No matter if you’re searching for an upbeat declaration of love or a tender ballad to make your special day even sweeter, we have something here for everyone. From classic rock to modern pop, these songs encompass all manner of romantic emotions.
These timeless love songs will always remain popular. So grab your special someone, press play and let the dancing commence!
1. All-4-One
All-4-One, a California quartet from Antelope Valley and Mojave, made a name for themselves in the 1990s with their reinterpretation of doo wop classic “So Much in Love.” This song reached number one on the charts and earned them an album deal.
All-4-One’s self-titled debut album achieved multi-platinum status and produced several hits, including the RIAA-certified gold single “I Swear.” The group is renowned for their powerful vocal blend which has been featured in numerous television commercials as well as movies like Just Friends, Nothing to Lose, and The Social Network.
They have earned multiple Grammy Awards, the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal award and the American Award for Favorite New Soul/R&B Artist. As they continue to tour around the world with an array of hit songs under their belt, they continue to garner global recognition.
This uptempo pop tune is ideal for newlyweds and longtime soulmates alike. Its slow rhythm will invite handclapping and head bobbing for an utterly relaxing experience.
The lyrics serve as a powerful reminder that an intimate, fulfilling relationship is the epitome of love. It’s the kind of song you can listen to over and over again to refresh your memory of why you were initially drawn together in the first place.
It’s also a wonderful reminder that there are still plenty of people searching for that special someone. So if you’re single and ready to find your own happiness, don’t give up!
Make sure to catch All-4-One when they come to Made In The ’90s this March! They will be performing alongside Next, Mario Winans, Blackstreet and more – stay tuned for ticket information as well as new music!
2. Sade
Sade (born Helen Folasade Adu) epitomizes subdued glamour. For four decades she has created music on her own terms, avoiding traditional press junkets for new albums and remaining relatively anonymous.
Sade was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria but moved with her parents and brother to southeast England outside London when she was four. While studying at Saint Martin’s School of Art, Sade garnered some recognition as a fashion designer and part-time model before founding the band Pride in the early 1980s.
Her debut album, Diamond Life (1984), achieved platinum sales in the UK and earned her a Best New Artist Grammy. Subsequent multi-platinum albums cemented her place as one of music’s leading soul and pop artists.
Sade’s songs in the 80s embodied cosmopolitan exotica, offering an escape into virtual reality where luxury and pleasures were as tangible as anything around you. Her debut single, “Smooth Operator,” illustrated this glamorous yet dangerous lifestyle; it also introduced her to an avid fan base which would remain loyal throughout her career.
In the 1990s, she returned to her musical roots with a cover of Percy Mayfield’s 1950 blues hit. While her rendition lacks the yowling guitar solos of the original, she masterfully translated Phil Lynott’s heartache into her own register of sorrow.
At the culmination of her career, Sade has earned a record-breaking four Grammys and contributed to soundtracks for films like A Wrinkle in Time and Widows. Her most recent single “Soldier of Love” thrust her back into the spotlight in 2009 after an extended period away from public view. It marked an inspiring return to form for Sade after years of silence.
3. The Temptations
The Temptations are a timeless R&B group, boasting 16 top ten hits and three Grammy Awards to their credit. Their impact is undeniable and they remain an icon to this day.
The original lineup of The Temptations consisted of Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks and Elbridge “Al” Bryant. Signed to Motown by Berry Gordy in 1961, they made hits that showcased their distinctive singing style; one such track “Isn’t She Pretty” (featuring vocal bass “walking” over an ascending gospel falsetto) went on to chart at #1 R&B and #22 Pop.
After Robinson left, The Temptations adopted a more soul-funk sound under Norman Whitfield. They released two more #1 R&B singles – “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and “Just My Imagination” – before releasing their first album under Whitfield’s direction.
They then joined producer Rick James for their 1980 hit single, “Standing on Top,” which became their first top ten R&B single in six years. They continued recording with James for the next three albums until Edwards and Price left the group to pursue solo careers.
In 1988, Williams published his autobiography Temptations. Later he collaborated with Patricia Romanowski to create Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, which opened its doors in October 2019.
The story of The Temptations is one of triumph and tragedy, yet it also stands as a testament to their courage and perseverance that will be remembered for generations. Their music – from doo-wop to hip-hop – is beloved by fans and seen as an authentic art form.
4. The Commodores
The Commodores were a beloved soul and funk band during the 1970s and ’80s. Formed in 1968 as part of Motown Records, lead vocalist Lionel Richie led this iconic lineup with hit singles such as Three Times A Lady, Easy and Brick House.
At their inception, Milan Williams (keyboards), William King (trumpet), Walter “Clyde” Orange (drums), Ronald LaPread (bass), Thomas McClary (guitar) and Lionel Richie (saxophone, keyboards, vocals) formed the band. Their name came from a word chosen randomly in a dictionary while attending Tuskegee Institute – a predominantly black university in Alabama.
At their inception, The Commodores were renowned for their intense funk sound – an influential precursor of disco dance music. However, after their self-titled debut album went gold, many ballads began becoming hits.
Richie was also developing his own style of singing, fusing country elements with R&B music to become the focal point of their sound. This approach gained him an enormous following among fans who would not typically listen to R&B music.
Another song that seamlessly blends country and R&B, this romantic ballad was composed by Richie with his then-wife Brenda. This timeless classic will remind you what it feels like to be truly in love with someone special.
The Commodores were one of Motown’s most successful groups throughout the 70s and 80s, and their classic love songs remain popular today. With so many songs available on radio today, it can be difficult to choose a favorite. We’ve put together this list with our top choices for classic love songs from the 70s; you’re sure to find some that fit perfectly for your next slow dance moment!
5. The Spice Girls
The Spice Girls, consisting of Mel B, Emma Bunton, Melanie C and Victoria Beckham, achieved worldwide fame with their debut single “Wannabe”. It topped the charts in the UK and sold 1.8 million copies – earning it 7 times platinum certification from the RIAA in 1997.
In 2007, the group released their debut album, Spice, which went on to sell over 31 million records worldwide and become the best-selling female album of all time. Their subsequent tours were equally successful, with sold out stadiums across every continent.
Despite their initial success, the Spice Girls weren’t without flaws. They weren’t known for their singing or dancing talents, and some of their lyrics weren’t original. Furthermore, they lacked a true sense of self-reliance.
Simon Fuller was their exceptional manager, taking them from being five girls who hadn’t signed a contract to becoming an international sensation. To do this, he gave them nicknames like “Sporty” Melanie C, “Scary” Mel B, “Baby” Emma, “Posh” Victoria and “Ginger” Geri Halliwell.
They transcended their image as a boy band and became widely recognized as five female representatives for British pop music. This was during the era of “girl power”, as they used their fame to make an impact on both their fans and beyond.
Eventually, the girls parted ways with their managers and embarked on a solo career. Geri Halliwell – leader of the band – played an integral role in its success; however, she left in 1998. Although she never rejoined Spice again, she went on to enjoy great success as a solo artist as well as having two children.