You might agree that “If music be the food of love play on” as a famous British play write once wrote. There’s no shortage of romantic songs For Valentine’s Day, with decades worth of soulful love ballads, folk songs and classic tunes that couples love.
Today we’re going to narrow the list with eight truly unforgettable emotional songs that can carry you and your partner away on the wings of love.
How Deep is Your Love – The Bee Gees
Featured on Saturday Night Fever, a film that so perfectly captured and solidified the image of the late 1970s, the song is a slow and emotionally charged ballad. It is held together with the smooth vocals of Barry Gibb and has a soft symphonic quality that perfectly sets the mood for a romantic evening together.
True – Spandau Ballet
Another slow song that perfectly helps to get the feeling right for a romantic Valentine’s evening. The song itself has a very soft melody for the most part although is punctuated by the distinctive voice of Tony Hadley. The almost whispering elements to the song add extra intimacy to this classic hit.
I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
An unforgettable performance from Whitney Houston. In a song where she mixes soulful more subtle moments with dramatic crescendos her powerful vocals most definitely stand out and make this song especially memorable. This was the official song of the 1992 movie: The Bodyguard (which coincidentally features an acting cameo Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp from our last entry) and very rightfully became an enduring success in its own right.
When a Man Loves a Woman – Percy Sledge
Perhaps one of the most emotionally powerful love songs ever sung. Percy Sledge really throws his voice into this slow R&B soul classic almost to the point of cracking. The words also keep the topic simple and easily relatable, detailing the things that people do and the emotions they feel when they idolise their partners.
Up Where We Belong – Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
When it comes to a romantic song there’s nothing much better than a duet. Two sides to the same whole come together and creating something wonderful. Just like a romantic couple. Most famously featured in An Officer and a Gentleman, this symphonic mix of Cocker’s raw vocals is blended with Warnes’s spirited performance. Of course this song makes most people think of the final scene when Richard Gere carries Debra Winger off in his arms.
Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers
It’s only really natural that the almost ethereal vocals of the Righteous Brothers were put to use in the supernatural romantic classic Ghost. It’s also no surprise that when most people think of this song, they remember Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore enjoying an inter-dimensional night of pottery and romance. This soft but passionate song definitely completes a romantic moment.
I’m Not In Love – 10CC
What at first seems like an anti-love song in some ways goes deeper by subverting the usual expectations of love songs and somehow adding more sincerity to it. The song was inspired by lead-singer Eric Stewart’s wife complaining he didn’t say “I love you” to her enough. This got him thinking about how to say “I love you” more without degrading it’s meaning. This strangely led him to making the opposite statement, while explaining he couldn’t ever be separated from her. Love is strange sometimes.
Kiss From a Rose – Seal
Of course, we were going to include a flower themed song. Now arguably this hit may not actually be a love song despite the presence of roses and kissing in the lyrics. The actual meaning of the song is somewhat hard to decipher with ambiguous words. Seal himself remaining is equally cryptic as to whether the song is about romance or another subject.
We’d be very surprised if you’ve never heard any of these memorable favourites before. Are these hits on your list of favourite love songs? Tell us in the comments if you’re going to use any of our suggestions on Valentine’s itself.
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