So, Valentine’s Day is around the corner, ready to strike us in a good way, or in a bad way. It is definitely good news for all the lovers and married folks; while it’s just depressing news for those that are single and not as luck in the game of love. While this holiday is definitely a holiday invented by the madmen of Hallmark (Their cards suck, by the way), it does mean that love will be in the air for the entire weekend. Oh snap, it’s the weekend, which means we have to deal with the bull for an even longer period of time. Have no fear, even with the lovey-dovey weekend approaching, I shall offer my two cents in all things life. What? You DON’T look forward to my lists? Well, forget you then, I’m still making a list!
The next list will be in dedication to all the happy-sappy couples out there and for those that actually celebrate the gosh-darn holiday. I’m compiled a list of the 25 greatest love songs in the history of music, whether they are happy, sad, mad, or furious. Just because it ain’t happy doesn’t make it any less a love song, just warning you now. These songs in my opinion stand the test of time and continue to tug the heartstrings from the moment it came out to today. Without further interruption, here we go:
Honorable Mention:
“I will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. Most people list this as the best love song of all-time, but eh, it doesn’t move as much as the 25 I’ve selected.
These also just missed the cut, but because they are very good, will have their small moment to shine.
16) Close to You by the Carpenters (Official Simpsons love song)
17) Beautiful Stranger by Madonna (Underrated gem)
18) Beyond the Sea by Robbie Williams (Excellent finishing touch on Finding Nemo)
19) Dreams by the Cranberries (Kinda creepy in the end, but beautiful nonetheless)
20) Kiss the Girl by Disney (Classic Disney love)
21) Lady by Kenny Rogers (The ONLY Kenny Rogers song you’ll see me listen to)
22) Like a Prayer by Madonna (Power pop ballads don’t get better than this)
23) Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley (Elvis at his most loving, very basic love song)
24) Only in Dreams by Weezer (Epic guitar solo included)
25) A Pedir Su Mano by Juan Luis Guerra (Too happy for your own good)
#15:
Song: When She Loved Me
Artist: Sarah McLachlan
Type of Love Song: Sad
Toy Story 2 is hands-down better than the original; both were nearly-flawless movies but the sequel was superior with this one lonely scene. That one lonely scene where Jessie talks about why she has such hate for children was easily one of the most emotional in the history of animation. Then with the song in the background, it just made things worse. It was a touching moment, mostly because the song is so well-sung, beautifully crafted, and overall a grand production. While the song is about toys and their owners, it can pass off as a break-up song. Just have some handkerchiefs nearby when listening.
#14:
Song: Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?
Artist: Bryan Adams
Type Of Love Song: The kind that questions you
Have you ever really loved a woman? The song asks you, and then provides a series of situations and pretty much asks you if you’ve ever encountered these sorts of things (Telling her she’s the one, you can see yourself having kids with her, telling her its going to last forever, etc.). Backed by beautiful guitar work, nice vocals, and an overall basic yet tender touch, this song was a massive hit back in the day and to this day is played on soft rock stations everywhere. It never insults you, it never boasts itself as a superior love song, it simply asks a question, and sets the guideline for when you can say you are in love. Love is the most overused expression and word in the history of mankind, so music like this is definitely a fresh breather. You ain’t no Don Juan until you’ve done what this song suggests.
#13:
Song: You Oughta Know
Artist: Alanis Morisette
Type of Love Song: ANGRY
1995 was the year of the angry female. Alanis Morisette and Gwen Stefani were furious at their breakups and released their absolutely best music at this time. You Oughta Know was a jolt of electricity to mainstream music, as this bitter female screams angrily, curses, and paints vivid images of what she wants and how she contemplates her revenge. The song is only 4 minutes long by the way. Supporting the vocals is awesome guitar and bass work by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers gang; Flea and Navarro. Yes, this is the perfect love song for the women that have had their hearts stolen by men that stroll about thinking with both heads. Yes, we have two heads.
#12:
Song: This Love
Artist: Pantera
Type of Love Song: See Above Answer
What happens when a metal-driven band crafts a love song? Screaming, shouting, and piercing vocals, rough lyrics, two guitar solos, awesome guitar riff, and an amazing closing solo. 6 minutes of headbang-worthy beauty. The lyrics? Anything but happy, which is perfect for pessimistic people like yours truly. So if your Valentine’s Day is full of hate; put this song on, blast it to the maximum volume, and prepare for ultimate headbanging.
#11:
Song: Let’s Stay Together
Artist: Al Green
Type of Love Song: I’M SO SORRY!!!
Made famous by Pulp Fiction (although used in sooo many other movies), this soulful funky little tune has a catchy beat, smooth vocals, and wonderful lyrics that you’ll want to croon to your loved one. For this song; you must dim the lights, grab two tall glasses, a nice bottle of unopened wine, and plenty of room for dancing. You can thank me later.
#10:
Song: Nothing Compares 2 U
Artist: Sinéad O'Connor
Type Of Love Song: Sad, remorseful
This song is sad, ridiculously sad. A beautiful love song first written by Prince, it was absolutely perfected thanks to O’Connor’s vocal talents. The lyrics are deep, engrossing, and speak to the heart---before tearing it apart and feeding it to a pack of angry woodpeckers. Being an unusual song to top the rock charts, this song is a beautiful blend of 80s glam vocals with a moving Mozart-ish grouping of strings and drums.
#9:
Song: Don’t Speak
Artist: No Doubt
Type of Love Song: We-just-broke-up-and-I-don’t-seem-to-understand-why
What’s with the depressing love songs in this list? This is the 5th heartbreak song on the list. Well, the sadder love songs are better-crafted than the lovey-dovey ones (See: Ashanti “Happy”). This is another excellent example of pain making great art, as Gwen Stefani manages to sing her best performance by far. Supporting her singing, which ranges from cooing like a dove to screaming bloody mary, is the great drumming, nice guitar solo, and overall blend of ballad and hard rock.
