Different genres of Western music express love and romance differently; from country ballads to R&B vocals and soul, Western music provides us with many ways to celebrate love. Here is our recommended list of love songs which showcase some iconic and timeless romantic hits throughout time.
Feeling excited and goosebumped while listening to a great song? Well, that sensation has an official name: frisson.
1. She Will Be Loved
“She Will Be Loved”, the third single from Maroon 5’s debut album Songs About Jane, is an emotional classic. A dramatic ballad that explores topics of unrequited love, heartache, and longing.
The music video for the track depicts a young man who falls for the socialite mother of his girlfriend. Unfortunately, she is not receiving enough love from her spouse and seeks refuge with this young man after becoming aware that she has been assaulted. But his feelings remain undissolved while watching her suffer in marriage.
This song has become an ideal way for those experiencing a breakup to ease their hurt feelings and move past it quickly. The message of this song is simple; to remind people they are loved and will be taken care of; its lyrics include phrases such as, “I’ll be there for you / When the time comes to say goodbye”. Written by Adam Levine and James Valentine from Maroon 5, its success peaked at number five on Billboard Hot 100 while its music video, directed by Sophie Muller features a dramatic love triangle between mother, daughter, young man.
2. Just the Way You Are
Just the Way You Are is one of Billy Joel’s timeless love songs, released as his second single from his fifth album The Stranger in 1977 as his second single from this album and becoming his first US Top 10 single while reaching top 20 status in both the UK and US charts. Additionally, it even topped Billboard Easy Listening chart for one month in early 1978!
This song is an emotional romance about a man who loves his girl/wife/wife just the way she is and does not wish for any changes in her personality for him. Numerous artists such as Diana Krall, Frank Sinatra, and Barry White have covered this incredible tune!
Phil Woods was a jazz musician who played an iconic saxophone solo on this song, along with washed-out tones of Fender Rhodes keyboard and overdubbed vocals inspired by 10cc’s 1975 song I’m Not in Love from 10cc’s 1975 release I’m Not in Love by 10cc. Joel continues to perform this timeless tune during his tours.
3. I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Kasi Lemmons’ I Wanna Dance With Somebody is an extravagant biopic you either embrace or you don’t, with an all-out focus on Whitney at its center and Naomi Ackie giving an outstanding performance as one of music’s greatest voices – something not all movies manage.
But this film falls short by trying too hard to juggle all of her life’s many ups and downs at once. It flits through her years, from The Bodyguard to Waiting to Exhale without ever touching upon any substance abuse which eventually claimed her life; all while skirting around sexuality issues or discussing reports of drug use that threaten to dominate it.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody may have some flaws, but it serves as an important reminder of Houston’s music and humanity. Though some conventions of other music biopics may be followed herein, this movie will never become boring and leave any fan of Whitney (or those hoping for an introduction) feeling stronger about their feelings for her. Even with all its familiar trappings I Wanna Dance With Somebody should still be seen – preferably in a cinema equipped with wall-rattling sound systems.
4. Right Here Waiting
“Right Here Waiting,” written and performed by Richard Marx for his 1989 hit album of the same name, is one of those timeless lovelorn ballads that seems both contemporary and timeless in equal measure. You can picture peak-era Richard Marx with his signature puffed up mullet singing this in a dark bar; adult contemporary radio stations continue playing it to this day.
This song was composed as an openhearted love letter to actress Cynthia Rhodes, whom he married in 1989 and divorced two decades later in 2014. While apart while she shot a film in South Africa, he wrote this ode as an openhearted tribute. With its minimalist arrangement of piano, guitar, and drums, its minimalist approach places more focus on its lyrics than other romantic hits of its era and adds intimacy.
Though “Right Here Waiting” wasn’t Marx’s only #1 single (it would later become number two, with “Angelia”), “Right Here Waiting” helped propel Repeat Offender Marx’s second album to great success. Although its two follow-up singles didn’t reach as high on the charts (“Too Late to Say Goodbye” and “Children of the Night,” did still reach top 10 status, though.
Marx has written hits for NSYNC, Josh Groban, Luther Vandross and Keith Urban as an accomplished songwriter – making him the only male artist to have all seven solo singles reach #1 on Billboard charts in their first week alone!
5. I’ll Be There For You
Bon Jovi’s Sayreville, New Jersey-based glam band Bon Jovi delivers this power ballad that is slower-tempo and more emotive than their stadium rockers like “You Give Love a Bad Name” or “Livin’ on a Prayer,” yet still powerfully emotive. Boasting an engaging keyboard-and-harp harmony line complemented by rising electric guitar chords, the song portrays the feelings of one who knows his woman loves him so deeply she might even take part of her sun out from above his sky; wanting her back despite previous departure due to potential infidelity or perhaps other means.
6. Forever Love
From romantic ballads of the 1950s to club bangers from today, love songs have no shortage of ways to put us in the romantic spirit. Neo-soul icons from the 1990s to pop stars of today, these tunes will sure catch your ear and tug at your heartstrings with equal gusto.
From 1984’s Agent Provocateur album, this classic rock tune about eternal love made waves when it reached #1 on the charts for weeks. Boasting powerful vocals and an infectious melody, this timeless wedding favorite remains popular today.
Katie Dey has made headlines before for her signature scat singing style and pitch-bending vocals, creating an intoxicating love song with great emotional impact. Katie uses pitch distortion in order to heighten its key change moments even further.
This soulful R&B slow jam makes an excellent first dance choice for newly married couples. With its smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics, this track will create the ideal ambience for a memorable ceremony.
Forever Love proves Reba can captivate an audience through both singing and acting, drawing them in with its captivating storyline and incredible performances. While its plot may not be unique, Forever Love still manages to keep viewers hooked thanks to compelling performances by Reba herself; her emotional performance in this movie will leave audiences spellbound! This movie truly showcases why Reba is one of the greatest and versatile artists of our time; hence her status as a Neo-soul legend!