Love is the ultimate muse, inspiring countless amazing songs across every genre and generation. A great love song connects with us because it captures a real human experience, whether it’s the dizzying thrill of a first glance, the comfort of a lasting relationship, or the pain of a farewell. This list is a look at 101 of the most unforgettable songs about love, broken down by decade.
Be sure to check out the Best Love Songs Playlist at the bottom of this page.
Best Pre-1960s Love Songs
This era set the stage for all the love songs that followed, giving us smooth jazz standards, defining doo-wop sounds, and more.
1. “Unforgettable” – Nat King Cole
Lyric Sample: “Never before has someone been more.”
“Unforgettable” is the ultimate compliment to a partner who has left a permanent, unforgettable mark. It’s a song that can be about anyone who is hard to forget, but it’s most commonly used as a love song.
2. “Only You (And You Alone)” – The Platters
Lyric Sample: “Only you can make this world seem right.”
Released in 1955, this simple love song helped define the early sound of R&B ballads. Its “one true love” theme made it a favorite at weddings and proms for decades.
3. “I Only Have Eyes for You” – The Flamingos
Lyric Sample: “My love must be a kind of blind love.”
This 1959 doo-wop track is about being so focused on one person that nothing else seems to matter. The song captures that feeling of being captivated by someone, with everything else fading into the background.
4. “All of Me” – Billie Holiday
Lyric Sample: “Can’t you see I’m no good without you?”
This 1940s jazz standard is about giving yourself completely to someone, even when it hurts. Holiday’s version nails the song’s mix of heartbreak and surrender perfectly.
5. “La Vie En Rose” – Edith Piaf
Lyric Sample: (translated) “When he holds me in his arms, when he speaks to me softly, I see life in pink.”
This classic French track describes the blissful state of seeing the world in a beautiful, happy light when in the presence of true love. It’s about the way love can change one’s perception of reality.
6. “That’s Amore” – Dean Martin
Lyric Sample: “When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore.”
This lighthearted song compares love to food, wine, and moonlit nights in Italy. It’s a fun take on falling for someone and seeing the whole world through that feeling.
7. “Earth Angel” – The Penguins
Lyric Sample: “Earth angel, earth angel, will you be mine?”
This doo-wop classic feels like a handwritten note from a teenager in love. It was one of the first love songs that sounded like it came from real life, not a movie script.
Related: Best One-Hit Wonders
8. “You Send Me” – Sam Cooke
Lyric Sample: “At first I thought it was infatuation, but woo, it’s lasted so long.”
This early soul classic is about realizing your feelings are more than just a crush. Cooke’s legendary voice makes it sound both romantic and sincere.
9. “Beyond the Sea” – Bobby Darin
Lyric Sample: “It’s far beyond the star, it’s near beyond the moon.”
This upbeat pop track is about wanting to reunite with someone far away. Darin sings about a distant lover, dreaming of the day they’ll be together again.
10. “All I Have to Do Is Dream” – The Everly Brothers
Lyric Sample: “I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine, any time, night or day.”
The Everly Brothers’ 1950s hit is about picturing the person you love and wishing they were with you. It describes thinking about that person constantly and feeling completely infatuated.
11. “As Time Goes By” – Dooley Wilson
Lyric Sample: “The world will always welcome lovers, as time goes by.”
This classic tune from the film Casablanca describes love through gestures like kisses, sighs, and the familiar routines of a relationship. It’s about the aspects of romance that remain the same, no matter what happens.
12. “The Way You Look Tonight” – Fred Astaire
Lyric Sample: “There is nothing for me but to love you.”
This timeless 1930s tune is about admiring someone for who they are in the moment. Astaire sings about his partner’s smile, warmth, and charm, and feeling completely taken by them.
13. “Something’s Gotta Give” – Sammy Davis Jr.
Lyric Sample: “Don’t say no because I insist, somewhere, somehow, someone’s gonna be kissed.”