#8:
Song: Dreaming of You
Artist: Selena
Type of Love Song: I-know-we-are-about-to-be-together
While this song will forever be marred because of the timing (After her murder) it’s nonetheless a beautiful love song sung in two different languages. Sung angelically by Selena, its backed by an ever-soft melody and delightful lyrics about a woman who is hopelessly in love with someone who may/may not know of her existence.
#7:
Song: Como Abeja Al Panal
Artist: Juan Luis Guerra
Type of Long Song: Juan Luis Guerra (He is hos own genre)
This man is the Hispanic master of love songs. He already has one on this list, and actually has two more that almost made the list. This is all in one album. Imagine possessing an album with 4-6 amazing love songs; you’ll never lose an argument again. Even if you do (under mysterious circumstances) just pop this album in, and let the love flow from the speakers to your fingertips. The best part of this song? It has a nice blend of dancing rhythm to it; so you don’t even have to do that repetitive slow dance you have to do to every love song. If you love Hispanic music, then you must own his music as well. He’s like the Barry White of Spanish music—minus the deep voice and endless chatter.
#6:
Song: Si No Te Hubieras Ido
Artist: Marco Antonio Solis
Type of Love Song: NOOOOOOO!!!
Outside the United States, everyone knows this song, especially in Central America. Heck, the song should have been a hit here in the States, even if you have no idea what he is saying. Even with the lack of subtitles, you can tell he is suffering, you can tel he just lost his true love, it’s ever-so-obvious in his lyrics, his vocals, his delivery, and the instruments in the background. If you have just lost someone, play this loudly. Even if you are confused as to what is being said, you’ll shed a tear.
#5:
Song: Creep
Artist: Radiohead
Type of Love Song: What do you think?
Boy oh boy, bust out the antidepressants on this one. This song is all-around incredible, from the first second to the last. Even without the singing, you can tell it’s a sad song. Then adding the singing just makes it that much more grim. This song is about a guy who just doesn’t have the courage or self-respect needed to talk to the girl of his dreams. We’ve all been there, done that, felt like the “creep.” While Radiohead isn’t exactly the best band out there (even from Europe), this song is one that anyone can relate to at any time; music that hits that close to reality deserves heavy praise.
P.S. The minimal guitar strum in the song is absolute genius
#4:
Song: Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Artist: Queen
Type of Love Song: Lovey-dovey
All right, it’s all happiness from here. This catchy little tune about love is recorded by one of the best bands in the history of music: Queen. Queen has many other great love songs, but this one absolutely tops them all because of its happiness, grand guitar solo, subtle references to Elvis and rockabilly music in general. You can’t help but get up and dance to this song, no matter what mood you are in. I’m actually dancing while typing this list.
#3:
Song: Just My Imagination
Artist: Temptations
Type of Love Song: a bit sad, but hopeful
While the Temptations are a bit on the overrated side, this ballad is virtually flawless in composition and delivery. Meshing Motown flavor with great lyrics and impressive vocals, this is one of those slow dance songs you shouldn’t mind dancing to. The song is easy to learn, and performing the dance moves in front of your significant other should earn you brownie points. Then again, that could just be my imagination, once again, running away with me…
#2:
Song: Can’t Get Enough of Your Love
Artist: Barry White
Type of Love Song: “Let me put my poems in you,” ~Blades of Glory
If this list were top 50 love songs, then Barry White would undoubtedly be the artist with the most entries. His deep vocals, orchestrated background, smooth and slick lyrics, and then the monologues before the singing actually starts….whew, his wife could never complain about the night life. He is no question the best male singer in terms of love songs, and easily the best pick for whom to turn to when the love life is going sour. A CD with his music blasting in the house; you’ll make love like hyper rabbits injected with hydrogen speed.
No matter what the scenario (You forgot the birthday, you forgot the anniversary, you forgot her name, you brought home another girl, you made somebody else pregnant, you got her sister pregnant, you got her mother pregnant, you got Rosie O’Donnel pregnant, you were watching television while making love, you shout another name in bed, you sing the Transformers theme song in bed, you question why her teeth are crooked, you recommend her to receive implants, you tell her sports is better than sex, you tell her politics is better than sex) it can be recovered with a Barry White tune. If Heaven has a lounge singer, it’s going to be Barry White, with backing vocals by….Barry White.
#1:
Song: Unchained Melody
Artist: The Righteous Brothers
Type of Love Song: The Best That There Is.
This list has seen it all; the good, the bad, the ugly, and the angry. Now, we’ve come to the one song that can bring tears to your eyes upon listening to it. The kind that can stop a room dead on its tracks. The kind of song that will melt even the most heartless of people. The Righteous Brothers version of this half-century old song has it all; sweeping vocals, beautiful usage of strings, and an overall burst of love in every second of the piece. This is more than a song, it’s a work of art, and one of the most underrated and overall one of the best songs in the history of music. I can’t say much more about this besides…..eh, just give me a moment…I am listening to it right now……. When he hits the high note...doves fly, I swear.
If you disagree, then you are just wrong. It doesn't get better than this song.
*sigh*
Gosh, I've gone all...non-heartless on you folks. Well, at least the list is over and done with. This is the closest you'll ever get to seeing me display some soft of..how do they call it? Oh yea, emotion.
Hope you enjoyed the list, even if they weren't all happy love tunes.
Happy Valentine’s Day everybody. Tell your significant other (Or secret crush) how you feel---that is...as long as it doesn't produce dire consequences you'll regret later.
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