All-time Best 20 Love Songs

Here are the top 20 love songs of all time that you should know.

Love songs hit differently. Everyone knows this. A majority of the songs released in a year have a dash of love in them. As far back as the 1950s till now, musicians have made love songs which have gained them more fans over the years. A lot of these songs become iconic as the years pass by. A great love song ages like fine wine. This is why those from the 60s, 70s, and 80s will never lose their appeal.

Artists like Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Phil Collins, Michael Jackson, and more released some of the most iconic love songs ever heard. More recent musicians, including Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, Adele, Ellie Goulding, and more, have also made heartwarming love songs that are on their way to becoming classics.

Our list of the top 20 love songs of all time does not just feature best-sellers; it also features songs that have become classics. Some of these songs are as old as 30 or as recent as five years back. Rest assured, these songs make you feel love in different ways. Check the list out below.

20. Ed Sheeran – Perfect (2017)

In September 2017, British singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran released “Perfect” to universal acclaim. It was the fourth single released from his ÷ album. The song peaked at number one on the UK singles chart, on the US Hot 100, and in sixteen other countries. It is currently one of Sheeran’s best-selling songs and is certified Diamond in the US.

19. Mariah Carey – Vision Of Love (1990)

“Vision Of Love” was released in May 1990 as Carey’s debut single. It was the lead single of her eponymous debut album. The slow dance song was first featured on Carey’s demo tape for Columbia. It describes a past and present relationship with a lover. The song topped the US Hot 100 chart and reached the top 10 of the UK singles chart. It is a Mariah Carey classic.

18. Taylor Swift – Love Song (2008)

“Love Story” was written and recorded by then 19-year-old Country singer and songwriter Taylor Swift. The song is based on the plot of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo And Juliet”. It was released in 2008 as the lead single from Swift’s second studio album “Fearless.” It reached the top 5 in several countries, including the US, UK, Canada, etc.

17. Daniel Beddingfield – If You’re Not The One (2002)

Released in November 2002, “If You’re Not The One” was the third single from New Zealand-British singer Daniel Beddingfield’s debut album “Gotta Get Thru This.” It became a number one hit in the UK and peaked within the top 20 in several other countries, including the US. It is certified multi-platinum in the UK. Although it gained mixed reviews, it is a classic love song.

16. Michael Jackson – You Are Not Alone (1995)

“You Are Not Alone” is one of many slow-paced love songs by late American musician Michael Jackson. It was released in August 1995 from his ninth studio album, “HiStory: Past, Present, and Future, Book I.” It was written by R Kelly and recorded by Jackson in response to difficult times in his personal life.

15. Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time (1983)

With her debut studio album, American singer and songwriter Cyndi Lauper proved how much of a star she is. “Time After Time” was released in 1983 as the second single from Lauper’s debut studio album “She’s So Unusual.” It became her first number-one hit in the US. The song was co-written by Rob Hyman, who also provided backing vocals.

14. Boyz II Men – I’ll Make Love To You (1994)

Boyz II Men appear as the only group on this new list. “I’ll Make Love To You” was released in 1994 as the lead single from the R&B group’s second studio album “II.” It was written by Babyface and released via Motown Records. The song charted atop the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks and became an international success. It is a classic love song.

13. Seal – Kiss From A Rose (1994)

Released from Seal’s eponymous second studio album, “Kiss From A Rose” was a critical and commercial success. After its release, the song was included in the film “The NevenEnding Story III” in the same year. It was also included in the “Batman Forever Film Soundtrack.” It topped charts in the US and Australia and won 3 Grammy Awards in 1996.

12. Bryan Adams – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You (1991)

“(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” is a power ballad written by Canadian singer Bryan Adams (alongside other songwriters) and released in June 1991. It was the lead single for Adams’ sixth studio album, “Waking Up The Neighbors,” and the film “Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves.” It hit number one in 19 countries, spending multiple weeks there. It is one of the best-selling singles of all time.

11. Elton John – Your Love (1970)

“Your Song” was written by English singer and songwriters Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It became the former’s first international top 10 hits. This version was released in October 1970. It appeared as the first cut of his self-titled second studio album. It peaked within the top 10 in several countries and was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 1998.

10. Rihanna & Calvin Harris – We Found Love (2010)

“We Found Love” is one of Barbadian singer and songwriter Rihanna’s most successful songs to date. It was written alongside Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, who produced and also featured on it. It was released in September 2011 from Rih’s sixth studio album, “Talk That Talk.” It became the longest-running number single of 2011 (10 non-consecutive weeks). It also became Rihanna’s longest-running number one.

09. Celine Dion – The Power Of Love (1993)

“The Power Of Love” is a song originally co-written and recorded by American Jennifer Rush in 1984. However, Canadian singer Celine Dion’s cover of the song became an instant success.  It was released in November 1993 from the album “The Colour Of My Love”. It became the best-selling single by a female artist in 1994 in the US.

08. Adele – Make You Feel My Love (2008)

“Make You Feel My Love” by Adele was released as a cover of the original song by Bob Dylan. Adele’s version was released in October 2008. It was the only cover song featured on her debut album “19”. The song was released as the fourth and final single from the album. It is certified platinum in the UK.

07. John Legend – All Of Me

American singer and songwriter John Legend released the song “All Of Me” as the third single from his fourth studio album in August 2013. The song was dedicated to his wife, Chrissy Teigen also featured in the official music video. It became Legend’s first number one song in the US and peaked at number 2 in the UK, New Zealand, and South Africa.

06. Etta James – At Last (1960)

Etta James’ “At Last” was released in November 1960. It was featured on the B-Side “I Just Want To Make Love To You.” The song was written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren. It became James’s signature song. It became her second number 2 R&B single and reached the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. It is a classic love song.

05. Beyonce – Halo (2009)

“Halo” by American singer Beyoncé was released as a single from her third studio album, “I Am… Sasha Fierce.” The song was written by Ryan Tedder and Evan Bogart with Beyoncé in mind. The pop and R&B ballad was a critical and commercial success. It topped the charts in several countries and won a Grammy Award for “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.”

04. Michael Jackson – Speechless (2001)

Michael Jackson’s classic song “Speechless” was written and recorded for his tenth studio album “Invincible,” released in 2001. He was inspired to write it after a water balloon fight with children in Germany. It was compared to songs written by R Kelly. Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Sun-Times called it a “beautifully minimal, heartfelt romantic ballad.”

03. Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud (2014)

Written by Sheeran and Amy Wadge, “Thinking Out Loud” was released as the third single from the former’s second studio album (x). It peaked at number one in the UK, where it spent 19 weeks in the top 40. It hit number two in the US and also in Canada. In June 2015, it became the first single to spend a whole year in the UK top 40. It won two Grammys.

02. Tracy Chapman – Baby Can I Hold You (1988)

“Baby Can I Hold You” was released as the third single by Tracy Chapman in 1988. The song was a mild success peaking at number 48 in the Billboard top 100 and reaching number one in Portugal. It became a classic and was included in Chapman’s first greatest hits album, “Collection.”

01. Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You (1992)

“I Will Always Love You” was a recorded song by Whitney Houston released as the soundtrack for the film “The Bodyguard,” in which she starred. The song has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. It is the best-selling single of all time by a female artist. It is also one of the best-selling songs of all time. It was also a critical success gaining praise from music critics. It spent 14 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 (a record at the time) and was the number single in 1992 in the UK. It won Grammys for “Record Of The Year” and “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance” in 1994.