The 1955 jazzy tune is about the tension between two people who can’t resist each other. One is drawn to the other, and neither can hold back for long.
Best Love Songs of the 1960s
The 1960s gave us soulful tracks and rock-and-roll ballads, many of which are considered the best love songs of all time.
14. “Unchained Melody” – The Righteous Brothers
Lyric Sample: “And time goes by so slowly, and time can do so much.”
“Unchained Melody” is about longing for someone far away and hoping their love remains. It’s the duo’s biggest hit and one of the most famous love songs of the ’60s.
Related: “Unchained Melody” Song Meaning
15. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley
Lyric Sample: “Take my hand, take my whole life, too.”
This 1961 ballad is about the feeling of falling in love even when it’s unexpected. It became one of Elvis’ most well-known tracks, often played at weddings and other romantic occasions.
16. “My Girl” – The Temptations
Lyric Sample: “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day.”
This 1964 Motown classic is all about falling in love with someone who makes everything better. It’s instantly recognizable by its melody and unforgettable chorus.
Related: Best Songs with “Girl” in the Title
17. “At Last” – Etta James
Lyric Sample: “At last, my love has come along, my lonely days are over.”
“At Last” quickly became Etta James’ signature song, often played at weddings for its hopeful and celebratory message. It’s about the relief and joy of finding true love after a long wait.
18. “Fly Me to the Moon” – Frank Sinatra
Lyric Sample: “Fill my heart with song, and let me sing forevermore.”
Sinatra’s smooth delivery in this classic jazz track has made it a popular choice for every type of romantic occasion. He sings about wanting to be swept away by love and to experience life with someone special.
Related: Best Songs About the Moon
19. “Sugar, Sugar” – The Archies
Lyric Sample: “You are my candy girl, and you got me wanting you.”
This bubblegum pop tune from 1969 is about a sweet, carefree infatuation. It became a gigantic global hit, defining the sound of late-’60s pop and still widely recognized today.
Related: Best Garter Toss Songs
20. “Something” – The Beatles
Lyric Sample: Somewhere in her smile, she knows, that I don’t need no other lover.”
George Harrison wrote this track about being drawn to someone in a way that words can’t fully explain. A lot of the Beatles’ songs could have gone on this list, but “Something” is arguably their best love song.
21. “God Only Knows” – The Beach Boys
Lyric Sample: “God only knows what I’d be without you.”
“God Only Knows” is about the overwhelming fear and devotion that sometimes come with loving someone. It’s one of the Beach Boys’ best, and easily their most popular love song.
Related: “God Only Knows” Song Meaning
22. “Stand by Me” – Ben E. King
Lyric Sample: “I won’t be afraid, just as long as you stand, stand by me.”
This R&B classic is about loyalty and support, no matter what life throws your way. It’s a promise to stand by someone through the toughest times.
Related: “Stand by Me” Song Meaning
23. “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” – Frankie Valli
Lyric Sample: “You’d be like Heaven to touch, I wanna hold you so much.”
Frankie Valli has plenty of great love songs, but “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” is on another level. This 1967 pop tune is about being so taken by someone that you can’t help but be in awe of them.
Related: Best Songs with “Eyes” in the Title
24. “When a Man Loves a Woman” – Percy Sledge
Lyric Sample: “When a man loves a woman, he’ll spend his very last dime tryin’ to hold on to what he needs.”
Sledge’s biggest hit describes the all-consuming nature of love, where a man’s devotion to a woman blinds him to everything else. It’s about the sacrifice and vulnerability that can come with loving someone so much.
25. “I Got You Babe” – Sonny & Cher
Lyric Sample: “Then put your little hand in mine, there ain’t no hill or mountain we can’t climb.”
This 1965 folk-rock duet is about a couple reassuring each other that love is enough, no matter the challenges they face. It was Sonny & Cher’s signature song, reaching number one in multiple countries.
26. “Be My Baby” – The Ronettes
Lyric Sample: “I’ll make you happy, baby, just wait and see.”
