This isn’t about crowning the ultimate love song. It’s about a collection of tracks, in no particular order, that mean something to us - gathered together for the season of love. Throw it on in the background, share a song with someone you care about, or press play while you’re cooking for company. However you use it, we hope it brings a little warmth to your days and gives you something worth moving to.
Our Top 20 Valentine's Day Songs Of All Time
1. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
Coming from Clapton’s “Slowhand” in ’77, this track peaked at No. 16 on Billboard's Hot 100 in ’78, but will be remembered for the song's profound account of a single moment in a legendary artist's life.
A timeless ballad that lovers and listeners from all generations can relate to. Born from a moment of reflection and admiration, Clapton captures an intimate moment shared between Pattie Boyd and himself. While getting ready for a Buddy Holly Tribute party, Pattie simply asks Eric if she looked alright. Clapton replied with what is now one of the simplest yet revered chorus’ in songs of romance by simply stating, “you look wonderful tonight.” Rather than the overwhelmingly passionate gestures of love, he chose to highlight a mundane yet more meaningful moment. These are the moments we forget to live in, but Clapton managed to etch this reminder into music history.
2. Sabor A Mi - El Chicano
“Sabor A Mi/ The Taste of Me,” was originally composed by Alvaro Carrillo in 1959. Released on “Revolucion” in ’71, El Chicano transformed the traditional bolero into a soulful, jazz-influenced track and a certified Oldie.
Inspired by a private dinner with Carrillo’s then fiancé, she remarked that his kisses tasted of love and the liquor he was drinking. Carrillo simply replied, “then you have experienced the taste of me.” El Chicano’s interpretation left a cultural impact, and turned this tune into a pioneer of Chicano music in LA. The lyrics touch on the intense and intimate nature of a couple intertwined, snared to one another, bound by their shared essence. This track is a promise of deep devotion, and a suggestion that the taste of real love will remain for generations.
3. How Deep is Your Love - PJ Morton ft. Yebba (Live)
Originally written by the Bee Gees in ‘77, PJ Morton’s 2018 soulful live rendition has become one of the more celebrated remakes in the last couple of decades.
Taking nothing away from the Bee Gees grammy winning smash-hit, Morton & Yebba were able to transform a 70’s pop classic into a deeply soulful, reimagined R&B ballad that will last in synchrony with the original track. The lyrics highlight the strengths of a deep connection, and touches on the power of friendship within a relationship. Delving into the necessity of reassurance, resilience becomes the overall theme of the track, reminding us all that no external force on this earth can break the true bond of love.
4. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
Released in ’72, Al Green’s landmark album produced a title track which has become widely known as one of Green’s signatures and most timeless songs.
“Let’s Stay Together,” was Green’s fourth studio album and became his first #1 on the Billboard R&B charts. The song's polished and smooth backbeat was composed by a heavyweight collection of artists from the era, and featured Al’s greatest strength – his clean and intimate vocal delivery. The song is a straightforward pledge of commitment and honor through the good times and the bad. Green’s ability to convey a sense of reassuring, yet urgent love is what has kept this track and album in any generation of a crate diggers collection.
5. White Ferrari - Frank Ocean
August 2016 marked the release of Frank Oceans’ album “Blond,” shockingly just 24 hours after the release of his album “Endless.”
Known for his intimate and atmospheric writing style, “Blond” featured a litany of top artists including Beyonce, Andre 3000 and James Blake. “White Ferrari,” reflects on the intense and bittersweet emotions of a deep but young love. The lyrics allude to a significant moment in Ocean’s life - where pride was set aside, and his emotional sensitivity took center stage. He speaks on the vulnerability of love, the false image of strength in men, and having the ability to shed an ego that can ultimately damage the most meaningful relationships we create. A benchmark track, from a cornerstone artist.
6. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
Originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton in ’73, Whitney Houston covered the song for the soundtrack of the film The Body Guard in ‘92, which she also co-starred in. The result is Houston leaving us with one of the most powerful vocal performances the music world has ever been gifted. 2x Grammy winning & 18x Platinum – the track speaks for itself.
Written by Parton as a professional goodbye to then partner, Porter Wagner, Whitney turned the track into one of the best-selling singles EVER. Heartbreak can be an unfortunate, but essential piece of growth through love. The lyrics speak on the choice of leaving a partner to avoid holding them back, while simultaneously recognizing the significance the other played in one’s personal growth. Whitney’s powerful delivery pulls at the heart strings of all listeners, and the tenderness of the message is felt throughout. When one door closes, others open – a goodbye can yield some of the strongest senses of nostalgia and love we are able to experience.
7. Kiss of Life – Sade
Sade’s 1992 album “Love Deluxe,” gave the world one the smoothest and remembered tracks of the early 90’s. The R&B icon released her third single from the album, “Kiss of Life” in ’93, and was charted throughout the world.
The overwhelming notion that there is a partner destined for all of us, has been a conversation since the dawn of mankind. Sade’s ability to cohesively portray a storied moment of serendipity, gave us a track that has been sampled, referenced and loved for decades. The title of the track is a metaphor for a love so deep, that it feels like a healing and life-giving force. Sade, who is known for her sultry and jazz driven delivery, gives a performance that leaves us in awe of the possibility that fate will guide us to the partner we deserve. Transformative and comforting – the groove is as familiar as the love of your life.
8. When I'm in Your Arms - Cleo Sol
Cleo Sol’s 2020 release of her debut album, “Rose in the Dark,” was a reminder that the vibe of 90’s R&B has always been rich with influence. Lush, vibrant, and intimate - Sol showed her ability to pay homage and continue the tradition of romantic ballad arrangements in a widely over saturated genre of music.
Stripped bare of the recording tactics of new, “When I’m in your Arms,” gives us a simple and natural performance that stresses the point of simplicity being the most poignant form of expression.The lyrics tell a story of emotional safety, the longing of security in a loving relationship, and ultimately those feelings being fulfilled when wrapped in the warmth of a partner’s arms. Dreamy production, live percussion and lyrics that give us the nostalgic sense of closeness – Cleo went to the wheelhouse, and it paid off.Type your text here
9. Can't Help Falling in Love – Elvis
Elvis Presley’s ’61 album, “Blue Hawaii,” gave us a career defining track by the name of “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” A love anthem that has survived the test of time - carrying the uncontrollable nature of falling in love.
The melody of the track was adapted from the 1784 French song “Plaisir d’Amour,” and became a hit that topped charts around the world. Love can feel inevitable with the right person, and that’s exactly what Presley is referencing in this track. The lyrics tug at your heart, highlight the total devotion it takes to surrender yourself, and give us a moment of reflection – it reminds the listener that love chooses us. It became a staple closing number for Elvis in the 70’s, making this one of his most endeared and covered songs.
10. When We Get By - D'Angelo
Coming from D’Angelo’s 1995 debut album, “Brown Sugar,” this track is just one piece of what we call a No-Skip Album. A definitive project, largely produced and written by D’Angelo himself, that offers many sentiments of love – arranged in a project that can only be classified as a R&B Classic.
One of the most pivotal albums of the late 90’s, D’Angelo provided us with declarations of love, playfully intertwined with music rooted in jazz-based theory and neo-soul tradition. Truthfully, the entire album should be listed, but a track that many hold close to their hearts is “When We Get By.” The song gives us a theme of total commitment. D’Angelo, known for his musical ability and buttery delivery, focuses on the powerful connection formed in a relationship through overcoming the inevitable hardships life can throw at you. He paints a picture of the calm after a storm – leaving us with the familiar feeling of getting through another pivotal moment and simply enjoying the feeling of each other’s presence again. Tracks like these laid the foundation for future masterpieces, namely “Voodoo” among others, leaving us with one of the greatest small-batch discographies in the business.