Most Chaminade students have never had a valentine. Some may never. But that’s okay. They can still enjoy this list of the top ten love songs of all time. Put these songs on speaker while driving around in your car and maybe you’ll get yourself a prom date.
Here are a couple of disclaimers before I get into the list:
- I tried to get a wide variety of genres and time periods on the list. I’m not perfect though, so you may not consider the list as comprehensive as you want it to be.
- I mainly listen to hip-hop and R&B. That can kind of lend to me having a bias towards those two genres, but I tried my best to stay as objective as possible.
- I’m firm on my 1, 2, and 3 spots, but everything after that is essentially interchangeable.
- A song can’t be on the list if it is a toxic love song or a song about heartbreak.
10. “Best I Ever Had” by Drake
Released January 1, 2009
Off So Far Gone
I know Drake gets a lot of hate, especially with the release of “Not Like Us,” a variety of other dramas he gets into, and his overall poor music output in recent years, but his classics are good. “Best I Ever Had” is a song for that girl you recently started dating to show your appreciation for her and how you hope what you two have will last forever. Drake shows love and appreciation to his girl, stating she’s the best he ever had. A big part of Valentine’s Day for some people is showing love and appreciation to your partner, and this song fulfills that part of the holiday very well. Drake’s rap delivery is very good on the song and the beat is solid, so, I believe it deserves a spot on this list.
- “My Heart Belongs To You” by Jodeci
Released December 21, 1993
Off Diary Of A Mad Band
90s R&B deserves a spot on this list and Jodeci is the perfect candidate to fill this spot. I wouldn’t be surprised if you haven’t heard this song before, but it’s sampled in “How Bout Now” by Drake, so if you listen to “My Heart Belongs To You,” it might sound familiar. It is simply a heartfelt R&B song dedicating yourself to that special someone with amazing vocals from the lead singer of Jodeci, K-Ci. What really puts it on this list is the sort of ad-libs throughout the song. They enhance the song and make the chorus sound so beautiful.
- “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” by Paul Anka
Released August 17, 1959
Released as a single
A total classic, and a song most people have probably heard on Tik-Tok. Paul Anka has some real passion in his voice. Just real love there. Not much else to say about it. A heartfelt and great song to play to your girlfriend on Valentine’s Day.
- “Work Song” by Hozier
Released October 7, 2014
Off Self Titled
This was recommended by a friend for me to add to the list. Never been a big fan of Hozier but this song is just perfect. The song is a love story from the perspective of an average worker and how that worker will love their partner until they’re in the ground. It’s a very poetic and beautiful song. And with the great vocals by Hozier, the song deserves to be on this list.
- “Kiss of Life” by Sade
Released October 26, 1992
Off Love
I’ve heard a lot of people call this song and Sade’s music in general elevator music. Actually, my dad personally said this to me. And while I do agree that the song is simple, I think that’s the beauty of it. A lot of songs today just have too much going on sometimes. Sade gives a stellar vocal performance over a timid but quality beat. The song’s also all about love and appreciation of your partner, making it perfect for Valentine’s Day.
- “Baby Be Mine” by Michael Jackson
Released November 30, 1982
Off Thriller
Everyone’s heard of Michael Jackson, and I hope everyone’s heard this song. As per usual, Michael gives an incredible vocal delivery on this track. What really made me put this on the list was just its overall theme. Asking a girl to be yours is basically the whole point of Valentine’s Day, with the tradition of asking someone to be your Valentine, and that is what the song is always about.
- “My Kind Of Woman” by Mac DeMarco
Released October 16, 2012
Off 2
In my opinion, Mac DeMarco is the quintessential bedroom pop artist. And I think that genre certainly deserves some representation in a love song article. DeMarco dedicates the song to a woman who is always by his side, stating that this woman is his “kind of woman.” I’m not a massive Mac DeMarco fan if I’m being honest. Yes, I like some of his albums, but I’ve never considered them something that has blown me away. This song in particular, however, is one of my favorite love songs of all time. Less for the vocals, but more for the acoustic backing and the lyrics.
- “Love, Love, Love” by Donny Hathaway
Released January 1, 1973
Off Extension of a Man
Donny Hathway personifies love in “Love, Love, Love” as a lost lover who comes back into his life. It’s simultaneously a very basic but also complex premise. There are a lot of love songs that have love in the title or the title is literally just the word love, but I’d argue this is by far the best of those. Donny Hathway has a unique vocal presence on the track. I just love his voice. A very beautiful R&B while having a certain raspy quality to it. With all this put together, it had to be in my top 3.
- “Just The Way You Are” by Bruno Mars
Released May 11, 2010
Off Doo-Wops & Hooligans
I don’t think much has to be said about this song or why it would be in my top 3. Not to be too informal but this is definitely a banger. It charted the tops and it’s done numbers in streaming, having over 2 and half billion streams on Spotify. Bruno’s definitely a generational talent. And the content of the song itself, all about self-acceptance and love, makes it easily land in my top 3.
Honorable Mentions:
“Drugs N Hella Melodies” by Don Toliver, “At Your Best (You Are Love)” by Aaliyah, “LOVE.” by Kendrick Lamar, “Love” by Keyshia Cole, “Exchange” by Bryson Tiller, “Thinkin Bout You” by Frank Ocean, “Give You The World” by Steve Lacy, “More Than A Woman” by Bee Gees, and “Can I Call You Rose?” by Thee Sacred Souls
- “Get You” by Daniel Caesar
Released August 25, 2017
Off Freudian
This song holds a very special place in my heart. I remember this one night on a cruise when everyone was sitting and looking out into the sea. The weather was perfect that night and the sky looked beautiful. You could see so many stars. And all my cruise friends were just looking out into the sea and then someone brought a JBL speaker. Someone turned a playlist on, and we kept looking out into the sea. Then “Get You” came on. I’d never heard the song before this, but I immediately fell in love with it. The beat, Daniel Caesar’s voice, just everything. There’s just something about it that screams late summer nights. The first few seconds of the song are just really iconic for me. Now, I can immediately recognize that first piano key and ambiance within seconds of the song starting. The lyrics are perfect for a love song. It’s about how Caesar’s lady is there with him through everything. Drought, famine, and any hard times. Out of his mere appreciation for his girl, he’s wondering how he ended up getting her. And the feature from Kali Uchis? Amazing. It’s got everything someone would want in a love song. Theme, beat, vocals, and a great feature. That’s why it’s number one. Can’t get better than this.
