The Greatest Love Songs of All Time? You Decide.

Valentine’s Day is almost here, so we asked one of our curators, Trevor Anderson, to compile a list of The Greatest Love Songs of All Time. (Using all caps increases the drama, like a great love affair).  

What makes a love song classic? What are your greatest love songs? Let us know using the hashtag #StingrayValentine on Twitter and Instagram. 

Greatest Love Songs of All Time

10. “Take My Breath Away” - Berlin

If you’re of a certain vintage, it’s hard to hear this song and not see Tom Cruise in an air force jumpsuit. Sometimes love feels like blasting off the earth in a supersonic military jet. It may be hard to breathe up there, but it sure feels great!

9 - “I Wanna Know What Love Is” - Foreigner

A hit mocked by many. Yet those same mockers will secretly crank this one in the car. It’s the ultimate power ballad and a reminder that love humbles us all (even one of the era’s richest rock stars is reduced to begging when it comes to love).

8 - “I’m Not In Love” - 10cc

Some may consider this the ultimate non-romantic song. After all, the title is pretty clear – the guy’s not in love, dammit. But… Those dreamy synthesizers, breathy vocals, and melancholy melody tell a different story. The more the singer insists “I’m not in love,” the more you think – hmm, not so sure, sounds like denial, buddy!

7 - “Time After Time” - Cyndi Lauper

Long before disco, white satin suits, and falsettos, The BeeGees were specialists in romantic orchestral pop. This classic from their earlier days perfectly captures the bittersweet feeling of knowing you’re no longer in control of your destiny. Love can be terrifying, The BeeGees know

6 - “You Don’t Know What It’s Like” - The BeeGees

Long before disco, white satin suits, and falsettos, The BeeGees were specialists in romantic orchestral pop. This classic from their earlier days perfectly captures the bittersweet feeling of knowing you’re no longer in control of your destiny. Love can be terrifying, The BeeGees know.

5 - “Let’s Stay Together” - Al Green

It doesn’t get sexier than Al Green. This song should come with a warning: “Do not listen near someone you should not be involved with.” Potent, deadly stuff.

4 - “And I Love Her” - The Beatles

No Top 10 list is complete without The Beatles. With so many timeless tunes to choose from, it’s hard to pick one. But the haunting melody and innocence of this one makes it special. It’s something you might hum on your way to a candlelit dinner (you did book that candlelit dinner, right?!).

3 - “I Only Have Eyes For You” - The Flamingos

This song takes us way back to the 1950s, when life was romantic 24/7. People wore suits to lunch, sent roses to the boss, and called each other “darling.” All the beautiful echo here makes a sound as big as love feels.

2 - “Unchained Melody” - The Righteous Brothers

This is about as epic as pop music gets, going from zero to a hundred in about three minutes. It still finds time to express every feeling along the way: hope, despair, tenderness, passion and triumph. Press play when your relationship needs saving.

1 – “Unforgettable” - Nat King Cole

What can we say about this one? Pure class. There’s a reason it’s endured for so many decades. It just sounds like falling in love and will probably remain the love song champion for years to come.

You can hear these songs and many more on our featured channel Greatest Love Songs. It’s the perfect romantic playlist for you!