10 Most Romantic Songs of All Time

Enthusiastic man playing guitar for girlfriend on bed
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Romantic love songs are some of the most memorable pop songs ever written. These are the ten best of all time.

01
of 10

Barry White - "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" (1975)

Barry White You're the First, My Last, My Everything
Courtesy 20th Century

Few singers could flatter a lover like the masterful Barry White. He's so overcome with praise for his lover here that his deep growl positively bursts into the chorus of "You're the first, the last, my everything!" By the time he released this classic, Barry White had already reached the pop top 10 with three singles in his trademark proto-disco sound. "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" reached #2 on the US pop chart, #1 on the R&B chart, and it was a very early disco hit.

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02
of 10

Savage Garden - "Truly Madly Deeply" (1997)

Savage Garden Truly Madly Deeply
Courtesy Columbia

This duo's song of a love encompassing mountains, sea and sky was an instant romantic classic. Few songs capture the moment of pledging deep undying love so well. The song's original working title was "Magical Kisses." "Truly Madly Deeply" was a #1 pop hit in the US and stayed on the pop chart for a year. It did even better on the adult contemporary chart where it spent 11 weeks at the top and spent more than two years on the chart setting an all-time record. Dance artist Cascada covered the song in 2006 and took it to #14 on the dance chart.

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03
of 10

Paul McCartney and Wings - "My Love" (1973)

Paul McCartney Wings My Love
Courtesy Apple

Derided by critics as hopelessly sappy, "My Love" has survived as a simple tribute to an all-encompassing romantic love. As Sir Paul McCartney sings "Only my love holds the other key to me." He wrote the song in appreciation of his relationship with his first wife Linda McCartney.

The song was recorded live with an orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. "My Love" hit #1 on the pop chart in the US and also hit the top of the adult contemporary chart. It was certified gold for sales.

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04
of 10

Dave Matthews Band - "Crash Into Me" (1996)

Dave Matthews Band Crash Into Me
Courtesy RCA

Romantic or trashy? The song has been equally discussed as speaking of voyeurism and celebrating romance with a carnal edge. Dave Matthews' lyrics are impressionistic enough to allow the song to be what the listener wishes it to be. Dave Matthews wrote the song out of inspiration from the relationship with his wife Ashley Harper. He has said the song is about, "the worship of women."

"Crash Into Me" was a breakthrough pop hit for the Dave Matthews Band. It was their first to reach the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached the top 10 at both adult pop and alternative radio.

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05
of 10

Norah Jones - "Come Away With Me" (2003)

Norah Jones Come Away With Me
Courtesy Blue Note

Norah Jones comfortably straddles the worlds of pop and jazz. "Come Away With Me" evokes the dreamy escapism of being overcome with feelings of romantic love. It was the title song from Norah Jones breakthrough debut album. The album went to #1 on the US album chart and ultimately sold more than ten million copies. It earned eight Grammy Awards including Album of the Year. The song was a hit on the adult pop radio chart.

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06
of 10

Katy Perry - "Teenage Dream" (2010)

Katy Perry Teenage Dream
Courtesy Capitol

Katy Perry sings of a romance so thrilling and exciting it takes her back to the teenager years of ecstatic hormonal experience of love. This love song was instantly memorable. Katy Perry and songwriter Bonnie McKee were inspired by teenage girls' dreams about love when they first began working on the song "Teenage Dream." It was the title song from Katy Perry's massive hit album and the second #1 pop hit released from the project.

"Teenage Dream" was praised for its frothy, summer pop approach. A Glee acapella cover version of the song introduced the character of Blaine Anderson and became one of the biggest hits from the show hitting #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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07
of 10

Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack - "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" (1983)

Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack Tonight I Celebrate My Love
Courtesy Capitol

Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack recorded an entire album of R&B duets, but this song towers over the other tracks on the album. It is a perfect record for slow dancing with your lover. The song was co-written by legendary pop songwriter Gerry Goffin and classic R&B songwriter Michael Masser.

"Tonight I Celebrate My Love" reached the top 5 on both the R&B and adult contemporary charts while reaching #16 on the pop chart. It was Peabo Bryson's first top 20 pop hit after a long string of R&B successes. For Roberta Flack, it was her second top 20 pop hit of the 1980s.

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08
of 10

Boyz II Men - "I'll Make Love To You" (1994)

Boyz II Men I'll Make Love To You
Courtesy Motown

The boys from Philadelphia have recorded many songs about love and romance. This one is perhaps the best song ever recorded for a prelude to a magical night with a lover. Boyz II Men already had four top 3 charting hits to their credit when they released "I'll Make Love To You." It was the lead single from their second album II.

"I'll Make Love To You" was a smash hit spending 14 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it one of the biggest hits of all time. The song won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals.

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09
of 10

Beyonce - "Crazy In Love" featuring Jay-Z (2003)

Beyonce Crazy In Love Jay-Z
Courtesy Columbia

As she stepped out on her own for the first time away from the group Destiny's Child, Beyonce chose this deliriously happy, romantic tune featuring raps from her main squeeze Jay-Z. The horn hook in the song is sampled from the 1970 song "Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)" by the Chi-Lites. "Crazy In Love" received rave reviews from music critics and hit #1 across pop, R&B, and dance charts. It received three Grammy Award nominations including for Record of the Year and it won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. 

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10
of 10

Roberta Flack - "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (1972)

Roberta Flack The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Courtesy Atlantic

This song would turn anyone into a believer in love at first sight. Roberta Flack's unadorned voice with simple accompaniment was featured in the Clint Eastwood movie Play Misty For Me and made her into a star. Hearing her take off with "I thought the sun rose in your eyes..." can still send chills up the spine. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" was written by British folk artist Ewan MacColl in 1957.

It was recorded by a wide range of artists in the 1960s including the Kingston Trio and Peter, Paul and Mary, but it was Roberta Flack's 1972 version that turned the song into a hit. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" topped the pop and adult contemporary charts and peaked at #4 on the R&B chart. It won Grammy Awards for both Record and Song of the Year.

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