100 Love Songs

Here's a list of 100 love songs, organized by category. A lot of these are personal favorites. Next time you're preparing for a wedding or anniversary, these love songs can help you prepare something romantic, song wise.

All-Time Greatest Love Songs

These are our picks for the 10 all-time greatest love songs ever.

1. "Unchained Melody", Righteous Brothers - This was one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, with over 500 cover versions in dozens of languages. In 1955, there were five versions of 'Unchained Melody' on the pop charts at one time.

2. "At Last", Etta James - Was there a more romantic moment this year than when President Obama and his wife Michelle danced to this tune after the Inauguration?

3. "I Will Always Love You", Dolly Parton / Whitney Houston - Whether you prefer Dolly's or Whitney's version, you just can't overlook this powerful love song. Dolly's is the original, Whitney's is the highest selling pop song of all time.

4. "Love Me Tender", Elvis Presley - Recorded for the movie of the same name (spoiler alert -- Elvis dies in the movie), this incredibly popular tune is based on an old Civil War folk song.

5. "Maybe I'm Amazed", Paul McCartney - McCartney's lyrics are timeless, simple, and supported by a classic melody. This one's no "silly love song".

6. "Your Song", Elton John - A very wordy love song from one of our greatest performers, Elton John. Many music critics consider "Your Song" the perfect love song.

7. "Fly Me to the Moon", Frank Sinatra - Johnny Mathis had one of the earliest versions of this classic Sinatra tune -- but no one sings a love song like Frankie.

8. "In Your Eyes", Peter Gabriel - Pete Gabriel's first Gold record, "In Your Eyes" is ethereal and cool without being too obscure for pop radio.

9. "Unforgettable", Nat King Cole - Originally called "Uncomparable", this song is now de rigeur at weddings and other romantic ceremonies.

10. "Let's Get It On", Marvin Gaye - This track, and the album named after it, created an entire genre of love songs -- "slow jams". Gaye's sexy, funky recording has almost become a cliche in the music world.

Love Songs in Spanish

Spanish is the language of love, and there are a lot of great Spanish love songs. These are ten of our favorites.

11. "La Pistola y El Corazon", Los Lobos - Though Los Lobos are more Chicano rockers than love song balladeers, this track is beautiful and haunting.

12. "Muy Dentro de Mi", Marc Anthony - Maybe the best known Spanish language singer in the world, Anthony's crossover hit "Muy Dentro de Mi" is many people's first taste of Spanish love songs.

13. "Tu Solo Tu", Selena - One of the most beloved names in Latin music delivers her signature performance.

14. "Pra Machucar Meu Coracao", Joao Gilberto - Okay, so I cheated. This song, in Portuguese not Spanish, is a beautiful and gentle ode to love lost.

15. "Estos Celos", Vicente Fernandez - Known as "El Rey" (the King) all over the Latin world, no where is Fernandez' ranchera style more perfect than this track.

16. "Tu Recuerdo Y Yo", Jose Alfredo Jimenez - Considered the greatest Mexican songwriter ever, Jimenez shows off his own version of ranchera music in this beautiful recording.

17. "Bonita Y Mala" ,Los Tigres del Norte - One of the most popular and longest lasting groups in Latin music, Los Tigres have defined the genre for thirty years.

18. "Besame Mucho", Consuelo Velasquez - A classic Spanish love song covered by everyone from the Beatles to performers on American Idol. This is the original.

19. "Si Tu Supierias", Alejandro Fernandez - The son of the great Vicente Fernandez, Alejandro offers this very typical Mexican cancion.

20. "Para Siempre", Vicente Fernandez - Another classic Ranchero song, Fernandez is in fine voice in this 2007 release.

Country Love Songs

Country love songs are popular love songs. Some of our favorite country love songs are listed below.

21. "Lovesick Blues", Hank Williams - This isn't a traditional love song, but Hank turns in what is probably the greatest country song ever written.

22. "After the Fire is Gone", Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty - 1971 found Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty recording one of the loveliest country songs in history.

23. "I Love", Tom T. Hall - This simple, sweet list song shows off some of Mr. Hall's favorite things -- from "slow moving trains" to "bourbon in a glass, and grass".

24. "I Fall to Pieces", Patsy Cline - You can feel the pain in Patsy Cline's voice here. The best performance of one of country music's best artists.

25. "Window Up Above", George Jones - "How I wish I could be dreaming And wake up to an honest love I was wrong for I was watching From the window up above."

26. "Before the Next Teardrop Falls", Freddy Fender - A rarity in country music -- a love song in both English and Spanish. Fender's version is the definitive take.

27. "I Still Miss Someone", Johnny Cash - The man in black shows off his softer side.

28. "Walking the Floor Over You", Ernest Tubb - Tubb and his Texas Troubadors released this absolute essential country love song in 1941.

29. "Young Love", Sonny James - Though James didn't write this song, his version inspired covers by artists like Ray Stevens and the Rolling Stones.

