Sometimes, words aren’t enough when telling a woman how much you love her. Thankfully, you have the power of song. There are several great tracks dedicated to loving a woman. The following are 41 of the best love songs for her to add to your playlist.
1. Wouldn’t It Be Nice – The Beach Boys
Wouldn’t It Be Nice is an important song on The Beach Boys’ seminal album, Pet Sounds. It was about a woman Brian Wilson desired named Diane Rovell. She also just happened to be his sister-in-law. Unrequited love is a driving force behind some of the best love songs of all time.
2. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Sometimes, you don’t know what you have until it’s about to be gone. Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together is the title track on his 1972 album and also a single released in 1971. It reached number one on the Billboard 100 and stayed on the chart for four months, which was astonishing at the time. It was also covered by Tina Turner in 1982.
Next: The greatest cover songs of all time (our full-featured list)
3. My Girl – The Temptations
When it comes to timeless love songs, it doesn’t get much better than My Girl by The Temptations. While Smokey Robinson wrote it, The Temptations recorded the song. It was the group’s first number-one single in the United States. It’s so important that it was chosen for preservation by the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress, so it’s probably good enough for your playlist.
4. Lovesong – The Cure
You may not have guessed that you would see a song by The Cure on this list, but the theme of Lovesong fits just as perfectly as its title. Some people don’t feel whole unless they are with their loved ones. That is the theme of this timeless punk new wave song released in 1989.
5. All of Me – John Legend
John Legend knows how to tug at the heartstrings. His silky tenor voice and talent behind the piano are perfectly suited for that task. The crooning ballad, All Of Me, is the perfect song for both your playlist and the first dance between a newly married couple. The song charted all over the world and was his first number-one single in the United States.
Next: The top love songs for him (dedicate these tracks to boyfriends)
6. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
This song was the third single on Sheeran’s second album. The song about unconditional love spent the entire year in the UK top 40 and is the first single in music history to do so. It was also nominated for multiple Grammys at the end of the year. He writes great love songs, and this is one of his best. Add it to your love songs for her playlist.
Next: Ultimate list of songs about weddings & getting married
7. Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars
This song is a little more upbeat than most of the songs so far on the list. It deals with the important theme of not asking the person you love to change at all because you love them just the way they are. It was Mars’ first single as a solo artist and put him on the map for the continued success he has experienced since.
Next: Best songs about falling in love with your best friend
8. Wonderwall – Oasis
True love is hard to express with words, and this song is about just that. Ironically, the English rock band wrote a song about this topic because of their inability to get along. It charted in countries around the globe. It’s obviously on a lot of playlists since it was the first song from the 1990s to reach one billion streams on Spotify.
9. Better Together – Luke Combs
In any great relationship, the couple is better together than apart. This song, from Combs’ 2020 album What You See Is What You Get is about just that. It hit number one on the country charts in both the United States and Canada. Combs strikes right into his fan’s hearts with his writing and this song exemplifies that.
Recommended: Top Luke Combs songs so far
10. Just the Two of Us – Bill Withers
Bill Withers is one of the best singers in the history of popular music and has some of the most successful songs in history. While written and sung by Withers, the song’s performance is credited to the saxophonist, Grover Washington Jr. It debuted in 1981 and charted internationally.
Next: The greatest saxophonists of all time (top sax players list)
11. Because You Loved Me – Céline Dion
This is another deep love song that came from the duo of producer David Foster and singer Céline Dion. It’s the centerpiece of the Canadian singer’s album Falling Into You, her fourth studio album in English. It was a hit both critically and commercially. The song received nominations for multiple Grammys and charted almost everywhere on Earth.
12. Make You Feel My Love – Adele
Another powerful female singer of love songs is the British songstress Adele. This song appeared on her debut solo album. The song is a cover, unlike most of the other work in her catalog. It was initially written and performed by Bob Dylan in 1997. The Adele version boasts a superior vocal recording thanks to the singer’s skills.
Next: Our picks for the best British musicians of all time
13. We Found Love – Rihanna Feat. Calvin Harris
Love usually comes when you least expect it. Sometimes, you find it during the most desperate and lonely times in your life. This is what the Rihanna dance hit We Found Love is all about. Scottish producer, Calvin Harris, helped write and produce the track to give it the edge it needed to make it a worldwide hit. It’s the perfect dance tune to break up the crooning on your love songs for her playlist.
