15. "Silver Lining (Crazy 'Bout You)" by Jessie J (2012)I know you weren't expecting to see this track on the countdown but hey, Jessie J really pulled off quite a track. I feel that this under-apprieacted track is among a very select group of tracks from recent years that really embraced love in the right way, not the cheesy way that has started to become more and more popular. Despite having a very small impact across the globe, I think of it as a signature Valentine's Day track that really keeps the entire spirit of the holiday intact.
Go against the majority and give this track a spin or two this Valentine's Day. I'm pretty sure you'll get hooked.
14. "Vision of Love" by Mariah Carey (1990)Mariah's debut single proved to be one of her most successful singles to date and one of the most popular love songs in history. Upon release, it was hailed by music critics as an astounding debut success. It has been included on many other Top Love Songs of All Time list, including Billboard's own list where it ranked 20th.
Supported by soulful vocals, the song easily captivates what it means to love and what it means to be loved, hence the name.
Mariah has 1 more track within the top 15 love song countdown.
13. "My Love (feat. T.I)" by Justin Timberlake (2006)
Released as his 2nd album's 2nd single in October 2006, the song became Justin's 2nd #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also has won numerous awards including a Grammy in 2007. Some critics called it 2006's #1 song and were generally positive to the song. Justin himself described the track as more about a "humble approach to love" and less about "marriage".
To date it remains one of the most essential love songs and to be honest Valentine's Day really wouldn't be the same without it.
12. "My Heart is Refusing Me" by Loreen (2011/2012)
This song was Loreen's debut single in 2011 before the Swedish singer had a huge amount of success with "Euphoria" in 2012. Following the huge success of "Euphoria", this track was reissued worldwide in late 2012 as the international follow up to "Euphoria".
I have included this track in the countdown because it is a strange love song. It includes extreme, dark themes and lyrics and although it might be better described as a break-up song, it really is more about the "guilty pleasure" of love. This track really stands out to me, evident by the fact that it topped my list near the end of 2012 and has since become one of the best performing singles in my chart's history.
11. "Thinking About You (feat. Ayah Marar)" by Calvin Harris (2013)
To date it remains one of the most essential love songs and to be honest Valentine's Day really wouldn't be the same without it.
12. "My Heart is Refusing Me" by Loreen (2011/2012)This song was Loreen's debut single in 2011 before the Swedish singer had a huge amount of success with "Euphoria" in 2012. Following the huge success of "Euphoria", this track was reissued worldwide in late 2012 as the international follow up to "Euphoria".
I have included this track in the countdown because it is a strange love song. It includes extreme, dark themes and lyrics and although it might be better described as a break-up song, it really is more about the "guilty pleasure" of love. This track really stands out to me, evident by the fact that it topped my list near the end of 2012 and has since become one of the best performing singles in my chart's history.
11. "Thinking About You (feat. Ayah Marar)" by Calvin Harris (2013)
I may be kind of biased but hey this track to me is one of the best love tracks I've heard. It's about holding on to the person you love and thinking about them even when they aren't with you. Yet another recent track that gets it completely right.
One of the best dance love songs in quite a while. This will definitely remain on my yearly Valentine's Day countdown for a few more years.
10. "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars (2010)
Bruno's debut track was among one of 2010's biggest tracks and has become a 2010s decade signature hit and one of the most recent tracks that's perfect for Valentine's Day. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2010 for 4 consecutive weeks ending the 2 weeks run of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" across the top spot on the chart.
His other love themed tracks, "Marry You" and "Treasure" were other candidates for possible inclusion in this list.
9. "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston (1992)
Whitney Houston's cover of Dolly Parton's 1970s hit became the most successful cover single in history when released in late 1992. Spending an enormous 14 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song set the record for "Most Weeks At #1". It also scooped 2 Grammy Awards in 1994. It went on to sell over 20 million copies since its release a little over 20 years ago.
Easily one of the best love tracks in history (named the #2 love track in Billboard's Hot 100 history).
8. "Crazy In Love (feat. Jay-Z)" by Beyoncé (2003)
During the final hiatus of Destiny's Child (before splitting in 2004), Beyoncé spun off her solo career in May 2003. Her debut solo single "Crazy In Love (feat. Jay-Z)" featured Jay-Z (her now husband) and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 2 solid months (8 weeks). To date the song has sold over 5 million copies worldwide and is one of the best selling singles in history. It was also listed as Billboard's #40 single in the 2000-2009 decade.
A great love song that is pop tinged and completely danceable.
