All You Want Is Love (Songs): Our 2025 Valentine’s Day Soundtrack!

Love is within the air – and in our audio system! This Valentine’s Day, Atwood Journal’s workers is popping up the romance with a handpicked playlist of our all-time favourite love songs. Be part of us as we have fun the music that makes our hearts beat slightly sooner!

Playlist: Our Favourite Love Songs of All Time!

Our Favourite Love Songs

Valentine’s Day 2025

❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

The 1975 actually locked in with Being Humorous in a International Language, and nowhere was that extra obvious than on their immediate traditional love tune, “I’m in Love With You” – a observe that actually says all of it, proper there within the title. By way of buoyant beats and a radiant, celebratory ambiance, the indie pop band created an irresistible ode to that humorous feeling – reminding us how particular, how lovely, and the way thrilling it’s to be in love. – Mitch Mosk

How have you learnt you might be in love? Perhaps it’s when actuality is healthier than your goals. Aerosmith certain thinks so. “I don’t wanna shut my eyes/ I don’t wanna to go to sleep/ ‘Trigger I’d miss you child/ And I don’t wanna miss a factor,” are the lyrics to this touching but rock ‘n’ roll love ballad that superbly captures the extraordinary emotion – when treasured moments turn out to be one thing you by no means need to miss out on. – Lauren Turner

“When the rain is pouring down, and my coronary heart is hurting – you’ll all the time be round, this I do know for sure.” That means to be there for us at our darkest hour; what higher phrases might actually encapsulate love, whether or not romantic, platonic, familial, or something in between? It’s a quintessential Keys tune, easy and forthright but stuffed with ardour and authenticity. And that beat – you simply gotta nod your head. – Christine Buckley

Tright here is one thing so inherently lovely about Alex Turner’s voice. As he croons and pleads with such devotion to a lover he’ll be all the pieces they’ll ever need or want – he merely simply needs to be theirs. Certainly a personification of the love some could really feel on a day like right this moment. – Jada Moore

I can’t hearken to “God Solely Is aware of” with out getting emotional, and I wouldn’t have it every other method. As romantic as it’s bittersweet, The Seashore Boys’ love tune aches with the load, the heat, and the marvel of affection. However above all else, it’s the vulnerability that shines by: “I’ll not all the time love you, however lengthy as there are stars above you, you by no means have to doubt it, I’ll make you so certain about it; God solely is aware of what I’d be with out you.” Whereas it was groundbreaking for its time, what makes “God Solely Is aware of” proceed to resonate 60 years on is its uncooked, unfiltered, unabridged humanity. It’s a reminder that, no matter occurs and nevertheless lengthy the journey, love is value each second. – Mitch Mosk

The Beatles actually began their monumental profession with a tune titled “Love Me Do,” have a compilation referred to as Love, wrote a common anthem referred to as “All You Want is Love,” conquered the world with a military of affection songs, and recorded their final session as a unit by singing how the love one offers is the same as the love one takes. And but, it’s a single launched after their break-up has me unhealthily obsessed. “Actual Love” is a John Lennon composition, accomplished by the remainder of the band with Jeff Lynne after his demise for the The Beatles Anthology, and proves that the band had not misplaced a single step. After these magical opening chords, piano sourced from Lennon’s residence demo, the tune carries on with the chiming guitars, hovering harmonies, and melodic journeys that recall the very best of each period of the band. Lennon sings about love in such a heartfelt, easy method that speaks volumes about its universality. He sings about life’s plans, childhood innocence, and romantic dissatisfaction simply to achieve the identical reply; in the long run, it was actual love he was ready for. It’s such a quintessentially Beatles conclusion, however from harmless boy-girl pop tales to psychedelic meditations, they’ve been telling us that every one we would have liked was love from the very starting. – David Diame