The Ronettes’ famous tune is all about wanting someone to be yours. It became a defining moment for girl groups of the ’60s, and is still widely recognized for its catchy chorus.
Related: Best Songs with “Baby” in the Title
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Best Love Songs of the 1970s
The 1970s was a decade where sentimental soft rock and soaring ballads redefined the sound of romance in popular music.
27. “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton
Lyric Sample: “I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes.”
In this legendary ballad, Clapton sings about the joy of seeing someone he loves look their best. It’s about those moments when you realize how lucky you are to be with your partner.
28. “Let’s Stay Together” – Al Green
Lyric Sample: “‘Cause you make me feel so brand new.”
Considered one of the best R&B love songs, Al Green’s silky soul track is about sticking together through thick and thin. It’s a promise of love and loyalty in any situation.
29. “Your Song” – Elton John
Lyric Sample: “And you can tell everybody this is your song.”
This 1970 soft rock track is all about putting your heart into something personal, even if it’s not perfect. It was Elton’s first big international hit, helping launch his career beyond the UK.
30. “How Deep Is Your Love” – Bee Gees
Lyric Sample: “We belong to you and me.”
This Bee Gees classic is about wanting assurance that a relationship will last. “How Deep Is Your Love” is easily one of the most famous disco love songs ever made.
31. “Just the Way You Are” – Billy Joel
Lyric Sample: “I need to know that you will always be the same old someone that I knew.”
Joel’s 1977 hit is about loving someone without expecting or wanting them to change. The song earned him his first two Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year.
Related: “Just the Way You Are” Song Meaning
32. “Love of My Life” – Queen
Lyric Sample: “Bring it back, bring it back, don’t take it away from me, because you don’t know what it means to me.”
Queen’s rock ballad is about losing someone important but still being devoted to them. There’s more heartache in this one than in most of the other love songs on the list.
33. “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” – Stevie Wonder
Lyric Sample: “I feel like this is the beginning, though I’ve loved you for a million years.”
In “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” Stevie Wonder sings about his full commitment to his partner. It’s a tribute to someone who brings positivity and warmth to your life.
Related: Best “Sunshine” Songs
34. “Always and Forever” – Heatwave
Lyric Sample: “Everyday love me your own special way.”
This slow jam is a smooth, romantic track about everlasting love, describing time together as a perfect, dream-like experience. This is easily one of the most covered love songs from the ’70s.
35. “I’ll Be There” – The Jackson 5
Lyric Sample: “Just call my name and I’ll be there.”
This 1970 Motown classic, featuring a young Michael Jackson, is about providing unconditional support to someone you love. It was one of multiple number-one hits the group had that year.
36. “Hopelessly Devoted to You” – Olivia Newton-John
Lyric Sample: “I’m outta my head, hopelessly devoted to you.”
Released in 1978 on the Grease soundtrack, Newton-John sings about being unable to move on from someone. Her heart overrides her common sense, leaving her dedicated despite the rejection.
37. “Time in a Bottle” – Jim Croce
Lyric Sample: “I’d save every day like a treasure and then, again, I would spend them with you.”
This classic 1972 folk song is about wanting to slow down time and hold on to special moments with someone you love. The song reached number one after Croce’s tragic death the following year.
Related: Best Songs About Time
38. “We’ve Only Just Begun” – The Carpenters
Lyric Sample: “Before the rising sun, we fly, so many roads to choose.”
This soft rock favorite is about the excitement and optimism that come with the beginning of a new chapter in life. It’s one of the best songs ever made about new love.
39. “Love Will Keep Us Together” – Captain & Tennille
Lyric Sample: “Just stop, ’cause I really love you, stop, I’ll be thinking of you.”
“Love Will Keep Us Together” is a pop song about holding onto love despite distractions and challenges. Captain & Tennille’s version was an international hit and one of the biggest songs of 1975.
Related: Grammy for Record of the Year
Best Love Songs of the 1980s
The 1980s turned up the volume on romance, dominating the charts with epic power ballads and synth-driven love songs.
