Are you feeling the love this Valentine’s Day? Whether you’re celebrating February 14th with all the traditional trimmings (hello, chocolates and roses!), a romantic dinner date, a party with your BFFs, or pampering yourself, you may need a soundtrack to accompany your plans. Luckily, if there’s one thing your fave artists love singing about, it’s, well… love.
Because we love you, we pulled together some of our favorite love songs from the past few years that are bound to make you feel every kind of way. Whether you still belt out Beyoncé’s “Love on Top” in the car thinking of your boo, or choose to express your feelings a little more low-key a la Troye Sivan’s soothing pop, we’ve got the love song that will find a place in your heart this Valentine’s Day.
"Love on Top" by Beyoncé
If anyone can make a love song totally iconic, it’s Beyoncé. “Love on Top” is triumphant and honest, too. “Nothing’s perfect but it’s worth it,” she sings in the fan favorite love song. Plus, no one can slay a key change (or two or three) like Beyoncé. The old-school Motown vibes of “Love on Top” give it a throwback appeal, and the sentiment, wherein Bey sings, “Baby, it’s you/you’re the one I love/you’re the one I need/you’re the only one I see,” is timeless.
"I Really Like You" by Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen’s single completely captures that giddy feeling you get when you start falling hard for someone. “I Really Like You” sounds like a #TBT to the roller rinks of yore and the ‘70s and ‘80s disco-lite pop songs that have influenced the CRJ sound. We’ll always love the “I Really Like You” music video featuring a dancing Tom Hanks and a cameo from Carly’s pal Justin Bieber. (More on him later.)
"Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran
Ed’s sweet, simple song has become a go-to choice for weddings, and it’s incredibly easy to see why. Instead of setting the song to a sweeping orchestra or adding a bunch of background instruments, it’s just Ed and his guitar, singing from the heart acoustically. “Thinking Out Loud” is all about being truly, deeply in love with somebody, so much so that you think about your future together and can’t wait to experience every stage of life with that person, even when you’re old and gray.
"Little Things" by One Direction
This track is a slowed down alternative to the majority of One Direction’s canon, but that’s part of its appeal. The boys take turns singing about the “little things” they love about their partners, from how smiling crinkles up a face to bedtime tea rituals. It can be easy to forget just why you fell in love with someone in the first place; often, it’s not the first impression or the fanciest dresses that enchant you, but the little quirks that make your partner special. Since 1D is currently on hiatus, we’ll work on making a list about the little things we love about them.
"I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston
There’s no matching Whitney Houston’s iconic 1992 recording of this song. The singer’s enormous vocal talents took the song from a tender little country ballad and turned it into a showstopper. (When the music stops for a moment before she breaks into the chorus, it’s impossible not to get goose bumps.) One of the saddest love songs on this list — and possibly of all time — it’s powerful precisely because it rips your heart out and decimates it. Listening to it is an incredible experience even more than 20 years later; you can feel Whitney’s emotions in her voice as she sings.
"The Heart Wants What It Wants" by Selena Gomez
“The Heart Wants What it Wants” came out in 2014, right about when Selena was embroiled in relationship drama with her ex, JustinBieber. Whether or not this song is actually about Justin is up for debate, but it’s so relatable to listeners that it doesn’t really matter. We’ve all had the kind of relationship where things don’t go smoothly, and Selena’s honesty about the flaws of her romance is refreshing and kind of heartbreaking at the same time. “There’s a million reasons why I should give you up,” she sings. “But the heart wants what it wants.” We get it, Selena. We totally get it.
"Lovebug" by the Jonas Brothers
This Jonas Brothers’ throwback is simply adorable and so catchy, detailing the jitters and butterflies you get when you’re infatuated with someone new. “Now I’m speechless/over the edge/I’m just breathless/I never thought that I’d catch this love bug again.” With its stripped-down retro sound and equally vintage video featuring the brothers harmonizing at a ‘40s-style club, “Lovebug” made our younger selves swoon, especially when the song kicks it up a notch and Nick gets to shred on his electric guitar.
"Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry
Katy Perry’s classic hit “Teenage Dream” sums up how love is supposed to feel: exciting, comfortable, scary, and delightful all at the same time. Remember how your first real love felt? “Teenage Dream” captures those feelings in less than four minutes. There’s a reason it’s one of Katy’s most popular songs ever. Even though it was released back in 2010, it doesn’t feel dated. Lyrics like, “Before you met me I was all right/but things were kinda heavy/you brought me to life/now every February/you’ll be my Valentine” are timeless. It’s also the perfect song to belt along with in your car with your best friends.
"Take Care" by Drake and Rihanna
Part of the magic of Drake and Rihanna’s duets, of which there are several, is their intense personal chemistry. The pair have never publicly announced just what their relationship status is or was — not that it’s any of our business. However, when they release songs like ‘Take Care,” it’s hard not to wonder. “Take Care” is a duet about love and loss and wanting to shield your love from the pain of the world, and was so popular and relatable that they teamed up again later for Rih’s “Work” and Drake’s “Too Good.” They really do bring out the best in each other musically.
"Love Story" by Taylor Swift