Even within the pantheon of Beatles love songs – a very lengthy and winding (and great) street – no love tune is as pure, as tender, as lovely, or as heartbreaking as “In My Life.” Lennon’s wistful stroll down reminiscence lane is an intimate ode to folks and locations previous and current – to the moments in our lives that fill the world with that means. It’s light, it’s sentimental, it’s nostalgic, and it aches with the load of life itself. “Although I do know I’ll by no means lose affection for folks and issues that went earlier than. I do know I’ll typically cease and take into consideration them; in my life, I like you extra.” – Mitch Mosk

I‘ve all the time felt a particular connection to Billy Joel’s Piano Man album – it’s one of many first data I actually fell in love with as a child – and that bond has solely grown deeper through the years, particularly as I ‘went out into the world’ and made a life for myself in New York. Already one in all my favourite love songs, “You’re My Residence” will without end be the final tune I listened to earlier than I walked down the aisle at my wedding ceremony. It’s a heartfelt reminder that ‘residence’ isn’t a spot – it’s an individual, and whenever you’re in love, you’re all the time proper the place you belong – alongside the one you’re keen on: “Nicely, I’ll by no means be a stranger and I’ll by no means be alone. Wherever we’re collectively, that’s my residence.” Timeless phrases, capturing a timeless fact. – Mitch Mosk

I know I’m not alone after I say “this was our tune,” but it surely actually is – I walked down the aisle to Blind Pilot’s timeless love tune, and I’ll without end cherish this lovely tune as an ode to togetherness, to expressions of intimacy, and to the heat and marvel of being in love with somebody who is aware of the actual you, the complete you, all of you – in and out, proper aspect up and the wrong way up.

“So Far Away” isn’t the standard love tune. It’s about a facet of affection we don’t suppose we’ll really feel after falling: loneliness. Carole King describes time away and miles between as an vacancy having nothing to do with feeling insecure. She describes a vulnerability we might by no means learn about if we weren’t already feeling so liked within the first place. – Josh Bloom

My spouse’s favourite love tune; she says it reminds her of me (I’ve inexperienced eyes) and the way she feels after we’re collectively. Coldplay actually nailed the easy magnificence and luxury of affection with this tune, channeling all these advanced, large, daring, feelings into candy traces “Honey, you’re a rock upon which I stand” and “I got here right here with a load and it feels a lot lighter now I met you” – two issues I can intimately relate to, and cherish about my very own love story.

Nashville-based Crys Matthews is a surprising folks artist recognized for being a champion of social justice. Matthews has simply collaborated with fiancé Heather Mae on the tune “The Good Stuff” off of her newest album Reclamation. The piece is a heartfelt dedication to one another and ode to all the good things their partnership brings. Mae is a social justice warrior as effectively and collectively they’re so highly effective, courageously baring their soul. The intimate vulnerability the observe exudes is deeply charming. – Chloe Robinson

“However distant/ I’ll all the time love you/ Nonetheless lengthy I keep/ I’ll all the time love you/ No matter phrases I say/ I’ll all the time love you/ I’ll all the time love you,” The Treatment sing of their traditional “Lovesong.” The enduring guitar riff combined with a mind altering bassline, captures love at its most uncooked and purest kind – timeless. When it doesn’t matter what you say, what you do, regardless of a lot time you spend aside or the place life takes you, you’ll all the time be in love with that particular person. What makes it much more romantic? It was initially written by member Robert Smith as a marriage current for his spouse. – Lauren Turner 

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This love tune is as nonsensical as it’s profound. The devices have interaction in dialogue: strings going forwards and backwards, horns butting in, acoustic guitars murmuring amongst themselves. Tillman sings, “I need to take you within the kitchen/raise up the marriage costume somebody was most likely murdered in.” Reverence and irreverence flip to one another and ask, “What are you doing together with your entire life? How about without end?” – Nasim Elyasi

This tune gave me language for falling in love lengthy earlier than it ever occurred to me. I keep in mind searching of the window within the backseat of my mother’s automobile on roadtrips, staring longingly, taking part in this tune on repeat from the household iPod. “I simply need you to know who I’m,” will all the time resonate. – Hannah Burns