40. “Against All Odds” – Phil Collins
Lyric Sample: “And there’s nothin’ left here to remind me, just the memory of your face.”
Possibly the saddest love song on this list, “Against All Odds” is about having a hard time watching an ex move on and the slim hopes of reconciliation. Collins wrote the song after his divorce from his first wife.
41. “Endless Love” – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Lyric Sample: “Two hearts that beat as one, our lives have just begun.”
The massive 1981 R&B love song is about knowing that a relationship will last forever. It was both singers’ biggest hit and one of the most successful duets in music history.
42. “Time After Time” – Cyndi Lauper
Lyric Sample: “If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me.”
Lauper’s 1984 hit is about being there for someone, no matter what happens. Known for its legendary chorus, it’s a promise of constant support, even when times get tough.
Related: “Time After Time” Song Meaning
43. “Up Where We Belong” – Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
Lyric Sample: “Love lift us up where we belong, where the eagles cry on a mountain high.”
This 1982 duet from An Officer and a Gentleman celebrates two people finding strength in their relationship to rise above their circumstances. The track won a Grammy Award and an Academy Award.
44. “I Just Called to Say I Love You” – Stevie Wonder
Lyric Sample: “But what it is, is something true, made up of these three words that I must say to you.”
In this cheerful 1984 pop hit, Stevie Wonder sings about the joy of saying “I love you” purely for its own sake, without needing a special occasion.
45. “Right Here Waiting” – Richard Marx
Lyric Sample: “Whatever it takes, or how my heart breaks, I will be right here waiting for you.”
Marx’s 1989 ballad is about the pain and dedication of a long-distance relationship. He wrote the hit while his wife, actress Cynthia Rhodes, was filming overseas.
46. “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” – Starship
Lyric Sample: “And we can build this dream together, standing strong forever.”
This 1987 rock song is about a bond so great that no external challenge can break the couple. Featured in the romantic comedy Mannequin, it became Starship’s biggest hit.
47. “Eternal Flame” – The Bangles
Lyric Sample: “Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling.”
“Eternal Flame” is a 1989 pop ballad about the intense, almost dreamlike feeling of being in love. It was a monster hit for the group, topping the charts in many countries.
48. “Never Tear Us Apart” – INXS
Lyric Sample: “Two worlds collided, and they could never, ever tear us apart.”
“Never Tear Us Apart” is a rock song about a love so powerful that no force could break it. Best love song to come from Australia? Probably.
49. “Glory of Love” – Peter Cetera
Lyric Sample: “I am a man who will fight for your honor.”
Peter Cetera’s 1986 solo hit is about the commitment to become a better person worthy of a partner’s love. The track was the theme song in the movie The Karate Kid Part II.
50. “Waiting for a Girl Like You” – Foreigner
Lyric Sample: “I’ve been waiting for a girl like you to come into my life.”
This 1981 rock song is about the satisfaction of finding a good partner after a long search. The track spent a record-setting ten weeks at number two on the U.S. charts.
51. “Heaven” – Bryan Adams
Lyric Sample: “Now our dreams are comin’ true, through the good times and the bad.”
Adams’ ballad is about finding a love that makes everything else fade away. It was his first number-one hit, and some would argue it’s the best love song of the ’80s.
52. “Faithfully” – Journey
Lyric Sample: “They say that the road ain’t no place to start a family, right down the line, it’s been you and me.”
Considered by many to be the best power ballad ever made, “Faithfully” is about the ups and downs of loving someone when you’re constantly on the road. There aren’t many vocalists who could sing a love song like Steve Perry.
Related: “Faithfully” Song Meaning
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Best Love Songs of the 1990s
The 1990s delivered a diverse selection of love songs, from smooth R&B slow jams to dramatic soundtrack ballads.
53. “I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston
Lyric Sample: “And I wish to you joy and happiness, but above all this, I wish you love.”
