My 15 Favorite Love Songs

A song can take your emotions and twist them at will. Wistful memories resurface and bring you back to that very moment. A certain time, a certain place. Remember?

But, a romantic song can reach down into the depth of your soul and tug at your heart until it hurts...... or make you feel really good. Amazingly good.

That is the power of lyrics to music.

Here is a list of my favorite romantic love songs.

U2 ~ All I want is You 

Front man Bono wrote this love letter/song for his wife Ali and sings with all the passion of only a man in the truest form of love can. "From the cradle to the grave, all I want is you".... The strings at the end are poetically haunting. This song makes you believe with your whole heart, soul mates truly do exist. All I want is you, All I need is you, All I want is you......

Howie Day ~ Collide

Boy wants girl. Girl is unsure. A song about the complications that love always brings. No matter how different two people seem, fate has a way of always winning in the end. Hoping his worst fear will never be realized. "I worry I won't see your face light up again" "Somehow find You and I collide" "You make a first impression well". Incredibly romantic and wanting desperation.

Seal ~ Kiss from a Rose

Seal won a Grammy for this song in 1992 and it was featured in the Batman Soundtrack. Gorgeous melody in epic proportion. Like an addict needing his drug of choice.... "To me you're like a growing addiction baby I can't deny" Proclaiming an ultimate commitment of love. "You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain". Inspirationally sexy. The sort of song that literally can take your breath away.

The Cure ~ Love Song

The lead singer of The Cure, Robert Smith gave this song, written from his heart, to his bride Mary right before they wed. The constant traveling, touring and being away from the one you love can take it's toll and this was his way of reassuring her that no matter how far apart they are at times, she's always on his mind. "Whenever I'm alone with you, you make me feel like I am home again." He will never take their love for granted and forever will cherish her.

Peter Gabriel ~ In Your Eyes

Featured in the movie "Say Anything", John Cusack's character wears his heart on his sleeve and shows up with a boom box held over his head to prove to his object of desire, just how bad he's got it for her. Rumor has it that Peter Gabriel didn't want this song used in the film because it was so personal to him. "In your eyes, the light, the heat, I am complete." "Without a noise, without my pride, I reach out from the inside."

Chris Isaak ~ Wicked Game

If you've seen the video that accompanies this, then you'll remember the slow seduction and the feelings of obsessive love that goes along with it. Filmed in black and white by famed director David Lynch of "Blue Velvet" fame, it consistently shows up in the sexiest videos list. "I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you." "What a wicked thing to do. To make me dream of you." It's one of those songs that is so erotic, dimmed lights are in order.

Bryan Adams ~ Heaven

One of the most successful songs for Bryan Adams was titled "Everything I do (I do it for you)", but the song "Heaven" has always appealed to me on a more personal level. "Ohhhh, Thinking about our younger years, we were only you and me, we were young, wild and free. Now nothing can take you away from me." "Baby, you're all that I want when you're lying in my arms." The sentiment may be simple and pure, but if that's what Heaven feels like.... sign me up.

Dave Matthews Band ~ Crash Into Me

I get that this song is from the perspective of a peeping tom, and usually peeping tom's don't do much for me. But, in this case, there's something exciting about the voyeuristic approach Dave Matthews took when writing this song. It may have been unintentional, but it gets me every time. Unrequited love can be hard to get over, particularly when you still have such strong feelings. To be madly in love. "Lost for you, I am so lost into you." "I come into you..... Crash into me" Maybe I'm crazy, but to me that's romance.

The Goo Goo Dolls ~ Iris

A song that pretty much skyrocketed the career of the Goo Goo Dolls and put them on the map of mainstream music. A song about feeling invisible and misunderstood, until they meet that special someone that makes the world feel sane again. Life isn't always perfect and is conveyed, "when everything feels like the movies, yeah you bleed just to know you're alive". "All I can taste is this moment." "and I don't want the world to see me, 'cause I don't think that they will understand." Pain symbolizing rebirth. "I just want you to know who I am." Genius.

Life House ~ You and Me

"I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you." "you got my head spinning and I don't know where to go from here." Reminds you of that first kiss, innocent and unforgettable. The chemistry of a true connection felt instantly.

Aerosmith ~ I don't want to miss a thing

A band mostly famous for flamboyant hard hitting rock, Aerosmith side-swiped their millions of fans by depicting romance on bended knee. "I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep, cause I'll miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing."

Guns 'n Roses ~ November Rain

Guns 'n Roses' best work in my opinion and probably one of my favorite songs of all time. You can hear the pain, the agony, the torment. Originally this song had to be edited down from 25 minutes to 8:59, and takes it's place as the longest song ever on the Top 10 hit list. Slash also has two guitar solos that showcase his incredible talent, putting him along the lines of Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen.

Etta James ~ At Last

A popular song to play at weddings, "At Last" may seem like an obvious choice, but is there a singer that screams out romance better then the incomparable Etta James? I think not. "You smile, you smile, and then the spell is cast." "and here we are in heaven." "For you are mine at last." Classic.

Percy Sledge ~ When a Man loves a Woman

If you're a woman, you can't help but feel this man's passion coming through loud and clear. A real man appreciates a good woman. "When a man loves a woman, he'll spend his last dime to give her what she needs.." It's not about the money. It's the sacrifices that proves real love.

Journey ~ Faithfully

A song from an 80's band that keyboardist Jonathan Cain wrote about the hardships of being on the road and the price you sometimes are forced to pay. "Two strangers learn to fall in love again". Steve Perry is one of the best voices ever and sang this song with unbelievable conviction and heart. "I'm forever yours, faithfully."