Here Are My 50 Top Love Songs Of All Time
There's something about a good love song that really gets the emotions going. I feel like some of the best songs are usually about a breakup or falling in love, mainly, because there's so much emotion behind the songwriting. Now I know we're a few months ahead of Valentine's Day but let's be honest, any day is a good day for love.
So I compiled 50 of my favorite love songs for anybody who wants to celebrate their love, or just celebrate loving themselves. These aren't ranked in any order because honestly, they're all great. I will say, there are a decent amount of classics on here that some of the younger folks may not know. If that's the case, I encourage you to take a chance and listen to some of these "oldies" because I really think a lot of these songs still hold up. Either way, here are my top 50 love songs of all time:
1."These Arms Of Mine" - Otis Redding (1962)
One of my all-time favorite love songs from Otis Redding. His voice is one that is timeless and good for any mood, but when he sings about love you can't help but feel it in your bones.
2."Rewrite The Stars" - Zendaya and Zac Efron (2018)
3."This I Promise You" - *Nsync (2000)
Originally written by Richard Marx, this single from the No Strings Attached album spent 13 weeks at number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart. It was a top charter on MTV's TRL for weeks, and had every young girl in my school absolutely melting for these guys.
4."I Swear" - All-4-One (1994)
5."All Of Me" - John Legend (2013)
Written for his wife Chrissy Teigen before they were married, this was his first single to reach number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single stayed in the top 10 of the Hot 100 chart for 23 consecutive weeks.
6."ILYM" - John K (2020)
7."Speechless" - Dan + Shay (2018)
A beautiful song that not only reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart, but also went certified Gold with the Recording Industry Association of America. It has made the list of one of the best wedding songs ever, so if you're planning on tying the knot, you might want to consider this song.
8."After Tonight" - Justin Nozuka (2007)
9."All For Love" - Bryan Adams, Sting, & Rod Stewart (1993)
Written for the movie The Three Musketeers, this song not only got a Grammy nod but also went Platinum and made it to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1994. When I think of power ballads of the '90s, this one is one of the first to pop in my mind.
10."You Make Me Smile" - Aloe Blacc (2010)
11."My Girl" - The Temptations (1964)
Written and produced by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White from the Motown group The Miracles, "My Girl" was The Temptation's first number one single. Sing this around any grandparent and watch their eyes light up and sing along.
12."L.O.V.E." - Nat "King" Cole (1965)
13."I Will Always Love You" - Whitney Houston (1992)
"I Will Always Love You" was not only a soundtrack record for Whitney's 1992 film The Bodyguard, but it was also a cover of an old Dolly Parton song. It's been a classic for as long as I can remember and I can't help but always belt out "And I..." when the chorus hits.
14."This Magic Moment" - Ben E. King & The Drifters (1960)
15."Love" - Musiq Soulchild (2000)
If you haven't heard of Musiq Soulchild, let alone this song, please drop what you're doing and go listen to this amazing love song. "Love — so many people use your name in vain. Love, —those who have faith in you sometimes go astray." It's written like a love letter to love, and it's beautiful.
16."Can't Help Falling In Love" - Elvis Presley (1961)
17."Let Me Love You" - Mario (2004)
18."Tennessee Whiskey" - Chris Stapleton (2015)
With his raspy soulful voice, Chris Stapleton's rendition of this country classic will make anybody a fan of country. Written by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove, "Tennessee Whiskey" has had a lot of different covers, but none with the success or sound like Chris Stapleton's.
19."Endless Love" - Lionel Richie & Diana Ross (1981)
20."Iris" - Goo Goo Dolls (1998)
Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris" was a smash for the band as it landed number one spots across Modern Rock, Pop, and Adult Contemporary charts. It was also the most played song in 1998. "Iris" perfectly fits the movie City Of Angels that it was written for, describing the feelings of Nicholas Cage's character who's an angel that is willing to give up his immortality to feel something human.
21."September Song" - JP Cooper (2016)
22."Perfect" - Ed Sheeran (2017)
It only makes sense that a song this beautiful would be about Ed Sheeran's now-wife, Cherry Seaborn. Apparently, the song was so damn good that not only did Beyonce hop on a duet version, but there was also an Italian version that Ed had with the great Andrea Bocelli.
