For this list, I was going to jot down the first 10 love songs that came to mind and move on with my day. In hindsight, that was a silly notion. Once you start a list like this, there’s really no end to the number of transcendent songs that can be included.
I wasn’t sure whether to include a mixture of songs about romantic love and heartbreak, but decided that a comprehensive list including a wide range of emotions would be best.
These songs have been a huge part of my life and have helped me in ways no words would suffice to describe here. In so many ways, we are defined by these types of songs. They cut to our essence.
Without further adieu, here is my Top 25 songs about love in honor of Valentine’s Day…
25) “Blue Eyes Cryin’ In The Rain” – Willie Nelson
24) “Safe From Harm” – Massive Attack
23) “Valentine’s Day” – Bruce Springsteen
22) “Dog & Butterfly” – Heart
21) “Glory Box” – Portishead
20) “Now & Then” – Pete Townshend
19) “Pale Blue Eyes” – The Velvet Underground
18) “A Case of You” – Joni Mitchell
17) “Strange Currencies” – REM
16) “So Cruel” – U2
15) “Hearts & Bones” – Paul Simon
14) “Chances Are” – Johnny Mathis
13) “You Are So Beautiful” – Joe Cocker
12) “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” – The Platters
11) “Take Me With You” – Prince & The Revolution
10) “Save The Last Dance For Me” – The Drifters
9) “Nothing Compares To U” – Sinead O’Connor
8) “Love Me Tender” – Elvis Presley
7) “Hold You In My Arms” – Ray LaMontagne
6) “Washing of the Water” – Peter Gabriel
5) “I Only Have Eyes For You” – The Flamingos
4) “Little Wing” – Jimi Hendrix
3) “Kathy’s Song” – Simon & Garfunkel
2) “Love” – John Lennon
1) “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” – Roberta Flack
I know there a zillion more (and there are likely glaring omissions), but this is my list.
What’s yours?