regularly at the restaurant Friday and Saturday nights, said his Valentine's Day set will include love songs from across the decades.

With a repertoire of some 300 songs, Morris is happy to take requests and try new numbers. His instrument, a nylon-stringed guitar connected to a wireless sound system, allows him to wander through the restaurant and stop at tables.

"The nylon-string guitar can be an intimate, romantic instrument, anyway," he said. "So when you are playing love songs, it creates an atmosphere that is like taking a quick trip to Venice. It can take you away to a special place."

Still, when a serenade starts, romance can be the furthest thing from the intended's mind — at least at first.

"People are in total shock," said Russell, whose Golden Valley Chorus Valengrams have been a hit more than a decade. "We get tears, joy, it's all wrapped up in one. They are speechless for a while. We even get the same reaction from men."

The nonprofit Chorus sends smartly dressed, bow tie-wearing barbershop quarter singers out to spread the love to unsuspecting sweethearts at their homes, offices, schools, etc. The service includes a song, long-stemmed silk rose, card and photo, and costs $35. But, Russell said, the effect is priceless.

"One year, we had a woman who actually was just crying so hard she could hardly say anything," Russell said. "Sometimes watching these types of circumstances chokes up the chorus, and makes it hard for us to sing, too."

Morris said when spouses ask him to play a special song, their partners often are embarrassed. But that first blush can quickly turn to a lover's rush.

"I've witnessed a proposal before," he said. "Some people tell me later that they got engaged on a night I was playing."

It's even paid off personally, Morris said. He met his wife, Kristie, of five years while playing at a restaurant.

"I have always told people that learning songs for a woman is one of the best reasons — whether it's your mom, your girlfriend, your teacher, whatever," he said. "(Romance) is a time-honored impetus to learn music."

Musicians aren't immune to the romance their music creates.

"All kinds of good stuff happens when we're playing," said Dominguez from the Trio Los Latinos. "A groom got on his knees and sang with us to his bride. Old folks, who hired us for their umpteenth wedding anniversary, danced, and you could see they were madly in love."

The trio — which specializes in harmonized Latin music on guitar and requintos — said some of their most-requested songs are traditional Spanish-language numbers like "Sabor a Mi" (A Taste of Me), "Mi Linda Esposa" (My Beautiful Wife) and "Novia Mía" (My Girlfriend).

"What makes them so romantic is the way that it is interpreted," Dominguez said. "And the words, the words tell a story."

Choosing the right words is one thing; setting the right mood is another. Performers playing on the most romantic of days said it's also important to look the part.

Foothills-based Blue Shoes will be playing old-time blues and swing at Columbia State Park's City Hotel. And, as always, the five-person group will be decked out in vintage attire — men in bowler hats, suits and spats, and female ukulele player Peggy Reza in pill box hat, dress and heels.

"We always dress up to perform," Reza said. "But we'll make it as romantic as possible."

Even if the set list isn't all romance, the look can still be timeless. Modesto-based Steely Dan Tribute band Kid Charlemagne will play on a double bill with Stockton pop-rock band The Mundaze on Valentine's at the Fat Cat Music House & Lounge.

Kid Charlemagne member Kelly Ramirez said the band plans to dress to the nines for the special night.

"I wish I could say there were any lovey Steely Dan songs that existed. We're not directing the songs toward Valentine's," he said. "But we figure if you are out together for the night having dinner, it's nice to do something afterward other than go to a movie. And if you are alone on that night, you have someplace to go to hear music, too."