23."Simple" - Sam Fischer (2021)
24."Unchained Melody" - The Righteous Brothers (1965)
Released in 1965, this song made a resurgence in 1990 with the hit movie Ghost. It not only topped some of the charts, but also received a Grammy nod 25 years after its original release.
25."If I Aint Got You" - Alicia Keys (2003)
26."Dangerously In Love 2" - Beyonce (2003)
After originally recording the song back in 2001 with Destiny's Child, she re-recorded the song and titled her debut solo album after the same title. The song not only emotes how crazy in love she is but just how devoted of a partner she is. Vocally you feel the message with her impressive control and powerful voice.
27."If I Ever Fall In Love" - Shai (1992)
28."Make You Feel My Love" - Adele (2008)
Being written by the iconic Bob Dylan and covered by the likes of Billy Joel and Garth Brooks, it's Adeles version that stands out the most as a then 19-year-old woman whose mature and soulful voice gave a new feeling to the song that nobody had done before.
29."Adorn" - Miguel (2012)
30."My Love" - Justin Timberlake & T.I. (2006)
With synths that give the song a more futuristic sound much like the name of the album, it's the percussion that'll get your booty up and dancing — especially if you hear the prelude to the song.
31."Just The Way You Are" - Bruno Mars (2010)
32."This Woman's Work" - Maxwell (2002)
Maxwell's cover of Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work" shows the gambit of not only his range vocally but the emotion tied to the lyrics which immediately gets any R&B and Neo-Soul fan perked up once we hear the strings and falsetto intro.
33."You Are The Best Thing" - Ray Lamontagne (2008)
34."Untitled (How Does It Feel) - D'Angelo (2000)
The influence of Prince is heavy throughout this song, and you can feel the intimacy with every word sung. It's a love song for grown-ass adults, and you don't get too many of those nowadays — at least not delivered like this.
35."Sweet Disposition" - The Temper Trap (2009)
36."Kissing You" - Des'ree (1997)
I don't know what it is about certain songs from the '90s soundtracks, but some of the best ballads happen to come on those records. This one was no different, being the perfect song for 1997's Romeo + Juliet.
37."Lucky" - Jason Mraz & Colby Caillat (2009)
38."You Sang To Me" - Marc Anthony (2000)
Hitting number one on multiple charts in 2000 showed Marc Anthony not only could be successful in both English and Spanish, but that his writing was just as good. His heartfelt message in this song will make anybody melt.
39."You Make It Real" - James Morrison (2008)
40."Shallow" - Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper (2018)
I never would've thought that Bradley Cooper would be on a list of top love songs, but a lot of it is due to the writing of Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, and others. Although Cooper's performance really shows just how damn talented he is, the back and forth of verses to one another really sells two people falling in love and trying to learn more about each other.
41."Latch" - Disclosure Feat. Sam Smith (2012)
42."All My Life" - K-Ci & JoJo (1998)
If you were a kid of the '90s, then you remember this song being every school dance's slow song for years on end. This duo had many hits, but none that were as revered as this one.
43."Real Love" - Mary J. Blige (1992)
44."Back At One" - Brian McKnight (1999)
One of my favorite R&B artists growing up and for good reason. He had so many love songs that he absolutely would kill vocally, but none that hit as big as "Back At One." The song has a simple premise but delivers on emotion and heart.
45."The Color Of Love" - Boyz II Men (2002)
46."Girls Like You" - Maroon 5 feat. Cardi B (2017)
With over 3 billion views on their official music video, this song was all over the radio in 2017. With a string of hits for the band, this song seemed to really land not only in our hearts but in our minds, because the moment you hear it the melody sticks to your brain like a leech.
47."I'll Be There" - Jackson 5 (1970)
48."Lost Without You" - Robin Thicke (2006)
49."Bless The Broken Road" - Rascal Flatts (2004)
Winning a Grammy for Best Country Song in 2006, the Rascal Flatts version of "Bless The Broken Road" hit so many people in the feels. Not only due to frontman Gary Levox's high tenor voice, but lyrically it speaks to anybody who's dated and felt like it was all part of the path to your true love. Similar to a lot of the songs on this list, this one was plenty of couples' wedding songs.
50."Always Be My Baby" - Mariah Carey (1995)
