A Love Letter to Love Songs, by Michaela Geregach

The day of love, Valentine’s Day, is just around the corner. Music goes hand in hand with a holiday about expressing our love for one another. Music is such a powerful tool that allows musicians to show their most vulnerable feelings to their audience. Songs about love are some of the most passionate and beautiful music has to offer. A love songs’ ability to convey the feeling not only through lyrics, but through the sound of the instruments and backtracks make them one of my favorite musical themes. 

The love song spans across all of music's history. Even some classic compositions without words have a clear romantic theme like Debussy’s “Clair de lune” and “Liebestraum No. 3” by Franz Liszt. The biggest artists throughout the 20th and 21st centuries are often remembered by their love songs—Frank Sinatra's “Something Stupid,” Elvis Presely’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and Paul McCartney’s “Silly Love Songs.” Famously, McCartney made the song to rebut John Lennon’s criticisms of his love songs. Modern-day popular music artists like Taylor Swift have made a brand of singing about their relationships. Bruno Mars is noted for his feel-good love songs like “Just the Way You Are.” While Adele is known for her powerful love ballads like “Make You Feel My Love.” The love song is a timeless concept that will continue to be redone and reimagined for years to come. 

Love songs are some of the best types of music with their nuanced qualities. A love song can have a simple melody with deep lyrical themes, or a complex production with a few words. Love can be described in so many ways with so many different undertones. Even songs that describe a breakup can be just as romantic and heartfelt as happy love songs. Each artist and song offers a different perspective and idea on what love is and how it feels.

At the end of the day they are all describing the same emotion. Here is a list of what I consider to be the best love songs ever. When I want to listen to a song that perfectly captures the feeling, from the sound production to the lyrics, I’m sure to relisten to one of these. 

Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce

This song is a reflection of how time moves so quickly; how we are able to pick the people we love to go through this short life with. As a folk song, the production is fairly minimal with just a guitar and a harpsichord. The harpsichord adds a distinctive vibe to the song, making it feel almost medieval. It feels nostalgic and sad at points, yet hopeful and cheerful at other times. I think it perfectly describes the feeling of losing time, but being happy someone is there to experience it with you. (Honorable Mention: I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song by Jim Croce)

Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens

This song, popularized by the film Call Me By Your Name, conveys the bittersweet feeling of a first love. Excited for a new experience, but afraid of the loss that comes with it. Steven’s unique vocals are full of emotion and fit the theme  of the song perfectly. During the beginning of the song, the instruments are more upbeat and whimsical, whereas later in the song they are heavier and more drawn out, picking up again at the very end. Showing the life cycle of love through the music. (Honorable Mention: Futile Devices by Sufjan Stevens) 

Something by The Beatles

An iconic Beatles song, and for good reason. The lyrics attempt to communicate the indescribable feeling of loving every part of someone. Something about the woman he is singing about keeps him falling more and more in love, but he can’t totally understand what it is. The use of diverse instruments in this song particularly stands out to me. It starts with the usual guitar, bass, and drums, but violins, violas, and cellos are added in as the song progresses. The guitar solo is also iconic in itself and is often mistaken for slide guitar because of how smooth the notes are, but Harrison used traditional plucking techniques. The strings build the intensity of the song as you continue to listen, making the ideas of love feel stronger. Strings are also widely considered romantic instruments, so it makes sense for the song. (Honorable Mention: Here, There and Everywhere by The Beatles)

Forever by The Beach Boys

This song starts as a slow ballad then builds into an energetic love confession. As is the case with most Beach Boys songs, the harmonies steal the show. The intensity when “forever” is repeated in the song and the layered harmonies and lyrics during the bridge just show the overwhelming love he is trying to convey. Its simple lyrics deliver the message clearly, that they want to be with them forever, even if they can’t, their love will continue on forever. 

(Honorable Mention: All I Wanna Do by The Beach Boys)

Juna by Clairo

Most of these picks have a heavy tone to the songs, whereas Juna has a warm lighthearted and upbeat feeling. Clairo’s soft vocals set a tone  that is calming and intimate. The lyrics describe the feeling of vulnerability in a relationship, being fully known by someone else. Both lyrically and instrumentally, it conveys how it feels to be yourself around someone else. The backtrack feels happy and loose, like there’s nothing being held back. This is one song from Clairo’s album Charm that I think is a romantic staple, even if it isn’t composed fully of love songs. (Honorable Mention: Steeeam by Shelly)

Only over You by Fleetwood Mac

The song is about being crazy in love with someone, being fully consumed with love but in a very romanticized way. The dreamy feeling that Fleetwood Mac brings to music works perfectly for love songs. Throughout the song the backtrack is not only composed of instruments but also layering harmonies. These backing vocals give a heavenly feel to the song. Making love feel ethereal. I specifically have always loved songs where Christine McVie leads vocals, and this one is no exception. Her powerful voice carries so much emotion and further drives the theme of the song. (Honorable Mention: Need Your Love so Bad by Fleetwood Mac)

Are You Lonesome Like Me? by The Feminine Complex

This song captures the feelings of budding love and the uncertainty of having a crush on someone, wondering if the feelings are being reciprocated and noticing all the little signs that could indicate they feel the same way. This song feels like a girl sitting in her room writing in her diary, capturing all the feelings of potential love. It feels romantic and hopeful, but you can still sense the uncertainty. The smooth, drawn out vocals and whimsy instrumentals make it the perfect not-yet-love love song. (Honorable Mention: Six O’Clock in the Morning by The Feminine Complex) 

I’d Have You Anytime by George Harrison

If I hadn’t made it clear, I have a bias for George Harrison and The Beatles. Not only is he my favorite artist, but this is my all time favorite song of his. The opening track on his debut solo album features so many iconic artists—co-written by Bob Dylan, electric guitar leads played by Eric Clapton, keyboards by Billy Preston, and drums by Ringo Starr—I think it is an obvious hit. Its lyrics deliver the message of all consuming love. Harrison sings about wanting to know a person in their entirety and pining to have that feeling reciprocated. What really sells me on this song is simply the sound of it. George’s voice sounds sincere, almost yearning-like. The instrumental is flowy and melodic, almost like a lullaby. It is warm and comforting, fitting the meaning of the song very well. A perfect song, in my opinion. (Honorable Mention: Learning How to Love You by George Harrison)

I believe love songs are a necessary staple of music. The ability to convey such a uniquely human emotion in a way that resonates with so many is truly a power. A song's ability to evoke a strong emotion just by listening to it is doing its job well. Whether it be a basic, upbeat love confession, or a vulnerable ballad exploring the complexities of human emotion they offer a connection to every individual. Even if it may seem like they are repetitive, overdone, or overplayed, looking deeper into the meanings of the lyrics and the backtracks of songs can show just how impactful they are. These types of songs gain popularity for a reason, and I think it is so important that we understand why.