14. All my Life – K-Ci & JoJo
Some people pray for a love partner their entire lives, like K-Ci and JoJo, the singers of the R&B power ballad, All My Life. This slow jam was on the duo’s debut studio album in 1997. It quickly raced up the charts, reaching the top of the Billboard US Top 100. It stayed on the US charts for months in 1997, so it’s surely a great pick for your playlist.
15. Here and Now – Luther Vandross
We wouldn’t argue with you if you said Luther Vandross was the greatest singer of love songs in history. He might just have that good of a voice and it’s fully displayed on his hit, Here And Now. The 1989 smooth ballad peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 that year. This is mostly thanks to its unforgettable chorus. It appears on several love song compilation albums, including your next playlist.
16. When a Man Loves a Woman – Percy Sledge
This song, recorded by Percy Sledge in 1966, is one of the most powerful songs in history. It topped both the R&B charts and the Billboard Hot 100 the year it came out. It has also charted multiple times as a cover. Bette Midler hit the Top 40 with her version of it in 1980. Canadian singer, Michael Bolton, also peaked at number one with this song in 1991. This song has staying power and will probably be on playlists until the end of time.
17. Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley
When it’s true love, you really can’t help it. That’s what Can’t Help Falling In Love is all about. It’s a simple message that has likely rang true since the beginning of mankind. The tune is based on a love song from 1784 in France. It appeared on the Elvis album, Blue Hawaii, in 1961.
18. Stuck On You – Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie reached fame but also had a lot of hits as a solo artist. One of those is the love song Stuck On You, which was on Richie’s second studio album by Motown Records in 1984. It peaked at number one on the adult contemporary charts that year. Football fans will recognize it from a Pringles commercial during the 2022 Super Bowl.
19. At Last – Etta James
Some people wait a lifetime for true love. We’ve been to our fair share of weddings and this has to be one of the most common songs played. The beautiful singing by Etta James coupled with the great writing is two reasons why. It was originally recorded by the Glenn Miller Orchestra in the 1940s, but the Etta James version is the one everyone remembers.
20. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
The most famous version of this song is Whitney Houston’s from the movie Bodyguard. The haunting acoustic version by the original writer, Dolly Parton, is also a beautiful work. Parton’s version came out in 1974. The Whitney version was an international hit, reaching number one in multiple countries worldwide.
Next: The ultimate songs from films (top movie songs playlist)
21. You’re Still the One – Shania Twain
Country music has great love songs. Usually, they’re sad, but this one by Shania Twain has more of a thankful tone. Twain had a crossover hit on both country and pop charts with this recording. The song won two Grammy Awards in 1999, including Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance. It also spent a remarkable 24 weeks on the charts that year.
22. Stand By Me – Ben E. King
Being in a good long-term relationship requires commitment in both good times and bad. Ben E. King’s Stand By Me is still popular today because it describes this archetypal theme. Its release was in 1961. The song has grossed millions in revenue since its release and its popularity has led to it being the sixth highest-grossing song of its era.
23. My Heart Will Go On – Céline Dion
This song by Céline Dion is the theme song to Titanic, the third-highest-grossing movie of all time. Naturally, Céline Dion’s My Heart Will Go On vaulted off of the popularity of the movie, as well as the quality of the song, to perform very well. It’s the highest-selling physical single by a woman in music industry history.
24. You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker’s gravely voice paired with the topic of You Are So Beautiful make this song a striking performance. Recording legend, Billy Preston, wrote the song. The ballad performed well on the charts in both the US and Canada. Its popularity and beautiful melody have also led to a laundry list of covers that try to recapture Joe Cocker’s magic.
25. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You – Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams joins fellow Canadians, Shania Twain, and Céline Dion, as a great singer of love ballads. The song reached great heights in popularity thanks to being the featured track on the soundtrack to the movie, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. The song was a juggernaut, reaching number one on the charts in 19 countries nationwide.
Next: Our list of the greatest Canadian musicians of all time
26. I Swear – All-4-One
This is a one-hit wonder from the R&B boy band, but if you’re only gonna have one hit, it might as well be this one. Millions of teenagers around America fell in love with this song in 1994. It should be noted that it was originally released by country artist, John Michael Montgomery, the year prior. The message of the song is simple: he will love her forever.
Next: Greatest teenage songs (about adolescence)
27. Right Here Waiting – Richard Marx
This song, from Marx’s second album, is his biggest hit. The recording was a major hit internationally and charted at number 1 on the Billboard 100. Since then, several famous artists, including Monica, covered the song. The song came out in 1989 and was originally written for the jazz singer, Barbara Streisand.