7. "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion (1996)
Celine Dion's 2nd Billboard Hot 100 #1 single, "Because You Loved Me" became one of the singer's most popular singles of all time and became the 18th best performing single of the 1990-1999 decade in the United States.
Additionally, the single was nominated for 4 Grammy Awards in 1997 and ended up winning for "Best Song Written For A Motion Picture". It was also nominated for "Record of the Year", "Song of the Year" and "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance".
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6. "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston (1987)
Released as the 1st single from Whitney's 2nd studio album ("Whitney"), the song became Houston's 4th consecutive (and 4th overall) #1 hit in the United States. It went on to win the Grammy for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" at the 30th annual ceremony.
It became Whitney's most popular single in the U.S. after release and remained her most successful single in the country until her cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained #1 for 14 weeks. To date the single is her 2nd most successful in her history.
5. "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey (2005)
Described as Mariah's comeback single (after her loss of steam in the early 2000s), the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 non-consecutive weeks and became the #1 song of the 2000-2009 decade in the United States. It is Mariah's 16th #1 single out of 18 #1's, a solo female record.
It scooped up two Grammy's and since release, it has become the 9th most successful single in history in the United States.
It is also one of the most popular love songs worldwide to date and Mariah Carey's second biggest hit after "One Sweet Day" (with Boyz II Men).
4. "Chasing Pavements" by ADELE (2008)
Adele's first ever single was inspired by her boyfriend's cheating and how she coped with learning about it (she punched him). The song obtained moderate positions on record charts worldwide, eventually peaking at #2 in the UK and #21 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
While the song doesn't exactly scream love, it features the complications of love and the struggle that comes along the way.
Like most of the songs previously featured on this list, it snagged a Grammy award. It picked up the "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" and was also nominated for "Record of the Year" and "Song of the Year" at the same ceremony.
3. "We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)" by Rihanna (2011)
While this song easily my favorite single of the modern era, it isn't the best love song in history. Still it gets very close. "We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)" topped my list for 2 weeks officially and topped my list for a record breaking 16 weeks (unofficially). This is because I didn't start tracking points until the tail end of this song's run. Unofficially, it has been certified Diamond (with counting the additional 14 weeks that it was #1 for in 2011).
Additionally it became one of the most successful singles in history and has passed 8 million downloads since release in 2011. The song peaked at #1 on over 30 official charts and won a single Grammy. It is the #24 best performing single in Billboard's 55+ year history.
2. "Believe" by Cher (1998)
Cher's last big hit, "Believe", is one of the greatest love songs the world has seen. Being one of the earliest pieces of work to incorporate auto-tuned vocals, critics were divided upon release, but overall reviews skewed favorable and the song became a worldwide success.
The single won a Grammy Award, has shifted over 11 million copies (physical and digital) and topped the chart in over 20 counties. The song also set many U.S. records, including Cher becoming the oldest solo female act to have a Billboard Hot 100 #1 single, as the song topped the tally when the singer was 52 years old.
Additionally, I have gone back and retraced my favorite songs for every year since 1998. I have concluded that this song was my favorite single of 1999.
1. "How Deep Is Your Love" by The Bee Gees (1977)
And we've finally reached #1! Propelled to success with the release of Saturday Night Fever, this song topped the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1977 and was the 1st of 6 consecutive #1 singles for The Bee Gees (and 4th overall).
The single along with "Night Fever" and "Stayin' Alive" are considered the group's most successful singles and their signature tracks (all of them topped the Billboard Hot 100 between 1977-1978). Additionally, these tracks all featured on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack which has been certified 15x platinum for selling over 15,000,000 copies in the United States alone. The album spent 24 straight weeks atop the Billboard 200 album chart.
Happy Valentine's Day and come back next year for a more updated list! What do you think should have made the top 15? Sound off in the comments.
One of the best dance love songs in quite a while. This will definitely remain on my yearly Valentine's Day countdown for a few more years.
10. "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars (2010)Bruno's debut track was among one of 2010's biggest tracks and has become a 2010s decade signature hit and one of the most recent tracks that's perfect for Valentine's Day. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 2010 for 4 consecutive weeks ending the 2 weeks run of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" across the top spot on the chart.
His other love themed tracks, "Marry You" and "Treasure" were other candidates for possible inclusion in this list.
9. "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston (1992)Whitney Houston's cover of Dolly Parton's 1970s hit became the most successful cover single in history when released in late 1992. Spending an enormous 14 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song set the record for "Most Weeks At #1". It also scooped 2 Grammy Awards in 1994. It went on to sell over 20 million copies since its release a little over 20 years ago.