This powerful ballad, originally written by Dolly Parton, became a worldwide hit after Whitney’s classic rendition. It’s about selfless love and how true love can exist even if two people have to part ways.
Related: Best Karaoke Songs for Women
54. “More Than Words” – Extreme
Lyric Sample: “More than words is all you have to do to make it real.”
“More Than Words” was a bit of a surprise when it was released since Extreme was known for their heavier rock tunes. It’s a gentle acoustic track about expressing love through actions rather than just words.
Related: “More Than Words” Song Meaning
55. “My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion
Lyric Sample: “Near, far, wherever you are, I believe that the heart does go on.”
Forever tied to the film Titanic, this epic ’90s song is about love that transcends even death and time. The orchestral arrangement perfectly complements Dion’s emotional delivery.
Related: Best Songs with “Heart” in the Title
56. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” – Aerosmith
Lyric Sample: “I don’t want to miss one smile, I don’t want to miss one kiss.”
This power ballad is about wanting to savor every single moment with the person you love. It gave Aerosmith an unexpected second-career number one hit in the late ’90s.
Related: Best Songs About Missing Someone
57. “All My Life” – K-Ci & JoJo
Lyric Sample: “All my life, I prayed for someone like you.”
This classic R&B track is about the relief and joy of finally finding the perfect love after a long search. It became a staple at weddings and a defining slow jam of the decade.
Related: “All My Life” Song Meaning
58. “You’re Still the One” – Shania Twain
Lyric Sample: “You’re still the one I run to, the one that I belong to.”
One of the best country love songs from the ’90s, “You’re Still the One” celebrates a love that has endured all the gossip, pressure, and doubts from the outside world. It became an anthem for couples who have stood the test of time together.
59. “Amazed” – Lonestar
Lyric Sample: “I don’t know how you do what you do, I’m so in love with you.”
Lonestar’s biggest hit is about a man completely overwhelmed by the effect his partner has on his life. It was a massive crossover track that introduced many pop listeners to country music.
60. “Iris” – Goo Goo Dolls
Lyric Sample: “And all I can taste is this moment, and all I can breathe is your life.”
Written for the film City of Angels, this 1998 rock ballad is about wanting to be completely understood and seen by the person you love. It’s one of the most successful singles of all time, and almost universally seen as one of the best love songs of the ’90s.
Related: “Iris” Song Meaning
61. “Always” – Bon Jovi
Lyric Sample: “I’ll be there ’til the stars don’t shine, ’til the heavens burst and the words don’t rhyme.”
Bon Jovi’s hit is one of the best love songs of the decade, and also one of the toughest love songs to sing. It’s about feeling the same way toward someone even after the relationship has ended.
62. “Always Be My Baby” – Mariah Carey
Lyric Sample: “‘Cause I know in my heart, babe, our love will never die.”
Carey’s iconic R&B track is about an unconditional love that survives a breakup, insisting that her ex will always hold a special place in her heart. This track has a light, easy-going feel despite its deep meaning.
Related: Songs with “Baby” in the Title
63. “Truly Madly Deeply” – Savage Garden
Lyric Sample: “I wanna stand with you on a mountain, I wanna bathe with you in the sea.”
Savage Garden’s romantic 1997 track is about being completely immersed in a loving relationship. The duo had a bunch of hits in the ’90s, but this was their biggest.
64. “I Swear” – All-4-One
Lyric Sample: “I swear by the moon and the stars in the sky, I’ll be there.”
This 1994 R&B track is a promise of unconditional love in song form. It’s great sound and the group’s smooth harmonies made this song a go-to for slow dances.
65. “By Your Side” – Sade
Lyric Sample: “You think I’d leave your side, baby, you know me better than that.”
Sade’s soulful track is a promise to be a constant source of comfort, support, and strength for a loved one. It did get some award consideration, but it’s still probably the most underrated love song on this list.
Best Love Songs of the 2000s
The new millennium added acoustic-driven folk-pop and the layered production of contemporary R&B and pop to the mix.