30. "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me", Ray Price - Whether you prefer the Soul version (Gladys Knight) or this version by minor country star Ray Price, you can't ignore the romantic lyrics.

1950s Love Songs

The 1950's were a time of innocence, and that's reflected in the love songs from that decade.

31. "Mona Lisa", Nat King Cole - Nat King Cole's song won an Academy Award in 1950.

32. "Please Send Me Someone to Love", Percy Mayfield - A blues ballad from way back in 1950, Mayfield's number one hit is one of the most durable songs of the 50s, covered by hundreds of artists.

33. "Lonely Teardrops", Jackie Wilson - This 1958 R&B hit was number one on the charts for well over a month.

34. "Peggy Sue", Buddy Holly - This country/rock/folk hybrid sounds like no other love song ever recorded.

35. "In the Still of the Night", Five Satins - Recorded in the basement of a Catholic school, this doo-wop track hit the top of the charts in 1954.

36. "Why do Fools Fall in Love", Teenagers - The doo-wop style of this song is the epitome of America in the 50s.

37. "Earth Angel", Penguins - Another great doo-wop track, 1954's "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" is considered the grandfather of rock and roll.

38. "Your Cheatin' Heart", Hank Williams - Hank had plenty of crossover hits, but this track is his most timeless recording.

39. "There Goes My Baby", Drifters - Songwriters Lieber and Stoller wrote hundreds of hits, not the least of which was this chart-topper from 1959.

40. "Lucille", Little Richard - One of the ultimate 50s love songs, Little Richard's early rock and roll hit sounds as fresh today as it did in 1957.

Love Songs for Weddings

Romantic songs always have a place at weddings, but since weddings are a formal affair, you need a certain amount of grace and style in the love songs.

41. "Theme from "'A Summer Place'", Percy Faith - A rare love song without words, this melody screams romance.

42. "Everything I Do, I Do it For You", Brian Adams - A bit over the top, Brian Adams love ballad is a ubiquitous choice at weddings.

43. "Tonight, I Celebrate My Love", Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack - One of 1983s top selling singles, this track can be heard belting out from wedding chapels worldwide.

44. "Light Up My Life", Debby Boone - Pat Boone's daughter recorded the album version of the Academy Award winning movie soundtrack song.

45. "Hopelessly Devoted to You", Olivia Newton-John - Written for the film version of the musical Grease, Olivia Newton-John's song has become an integral part of wedding celebrations.

46. "The Wind Beneath My Wings", Bette Midler - You can hear Bette Midler's 80s ballad playing at graduation ceremonies and weddings alike.

47. "Can't Smile Without You", Barry Manilow - You may be familiar with Jerry Lewis' telethon version of this track -- Manilow's is a lot more romantic.

48. "I Just Called to Say I Love You", Stevie Wonder - One of Stevie Wonder's more sentimental songs, this track is quintessential 80s.

49. "I Got You, Babe", Sonny and Cher - Sonny Bono, then a session musician for producer Phil Spector, wrote this song to capitalize on the popularity of the term "babe".

50. "The Rose", Bette Midler - Midler made this song famous in 1979 in a film of the same name.

Movie Love Songs

Some of the greatest romantic songs are from the movies. Here are ten of our favorite movie love songs.

51. "A Hard Day's Night", The Beatles - A sneaky love song -- you don't hear the romantic side until the bridge.

52. "Sixteen Going On Seventeen", Rodgers and Hammerstein - This innocent love song defined the movie The Sound of Music for millions.

53. "My Heart Will Go On (Theme from Titanic)", Celine Dion - Love it or hate it, you have to admit that this is one of the heavy hitters in the movie love song department.

54. "The Sound of Silence", Simon and Garfunkel - This song is at once lonely and crowded, tragic and beautiful. One of the great love songs from the movies.

55. "It Must Have Been Love", Roxette - The film Pretty Woman wouldn't have been the same without this track.

56. "My Girl", The Temptations - Used in so many movies it is difficult to list them. A classic Temptations track.

57. "Brown Eyed Girl", Van Morrison - Van Morrison's signature song still gets heavy airplay in the United States.

58. "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head", Burt Bacharach - Written for the classic film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Bacharach's song is an innocent romp through the pain of love.

59. "Up Where We Belong", Joe Cocker - Written for the film An Officer and a Gentleman, "Up Where We Belong" earned its writers and singers two Academy Awards and other nods.

60. "No Ordinary Love", Sade - This song sounds as fresh today as when it was released nearly twenty years ago.

Traditional Love Songs

Love songs and tradition go hand in hand.

61. "God Only Knows", The Beach Boys - An atypical song for the usually rock and roll Beach Boys.

62. "Let's Stay Together", Al Green - Al Green's love ballad is about as classic as a love song can get.

63. "Natural Woman", Aretha Franklin - You haven't experienced a love song until you've heard Aretha belt this one live.

