Queue These Sweet Love Songs for the Most Romantic Playlist Ever

best love songs
30 Best Love Songs of All TimePaha_L - Getty Images
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Everybody has their signature song (or playlist) for daydreaming about that special someone while looking out the car window. We’re talking about those tunes you play on repeat because they pull on your heart strings to evoke those delightful, elusive emotions that words can’t explain. The songs that miraculously give clichés meaning once again. We all experience love differently, and music written about love mirrors that. The best love songs come in all genres, from country love songs to soulful ballads to upbeat '80s songs that make you want to dance with somebody (can you guess which one we're talking about? 😂).

There are countless beautiful love songs throughout time, so we'll be the first to admit that this simply cannot be a be-all, end-all list. Still, we've gathered some of the sweetest and most romantic love songs that are perfect for every occasion. This selection covers a wide breadth of not only genres but tempos as well. If you need a cute piece to play in the background during Valentine's Day dinner, slow things down and let Etta James croon "At Last" to you and your sweetheart. Look no further for date night ideas and have a dance party that includes Madonna and Whitney Houston. Here, you'll find songs that capture the whole emotional range of love, including sad love songs like Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" on one end of the spectrum and euphoric tracks like Beyoncé's "Love on Top" on the other. So, grab your significant other, press play, and let the dancing and romancing begin!

"I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton

The Queen of Country always knows how to infuse so much heart into her songs. This timeless tearjerker is about a love that's not meant to be.

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"Love on Top" by Beyoncé

Beyoncé's 2011 banger is an ode to feeling confident in love! It's all about her honey on this upbeat, joyful track.

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"Lullaby" by The Chicks

How long do you want to be loved? Is forever enough? That's the heart and soul of this slow, sweet Chicks song.

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"All of Me" by John Legend

Grab your tissues! John Legend is basically the guy for heartwarming, gorgeous love songs in the last 20 years. The music video for this one features his real-life wife and is about genuine commitment to your love.

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"God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys

The title of this song sums up what everyone feels about the love of their life—God only knows what I'd be without you.

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"At Last" by Etta James

How many movies and wedding soundtracks has this slow, soulful ballad been a part of? Who knows, but Etta James' gorgeous crooning is romance at its finest.

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"I'm on Fire" by Bruce Springsteen

With this moody number, The Boss perfectly captures that feeling of yearning that can only come from forbidden love.

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"Sea of Love" by Cat Power

Slow things down with the soulful sound of Cat Power. The Georgia native crafts a bare-bones cover that's sensitive and full of longing.

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"Cherish" by Madonna

Of course we had to include a song from Ree Drummond's (and everyone's) favorite '80s pop queen! "Cherish" is the perfect word to describe your love.

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"This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" by Talking Heads

Talking Heads' David Byrne wanted to create a love song that wasn't too corny. He hit the nail on the head with this upbeat yet sincere bop about his love being his home.

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"I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston

Need a love song that makes you want to jump up and dance with your "somebody"? Look no further than Whitney Houston's bubbly '80s classic!

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“Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley

There's something about the tender way that Elvis sings his original ballad that simply beats out all the covers. It's the perfect slow song to dance to with your sweetheart.

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“How Deep Is Your Love” by Bee Gees

Who said disco music can't be romantic? The Bee Gees wrote this song for Saturday Night Fever, so plenty of wedding DJs have the film to thank!

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“If I Ain't Got You” by Alicia Keys

When it comes to what's really important in life, Alicia Keys' lyrics say it all. The singer lays out all of the material things that people live for, but swears she doesn't want any of it if she can't be with her one true love.

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“Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers

This is definitely one of the most swoon-worthy songs of all time! Plus, the Righteous Brothers classic is in that sultry scene from the movie Ghost, which really takes the romance to the next level.

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"And I Love Her" by The Beatles

The Beatles have so many sweet love songs to choose from, but this heartfelt tune from the movie A Hard Day's Night stands out from the rest. Paul McCartney plays with beautiful imagery in its lyrics and he's said that the song was the first one he ever "impressed himself with."

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"In Spite of Ourselves" by Iris DeMent and John Prine

This John Prine classic is a sweet and simple duet for two quirky partners in crime. While the lyrics may be cheeky, the true message lies in the chorus: "There won't be nothin' but big old hearts / Dancin' in our eyes."

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"Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The lyrics to this early 2000s alt-rock hit are simple yet moving. Karen O repeats the line, "Wait, they don’t love you like I love you" like a mantra for anyone who's ever been in love.

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"Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen

A poet and musician, Cohen is considered one of the greatest lyricists of his time. "Hallelujah" is one part religious exultation of love and one part mournful ode to mistakes made.

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"Mystery of Love" by Sufjan Stevens

This sweet, acoustic song is all wide-eyed and full of wonder about falling in love with someone. "Mystery of Love" is a masterful exploration of precisely that—the mystery of love.

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