As it’s Valentine’s Day, and I happen to be a big fan of slushy love songs, I thought I would compile and publish a list of just some of my favourite songs ever written/released. This is not a definitive list by any means – I can think of many more I love just as much/lots of iconic songs that aren’t here. This is just a selection of ones I either think deserve more recognition or that I absolutely love. Many of these have been played time and time again! I’ve chosen not to talk about all of them as that would have taken me ages but I’ve just selected a few to discuss why I love them so much.
1) Shania Twain – You’re still the one
An absolute country classic which I’d forgotten about until hearing it a few days ago. It’s such a beautiful, simplistic song and I adore the harmonies in the chorus. Definitely one of the greatest love songs ever written.
2) Olly Murs – Hand on heart
An underrated track, I’ve always loved this since my first listen. I just think it’s a really powerful, emotive song which also somehow manages to be really catchy.
3) Take That – Rule the world
My favourite song of all time had to be in there somewhere! I adore everything about this – from the piano chords, Gary’s vocals, the harmonies, the lyrics – it’s just beautifully written. “All the stars are coming out tonight, they’re lighting up the sky tonight for you” – it’s so simple but gorgeous.
4) Gary Barlow – My Commitment
Hidden gem on Gary’s debut album, it’s astonishingly soppy but also very beautiful. Proper piece of 90’s cheese, this!
5) George Michael – I can’t make you love me
Not the original but perhaps the best version. Bonnie Raitt’s beautiful original is fantastic too though. I just prefer the instrumentation on George’s – Bonnie’s features a synthetic sounding keyboard whereas George’s features all real instruments and beautiful strings. This is just so amazingly heartfelt, so emotive and absolutely stunning.
6) George Michael – Amazing
7) Michael Jackson – Butterflies
Another hidden gem. This appeared on what would become Michael’s last solo album in his lifetime- ‘Invincible’ and was written by UK female duo Floetry. It’s silky smooth, full of soul and sweet falsetto – it’s just perfect.
8) Daniel Bedingfield – If you’re not the one
Yes, I can’t deny that this one is incredibly cheesy but it has become one of my all-time favourite songs in the last few years. I just think the lyrics are incredibly beautiful and relatable.
9) Katy Perry – Thinking of you
Not many know this song by her as it’s overlooked by the more commercial stuff but it’s the song that made me love her. It’s a shame this isn’t as well-known as some of her other tracks as this really does show how talented she is. One of only a handful of songs written by Katy alone, this was a single from her debut ‘One of the boys’. It’s a pop-rock style track which contains some of my favourite lyrics ever written. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
10) Will Young – Who am I
This was a hit back in 2006 but I never hear it anymore which is a shame because again, it’s beautiful. Written about not wanting to let your lover down, it’s an interestingly written song.
11) Will Young – Love is a matter of distance
12) Michael Jackson – You are not alone
A masterpiece by R. Kelly written for Michael’s HIStory – Past Present Future Book 1 album. I see this less as a love song for a lover but more of a song of support for loved ones, as cheesy as that sounds. Particularly as it was released in a time of turbulence for Michael, I see it as being an important song to him which is perhaps why I find it so beautiful. I love the last few seconds as it fades out – just really like MJ’s ad-libs and the chord progression.
13) Gwen Stefani – Cool
This is just a brilliant song. Taking influences from 1980’s synth-pop, this is a piece of pop heaven. A song about remaining ‘cool’ with an ex or an ex crush, again, it’s a uniquely written song.
14) Leon Jackson – Stargazing
This song is so incredibly underrated! Written by Michael Buble’s co-writers, this is a stunning song. Romantic, with soft acoustic guitars and sweeping strings, Leon croons this soppy ballad beautifully.
15) Mark Owen – Alone Without You
Most people know how I feel about Mark’s solo career anyway but this song is concrete proof why I feel like I do. I love the lyrics and the rawness and openness of this track. Amazing song.
16) Take That – Like I never loved you at all
Another underexposed song as it’s only an album track. I just love this song as it’s so acoustic based and just so beautiful. I don’t think this has to just be about lost love, I also see it as a song about lost friendship which is part of what makes it such a perfect song. Definitely one of my favourite Take That songs ever.
17) Lawson – Standing in the dark
I remember listening to the premiere of this song on Radio 1 and instantly falling in love with it. It has so much power through its hard rock sound and Andy Brown’s flawless vocals. It’s such an emotive song and it never fails to give me goosebumps.
18) Sara Bareilles – Gravity
Another example of how simplicity can sometimes be the best. This track relies on Sara’s beautiful voice, a piano and strings and tells of not being able to get over someone. It’s really worth a listen.
