The 57 Best Love Songs of All-Time for the Most Romantic Playlist Ever
Throw these on when you want to set a mood.
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When you picture a quintessential love song, a certain type of ditty probably comes to mind: something slow, syrupy and sappy. The songs on this list prove that romantic tunes don't have to be. The best love songs of all time actually sound nothing like each other. There are the slow-dance jams, for sure, but there are also upbeat, thank-God-I-found you songs; yearning ballads that capture what it feels like to pine for another person and even a couple of breakup numbers for if you’re trying to get over a breakup Whether you’re looking for a song to use because you're searching for your first dance at your wedding, putting together a playlist for Valentine’s Day or making a bold declaration of love a la Lloyd Dobler holding the radio over his head in Say Anything, these recording artists have been there before — and they’re able to put what you’re feeling into words better than you can. (Just don't use "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel. Dobler has ruined that one for anyone who comes after him — it's not on this list.) And, if your No. 1 isn't on this list, let us know your favorite in the comments below.
"Unforgettable" (1951)
Nat King Cole's jazz song about an indelible romance was such such a hit that it earned a spot in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
"That's Amore" (1953)
The lyrics in this classic Italian song are pretty cheesy: "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore." But with his Rat Pack charm, Dean Martin makes it work.
"What Is This Thing Called Love?" (1955)
Speaking of Rat Pack, Frank Sinatra could fill a whole separate list of his best love songs — he even has a compilation album full of them! — but this tune stands out for it slow, soulful charisma.
"One In A Million" (1956)
This song by The Platters touches on love, fate and heaven. And it lives on: The Platters are still performing today (when pandemic precautions allow), albeit with with new members.
"At Last" (1960)
This soulful Etta James track about the moment you find your true love also made its way into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Beyoncé even sang this song for the President and First Lady at Barack Obama's first inauguration.
"Can’t Help Falling In Love" (1961)
You've probably heard this ballad a thousand times (it's been covered by plenty of other artists), but Elvis Presley's classic never gets old. It was actually the last song he performed in concert before he passed away.
"My Girl" (1965)
Not only was this upbeat song by The Temptations the group's most well-known tune, it was recently added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry, so it's saved forever.
"Unchained Melody" (1965)
This love song is omnipresent — remember the pottery scene in Ghost? — to the point where Simon Cowell has warned contestants not to audition with it during his shows. (Sorry, singers, no one can outdo the Righetous Brothers.)
"God Only Knows" (1966)
From the Beach Boys' legendary Pet Sounds album comes this fragile, beautiful track, which features the refrain, "God only knows what I'd be without you."
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher (1967)
It's hard not to feel uplifted when you hear Jackie Wilson's R&B hit — it just makes you want to jump around. This song has also been covered by everyone from Dolly Parton to Bruce Springsteen, proving it's loved across all genres of music.
"All You Need is Love" (1967)
It's hard to pick just one from The Beatles, who produced an incredible number of love songs in the '60s — "And I Love Her" and "Love Me Do" are a couple of other alternatives — but "All You Need Is Love" really says all you need to know.
"I'll Be There" (1970)
If you want your significant other to be ride-or-die for you, this should be your ballad — done either by the Jackson 5, or Mariah Carey.
"Your Song" (1970)
Elton John's beloved pop song from the '70s is still thriving today — he performed it live as recently as the 2010 Grammy Awards, and actor Taron Egerton sang it in a pivotal scene in John's 2019 biopic, Rocketman.
"Maybe I'm Amazed" (1970)
Paul McCartney's solo tribute to his wife, Linda, ranks up there among the best of the Beatles' output.
RELATED: 31 Iconic Songs That Will Transport You Back to the '70s
"She's Got a Way" (1971)
Though Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are" might get more attention, this song from Joel's first album has more of a vulnerable falling-in-love feeling to it.
Amina is a product review writer and editor who worked as an editorial assistant in the Good Housekeeping Institute from 2018 to 2020, writing original content based on GH Lab experts' product testing and analysis. Amina graduated from Montclair State University with a B.A. in communication studies and journalism.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
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