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Falling in love feels just like the apocalypse. It’s the calm earlier than the storm, leaping into the void ignoring the way it feels to be in ache. Ignoring all of the evil on this planet, with a view to get pleasure from even a sliver of happiness. “Wasteland, Child!” describes simply this sense, the innocence of falling in love with out fascinated by the attainable detrimental penalties. Quoting some of the well-known monologues in TV sequence historical past, “Love is terrible. It’s terrible. It’s painful. It’s scary. […] Makes you say and do belongings you by no means thought you’d do. It’s all any of us need, and it’s hell after we get there. So, no marvel it’s one thing we don’t need to do on our personal.” (Sure, it’s the Sizzling Priest’s monologue from “Fleabag”). That is precisely “Wasteland, Child!” is about, by the best way. Love is all any of us need, and it’s all of the worry and the fireplace of the top of the world after we get there, however we wouldn’t give it up for something. – Dimitra Gurduiala

Perhaps the digital style isn’t recognized for love songs, however Illenium’s album Ascend accommodates one that’s putting and dreamy. The lyrics present an individual’s love for his or her accomplice, claiming that dying in that individual’s arms is strictly the place they’re speculated to be. Feeling secure, being joyful, and embracing life with that somebody are the beautiful issues on this observe. Crammed with guitar, as it’s a attribute of Illenium’s work, it certainly is an uncommon, but great, love tune, additionally made particular for its collaboration alongside X Ambassadors. – Bárbara Martínez Campuzano

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“This is How You Fall in Love” captures the essence of a heartfelt, slow-dance second, making it excellent for a marriage. Its bittersweet lyrics and evocative melodies create a superbly weak ambiance, embodying each love and heartbreak. The tune’s emotional depth and ease make it an unforgettable soundtrack to a cherished reminiscence. – Danielle Holian

For all of his explosive guitar wizardry and technical prowess, most wouldn’t affiliate with Jimi Hendrix with the tender, considerate, and meditative; in actuality, a lot of his being was spent in that mindset. “Might This Be Love” is actually one in all his earliest explorations of his smooth, romantic aspect, with the tune being a candy declaration of affection to any person else. They’re the “waterfall” within the tune; an eternally speeding, countless supply of vitamins, which supplies the tune its central metaphor. In a haze of R&B-like guitar stylings combined with Mitch Mitchell’s percussive saunter and Noel Redding’s insistent bedrock bass, Hendrix disregards everybody else who dares to tease him, content material with the love that he has and the best way their relationship’s blossomed. The loveliest factor? Hendrix’s vocals, cooing for his lover to fall with him for 1,000,000 days, earlier than bursting right into a flow-like guitar solo that rushes as elegantly and superbly because the waterfalls he depends on. The outro of this tune is magnificent, and cements the tune’s easy grandeur in a method that communicates the facility of affection. – David Diame

Hmmmm, I’m not so certain what my absolute all-time favourite love tune is, however Kendrick Lamar has been on my thoughts lots these days, having simply caught his current efficiency on the Tremendous Bowl and listening to an extra of his music in preparation for mentioned occasion– together with relistening to the DAMN. album throughout once more for the primary time in ages. So I’ll give one in all my favourite tracks from that 2017 traditional a shout-out on this column: “LOVE.,” a duet with a singer named Zacari who utterly fell off the map after this tune got here out, however undoubtedly made his mark together with his ode to “sippin’ bubbly, feelin’ pretty, livin’ pretty,” all whereas the Foremost Man borrows a bit from 50 Cent & Nate Dogg on “21 Questions” whereas asking “If I didn’t journey blade on curb, would you continue to love me? If I minimized my web value, would you continue to love me?” Kendrick Lamar is thought for being aggressive and outspoken in a lot of his music, however giving him the area of three minutes and 33 seconds to let his extra weak and delicate aspect come by proves to be a rewarding transfer as effectively. Plus, the top result’s one in all my private favourite hip-hop love songs. – Josh Weiner

