![]() ![]() ![]() The song dips and soars as he sings, completely besotted, about the girl “running magical circles around my head.” But of course, love and doubt are constant companions, a feeling underscored in the line, “what if everything beautiful's fiction and this reality’s just pretend?” Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, ‘If We Were Vampires’ (2017)Īlways one with sharp insights, heartbreaking or otherwise, Isbell looks at love in the most realistic way – with the clock always ticking. Her joy is palpable on this gliding ballad when she soars through the lines, “You’re my light, you’re my darkness/You’re the right kind of madness/You’re my hope, you’re my despair/You’re my scope, everything, everywhere.” ‘Sing Street’ soundtrack, ‘Up’ (2016)Īctor-singer Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, the protagonist of this charmer of a movie, handles vocals on the melodic masterpiece. The song, still a wedding favorite, marks some of his best lyrical poetry as well, when he professes to love “your curves and all your edges.” Adele, ‘Sweetest Devotion’ (2015)Ĭonsidering how much of Adele’s catalog is dedicated to heartbreak and emotional scarring, it’s a pleasure to hear her relishing unabashed happiness. No one will ever accuse the R&B hitmaker of generating unquenchable excitement, but when he’s in his wheelhouse – piano ballads laced with honesty – Legend is masterful. It’s a bit of a modern update of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing.” Over a skittering electro-beat dipped in soul, Miguel ebbs and flows with vocal yelps as he professes adoration as well as his own prowess as he asserts, “Love ain’t never looked so good on ya.” John Legend, ‘All of Me’ (2013) But the lyrics hint at something deeper – taking hopelessness and turning it into triumph, suffering through the bad to get to the good – underneath those relentlessly cheerful keyboard stabs. Her ascending vocals – a magical escalation - that parallel her forthright claims that, “you’re the one that I love you’re the one that I need you’re the only one that I see.” Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris, ‘We Found Love’ (2011)īetween Rihanna’s airy vocals and Harris’ celebratory beat drop, it’s easy to digest this club banger as merely fun and frivolous. Is there a more blissful sound than Beyoncé bopping through the finger-snapping intro? Actually, yes. With its driving synthesizers wrapped in the signature slick production of pop wizards Max Martin and Benny Blanco, the title track of Perry’s 2010 album is pure saccharine – and still delectable. Katy Perry, ‘Teenage Dream’ (2010)įilled with Perry’s flirty vocals, the song is both a euphoric recollection of the loss of sexual innocence and recapturing that feeling as an adult (“I finally found you, my missing puzzle piece”). Billy Joel had a smash of the same name in 1977 that also professed a “don’t ever change” sentiment, and Mars’ aughts update inspired plenty of swooning. ![]() The debut single from the pop dynamo isn’t his most musically dynamic – that would come later when he injected some funk into his soul – but underneath the sappiness, it’s undeniably adorable. Bruno Mars, ‘Just the Way You Are’ (2010) But as the gentle piano and organ build, on the back of chilling guitar notes, to a soaring U2-esque chorus, the song becomes the sound of unconditional love. Wanting to help, but sometimes feeling helpless. Coldplay, ‘Fix You’ (2005)Īs the ever-earnest Chris Martin reminds us, love isn’t just about holding hands and fluttering hearts. Even a cringe-inducing simile – “I wanna steal your attention like a bad outlaw” – evokes a smile because Urban is so genuine. But then he continues: He’s interested in building trust, honoring parents, and making memories. He tells us he’s a man of his word over a strummy acoustic guitar, which is commendable, but rote. Keith Urban, ‘Making Memories of Us’ (2004)īaked-in sincerity color so many of Urban’s love songs. So here, we humbly profess, are 20 of the most affecting love songs this century. Since 2000, thousands of love songs have steamrolled playlists, popped up on mix CDs (remember, we’re going back to 2000!) and landed on many a wedding soundtrack. ![]() Who wants to hear about how wonderful someone thinks they are or bask in the bliss of being in love?īut while the classics – “At Last,” “Something,” “Let’s Stay Together,” “I Will Always Love You,” “My Heart Will Go On” – remain as such, expressions of tenderness continue to evolve with each new voice behind them. Watch Video: Musicians tell us what songs are on their Valentine's Day playlistįrom Frank Sinatra to The Beatles, Etta James to Celine Dion, love songs are practically a requirement for any artist hoping to deeply connect with listeners. ![]()
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