66. “You’re Beautiful” – James Blunt
Lyric Sample: “And I don’t think that I’ll see her again, but we shared a moment that will last ’til the end.”
Blunt’s international hit is about a brief, profound sighting of a woman on a train. It feels like we’re in his head as he tries to imagine being with her but realizes it’ll never happen.
67. “Bleeding Love” – Leona Lewis
Lyric Sample: “I don’t care what they say, I’m in love with you.”
“Bleeding Love” is about someone so committed that they are willing to accept pain and damage for the sake of the relationship. This one covers the all-consuming, vulnerable side of falling in love.
Related: “Bleeding Love” Song Meaning
68. “Hero” – Enrique Iglesias
Lyric Sample: “I can be your hero, baby, I can kiss away the pain.”
This Latin pop crossover is a promise to be a constant source of strength for your partner. It’s Iglesias’ biggest hit and one of the top-selling singles of all time.
69. “Crazy in Love” – Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z
Lyric Sample: “Your love’s got me looking so crazy right now.”
“Crazy in Love” covers the wild, uncontrollable side of love, where emotions are high and nothing feels grounded. It was Beyoncé’s first number-one song as a solo artist, and multiple publications have named it the best song of the 2000s.
70. “Fallin’” – Alicia Keys
Lyric Sample: “I keep on fallin’ in and out of love with you.”
Keys’ debut hit is about the emotional rollercoaster of love, describing how it can bring both joy and frustration. It’s a deep dive into how love can be both empowering and confusing at once.
71. “This I Promise You” – NSYNC
Lyric Sample: “I’ll be your strength, I’ll give you hope, keeping your faith when it’s gone.”
This 2000 pop ballad is about offering unwavering love and support, promising to stand by someone through everything life throws their way. NSYNC released a lot of love songs, but this one is arguably their best.
72. “Come Away with Me” – Norah Jones
Lyric Sample: “Come away with me, and we’ll kiss on a mountaintop.”
Norah Jones’ classic jazz tune is an invitation to escape on a romantic adventure. It’s about leaving behind everything to be with someone, away from the chaos.
73. “I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz
Lyric Sample: “Well, open up your mind and see like me, open up your plans and, damn, you’re free.”
This hit acoustic track is a lighthearted love song that encourages being open and vulnerable, letting go of doubts. It’s Mraz’s biggest hit to date and won him multiple Grammys in 2009.
74. “Everything” – Michael Bublé
Lyric Sample: “And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times, it’s you, it’s you, you make me sing.”
One of Bublé’s more pop-leaning tunes, “Everything” is a cheerful tribute to a person who makes everything better. It’s about finding peace and joy in a relationship, no matter the chaos around you.
75. “She Will Be Loved” – Maroon 5
Lyric Sample: “I’ve had you so many times, but somehow, I want more.”
This 2004 pop-rock song tells a story of unrequited love, where the narrator is willing to do whatever it takes to make a girl feel cherished. Along with their other early hits, “This Love” and “Harder to Breathe,” “She Will Be Loved” helped put Maroon 5 on the map.
Related: “She Will Be Loved” Song Meaning
76. “You and Me” – Lifehouse
Lyric Sample: “And I don’t know why, I can’t keep my eyes off of you.”
“You and Me” is about the magnetic pull of love, where everything else fades away when you’re with the one you care about. It’s much softer than Lifehouse’s typical sound, and it is their second-biggest hit to date (behind “Hanging by a Moment”).
77. “Better Together” – Jack Johnson
Lyric Sample: “Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart.”
Johnson’s mellow 2005 track is about the contentment of everyday life when shared with a loved one. It’s a simple, comforting message that everything is nicer when love is in the air.
78. “Chasing Cars” – Snow Patrol
Lyric Sample: “Would you lie with me and just forget the world?”
“Chasing Cars” is about wanting to shut out everything else and just be with the one you love. It became Snow Patrol’s biggest hit and one of the defining rock love songs of the 2000s.