Laufey’s voice itself personifies the sensation of heat and luxury. The lyrics a poetic expression to the one who has utterly enamored Laufey. This tune is a fantastic and romantic pay attention excellent to set the temper of the day! – Jada Moore

A romp by the extraordinary and jarring but beautiful feelings of latest love: thrills, trembling, anticipation, craving, doubt, despair, and most of all utter foolishness. It’s as near a pop tune as Zeppelin ever bought, but nonetheless smashes collectively completely different types, with a half-time shuffle and a samba overlayed playfully on their signature blues-rock. You possibly can’t not smile at this one when the lovesick hero realizes his love hasn’t left him, he’s only a “idiot ready on the unsuitable block.” – Christine Buckley

Tright here’s good motive The Nationwide have graced the pages of this Valentine’s Day playlist twice — the band (and poetic lead singer Matt Berninger) craft among the most interesting songs of this century in relation to the anxieties, fleeting joys and even pressures of affection. “Sluggish Present” spells issues out plainly and sweetly, but by no means strays from the fragile stability, the tightrope that must be walked in love — a stability between determined longing and permitting your accomplice to develop into who they’re. All of the whereas, on a regular basis anxieties and doubts creep in (when Berninger sings “I leaned on the wall, the wall leaned away,” you are feeling it viscerally. And the everlasting line “ I dreamed about you/for 29 years earlier than I noticed you,” is positively crushing and certainly, life-affirming. – Beau Hayhoe

Matt Berninger is likely one of the greatest in relation to transporting the listener into a selected second, and all through “New Order T-Shirt,” he delivers a montage of of many occasions that he fell in love together with his spouse Carin. It’s unimaginable to carry onto each single second that you just felt in love, however Berninger implores, “I maintain what I can of you.” Whether or not it’s your accomplice rubbing the small of your again or ingesting a beer and holding a pet, you’ll keep in mind sure moments without end. – James Crowley

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“Cigarettes and Espresso” is perhaps some of the timeless love songs ever, with Redding’s uncooked, soulful voice speaking longing in a method I discover virtually unimaginable to duplicate. Its simplicity is what makes it so excellent, as if eternal love is so simple as a cup of espresso, as if selecting pleasure is sufficient. He lays it out so plainly that you don’t have any selection however to imagine him. – Juls Patterson

What do you do when your entire world is torn asunder? Confronted with the collapse of a band he’d recognized since he was 15, a bearded, bedraggled Paul McCartney was on the verge of a breakdown. Solely by his love for Linda Eastman (quickly Linda McCartney), ensconced on this searing, plaintive ballad, might the brand new musical duo unfold their Wings. – Aidan Moyer

For somebody as partizan as I’m to his music, to see Peter Gabriel seem right here twice is exhilarating (his cowl of The Magnetic Fields’ “The Guide of Love” lovely, the unique one of many most interesting love songs ever conceived). “In Your Eyes” will not be one other ’80s love tune – it’d simply be the best tune of all time. It’s lyrically resplendent, and glows with the inventive depth that solely Peter Gabriel displayed across the launch of So. Add Youssou N’Dour’s glowing backing vocals into the outro, and you’ve got a tune as hallowed as ‘a thousand church buildings’, as fulfilled as vanquished ‘fruitless searches’, as proud as romance ever was. – Frederick Bloy

This tune seemingly has slightly magic to it, as it’s as emotionally consuming as the very best form of love might be. The orchestral backdrop and repetition of each music and lyrics creates the distinctive juxtaposition of a wealthy melody with a fragile message: love has existed for the reason that starting of time, and as illogical and tacky as it’s typically, how fortunate are we to have discovered it. – Melanie Lustig

