Top Romantic Songs

If you want to set the mood while you're eating a romantic dinner with your loved one, or simply want to make a Valentine's Day playlist for the week, here's a list of some of the most popular love songs of all time:

"Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton
An ode to your loved one and sung with heartfelt honesty by the guitar god himself, the beauty of this song is in its romantic simplicity: it’s a song about being proud to be with someone, a song of compliments and a song of love. You can't do better than this for classic, romantic sentiment.
"God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys tended toward sun-drenched harmonies about surfing and cute girls, but “God Only Knows” from the band’s groundbreaking “Pet Sounds” album marked a huge shift. Grown up, heartfelt, and even spiritual, this song still chokes up listeners with its beauty.
"At Last" by Etta James
Hasn’t everyone at this point been to at least one wedding in which “At Last” was the bride and groom’s chosen song? I don’t point this out as disparagement. Rather, it’s the perfect example of how universally adored this song is. Any man can appreciate hearing that his girl considers him the prince and all others who came before him the frogs.
"Crazy in Love" by Beyonce
Love songs don’t always have to be sappy ballads. Just try to resist getting on the dance floor when Beyonce tells her man how crazy in love she is with him. Booty-shaking is as worthy a way as any to show your love.
"How Do I Live" by Trisha Yearwood
There was a time when every Hollywood movie needed a big, bombastic chart-topping song to accompany the climactic scene where the planet is saved, the boy gets the girl, or some other triumph is celebrated. Luckily for Trisha Yearwood, “How Do I Live Without You” is a great song that remains authentically romantic despite its inclusion in the “ConAir” soundtrack.
"When a Man Loves a Woman" by Percy Sledge
If you’ve never heard this song, stop everything and download it now. Play it, slow dance with your girl, and she’ll be in love. This works better than any potion or alcoholic beverage you can buy.
"Lovesong" by The Cure
“Lovesong” is proof that even the Goth kids at your school cared about love and romance. This sweet song’s chorus of “I will always love you” made it a staple on any mix tape. Lead singer Robert Smith might actually be as romantic as the song’s lyrics imply. He married his high school sweetheart in 1988 and they have been together ever since.
"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" by Frankie Valli
The infomercials for Time-Life music compilations from the 50s and 60s always include this gem. “Can’t Take My Eyes off You” evokes nostalgic memories of date nights at malt shops and sock hops, but still resonates beyond its original context. This is one of the most romantic classics of all time.
"Sexual Healing" by Marvin Gaye
Original, sexy and very suave – there’s no mystery to where the evening is headed once this song is played. It’s likely that many babies have surely been born thanks in equal parts to cocktails and this sensual tune.
"I'd Die for You" by Bon Jovi
This heartfelt tune from Bon Jovi doesn’t dance around the topic of devotion with metaphors or figurative language; it goes straight to the heart of the matter. If someone sings this song to you, you’ll either be in love forever or need a restraining order quickly.