The 50 Best Love Songs of All Time, from At Last to Die with a Smile

What is the greatest love song of all time?

"Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley, "At Last" by Etta James, "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers and "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston are most often named the greatest love songs ever recorded. Among modern songs, John Legend's "All of Me" and Ed Sheeran's "Perfect" have become the most popular choices for weddings.

Timeless classic love songs

1. "Can't Help Falling in Love", Elvis Presley, 1961: one of the most covered love songs ever.
2. "At Last", Etta James, 1960: the ultimate first dance.
3. "Unchained Melody", the Righteous Brothers, 1965: soaring and unforgettable.
4. "Unforgettable", Nat King Cole, 1951: velvet-voiced romance.
5. "Something", the Beatles, 1969: George Harrison's most beautiful song.
6. "Your Song", Elton John, 1970: a simple, heartfelt declaration.
7. "Let's Stay Together", Al Green, 1971: a soul number one.
8. "Wonderful Tonight", Eric Clapton, 1977: a gentle, devoted ballad.
9. "Just the Way You Are", Billy Joel, 1977: a Grammy-winning love song.
10. "You Send Me", Sam Cooke, 1957: a dreamy number one.

Love songs of the 80s and 90s

11. "Endless Love", Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, 1981: a nine-week number one duet.
12. "Islands in the Stream", Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, 1983: a joyful country-pop duet.
13. "In Your Eyes", Peter Gabriel, 1986: made iconic by the boombox scene in Say Anything.
14. "Take My Breath Away", Berlin, 1986: the love theme from Top Gun.
15. "Have I Told You Lately", Van Morrison, 1989: later a hit for Rod Stewart.
16. "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You", Bryan Adams, 1991: from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
17. "I Will Always Love You", Whitney Houston, 1992: the record-breaking ballad.
18. "Because You Loved Me", Celine Dion, 1996: a grateful, soaring ballad.
19. "Truly Madly Deeply", Savage Garden, 1997: a sweet number one.
20. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing", Aerosmith, 1998: their only number one.
21. "Amazed", Lonestar, 1999: a country ballad that topped the pop chart.
22. "Kiss Me", Sixpence None the Richer, 1999: light and charming.
23. "You're Still the One", Shania Twain, 1998: a crossover hit about a love that lasted.
24. "My Heart Will Go On", Celine Dion, 1997: the Titanic theme.

Modern love songs

25. "All of Me", John Legend, 2013: a piano love song and a number one.
26. "Perfect", Ed Sheeran, 2017: the modern first dance favorite.
27. "Thinking Out Loud", Ed Sheeran, 2014: a Grammy-winning slow dance.
28. "A Thousand Years", Christina Perri, 2011: from the Twilight saga.
29. "Make You Feel My Love", Adele, 2008: a Bob Dylan song she made her own.
30. "Crazy in Love", Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z, 2003: an exuberant number one.
31. "Love on Top", Beyoncé, 2011: a joyful, key-changing celebration.
32. "Lover", Taylor Swift, 2019: a waltzing, dreamy love song.
33. "Shallow", Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, 2018: the Oscar-winning duet.
34. "Die with a Smile", Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, 2024: a soulful duet and a number one.
35. "Just the Way You Are", Bruno Mars, 2010: a sweet number one.
36. "Say You Won't Let Go", James Arthur, 2016: a love story told in one song.
37. "Adore You", Harry Styles, 2019: a bright, devoted pop song.
38. "Golden Hour", JVKE, 2022: a piano-driven viral love song.

Country and R&B love songs

39. "Bless the Broken Road", Rascal Flatts, 2004: a beloved wedding song.
40. "Then", Brad Paisley, 2009: a love that keeps growing.
41. "Remember When", Alan Jackson, 2003: a look back at a lifetime together.
42. "Die a Happy Man", Thomas Rhett, 2015: a modern country favorite.
43. "Tennessee Whiskey", Chris Stapleton, 2015: a smoky, soulful slow dance.
44. "Spend My Life with You", Eric Benét and Tamia, 1999: a romantic R&B duet.
45. "Adorn", Miguel, 2012: a sensual, Grammy-winning R&B song.
46. "Best Part", Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R., 2017: a tender modern duet.
47. "Ribbon in the Sky", Stevie Wonder, 1982: a beautiful wedding classic.
48. "Make It with You", Bread, 1970: a gentle soft-rock number one.
49. "Lady", Kenny Rogers, 1980: a number one written by Lionel Richie.
50. "Easy", the Commodores, 1977: a laid-back soul classic.

What makes a great love song?

The best love songs feel personal and universal at the same time. They use simple, honest words, a melody that rises when the feeling does and a voice that sounds like it means every line. Some celebrate new love, some honor decades together and some, like "I Will Always Love You", are about letting go with grace. That range is why couples, newlyweds and long-married partners can all find a song that sounds like their own story.

Love songs for a wedding

For the first dance, "At Last", "Can't Help Falling in Love", "Perfect", "All of Me" and "Thinking Out Loud" are perennial favorites. For the processional, a string or piano version of "A Thousand Years" or "Can't Help Falling in Love" is lovely, and "Crazy in Love" and "Love on Top" are great for the dance floor. For more, see our first dance songs and guide to creating a wedding playlist.

Love songs for an anniversary or Valentine's Day

For an anniversary, "Remember When", "You're Still the One", "Have I Told You Lately" and "Just the Way You Are" celebrate a love that has lasted. For Valentine's Day, "Your Song", "Adore You", "Lover" and "Die with a Smile" make sweet dedications. For more, see our anniversary songs.

More love songs

For love songs by style and era, see our old love songs, 80s love songs, country love songs, rock love songs, Spanish love songs, funny love songs and love songs for her.

The best love song is the one about you

Every love song on this list was written about someone. A personalized love song can be written about the person you love: your names, how you met, the inside jokes and the moments that made you fall in love, in any style from acoustic to R&B. It makes an unforgettable gift for an anniversary, a wedding, a proposal or Valentine's Day.

How to create a personalized love song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, acoustic, country, R&B, jazz and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three memories or details about your story.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $35.99, or $40.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give your love story its own song: create a song and hear four previews for free.