Easily one of the best love tracks in history (named the #2 love track in Billboard's Hot 100 history).
8. "Crazy In Love (feat. Jay-Z)" by Beyoncé (2003)During the final hiatus of Destiny's Child (before splitting in 2004), Beyoncé spun off her solo career in May 2003. Her debut solo single "Crazy In Love (feat. Jay-Z)" featured Jay-Z (her now husband) and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 2 solid months (8 weeks). To date the song has sold over 5 million copies worldwide and is one of the best selling singles in history. It was also listed as Billboard's #40 single in the 2000-2009 decade.
A great love song that is pop tinged and completely danceable.
7. "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion (1996)
Celine Dion's 2nd Billboard Hot 100 #1 single, "Because You Loved Me" became one of the singer's most popular singles of all time and became the 18th best performing single of the 1990-1999 decade in the United States.
Additionally, the single was nominated for 4 Grammy Awards in 1997 and ended up winning for "Best Song Written For A Motion Picture". It was also nominated for "Record of the Year", "Song of the Year" and "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance".
6. "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by Whitney Houston (1987)Released as the 1st single from Whitney's 2nd studio album ("Whitney"), the song became Houston's 4th consecutive (and 4th overall) #1 hit in the United States. It went on to win the Grammy for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" at the 30th annual ceremony.
It became Whitney's most popular single in the U.S. after release and remained her most successful single in the country until her cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained #1 for 14 weeks. To date the single is her 2nd most successful in her history.
5. "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey (2005)Described as Mariah's comeback single (after her loss of steam in the early 2000s), the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 non-consecutive weeks and became the #1 song of the 2000-2009 decade in the United States. It is Mariah's 16th #1 single out of 18 #1's, a solo female record.
It scooped up two Grammy's and since release, it has become the 9th most successful single in history in the United States.
It is also one of the most popular love songs worldwide to date and Mariah Carey's second biggest hit after "One Sweet Day" (with Boyz II Men).
4. "Chasing Pavements" by ADELE (2008)Adele's first ever single was inspired by her boyfriend's cheating and how she coped with learning about it (she punched him). The song obtained moderate positions on record charts worldwide, eventually peaking at #2 in the UK and #21 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
While the song doesn't exactly scream love, it features the complications of love and the struggle that comes along the way.
Like most of the songs previously featured on this list, it snagged a Grammy award. It picked up the "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance" and was also nominated for "Record of the Year" and "Song of the Year" at the same ceremony.
3. "We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)" by Rihanna (2011)While this song easily my favorite single of the modern era, it isn't the best love song in history. Still it gets very close. "We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)" topped my list for 2 weeks officially and topped my list for a record breaking 16 weeks (unofficially). This is because I didn't start tracking points until the tail end of this song's run. Unofficially, it has been certified Diamond (with counting the additional 14 weeks that it was #1 for in 2011).
Additionally it became one of the most successful singles in history and has passed 8 million downloads since release in 2011. The song peaked at #1 on over 30 official charts and won a single Grammy. It is the #24 best performing single in Billboard's 55+ year history.
Cher's last big hit, "Believe", is one of the greatest love songs the world has seen. Being one of the earliest pieces of work to incorporate auto-tuned vocals, critics were divided upon release, but overall reviews skewed favorable and the song became a worldwide success.
The single won a Grammy Award, has shifted over 11 million copies (physical and digital) and topped the chart in over 20 counties. The song also set many U.S. records, including Cher becoming the oldest solo female act to have a Billboard Hot 100 #1 single, as the song topped the tally when the singer was 52 years old.
Additionally, I have gone back and retraced my favorite songs for every year since 1998. I have concluded that this song was my favorite single of 1999.
And we've finally reached #1! Propelled to success with the release of Saturday Night Fever, this song topped the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1977 and was the 1st of 6 consecutive #1 singles for The Bee Gees (and 4th overall).
The single along with "Night Fever" and "Stayin' Alive" are considered the group's most successful singles and their signature tracks (all of them topped the Billboard Hot 100 between 1977-1978). Additionally, these tracks all featured on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack which has been certified 15x platinum for selling over 15,000,000 copies in the United States alone. The album spent 24 straight weeks atop the Billboard 200 album chart.
Happy Valentine's Day and come back next year for a more updated list! What do you think should have made the top 15? Sound off in the comments.
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