Related: “Chasing Cars” Song Meaning
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Best Love Songs of the 2010s
In the 2010s, the dominant love song styles were the minimalist pop ballads and high-energy electronic dance music.
79. “All of Me” – John Legend
Lyric Sample: “Love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections.”
This 2013 ballad is the ultimate modern unconditional love song, celebrating the entirety of a partner, flaws and all. Legend wrote this dedication to his wife, Chrissy Teigen.
80. “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran
Lyric Sample: “She shares my dreams, I hope that, someday, I’ll share her home.”
“Perfect” is a pop song about falling in love with someone who feels like everything you’ve been waiting for. Sheeran has created many love songs over the years, but “Perfect” has been his most successful so far.
81. “A Thousand Years” – Christina Perri
Lyric Sample: “I have loved you for a thousand years, I’ll love you for a thousand more.”
Written for the fourth Twilight film, this romantic ballad is about loving someone so much that you would wait lifetimes for them. It quickly became one of the most requested contemporary love songs for weddings.
Related: “A Thousand Years” Song Meaning
82. “Just the Way You Are” – Bruno Mars
Lyric Sample: “And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while.”
Mars’ debut single is a compliment in song form, assuring someone that she is beautiful and perfect without needing to change anything. It’s a feel-good tune about appreciating natural beauty.
83. “Love Me Like You Do” – Ellie Goulding
Lyric Sample: “Follow me through the dark, let me take you past the satellites.”
This 2015 pop track captures the dizzying feeling of being consumed by love, where every touch and glance feels electric. It was created for the film Fifty Shades of Grey and became Goulding’s biggest hit.
Related: Brit Awards – Song of the Year
84. “Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Lyric Sample: “Home is wherever I’m with you.”
This folk pop song is a charmingly quirky dialogue between two lovers who say that no matter where they are in the world, they are always home when they’re together.
Related: Best Hiking Songs
85. “Die for You” – The Weeknd
Lyric Sample: “I’m scared that I’ll miss you, happens every time.”
In this 2017 R&B track, the Weeknd sings about a commitment that transcends distance and hardships, and his willingness to sacrifice everything for his partner. Since its release, the song, along with its remix featuring Ariana Grande, has been one of the most-streamed love songs.
86. “Shallow” – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
Lyric Sample: “I’m off the deep end, watch as I dive in, I’ll never meet the ground.”
Written for A Star Is Born in 2018, “Shallow” is about two people breaking free from fear and vulnerability to truly connect. It became the most successful love duet of the decade and won multiple awards.
Related: “Shallow” Song Meaning
87. “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber
Lyric Sample: “If it’s 10,000 hours or the rest of my life, I’m gonna love you.”
This country-pop collaboration is about putting in the time and effort to really get to know your significant other. As of this writing, it is the highest-charting non-holiday country song ever.
Related: Best Songs with Numbers in the Title
88. “Best Part” – Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R.
Lyric Sample: “You’re the coffee that I need in the morning, you’re my sunshine in the rain when it’s pouring.”
“Best Part” is an acoustic track about the joy and warmth found in a relationship, where every moment together feels significant. It won the Best R&B Performance Grammy in 2019.
89. “Adore You” – Harry Styles
Lyric Sample: “I’d walk through fire for you, just let me adore you.”
In “Adore You,” Styles sings about being completely dedicated to someone, willing to do whatever it takes to make them feel special. It’s one of the better love songs about the early stages of a relationship.
90. “Say You Won’t Let Go” – James Arthur
Lyric Sample: “But I wanna stay with you until we’re grey and old.”
The 2016 pop ballad details a relationship from its first spark to a lifelong commitment, capturing love in everyday moments. It’s Arthur’s biggest hit to date and, surprisingly, his only song to chart in the United States.
91. “Butterflies” – Kacey Musgraves
Lyric Sample: “Now, you’re lifting me up instead of holding me down, stealing my heart instead of stealing my crown.”
