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Opinion by Kim Renfro and Barnaby Lane
Updated
2023-08-07T17:58:42Z
- From Beyoncé and Adele to Etta James and Otis Redding, we ranked the best romantic songs ever made.
- Nat King Cole, Bobby Caldwell, and Luther Vandross also feature on Insider's list.
- "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston is our top pick.
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60. "Hands Down" by Dashboard Confessional (2002)
This essential emo/alt-rock love song was Dashboard Confessional's first Billboard Top 10 hit, and rightfully so. "Hands Down" captures the youthful crush stage of love and lust with lyrics perfectly suited for an AIM away message.
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59. "We Found Love" by Rihanna and Calvin Harris (2010)
Most dance pop songs churned out by producers these days won't stand the test of time, but there's a magic in "We Found Love" that keeps people returning even a decade later. The gleeful build up and Rihanna's vocals will put a lush and loving glow on any dance floor.
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58. "Alive With the Glory of Love" by Say Anything (2004)
"Alive With the Glory of Love" is lusty and lovely and unexpectedly uplifting despite being about lead singer Max Bemis' grandparents — both of whom were Holocaust survivors. "Alive With the Glory of Love" is the greatest pop-punk love song of all time.
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57. "My Love" by Justin Timberlake (2006)
Pop icon Justin Timberlake broke the mold with "FutureSex/Lovesounds," and "My Love" epitomized his blend of dance/R&B/pop/hip-hop with Timbaland's unrivaled production talents and a smooth, memorable, catchy chorus.
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56. "Love Yourz" by J. Cole (2014)
Love comes in many forms — romantic, affectionate, and platonic to name but a few.
On 2014's "Love Yourz," J. Cole reminds us about a type many of us forget about — self-love.
"Always gon' be a whip that's better than the one you got /Always gon' be some clothes that's fresher than the one's you rock /Always gon' be a bitch that's badder out there on the tours /But you ain't never gon' be happy 'til you love yours," he raps.
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55. "How Deep is Your Love" by the Bee Gees (1977)
When you think Bee Gees, you probably think dance and disco. But along with "Emotions" (a fantastic break-up song), "How Deep is Your Love" is evidence of the Bee Gees' ability to cut to the heart of a soulful connection between two people.
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54. "Love Story" by Taylor Swift (2008)
Taylor Swift cemented her role in pop culture with her heartfelt guitar ballads, and "Love Story" bridges the gap between her country roots and modern pop music. The song epitomizes the blissfully ignorant days of idyllic young love.
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53. "It's the Falling in Love" by Michael Jackson (1979)
After he was a child star with The Jacksons and before he became a somewhat cheesy pop sensation as a solo artist, Michael Jackson was, to steal the words of Drake, a certified lover boy.
His fifth studio album "Off The Wall," though it includes some chart hits, consists of mostly romantic numbers, the highlight of which is the beautiful "It's the Falling in Love" with Patti Austin.
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52. "If You're Not the One" by Daniel Bedingfield (2002)
We know this veers more into heartache territory, but Daniel Bedingfield's "If You're Not the One" is the dance/electro-pop ballad we never knew we needed until it was 2002 and you couldn't turn on a radio station without hearing it.
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51. "When You Say Nothing at All" by Alison Krauss (1995)
This simple love ballad was sung gorgeously by country star Allison Krauss. "When You Say Nothing at All" captures the comfort and unspoken love language shared between partners with a timeless message of devotion.
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50. "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service (2003)
This synth-based electro-pop single captures a special period of time in pop culture, and remains blissfully timeless despite the changing landscape of modern music over the last 15 years.
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49. "Love On Top" by Beyoncé (2011)
Beyoncé is one of the greatest artists of our generation, with unrivaled vocal talent and a constantly evolving sound and style. "Love On Top" is Beyoncé at her most joyous, belting out lyrics in a way that lets you hear her smile through the words.
Go watch "Homecoming" on Netflix, and I dare you not to grin like maniac when "Love On Top" enters the set.
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48. "Your Hand in Mine" by Explosions in the Sky (2003)
Rock band Explosions in the Sky may not have any lyrics to accompany its early-2000s single "Your Hand in Mine," but the emotional weight carried by the title and into the building crescendos gives us chills every time.