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Love songs can run the entire gamut of feelings—from anguished pleas to infuriated betrayals—however there’s one thing so comfy and carefree about “I Need You (Fall 2010)” off of Ratboys’ The Window. Ratboys take the monumentally giant feeling and shrinks it into essentially the most particular and private of vignettes, enlarging its impression. Burning clean CDs, nerding out about favourite bands, occurring journeys with no vacation spot; being captured in on a regular basis moments illustrate the expertise of falling in love so intimately. Its virtually pet love-like disposition is completely mixed with the jaunt of their energy pop melodies, often punctuated by their exploding drums and guitars earlier than blowing up completely, which make the entire thing so effortlessly informal. It virtually looks like Julia Steiner winks when she politely and forwardly asks to “hang around without end, beginning now”, combining the incomprehensibly giant with the comfortably cheerful in a single cozy request. If somebody mentioned that to you, it’d be arduous to not settle for. – David Diame

Tright here’s such levity on this tune, and a tenderness that instantly grabs and hooks you in. It’s the epitome of a “going regular” tune, if that phrase was nonetheless in our normal lexicon. Sam Cooke makes romance look (and sound) easy right here, getting launched into the stratosphere with the energy and fervor of affection. And people traditional doo-wop harmonies actually make the guts flutter. – Kendall Graham

They say the one you’re keen on needs to be extra than simply your lover, but additionally your greatest pal. That’s why I actually get pleasure from Sarah Banker’s single “FRIENDS”. Her heat, flirtatious vocals sing, “Let’s be pals/ Let’s be lovers/ Let’s be all the pieces /Between the streets/To beneath the covers.” She is looking for a romance that’s all encompassing and I believe that’s the kind of partnership we should always all try for. – Chloe Robinson

“Turning Web page” is a fantastic ode to like and the way delicate but highly effective it may be. Crammed with utter devotion, this tune is a confession that captures simply how treasured love is. By way of a gentle piano and soul transferring violins, Sleeping At Final mimics craving and the essence of time transferring slowly because the storyteller reminisces on a time earlier than they met their vital different, “Nothing ready me for/ What the privilege of being yours would do.” However as quickly as their worlds collide, the tune picks up its tempo and the melody captures the whirlwind of uncooked emotion effortlessly, “Your love is my turning web page/ The place solely the sweetest phrases stay/ Each kiss is a cursive line/ Each contact is a redefining phrase.” Briefly, “Turning Web page” makes it really feel as for those who might maintain the fragileness of affection within the palm of your hand. – Lauren Turner

The timeless tune ‘There Is A Mild That By no means Goes Out’ by The Smiths and written by Morrissey and Marr, captures the valuable existential feeling of falling in love for the primary time. This tune is immersed within the want of desirous to transcend the ordinariness of life with one other individual and the promise this may maintain by ‘a lightweight that by no means goes out.’ The palpable tremor of ‘There Is A Mild That By no means Goes Out’ revolves round risking one’s emotional self for the attainable affirmation of affection amidst an evening that may remodel life and actuality itself. – David Buyze

Though Stevie Surprise by no means explicitly says the phrase ‘love’ in his tune “If It’s Magic,” it’s nonetheless for my part of essentially the most highly effective love songs of all time. Stevie’s means to seize the very essence of affection, whether or not romantically, platonically or in any other case, is actually magnificent. This tune is value a pay attention this Valentine’s Day. – Noa Jamir

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The already lovely ballad grew to become reimagined as a Blind B-side – cementing itself as a traditional in its personal proper. With out realization, you’ll be craving for a previous lover, singing, “Wild, wild horses / Couldn’t drag me away.” (In fact, The Rolling Stones’ unique remains to be a traditional over a half-century later.) – Marissa DeLeon

Gracing the top credit of their 1988 dwell/studio album Rattle and Hum, “All I Need Is You” was the final followers heard from U2 earlier than they chopped down The Joshua Tree with 1991’s Achtung Child. It’s additionally their most simple love tune – whereas tracks like “Drowning Man” and “Sweetest Factor” are sometimes awarded the title, this is likely one of the solely occasions of their discography when love isn’t bracing itself in opposition to previous or impending heartbreak. It’s no marvel it typically segues into “The place The Streets Have No Identify” in dwell variations — each songs are damaged free by their defenselessness. – Emma Schoors

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