19) John Mayer – Back to you
20) Neyo – Go on girl
21) Coldplay – Yellow
22) Phil Collins – You’ll be in my heart
23) Beverley Knight – Gold
Beverley is without a doubt the most underrated singer the UK has. She has an absolutely incredible voice and her music is up to the same standard. ‘Gold’ is one of my all-time-favourite songs
24) Lawson – Taking over me
25) Prince – One kiss at a time
This reminds me of summertime – it’s a very chilled out, optimistic track about love from Prince’s awesome three disk 1995 album ‘Emancipation’. Unfortunately I can’t link it as it’s not available on Spotify or YouTube.
26) Prince – The most beautiful girl in the world
Prince’s only UK Number One single to date, this is an awesome song. I love the intro and middle eight, the lyrics and Prince sounds absolutely incredible on it. Particularly gotta love the high notes he hits at the end.
27) John Legend – Ordinary People
Sometimes simplicity is key in music and this is a prime example. A jazzy piano instrumentation and John Legend’s silky vocals over the top with a few strings at the end for good measure, this is just bliss. It’s an honest take on the ups and downs of love.
28) Kylie Minogue – Never too late (Abbey Road version)
The original version of this is, of course, a cheesy pop Stock-Aitken-Waterman written and produced track released in the late 1980’s. Kylie transformed this into a beautiful pop ballad for her 2012 album ‘The Abbey Road Sessions’ and really emphasised what a great song this is.
29) Lemar – Invincible
Lemar’s entire ‘Invincible’ album was severely underrated and overlooked but the lead single in particular deserved more attention. ‘Invincible’ is a beautiful pop-rock track about lost love.
30) Chris Brown – I should’ve kissed you
Overlooking the personality and the man himself, Chris Brown manages to write some great tracks. This was a track from his album ‘F.A.M.E’ – it’s schmaltzy but catchy and incredibly sweet.
31) Whitney Houston – I have nothing
32) Maroon 5 – She will be loved
This is without a doubt one of the greatest love pop tracks ever written. Adam Levine has such a beautiful voice and it’s just an all-round great song.
33) Simply Red – Say You Love Me
This reminds me of being very young as this’d often be played around the house. As I’ve grown older I’ve come to love it even more as I’ve paid more attention to the lyrics.
34) Wet Wet Wet – Goodnight girl
Another simple song which features nothing more than a guitar, piano and vocals, this song is about secret love, distinguishing it from other more cliché love songs. Marti Pellow has such a great voice and it’s an incredibly beautiful song and one I love very much.
35) East Seventeen & Gabrielle – If you ever
I believe this to be one of the best boyband tracks ever. Originally an A capella track by US band Shai, this was transformed into a 90’s pop track for East Seventeen with a little help from Gabrielle. Gabrielle has one of my favourite female voices and Brian Harvey sounds perfect with her. The harmonies are impeccable on this too.
36) Seal – Kiss from a rose
37) Mark Owen – Makin’ out (acoustic version)
The original is great too but I fell in love with this song after hearing Mark perform it acoustically on YouTube. The lyrics are really sweet and it’s a fantastic song.
38) Amy Winehouse – Love is a losing game
39) John Mayer & Katy Perry – Who you love
40) Oasis – Wonderwall
41) Busted – Sleeping with the light on
42) Mel C – Immune
Mel C’s solo career is incredibly underrated. This song was co-written by Busted member James Bourne for Mel’s 2007 album ‘This Time’ and is definitely worth a listen. Beautiful song.
43) Gabrielle – Out of reach
44) Duffy – Warwick Avenue
45) Blue – Breathe easy
Mr Lee Ryan’s vocals on this are insane. Stunning, powerful song.
46) The Script – Millionaires
47) Avril Lavigne – I’m with you
48) Britney – Everytime
Whatever you say about Britney, you can’t deny this is one breath-taking song. Perhaps the best she’s ever released.
49) Conor Maynard – Just in case
It’s easy to write Conor Maynard off as a not all that credible artist but this is a great song. Love the piano arrangement in it and the lyrical content. There was a time when this meant a lot to me.
50) The Corrs – What can I do
51) Duncan James – Can’t stop a river
52) Jennifer Lopez – Baby I love you
53) Mike Dignam – Lungs
I bought Mike’s EP after being impressed with him supporting Lawson on their Chapman Square tour last year. This song is one of my favourites; such a sweet little song with a great chord progression.
54) Lee Ryan/Andy Scott Lee – Guardian Angel
Written by Blue member Lee Ryan for an album that remains unreleased, this track was also a contender to be entered as the UK’s entry into the 2005 Eurovision Contest. It ended up being beaten by Javine’s Touch My Fire. Don’t let the fact it was a Eurovision song contender discourage you, however – it’s an absolutely beautiful (admittedly rather cheesy) track and Andy sounds amazing on it. The reason I’ve credited it to both artists is because there’s confusion on YouTube of who’s singing the track.
55) John Mayer – Your body is a wonderland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFyjwZHjLq8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOJDVebh8Wg
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