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47. "I Love You Always Forever" by Donna Lewis (1996)
When the beat kicks into "I Love You Always Forever," you realize what a true bop this '90s pop single truly is. Lewis seems to channel Cindy Lauper's magic, just a decade later and with slightly more pizzazz.
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46. "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes (2005)
Simple, slightly sad, emotionally resonant. "First Day of My Life" is an emo/indie staple for a reason — Connor Oberst's voice beautifully communicates the ache associated with finally meeting someone who makes you feel as if your world has just changed.
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45. "Hold You in My Arms" by Ray LaMontagne (2004)
This ballad is a simple, sweet ode to lazy afternoons spent in the company of a loved one. "Hold You in My Arms" was one of Ray LaMontagne's first breakout singles, and remains a staple heard at wedding venues around the country.
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44. "If I Don't Have You" by Gregory Isaacs (1981)
One of the most iconic reggae singers of all time, Gregory Isaacs is best known for his expressive vocal delivery and sultry songwriting.
On 1981's "If I Don't Have You," both are displayed in full force. "And even if the river should run dry / Then for me there'll be nobody else," Isaacs swoons.
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43. "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler (1983)
It would be a list of love songs without a serious dose of '80s melodrama, and "Total Eclipse of the Heart" is everything we could want in a glam rock ballad that fits into our "pining but still a love song" category.
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42. "Crazy for You" by Madonna (1985)
You probably don't think much about "Vision Quest," the movie for which this song was made, but "Crazy for You" is one of Madonna's best love songs. It also earned Madonna her first of many Grammy Award nominations.
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41. "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" by Jackie Wilson (1967)
We dare you not to start tapping your foot and grinning upon hearing Jackie Wilson's number one R&B hit song "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher," which has rightfully earned a place on any list of the happiest and catchiest love tunes.
Listen to"(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" here.
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40. "Best of My Love" by The Emotions (1977)
Keeping in our uptempo, groovy streak, "Best of My Love" is a classic found on movie and TV soundtracks across the decades for good reason. You'll be humming "Oh-o-oho, you've got the best of my love" all day after revisiting this track.
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39. "You Make Loving Fun" by Fleetwood Mac (1977)
Bringing us back to the uptempo rock genre of love songs, "You Make Loving Fun" is an easy, chicken-soup-for-the-soul kind of classic.Sweet wonderful you, indeed.
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38. "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen (1980)
Queen's discography is chock-full of classic hits, but none fits best on the "love song" category than this tune. "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" is an uptempo, genre-bending single that stands the test of time.
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37. "Come What May" by Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman (2001)
Feel what you must about BazLuhrmann's "Moulin Rouge!" — this narratively significant love song is one of the best ballads featured in a movie. Ever. And if you had dared to forget this fact, Canadian figure skaters Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir reminded the worldof its magic at this past year's Olympics.
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36. "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner (1984)
"I want you to show me!" is about as direct a plea for affection as one can find. Foreigner's biggest hit is also one of the greatest love songs of all time thanks to its eager rock ballad groove.
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35. "The Best" by Tina Turner (1989)
You might now associate Tina Turner's "The Best" with Pepsi or Applebee's thanks to its commercial appeal, but this song is the ultimate statement of devotion and deserves to be remembered as such.
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34. "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin (1986)
Both "Top Gun" and the world of pop love songs wouldn't be the same without "Take My Breath Away." We loved Jessica Simpson's faithful cover version, but nothing can touch the original ballad.
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33. "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé and Jay-Z
"Crazy in Love" remains one of the best pop songs of all time, iconic in both its beat and the unforgettable music video that went along with it. As Beyoncé continues dominating the world as the goddess of the arts, it's hard to pick just one of her best hits but this has to be the contender for greatest love song.
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32. "Just Like Heaven" by The Cure (1987)
No other song can sweep you up faster into daydreams about frenzied and absorbing love the way "Just Like Heaven" does. The Cure is '80s alt-rock at its finest, and this song is one of their best.