64. "Something", The Beatles - George Harrison didn't write many great songs for the Beatles, except of course for this classic love song.

65. "You're the First, The Last, My Everything", Barry White - Barry White's voice IS romance.

66. "Isn't She Lovely", Stevie Wonder - A love song written by a father for his daughter, "Isn't She Lovely" is also a perfect wedding dance song.

67. "The Power of Love", Celine Dion - Celine Dion's pop standard is all that a love song should be.

68. "The Way You Look Tonight", Tony Bennett - Originally performed by Fred Astaire, Bennett's version is the one everyone knows.

69. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", Elton John - Elton John won Grammies, an Oscar, and a Golden Globe for this song from The Lion King.

70. "You Are So Beautiful", Joe Cocker - Another great song for a dad and daughter wedding dance, this tune was written by long time Beatles collaborator Billy Preston.

Novelty Love Songs

Love is about laughter sometimes too. These novelty love songs are a little off the beaten path.

71. "Love Potion Number 9", The Clovers - Popular song writing duo Lieber and Stoller scored this novelty love song hit in 1959.

72. "Leader of the Pack", the Shangri-Las - 1964 found the Shangri-Las recording this track by sneaking an actual motorcycle into a hotel room.

73. "Chantilly Lace", The Big Bopper - Considered one of the grandfathers of the Rockabilly movement, the Big Bopper made this huge hit in 1958.

74. "Witch Doctor", David Seville - In 1958, this novelty song hit the top of the pop charts.

75. "Tip Toe Through The Tulips With Me", Tiny Tim - Originally recorded in the 20s, Tiny Tim had the most popular version of this novelty love song.

76. "I Put A Spell On You", Screamin' Jay Hawkins - This is a frightening but beautiful love song considered by many to be a novelty.

77. "Why Don't We Get Drunk (and Screw)", Jerry Jeff Walker - Recording as Marvin Gardens, Jerry Jeff created an instant fan favorite with this 1973 track.

78. "Barbie Girl", Aqua - Probably the most annoying novelty song ever, Barbie Girl celebrates the love between Barbie and the ubiquitous Ken.

79. "Who Put the Bomp", Barry Mann - A parody of doo-wop style, this song is about how doo-wop music makes women fall in love.

80. "Friends in Low Places", Garth Brooks - Not intended to be a novelty song, but it certainly fits the bill.

Rock Ballads

If you like Whitesnake, than rock and roll love songs are probably your speed. Here are ten of our favorite rock ballad love songs.

81. "More Than Words", Extreme - Nothing screams 1980s to me more than Extreme's very sincere love ballad.

82. "To Be With You", Mr. Big - Straightforward love lyrics and hand clapping melodies -- pure love song joy.

83. "Is This Love", Whitesnake - Originally written for Tina Turner, this Whitesnake track made them one of the hottest acts of the 80s.

84. "Right Here Waiting", Richard Marx - A rare understated 80s rock ballad.

85. "Black Velvet", Alannah Myles - Love it or hate it, you know you're going to hear it when you turn on an 80s station.

86. "I Just Died In Your Arms", Cutting Crew - The unique style of this song makes it stand out among many other similar tracks.

87. "Nothing Compares 2 U", Sinead O'Connor - Sinead may have gotten herself into trouble by ripping up a picture of the Pope, but this song should count as her redemption.

88. "Runaway Train", Soul Asylum - Soul Asylum was a flash in the pan -- this song will be around for years to come.

89. "Heroes", David Bowie - Brian Eno and David Bowie wrote this track as the title song for an album of the same name. It has since become one of Bowie's signature songs.

90. "Lullaby", The Cure - This track is The Cure's highest charting single and greatest love song.

Lesser-Known Love Songs

Looking for a love song she's never heard? Here are ten obscure love songs to surprise her with.

91. "Maps", Yeah Yeah Yeahs - A rock song that whispers, full of great lyrics about desire.

92. "Clamb, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie", Joanna Newsom - A song about longing performed by a woman with an amazing and unforgettable voice.

93. "Heartbeats", The Knife - Electronic music and steel drums combine with obscure lyrics to create a truly great and bizarre love song.

94. "June on the West Coast", Bright Eyes - A song about immature, but perfect, love.

95. "Our Way to Fall", Yo La Tengo - Indie rockers fall in love and make what is almost a perfect pop love song.

96. "Honk If You're Lonely Tonight", Silver Jews - A tongue in cheek ode to great country love songs.

97. "Such Great Heights", Postal Service - Sweet and imminently hummable, this track will always remind me of summer in the early 00s.

98. "Do You Realize", The Flaming Lips - The new state song of Oklahoma (not kidding, look it up) is a simple and charming appeal for love.

99. "The Luckiest", Ben Folds - An older Ben Folds ditches novelty piano pop in favor of sincere love songs.

100. "Desert Island", Magnetic Fields - Sweet, simple, and full of romance, this Magnetic Fields track can brighten the darkest day.