19 Love Songs So Romantic You’ll Want Them on Repeat This Valentine’s Day

Love songs have a way of capturing emotions that words alone often cannot. In honor of Valentine’s Day, PEOPLE staffers curated a list of their favorite romantic tracks — from timeless classics to modern ballads — that celebrate passion, devotion, and the magic of connection.

Timeless Classics

• “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” – Roberta Flack A tender ballad that perfectly encapsulates the awe of falling in love at first sight.
• “Your Song” – Elton John A heartfelt declaration of love, reminding listeners how wonderful life feels when shared with someone special.
• “Here, There and Everywhere” – The Beatles Paul McCartney’s lyrics embody the desire to be with someone everywhere, setting a high bar for romantic songwriting.
• “Born to Run” – Bruce Springsteen Not a soft ballad, but a cinematic anthem about escaping with your forever person, love as freedom.

Soulful and Emotional

• “Sweet Love” – Anita Baker A timeless ode to fearless, passionate love, delivered with Baker’s angelic vocals.
• “The Closer I Get to You” – Luther Vandross feat. Beyoncé A soulful duet that resonates with both youthful crushes and mature relationships.
• “The Color of Love” – Boyz II Men A heartfelt track about finding strength and hope through love.

Modern Favorites

• “All Night” – Beyoncé A raw, redemptive track about forgiveness and resilience in love.
• “Goodnight N Go” – Ariana Grande A dreamy pop hit that captures the quiet rush of falling in love.
• “If the World Was Ending” – JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels A bittersweet ballad about choosing love even in fleeting, final moments.

Indie and Alternative Gems

• “Waste” – Phish A gentle acoustic song about choosing to spend time together.
• “Just Like Heaven” – The Cure An upbeat yet emotional track about the dreamlike feeling of early love.
• “Robbers” – The 1975 A cinematic ode to reckless, all-consuming romance.
• “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” – Talking Heads Playful and soothing, it captures the joy of finding home in someone.
• “Gotta Have You” – The Weepies A tender reminder that even in tough moments, love makes everything better.

Other Notable Picks

• “Show Me Love” – Robyn A youthful anthem about the excitement of new romance.
• “Something Changed” – Pulp A Britpop ode to the miracle of finding love.
• “Song to the Siren” – This Mortal Coil A hauntingly beautiful ballad about longing and connection.
• “I Want to Hold Your Hand” – Al Green (cover) A soulful twist on The Beatles’ classic, perfect for dancing.

Together, these songs span decades and genres, proving that love — whether tender, fiery, or bittersweet — remains one of music’s most powerful inspirations.