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31. "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles
The simple pleasures of finding love are perfectly expressed in this Beatles song. To be able to just reach out and hold the hand of a person you love is really all one needs, right?
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30. "I Would Die 4 U" by Prince (1984)
Prince's greatest hits are peppered with a joyous and infectious sense of love, but perhaps none more than the devoted single "I Would Die 4 U." The extra inflection Prince added for the line "darlin' if you want me to" is pure starlight energy.
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29. "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele (2008)
Though picking one version of "Make You Feel My Love" is nearly impossible, Adele's rendition on "19" is devastatingly beautiful (and once again falls into our "pining" category). Adele is serving up an emotional education to us all, and we're here for the lesson.
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28. "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" by The Smiths (1986)
Like others on our list, The Smiths are music legends. "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" is a beloved bittersweet song that stands the test of time thanks to the before-its-time emo message delivered with an English rock vibe.
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27. "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey (2005)
Since we're including love songs about devotion and pining (but trying to avoid wholesale break-up ballads), "We Belong Together" is the perfect place to start. Mariah Carey's hit single from "The Emancipation of Mimi" remains is a classic modern love song with a fantastic pop diva music video to match.
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26. "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel feat. Youssou N'Dour (1986)
Peter Gabriel's '80s rock song is cemented in movie culture with the 1989 movie "Say Anything" (the same film that gave our earlier pick's band name). "In Your Eyes" manages to transcend its cheesiness and strike a romantic chord in our hearts every time.
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25. "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper (1983)
Yet another '80s classic to grace our list, "Time After Time" is the sweetly nostalgia-driven pop song that's a karaoke classic (even for "The Office's" Kelly Kapoor).
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24. "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole (1951)
First written by Irving Gordon,Nat King Cole's 1951 version of "Unforgettable" lives up to its name.
In 1991, Cole's 1951 version was then edited and reworked to create a duet with his daughter, Natalie Cole.
"Through the magic of digital technology father and daughter duet on this timeless song that swells with lush orchestration and moving harmonies," wrote Billboard.
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23. "For Once in My Life" by Stevie Wonder (1967)
Let's face it — a dozen Stevie Wonder songs could be on this list. But the joyous tempo and simple romantic message of "For Once in My Life" helps put it over the edge of other Stevie classics.
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22. "Dance With My Father" by Luther Vandross (2003)
In 2003, Luther Vandross proved that not all love songs have to be dedicated to a significant other.
On the beautiful "Dance With My Father," the R&B legend sings of how his late father, who died when he was 8, used to dance with him as a child and how he wishes he could experience that feeling again.
"If I could steal one final glance, one final step / One final dance with him/ I'd play a song that would never ever end," Vandross croons on the double-Grammy award-winning track.
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21. "All My Life" by K-Ci & JoJo (1997)
K-Ci & JoJo probably didn't realize they were recording a song that would soon become a school dance staple, providing the soundtrack to awkwardly adorable PG slow dances everywhere. "All My Life" is the ultimate mix-CD track, movie score pick, and karaoke jam, and it's more than earned its spot on this list.
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20. "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley (1961)
Elvis Presley's original will always remain the most beloved among many cover versions, from UB40 to Ingrid Michaelson and more.
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19. "The Power of Love" by Celine Dion (1993)
"The Power of Love" is among the most heterosexual of all our love songs, and we love Celine for the sheer force she brings to this declaration of woman-on-man bonding (which was originally a 1984 Jennifer Rush song).
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18. "I'll Make Love to You" by Boyz II Men (1994)
This follow-up hit to "End of the Road" is the perfect ode to doting upon a loved one.Blending the romantic and physical aspects of love, this sexy "Boyz II Men" '90s jam belongs on every love playlist.
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17. "Nothing Even Matters" by Lauryn Hill featuring D'Angelo (1998)
Lauryn Hill's debut and only solo album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums ever written.
Detailing the story of her romance with Bob Marley's son, Rohan, and the subsequent birth of their child, the album's 12th track, "Nothing Even Matters" featuring D'Angelo, sees Hill sing about love and how it can make everything else seem irrelevant.
