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Love songs can belong to many different musical genres. As Valentine’s Day approaches on Feb. 14, these 10 irreplaceable love songs can help anyone get into the spirit.
- “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
In the 1992 film, “The Bodyguard,” Whitney Houston’s version of the 1974 Dolly Parton song was born. “I Will Always Love You” is the perfect example of a song that is short and sweet. The originally two-minute fifty-three-second song entails romantic lyrics speaking about a woman that is leaving but wishing her lover all the best, “We both know I’m not what you need, I will always love you.” The vocals are accompanied by instruments such as keyboards, violin, saxophone, drums, and acoustic guitar.
- “I’ll Make Love to You” by Boyz II Men
This hot 1994 released R&B song was for the Motown label. Written and produced by Babyface, the hit single led Boyz II Men’s second album. The song stayed at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks from Aug. 27 to Nov. 26, 1994. “I’ll Make Love to You” has very romantic lyrics.
- “Let Me Love You” by Mario
American singer Mario, released this song on his second studio album, “Turning Point,” Nov. 16, 2004. Because of this song, Mario was nominated for the Grammy for Best Male R&B
Vocal Performance in 2006. “Let Me Love You” ranked No. 45 on Billboard’s All-Time Top 100 Hot 100 singles of the chart’s first 50 years.
- “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge
This song was first recorded at the Norala Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama in 1966. It was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts. Bette Midler, actress and singer, re-recorded the song 14 years later, and her version hit the Top 40 in 1980. When Michael Bolton recorded the song, his version hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart as well as the Billboard Adult Contemporary Singles chart. The song is literally about a man loving a woman. The slow, romantic song speaks about him loving her unconditionally, “When a man loves a woman, can’t keep his mind on nothin’ else, he’d trade the world, for a good thing he’s found.” It sings about a man being wholeheartedly devoted to a woman.
- “Bleeding Love” by Leonia Lewis.
The British singer released this song from her 2007 debut studio album, “Spirit.” The song was both written and composed by Jesse McCartney and Ryan Tedder, produced by Tedder. “Bleeding Love” was the best-selling single of 2007 in Ireland and the UK. It became an international hit in 2008 and was the best-selling single worldwide. “Bleeding Love” is about a woman loving a man despite what she hears about him from people around her, “I don’t care what they say, I’m in love with you, they try to pull me away, but they don’t know the truth.” She defends the negative things people around her have to say about him.
- “What’s Love Got to Do with It” by Tina Turner
This song was released in 1984. It was the first US No. 1 song, ranking #309 on Rolling Stones magazine’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and #38 on the Songs of the Century list. Turner’s hit single was the second biggest of 1984 in the US and the 17th biggest in the UK. The title was used as for a biographical film about Tina Turner’s life. The hot R&B song is about heartbreak, “What’s love got to do, got to do with it, what’s love but a second-hand emotion.” This song isn’t about a perfect love-story, but it is relatable to those who have negative feelings towards love and who have had their heart broken.
- “The Power of Love” by Celine Dion
This song was initially recorded and co-written in 1982 by Jennifer Rush, but Celine Dion’s cover is most popular; it was produced by David Foster. This was Dion’s first No. 1 song in the US; it was at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in February 1994. “The Power of Love” is a more traditional love song. It sings about a more personal, intimate form of love between a man and a woman.
- “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston
This song was released as the third single from “The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album” in 1992 Feb. 20, 1993, by Arista Records. It was certified Gold by the Record Industry Association of America. “I Have Nothing” is about a woman begging her lover never to leave her. She sings, “I have nothing if I don’t have you.”
- “Vision of Love” by Mariah Carey
This single is from Carey’s debut album in 1990, “Mariah Carey.” Carey won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the Grammys in 1991 for this work.
- “Crazy in Love” By Beyoncé featuring Jay Z
This song is from Beyoncé’s solo album “Dangerously in Love.” It has samples from “Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)” (1970) by The Chi-Lites. The song is a contemporary R&B, pop, love song with elements of hip-hop, soul, and 1970s style funk music. It was No. 1 in the US and UK as well as top 10 in multiple countries. Beyoncé’s relationship is already popular in the media; therefore, this song was icing on the cake.
