The recording became a #1 pop smash and helped turn the show into a hit. After disliking the movie – which was not a hit - the band decided not to lend it out. Already a big hit in 1977, Take That later took it to number one in 1996, as their final song for 10 years. Her version was used in the movie Play Misty for Me and reached number one in the US. Sam Cooke wrote his legendary hit "You Send Me" himself, but he gave the label credit to his brother L.C. Warner Bros. Records / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain, Top 10 Burt Bacharach and Hal David Songs, Rupert Holmes - "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)" (1979), Loggins and Messina - "Danny's Song" (1971), Rihanna - "What's My Name?" "Truly Madly Deeply" began life as a song called "Magical Kisses." Newton-John won two Grammy Awards for the song including Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Written by Smokey Robinson and recorded for the Motown label (then named Gordy after label founder Berry Gordy), 'My Girl reached number one and became The Temptations' signature song. "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" was co-written by R&B star Montell Jordan. The beautiful love song went all the way to #1 on the pop chart. Johnny Cash's wife June Carter Cash wrote "Ring of Fire" with singer-songwriter Merle Kilgore. He was originally approached to write a song for the film soundtrack "City of Angels," and the result was "Iris." https://www.billboard.com/articles/list/6792625/top-50-love-songs-of-all-time In 1984, the emphatic declaration of committed love on "Solid" went to #12 on the pop chart and #1 R&B. They had only moderate chart success until the release of "All My Life." It became one of the biggest hits of the legendary soul singer's career, going to #1 and giving him a reputation as a sex symbol in pop music. It was the second of three consecutive top 10 pop hits for Barry White. Joe Cocker's slowed down recording became a top 5 pop hit and is now revered as one of the most moving love songs of all time. Unchained Melody Jon Bon Jovi forgot about the song until a friend found it and convinced him to re-record and release it. Only experts, Smooth Sessions: Watch Gary Barlow's exclusive free, How TikTok is introducing a new generation to George, When Barry Gibb tenderly kissed Barbra Streisand live on, The Voice Kids: Girl, 12, channels Freddie Mercury with, spine-tingling rendition of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody', QUIZ: Can you match these logos to the correct bands and, The Story of... 'I Don't Want to Miss a Thing', The Story of... 'I Want To Know What Love Is', Read more: The Story of... 'Wonderful Tonight', Read more: The Story of... 'Against All Odds', Read more: The Story of... 'Always on My Mind', The Story of... 'The Winner Takes It All', The 20 greatest movie love songs of all time. The hit came four years after Toto first reached the top 10 with their 1978 hit "Hold the Line." "Saved the Best for Last" was turned down by a number of other singers before Vanessa Williams recorded it for her album "The Comfort Zone." "All You Need is Love" (1967) It's hard to pick just one from The Beatles, who produced an incredible number of love songs in the '60s — "And I Love Her" and "Love … It was also her second top 10 duet with Donny Hathaway following 1972's "Where Is the Love." This 1986 hit is from the album So, and was featured in the cult classic film Say... "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers. Written and produced by Lionel Richie while he was still a member of the Commodores, the title song for the soundtrack to the film "Endless Love" ultimately created Diana Ross' 18th trip to #1 counting her records with the Supremes. It became a smash hit across pop and R&B charts and earned the duo two Grammy Award nominations. Bill Lamb is a music and arts writer with two decades of experience covering the world of entertainment and culture. Paul McCartney first recorded the song "Maybe I'm Amazed" for his debut solo album "McCartney," released in 1970. The song was played at the funeral of INXS lead vocalist Michael Hutchence. Elton John's classic was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. The band's biggest ever hit, it reached number one in both the UK and US. Olivia Newton-John's #1 smash hit was co-written by American songwriter Jeff Barry and Australian Peter Allen. Tony Orlando - "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" (1973), Celine Dion - "My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme From 'Titanic')" (1998), John Cougar Mellencamp - "Jack and Diane" (1982), Stevie Wonder - "You Are the Sunshine Of My Life" (1973), Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle - "A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme)" (1992), Deborah Cox - "Nobody's Supposed To Be Here" (1998), The Pretenders - "I'll Stand By You" (1994), Beyonce featuring Jay-Z - "Crazy In Love" (2003), Janis Joplin - "Me and Bobby McGee" (1971), Joe Cocker - "You Are So Beautiful" (1975), Bruno Mars - "Just the Way You Are" (2010), Olivia Newton-John - "I Honestly Love You" (1974), Rod Stewart - "Have I Told You Lately" (1993), Whitney Houston - "I Will Always Love You" (1992), Aerosmith - "I Don't Want To Miss a Thing" (1998), Percy Sledge - "When a Man Loves a Woman" (1966), Modern English - "I Melt With You" (1983), Carpenters - "(They Long To Be) Close To You" (1970), Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway - "The Closer I Get to You" (1978), Jackie Wilson - "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" (1967), Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack - "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" (1983), Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (1967), Righteous Brothers - "Unchained Melody" (1965), Eric Clapton - "Wonderful Tonight" (1978), Billy Joel - "Just the Way You Are" (1977), Paul McCartney - "Maybe I'm Amazed" (1977), Roberta Flack - "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (1972), M.L.S, Library Science, Indiana University. The song received Grammy Award nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. It reached number one in the States, and it has been covered by countless artists ever since. The group Bread helped define 1970s soft rock. Kenny Loggins wrote "Danny's Song" as a gift to his brother Danny after the birth of his son Colin. When the trio wrote the song, Lindsey and Mayo were in the early stages of their relationship, and drew inspiration from their new romance for the song. "Our feelings for each other just started coming out as we were writing," Mayo said. It also quickly became the most covered song by the group after "Yesterday." Co-written with Andrew when they were 17, the song took inspiration from stories from Michael’s early romantic experiences with two different girls. Co-written by legendary Philly soul artists Thom Bell and Linda Creed, this song was first recorded by actress and singer Connie Stevens under the title "Keep Growing Strong." The duet followed Roberta Flack's return to the pop charts the previous year with "Making Love." Barack and Michelle Obama famously danced to the romantic tune after he was first inaugurated as President in 2009, with Beyoncé performing the ballad. Described by Paul McCartney as "the killer song of all time", Harry can't quite believe he's lost his beloved, and doesn't quite know what to do next. The result was a top 10 hit around the world and a recording that was frequently used on soundtracks accompanying coverage of sports events and awards shows. The power ballad featured in frontman Steven Tyler's daughter Liv Tyler's latest movie Armageddon, and it remains their all-time biggest hit in the UK. Joel "JoJo" Hailey wrote the song initially with his daughter as inspiration. It reached number two in the UK, and we'll always think of the final scenes of Love Actually when we hear it. The gentle love song has been a chart hit for Billy Joel and Garth Brooks, but it is Adele's heartfelt reading that is most often recognized as the definitive recording. Jan 20, 2021 Getty Images. Richie initially felt that the song was "corny" but "by the time I finished the verse, I fell in love with the song again". Since the breakup of the Beatles, many critics accused Paul McCartney of being satisfied with just writing simple love songs. 13 of 57. The song "I Will Always Love You" was originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton in 1974 for her album "Jolene." The song earned Anne Murray a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal. She died at age 31 in July 1979. Here’s our top 15 best EDM love songs of all time – Read on… 15. The collective was near their commercial peak in 1971 when they released the mostly acoustic album "Motel Shot." Not including: Lady in Red. "Wouldn't It Be Nice" kicks off the Beach Boys' legendary album "Pet Sounds." Underrated. Both songwriters were having difficulties in their personal relationships. It also helped cement Atlantic Records' position as one of the top R&B record labels. Although normally not a vocalist, Herb Alpert sang the song on the TV special "The Beat of the Brass," and, in response to viewer calls, he decided to release the song as a single. in 1976 that became a hit single. "Your Song" was originally released as the B-side of a single with "Take Me to the Pilot." Ken Darby, who earned Academy Awards for his scores to the films The King and I, Porgy and Bess, and Camelot, wrote the lyrics for "Love Me Tender." "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" was co-written by legendary pop songwriter Gerry Goffin and R&B songwriter Michael Masser. Best Love Songs of All Time playlist Best Love Songs Ever Greatest Love Songs It became only the second single of all time to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Although originally written for Croce's son A.J. Rocker Bryan Adams co-wrote and recorded the big power balled "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" for the soundtrack to the film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." The 25 Best Rock Love Songs of All Time. It also gave them an early UK top 10 hit in 1992. It was released as the second single from the project and became Cyndi Lauper's first #1 hit single. Average love songs are two-a-penny, but which ones make you feel all mushy inside? Elvis Presley's signature love song is based on the Civil War era folk tune "Aura Lee." The Best Love Songs of the 1950s “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin (1953) You know this one! There are many steps, phases, and seasons to love. Indie Love Songs: Oasis, The Cardigans, The Verve and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Buried within the frustrations, is an emotional statement of appreciation and long-term connection. Her album of the same name topped the jazz album chart. It is impossible not to sing along to the 'bah-bah-bah's of this tune whenever it comes on. It turned into a top 10 pop hit in the U.S. while also climbing the rock and alternative radio charts. The song landed in the top 20 of the pop chart, but it soon became a slow dance fixture at high school proms. It also hit the top 10 on the country chart. It pays tribute to Marvin Gaye, who is mentioned in the lyrics, and also partly about Kemp's platonic relationship with Altered Images singer Clare Grogan. Director Richard Curtis approached the band to record a cover of this Troggs song, and it ended up becoming one of the biggest hits in UK chart history. It was later included on their 1968 album "There Is.". It was only released at the request of both Linda Ronstadt and Phoebe Snow. By Arielle Tchiprout. "This guy is completely willing to give up his own immortality, just to be able to feel something very human. The song climbed to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the adult contemporary chart. It included the soaring hit "Sweet Love." However, he has said that is about divorce in general and the emotions that come with it. The ultimate power ballad. Motown executive Berry Gordy wanted a ballad by the group after three consecutive upbeat pop hits. This has been the most successful song by the band, reaching #2 on the U.S. pop chart. Some radio stations banned it, claiming there were sexual implications in the lyrics. ”For the third verse, Bill intended to write more lyrics instead of repeating the phrase ‘I know’ 26 times, but followed the advice of the other musicians to leave it that way. "Truly Madly Deeply" went on to spend a full year on the pop chart and 123 weeks, more than two years, in total on the adult contemporary chart.