28. Let’s Get Married – Jagged Edge
Jagged Edge wanted to send the message that it was time to take the next step in their hit song from 2000, Let’s Get Married Like many songs of its era, its success was powered by the music video. Let’s Get Married spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard R&B charts that summer. It was huge on MTV’s Total Request Live.
29. You’re the Inspiration – Chicago
Few bands from the 1970s could crank out a power ballad like Chicago, thanks to their collaborations with David Foster. Foster changed their sound from a horn-driven rock group to this new sound. Peter Cetera’s voice fit perfectly, driving the reach of this song. It reached the top of the Adult Contemporary Charts and also peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
Next: Our ultimate list of the greatest rock bands in history
30. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
This is another power ballad that was featured in a major hit movie. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing was featured in the soundtrack for Armageddon and also had the most popular music videos of the summer of 1998. The song marked the resurgence of Aerosmith. Their popularity had dipped in recent years before the release of Armageddon.
31. As Long As You Love Me – Backstreet Boys
Sometimes, all you need is the love of someone you love to make you feel okay, no matter what is going wrong in your life. Also, you can’t make a playlist of great love songs without including at least one from the boy band era of the late-1990s. Backstreet Boys were at their peak with this song. Name any country on the planet and this song probably charted there when it came out in 1997.
32. Can You Feel the Love Tonight – Elton John
Elton John wrote this song for the scene in The Lion King where Simba falls in love with Nala. It is the crown jewel song of the soundtrack for this movie from 1994. That year it won several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
33. LOVE. – Kendrick Lamar Feat. Zacari
Kendrick Lamar is one of the best wordsmiths in hip hop music today and he demonstrated that on this track, which was dedicated to his fiancee. The track features singer, Zacari, singing the hook and appears on Lamar’s fourth album, Damn. The song spent most of the year on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 11.
34. Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
Iris is easily the Goo Goo Dolls’ most successful commercial effort. It was recorded for the soundtrack to City Of Angels and charted well in countries around the world, reaching number one in Canada, Italy, and Australia. The band from Buffalo, NY is still touring today off of the success of this power ballad.
35. Anyone – Justin Bieber
This is one of the newest love songs you should add to your “Love Songs For Her” playlist. It’s a hit from Justin Bieber’s 2021 album, Justice. The song harkens to the blue-eyed soul of the genre and has hopeful themes for people looking for love.
36. When You’re Home – Tyler Shaw
This song didn’t have the success on the charts that some of Shaw’s other work did, but that does not say anything about the quality. It also has a great theme of wanting to be with the person you love in your home over any other place in the world. Add it to your love songs playlist.
37. Baby, I Love Your Way – Peter Frampton
This song is unique in that it has a very popular studio single and a live version. The single came out in 1975 and the live performance was on Frampton Comes Alive! in 1976. You can choose the one you want for your playlist. We would classify this song as a soft rock masterpiece. Just as good in the bedroom as on the beach.
38. Shape Of You – Ed Sheeran
Physical beauty is just as important as personality. Ed Sheeran’s biggest hit, Shape Of You, describes this in perfect detail. The British crooner struck it big with this song in 2017 as part of a double-lead single release. The song is a massive hit and hit number one on the charts in a staggering 34 countries.
39. Endless Love – Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
Endless Love combines the grace and power of Diana Ross and Lionel Richie into one of the most identifiable power ballads of all time. Richie wrote the song specifically for him and Ross to sing together. This was the biggest single of Ross’s career and was her last number-one hit in the US, giving her a total of 18.
40. What a Man Gotta Do – Jonas Brothers
Turn up the energy on your love songs playlist with this entry from the family band, Jonas Brothers. The catchy tune came out at the beginning of 2021 and hit the top 10 charts all over the world. The video famously parodies the movie Risky Business starring Tom Cruise.
41. L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole
There may be no smoother voice in history than that of Nat King Cole’s. He recorded this hit love song for his 1965 album of the same name. It charted on both the US Hot 100 and the Adult Contemporary charts. It also appears in the opening credits to the Disney film, The Parent Trap.
If you are looking to start a playlist of love songs for a special girl, these 41 recordings are a great place to start. There is a nice selection of newer tunes and classics to keep anyone engaged.
As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.
Liam’s lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto.