The Most Romantic '90s Love Songs That Still Hold Up Today

The 1990s were known for many things—butterfly hair clips, flannel shirts, and baggy jeans come to mind—but beyond those fashion trends, it was also a great time for something else: the love song. Music in the decade was incredibly varied. Everything from pop rock power ballads to bouncy California rap, and R&B, ruled the charts, giving fans plenty of options for their Walkman or tape deck.

And while some '90s love songs feel as dated as the styles that have yet to make a comeback, many of them have held up well. Ginuwine's "Pony" continues to feel sensual and futuristic, Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You" remains a peerless alt anthem, and Mariah Carey's "Emotions" still captures the rapturous feeling of falling head over heels for someone. Björk's "Hyperballad" and Melissa Etheridge's "Come to My Window" deal with the changing nature of love, and what it takes to stay happy in a relationship.

The hits on this list are united by their emotional candor. They cover the excitement of finding the one (K-Ci & JoJo's "All My Life"), wrestle with feeling shy around a crush (Aaliyah's "4 Page Letter"), picking up the pieces post-heartbreak (The Cranberries' "Linger"), and all themes in between.

Whether you're trying to find a nostalgic song for your first wedding dance, something to, err, make love to, or an upbeat anthem to blast while doing some quarantine cleaning, read on for a list of the best, most romantic love songs of the 1990s that span all genres.