Music can evoke powerful emotions in listeners. When a song’s melodies, harmonies, lyrics and rhythms come together just right, it can feel like falling in love. The euphoric rush of a new crush or romance is a universal human experience that many songs attempt to capture. So what songs sound like that feeling of butterflies in your stomach and electricity in the air – the sensation of “what is love?”
Songs that Capture the Exhilaration of New Love
Here are some songs across genres that expertly bottle the joy, infatuation and excitement of new love:
- “I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner – With epic power ballad vocals, this rock song is an anthem about longing to understand love’s magical power.
- “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli – Upbeat and bouncy, this pop song encapsulates the giddy fixation of new crushes.
- “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton – This country ballad’s earnest lyrics and soaring vocals beautifully express overwhelming love.
- “Crazy In Love” by Beyonce – Queen Bey exudes boundless confidence and affection atop thumping beats in this modern R&B smash.
- “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley – The King of Rock n Roll croons this smoldering, romantic ballad.
- “You’re The One That I Want” from Grease – Filled with flirty chemistry, this duet is a high-energy ode to summer loves.
These are just a few of the many great songs in various genres that convey the pure bliss of newfound love and attraction.
Songs that Capture the Angst and Longing of Unrequited Love
On the other side of the coin, here are songs that capture the ache and anguish of unrequited affections:
- “All By Myself” by Eric Carmen – With its weeping piano line, this power ballad oozes sad desperation.
- “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinead O’Connor – O’Connor’s mournful vocals paired with mournful lyrics express hopeless longing.
- “Every Breath You Take” by The Police – Though sometimes misinterpreted as romantic, the obsessed and controlling lyrics depict unrequited obsession.
- “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia – This 1990s pop hit captures confusion and frustration in the face of contradictory feelings from a crush.
- “You Don’t See Me” by Josie and the Pussycats – Minor keys and melancholy lyrics reveal feelings of being invisible to an uninterested crush.
- “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift – Sweet but jealous lyrics aimed at a friend’s girlfriend reveal Swift’s crush and the ache of unrequited feelings.
The tension and sadness of loving someone who doesn’t love you back comes across clearly in these songs.
Songs about Falling Head Over Heels in Love
Falling hard and fast for someone is a rollercoaster ride that many of these love songs capture impeccably:
- “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz – With laid-back vocals and ukulele, this folk-pop tune radiates helpless, happy devotion.
- “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Lauryn Hill – This remake of the classic customizes it as an R&B ode to adoration.
- “Fever” by Peggy Lee – Lee’s sultry voice exudes burning passion in this jazz standard.
- “Lovefool” by The Cardigans – With its catchy hooks and ’90s alt-rock vibe, this song screams giddy infatuation.
- “Just The Way You Are” by Bruno Mars – Bouncy instrumentation carries this smoothpop praise of a perfect crush just as they are.
- “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra – The Chairman of the Board croons this jazz classic about being helplessly captivated by a lover’s charm.
Upbeat tempos, catchy melodies, and lovestruck lyrics make these songs wonderful tributes to the whirlwind of falling head over heels.
Songs about Long-Term Love
On the other end of the love spectrum, these songs celebrate lasting love that has matured over time into something comforting and real:
- “You and Me” by Dave Matthews Band – This mellow, acoustic rock song appreciates growing comfortably close with a long-term partner.
- “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton – Clapton’s soothing ode appreciates still finding his lover wonderful after time goes by.
- “My Endless Love” by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross – Sweet and earnest, this duet declares neverending love.
- “Through The Years” by Kenny Rogers – Rogers’ sentimental country song traces a couple’s shared journey through life’s ups and downs.
- “I’ll Be There For You” by The Rembrandts – As the theme for the sitcom Friends, this pop song is an upbeat anthem of loyalty through all of life’s challenges.
- “Your Song” by Elton John – John’s acoustic ballad earnestly conveys long-lasting love and devotion after the initial magic fades.
These songs celebrate the comfort, security, familiarity and devotion that develop in long-term romantic relationships.
Songs about Heartbreak and Lost Love
When love ends, music can be a powerful solace. Here are songs that capture the anguish of lost love and broken hearts:
- “Someone Like You” by Adele – Adele’s soaring, melancholy vocal performance flawlessly conveys lingering post-breakup heartache.
- “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift – Swift’s snarky kiss-off anthem is cathartic for moving past exhausted relationships.
- “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor – Gaynor’s timeless disco anthem is the rallying cry for finding strength after relationship failure.
- “Cry Me A River” by Justin Timberlake – Scorned and biting lyrics set to an R&B revenge ballad soundtrack channel anger against a cheating ex.
- “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson – With its surging rock energy, this power pop breakup song looks forward to excitement post-split.
- “Someone Like You” by Van Morrison – Morrison’s brooding rock ballad oozes melancholy and regret at the end of a romance.
Though painful, unleashing emotions through songs about love lost can ultimately help the healing process.
Songs about Love Across Musical Genres
Songs about love come in every musical genre. Here are some examples of love songs in various styles:
| Genre | Love Song Examples |
|---|---|
| Pop | “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen, “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole, “I Want to Know What Love Is” by Mariah Carey |
| Rock | “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison, “Love of My Life” by Queen, “Love Song” by Tesla |
| R&B | “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye, “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys, “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar |
| Hip Hop | “Bonita Applebum” by A Tribe Called Quest, “Ms. Jackson” by OutKast, “Rude Boy” by Rihanna |
| Jazz | “My Funny Valentine” by Chet Baker, “I Only Have Eyes For You” by The Flamingos, “Moondance” by Van Morrison |
| Country | “You Look So Good In Love” by George Strait, “Remember When” by Alan Jackson, “From the Ground Up” by Dan + Shay |
| Classical | “Clair de lune” by Debussy, “Adagio for Strings” by Barber, “Romeo and Juliet” by Tchaikovsky |
Clearly love is a universal theme that resonates across all genres and styles of music.
Analyzing the Musical Qualities that Evoke the Feeling of Love
Across genres, many musical qualities help songs evoke the feeling of love and romance. Here are some of the most common:
- Slow to mid-tempo rhythms – The quick heartbeat and excitement of new love is better conveyed in upbeat songs, while slow and swaying rhythms match the sensuality of physical and emotional intimacy.
- Melodic lead vocals – Emotive, melodic singing allows nuanced expression of love’s depth and complexity.
- Harmonic richness – Lush chord progressions and harmonies convey the multi-layered emotions of love.
- Legato phrasing – Smooth, connected notes and phrases flow seamlessly like sighs of adoration.
- Acoustic instrumentation – Gentle acoustic guitar, piano, strings and woodwinds evoke vulnerability and tenderness.
- Minor modes – The plaintive, melancholy sound of minor keys align with the poignant aspects of love.
Using combinations of these musical elements allows songs to touch listeners’ hearts and truly embody the essence of love.
Conclusion
Love songs across history, cultures and genres have touched the human experience in indelible ways. The euphoria of new love, the security of long-term relationships, the despair of lost love: these powerful songs give voice to it all. Though styles and eras differ, love remains the most resonant, universal subject. Songs like “Your Song,” “My Endless Love,” “Cry Me a River” or “Fever” distill love’s magic, joy and pain into cathartic works of art. Whether you’re falling madly, caught in heartbreak, or growing old with a partner, love songs validate our memories and emotions and make us feel part of the human family.