This 2018 country love song is about the transformative feeling of falling in love and rediscovering yourself. Musgraves sings about the joy of finding someone who makes you feel free and light.
Best Love Songs of the 2020s (so far)
It’ll be years until we know which 2020s love songs stand the test of time, but below are some of the candidates.
92. “Ordinary” – Alex Warren
Lyric Sample: “The angels up in the clouds are jealous knowin’ we found, somethin’ so out of the ordinary.”
In this 2025 smash hit, Warren uses spiritual imagery to show how love can make everything seem more extraordinary. It’s been one of the most successful songs of the 2020s, spending 16 weeks atop the Pop Airplay chart.
Related: “Ordinary” Song Meaning
93. “Until I Found You” – Stephen Sanchez
Lyric Sample: “I was lost within the darkness, but then I found her, I found you.”
“Until I Found You” is a 1950s-style pop song describing the transformative power of love. It’s about realizing that the love you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived.
94. “Golden Hour” – JVKE
Lyric Sample: “She’s got glitter for skin, my radiant beam in the night.”
This pop track captures the beautiful, suspended feeling of falling in love with someone who makes every moment feel perfect. It became JVKE’s first global hit back in 2022.
95. “Levitating” – Dua Lipa
Lyric Sample: “I got you, moonlight, you’re my starlight, I need you all night.”
This disco-pop track is an invitation to escape on a romantic journey with a new love interest. Dua Lipa sings about the exciting, weightless feeling of being instantly infatuated with someone.
Related: Best Songs with Dances
96. “Tennessee Orange” – Megan Moroney
Lyric Sample: “In Georgia, they’d call it a sin, I’m wearing Tennessee orange for him.”
This playful yet heartfelt country track flips a fierce sports rivalry into a love story. With humor and sincerity, Moroney chooses love over loyalty to a college team.
Related: “Tennessee Orange” Song Meaning
97. “Birds of a Feather” – Billie Eilish
Lyric Sample: “Can’t change the weather, might not be forever, but if it’s forever, it’s even better.”
In this 2024 love song, Eilish reflects on the complexity of love that’s both comforting and challenging. It’s about the struggle that comes with wanting to stay together even when things aren’t easy.
Related: “Birds of a Feather” Song Meaning
98. “What If I Told You That I Love You” – Ali Gatie
Lyric Sample: “What if I told you that I need you? Would you tell me that you need me, yeah?”
This emotional R&B track is about fear of rejection and the risk involved in revealing your true feelings to someone. The entire song is structured as an anxious thought process before saying “I love you.”
99. “Follow You” – Imagine Dragons
Lyric Sample: “I’ll follow you way down to your deepest low.”
This pop-rock song is a promise of unconditional support and loyalty to a partner. It’s a vow to stick by the person no matter what challenges life brings them.
100. “POV” – Ariana Grande
Lyric Sample: “For all of my pretty and all of my ugly too, I’d love to see me from your point of view.”
Ariana Grande’s 2021 R&B ballad is about wanting to see yourself through your partner’s eyes to gain self-acceptance. It’s about the growth that comes with love and how a great partner can help break down your insecurities.
101. “Better Together” – Luke Combs
Lyric Sample: “It’s a match made up in heaven, like good ol’ boys and beer, and me, as long as you’re right here.”
This 2020 country song uses simple, everyday pairings like “coffee and a sunrise” to show how much better the singer’s life is when shared with his partner. It’s a celebration of a stable, long-term relationship.
Related: “Better Together” Song Meaning
Conclusion
These 101 songs show how the sound of romance constantly evolves, from the doo-wop of the ’50s to modern pop. The best love songs, regardless of which decade they came from, all share the same goal: to explain all of the feelings that come with being truly devoted to another person.
If you enjoyed this list, you might also like our picks for Songs About Peace, Songs About Friendship, and Songs About Family.
Also, be sure to check out our Love Song Meanings page for full interpretations of great love songs!
