If there’s anything this world could use a little more of right now, it’s love. To help us all get into the loving spirit, we have compiled a list of our top 5 love songs.
5. COMPLETENESS – MINNIE RIPERTON
The word “Completeness” encompasses completely (no pun intended) what “Completeness” is about — being wrapped up and enthralled in the love of another person.
“Completeness” is less upbeat than the other songs on this list, which makes it a little more intimate. It’s the type of tune that you would slow dance or sway to as you hold your significant other.
4. YOU DON’T KNOW MY NAME – ALICIA KEYS
“You Don’t Know My Name” is very underrated. Alicia Keys demonstrates the importance of vulnerability throughout the entire song.
Throughout “You Don’t Know My Name,” Alicia Keys pours her heart out to her man. Her vulnerability can especially be seen in the skit you hear in the middle of the song in which she calls the guy she likes and asks him out (Very bold!). Furthermore, “You Don’t Know My Name” is well-constructed and showcases the talent and singing ability that Alicia Keys has.
3. RATHER DIE YOUNG – BEYONCÉ
At first listen, “Rather Die Young” may not seem like a love song, but it is. A crucial part of love is the ride-or-die aspect.
Even though dying young is a very extreme comparison, Beyoncé has it right. When you love someone with all of your heart, there’s nothing else for you without them. Additionally, Beyoncé sings about all of the faults that the person she loves has, and despite all of that, the love continues. Love goggles are strong, but eventually, those wear off. Truly loving someone means accepting them for who they are.
“Rather Die Young” isn’t the sweetest love song ever but it accurately represents what love can be.
2. AFFAIRS OF THE HEART – DAMIAN MARLEY
Much like his dad, Damian Marley is a very talented musician. While he is not necessarily known for his love songs, when it comes to making reggae songs centered around love, he is undefeated!
“Affairs Of The Heart” has more pop elements than reggae, but there is still some reggae influence on the song. The mixture of Damian’s smooth singing voice and Jamaican accent will melt your heart. Also, you’ll love how he sings about his girl’s life-changing love on the song. (Isn’t life-changing love what we all want?)
1. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU – WHITNEY HOUSTON
As a Whitney fan, “I Will Always Love You” will always be one of my favorite love songs. Whitney fan or not, nobody can deny that it is a masterpiece.
Whitney’s vocal range and the soul that she imbues into “I Will Always Love You” will make your heart yearn. The best part of the song is the slow build-up from the beginning to the chorus where she belts, “I will always love you.” Even though Whitney didn’t write the song, she was able to elevate it and give the words a deeper meaning.
“I Will Always Love You” boasts the kind of energy that you would want to receive from a person that you care about.
Saschael is a Brooklyn native, and currently a senior English major at Howard University. In her free time she enjoys reading, cooking, baking, being in nature and writing short stories and novels.
