Go Ahead, Sing Your Heart Out: These Are the 59 Best Love Songs of All Time
As much as I love a good breakup song, there’s something special about a great love song. When you’re actually in love, they feel like they were written just for you. But let’s be clear: you don’t have to be in love to enjoy listening to a love song! You can belt them along on a road trip with your besties, sing them to yourself while you cook dinner, use them to power you through the last few minutes of your workout, or just listen to them because you like them.
And no two love songs are the same. You’ve got classic Frank Sinatra-type hits, country love songs, rock ‘n’ roll love songs, classic R&B love songs, sugary-sweet pop songs, and ofc, everything Drake has ever released. And while there are plenty of nostalgic love songs from years past to enjoy, we’ve also added some of our fave romantic songs from 2021 and 2022 to the list. It may have been a tough year, but at least we got good music from it.
So if you’re tired of your sad girl playlist and your roommates banned your holiday playlist from the rotation (I see you!), here are 59 of the best love songs of all time—in no particular order—to start blasting now.
"Cosmic Love" by Florence + The Machine
This love song is pure magic. The way the band uses the drums specifically brings this instant-classic to the next level.
"Kiss of Life" by Sade
Talk about expressive! This gem from Sade perfectly captures the feeling of love, with slow beats, amazing vocals, and warm feelings.
"Love Story (Taylor's Version)" by Taylor Swift
One benefit of Taylor re-recording all her old albums is that we get to take a walk down memory lane and relive the feelings we had when we first heard songs like "Love Story" all those years ago.
"Something" by The Beatles
I mean, Frank Sinatra called this "one of the best love songs I believe to be written in 50 or 100 years." What more do you need?
"If It Ain't Me" by Dua Lipa
If you prefer your love songs more dance-y, Dua Lipa's got you covered with this song all about feeling so in love that you wonder if your relationship is literally too good to be true.
"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin
Let's be honest, nothing can touch The Queen of Soul's stunning performance of this beautiful love song. It's in a league of its own.
"Meet Me at Our Spot" by The Anxiety, Willow, and Tyler Cole
In addition to just being catchy as hell, this song is actually so sweet. Meeting at a special spot and staring into each other's eyes? Yes, please.
"Can I Get It" by Adele
Of course, Easy on Me has gotten lots of attention. But if you're in the mood for more of a fiery love song, Adele has you covered (of course) with this passionate song about loving someone until the end of time.
"Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige
Leave it to Mary J. Blige to create an instant classic the second she drops a song. This hit earned a nomination for Best R&B Song at the Grammys the year it came out.
"dancing in the kitchen" by LANY
This upbeat, synthpop song will make you want to grab your person (or your glass of wine) and well...dance around the kitchen.
"Let's Stay Together" by Al Green
It's a classic for a reason! It's all about loving each other "whether times are good or bad," and there's nothing more romantic than that.
"Love You for a Long Time" by Maggie Rogers
This uptempo, cheerful song is all about falling in love, and knowing that it's going to last for a long time. V romantic.
"Here and Now" by Luther Vandross
As one YouTube fan put it, "This man's voice was like a warm cup of tea with honey and lemon." Luther's lyrics are touching and his voice is next-level beautiful, the perfect ingredients for a love song of the ages.
"Thinking Bout You" by Frank Ocean
Who doesn't remember those heady feelings of your first love, when you were thinking about spending forever with them? Listen, if you sometimes still think about them, you're definitely not alone.
"My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion
Who can hear this song and NOT think about Jack and Rose from Titanic, aka one of the greatest cinematic love stories of all time??
"Make it Better" by Anderson .Paak
This song is all about how even the best relationships have their ups and downs. Sometimes you just need to slow down and make some new memories to rekindle that spark.
"LOVE" by Kendrick Lamar
This smooth, sexy song from Kendrick Lamar is reportedly about his relationship with his fiancée, Whitney Alford. How cute is that? But the lyrics about wanting to be with someone and hoping they'll love you through tough times are universal.
"God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys
This sunny '60s bop is less than 3 minutes long, but it gets surprisingly deep about love and how you would feel if your person ever left you. Like yeah, life would go on, but you'd be really, really sad.
"You Make My Dreams" by Daryl Hall and John Oates
I *dare* you not to smile and sway along to this quintessentially '80s love song. You can't! It's scientifically impossible.
"Friday I'm in Love" by The Cure
Personally, I choose to believe this is a love song dedicated to Friday, the best day of the week. That's actually not entirely incorrect, but at least some of the lyrics are inspired by The Cure frontman Robert Smith's love for his wife.
"The Only Exception" by Paramore
Whether you're more of a romantic or a cynic, you can probably find something relatable in this song about finding the one person (the only exception, as it were) who can prove to you that love is real.
"I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz
This song basically sounds like taking a walk with your person on a perfect sunny day. So yes, I will have it on repeat until spring finally gets here.
"A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri
Don't act like you're too good for the Twilight soundtrack. This is actually a super romantic song, even if it was written about a fictional vampire love story.
"Coffee" by Miguel
Okay, this music video is H-O-T. Miguel, you can literally come make me coffee in the morning whenever you want.
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
If this soulful, poppy love song about crossing rivers, valleys, and mountains to get to your partner doesn't make you wanna dance, nothing will.
"Steal My Love" by Dan + Shay
In addition to having a sincerely amusing music video, this song is just so darn sweet. "My heart is yours forever" really says it all.
