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.
Obviously, not all love songs are the same. You’ve got classic Frank Sinatra-type love songs like what your grandparents danced to at their wedding, country love songs, rock ‘n’ roll 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 to the list. It may have been a tough year, but at least we got some good music from it.
So if you’re tired of your sad girl playlist and your roommates have banned your holiday playlist from the rotation (I see you!), here are 25 of the best love songs of all time to start blasting now.
“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.
“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.
“dancing in the kitchen” by LANY
This upbeat, synthpop song will make you want to grab your person 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.
“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 1960s 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.
“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.
“Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat
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 (better known as 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% 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.
“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.
Via Cosmopolitan US.