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16. "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding (1967)
Sliding into the category of "love advice," this Otis Redding track needs no introduction. It was already considered a classic, and was solidified in pop culture history when Donkey belted it out in "Shrek" and then sampled for Kanye West and Jay-Z's "Otis."
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15. "Kiss From a Rose" by Seal (1994)
No one can belt out a great "baby!" like Seal. People of all ages can likely sing along to most of this romantic ballad thanks to its use in movies and TV across the decades.
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14. "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" by Bryan Adams (1991)
The art of parenthetical song titles has truly been lost. Candian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams crafted the love song to end all love songs with "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You," and we'll never forget him for it.
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13. "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys (1966)
"God Only Knows" finds itself at the top of most "best songs of all time" lists for good reason. Visionary Brian Wilson crafted some of his best work on the 1966 album "Pet Sounds," and this heart-melting track is one of the record's highlights.
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12. "September" by Earth, Wind, and Fire
Funk group Earth, Wind, and Fire crafted one of the best songs of the century in "September," and the bonus for us is that it's a delightful love song to boot. Half the song is simple, joyful belting of "Ba de ya," and we wouldn't have it any other way.
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11. "Your Song" by Elton John (1970)
Sir Elton John's sweet tune was inducted to the Grammys Hall of Fame, and easily earns its place in our list of the best love songs. The pure poetry of the piano ballad will bring out the romantic in anyone.
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10. "Thinkin' Bout You" by Frank Ocean (2012)
Frank Ocean is one of the most enigmatic creators working in music today. And while "Forrest Gump" and other singles delivery equally gorgeous tones of heartache and love, "Thinkin Bout You" sits on your brain with an uncanny warmth — even by Frank Ocean standards.
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9. "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers (1965)
Falling back into the "pining" category, The Righteous Brothers' version of "Unchained Melody" became the most definitive and recognizable takes on this beautifully written ode to loving someone from afar.
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8. "What You Won't Do for Love" by Bobby Caldwell (1978)
The late Bobby Caldwell's musical catalog is best known today for having been sampled by several hip-hop stars such as Common, The Notorious B.I.G, and 2Pac.
"What You Won't Do for Love" — Caldwell's jazz-infused smash sampled by 2Pac on his posthumous 1998 song " Do for Love" — however, stands alone as one of the smoothest love songs ever written.
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7. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (1967)
Beloved by all generations, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" is easily the most recognizable and timeless love song to ever grace the music world.
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6. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" Roberta Flack (1972)
Roberta Flack's hauntingly beautiful version of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was slower and more sensual.This love song rightfully won Flack a Grammy in 1973, and a place in our top 20 list.
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5. "Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton (1975)
With no percussion and sparse instrumentation, Minnie Riperton's astounding vocal range is allowed to shine on her 1975 hit "Lovin You."
The song is both an ode to her husband Richard and her daughter, comedian Maya Rudolph, whose name she can be heard repeating at the end of the track.
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4. "A House Is Not a Home" by Luther Vandross (1981)
Though originally recorded by Dionne Warwick in 1964, it's Luther Vandross' 1981 version of "A House Is Not a Home" that is the most heart-wrenching.
Over an unforgettable seven minutes, Vandross both exudes vulnerability and explodes with passion as he begs his partner to remain in love with him, urging them not to let "one mistake keep us apart."
At the 1988 NAACP Awards, the late star's rendition of the song bought Warwick to tears.
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3. "Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinead O'Connor (1990)
No, Sinead (and Prince), nothing compares to this song. Both versions are commendable and stunning in their own right, but Sinead O'Connor's holds a special place in the legacy of heartache-fueled artistry.
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2. "At Last" by Etta James (1960)
Few other songs can captivate a room with just the first several notes, but "At Last" does just that. This Etta James beauty has remained an unmovable classic love song for the ages, and we hope the spell lasts forever.
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1. "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston (1992)
Yet another ballad made iconic by a film, "I Will Always Love You" has transcended its meaning in "The Bodyguard" and become the root of Whitney Houston's legacy. Her unrivaled vocal ability and intense emotional performance makes Houston's "I Will Always Love You" (which was originally a Dolly Parton hit) the greatest love song of all time.
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