"Halo" by Beyoncé
Apparently the songwriters were able to create this masterpiece in record time, which, more than a billion+ listens later, is quite an achievement.
"Kiss Me More" by Doja Cat and SZA
This isn't your mom's idea of a love song, but who cares. We needed a good pop song about kissing and, uh, other intimate activities, and Doja Cat and SZA definitely delivered.
"Leave the Door Open" by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak
This soulful R&B song by Silk Sonic (aka Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak) is v. sexy. I mean, dancing in the east wing of a mansion? Rose petals in the bathtub? Sipping wine in a robe? I am 100 percent accepting this invite.
"Love" by Lana del Rey
"It's enough to be young and in loooooove" might be among the most romantic lyrics Lana del Rey has ever written. And how pretty is the vintage-y music video? The flowers, the eyeliner, the outer space footage? I'm obsessed.
"I'll Stand by You" by The Pretenders
Vowing to stand by your person when they're sad, angry, or just going through a rough time is basically the truest expression of love. Brb, crying.
"I Would Die 4 U" by Prince and the Revolution
I mean, it's Prince! You have to love the drama, the flair, the outfits, the willingness to literally die for the person you love.
"Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis
You may lose your voice trying to hit Leona's impossibly high notes, but nothing can stop you from shouting "keep, keep bleeding love" at the top of your lungs, not even intense pain in your vocal chord region.
"At Last" by Etta James
You won't find a voice as smooth or silky as the one and only Etta James. Yes, it's possible to fall in love with a voice. Case in point right here.
"Can't Help Falling in Love With You" by Elvis Presley
The King of Pop sure knows how to make a heart flutter and swoon. Now this, my friends, is romance.
"Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion
C'mon, it's Celine Dion. No further questions.
"Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman
Simple guitar chords and powerful lyrics that'll make you feel both heartbroken and euphoric. Couldn't be a "best love songs" list without it.
"Lover" by Taylor Swift
Of all the love songs Taylor Swift has ever written, this one takes the cake. 🎶We could leave the Christmas lights up 'til January...🎶
"Make You Feel My Love" by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan sings "There's nothing that I wouldn't do/ To make you feel my love," which, in my humble opinion, pretty much sums up what love is.
"Whatever It Is" by Zac Brown Band
A good ol' country love song from ZBB. When you know, you know.
"Caught Up in the Rapture" by Anita Baker
Time machines don't exist IRL, but you might not feel that way after letting Anita Baker transport you, via this song, to a love-filled paradise with just you and your special someone.
"I Could Use a Love Song" by Maren Morris
This is apparently one of Maren's fave songs from her debut album, Hero. Check out what she said about the writing process: "We wrote it really quickly, because it was one of those, you just grab it from the sky, and you hope everything makes sense, and you don’t miss anything."
"Beyond" by Leon Bridges
What did we do to deserve Leon Bridges? I'll never feel worthy. You actually feel the love radiating through his voice. I cry every time.
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police
That all-consuming, can't-live-without-you kind of love. Even if you think this song is cheesy—which, yeah, it sorta is—you gotta admit it captures a mood.
"Love on the Brain" by Rihanna
Leave it to RiRi to gift us with nothing but the facts on how wild love makes us. Love shouting along to this one in the shower, I'll admit it.
"Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra
You can't talk about love songs without mentioning this guy. Frank Sinatra and love songs go together like me and eating frozen pizza on my couch.
"Drops of Jupiter" by Train
Is it just me, or does this song take you right back to dances in middle school when all you wanted was your crush (named Jason, obvi) to ask you to slow dance?
"Just One Day" by BTS
It's a masterpiece, full stop. It's an older song from BTS, but it's irreplaceable and is firmly cemented as one of the great love songs of our time.
"Perfect" by Ed Sheeran
Sappy? Yes. Perfect? Also yes.
"When I Look At You" by Miley Cyrus
You know that moment when you look at someone and everything makes sense? So does Miley.
"You've Got the Love" by Florence + The Machine
Okay, so technically this is a cover (which is pretty on-brand for love songs, no?). The original track was sung by The Source featuring Candi Staton and released in 1986; but the way Florence packs emotion into this one, it's truly notable.
"Someone Like You" by Adele
You could listen to this songs 1,000+ times and you'd still feel just as moved as the first time you heard it. Adele, man. She knows what she's doing.
"All of Me" by John Legend
It's impossible not to feel complete, unconditional, and infinite love after listening to the voice of this angel. I like to pretend that John wrote it for me, not Chrissy. (Sorry, Chrissy, no disrespect.)
"Yellow" by Coldplay
"Look at the stars/ Look how they shine for you/ And all the things that you do." I won't lie, this song was like my education in love songs, and it *still* gives me goosebumps.
"Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars setting the record straight—once and for all—that you are enough, just the way you are.
"Adore You" by Harry Styles
Hi Harry, I'll let you adore me anytime.
"Marvins Room" by Drake
The best of late-night, love-sick Drake to get you in your feels.
"I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston
You cannot listen to this song without belting it out. It deserves a full-blown performance. Like stretching-your-arms-wide-open and singing-your-smol-lil-heart-out moment. It's what Whitney would've wanted.
"MOONLIGHT" by TWICE
We must end this story with a bang, because of course TWICE is going to deliver a fantastic love song worth listening to again and again. This underrated gem is powerfully beautiful.
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