16 Love Songs That Felt More Romantic Than Today's Hits

Whether it's nostalgia or simply changing times, love songs from decades ago feel more romantic than many of today's chart-topping hits. Artists such as Stevie Wonder and Elvis Presley wrote ballads that are still being covered today by new acts, and will most probably still be beloved 20 years from now. Here are 16 love songs that are the epitome of timeless romance.

The Righteous Brothers released their version of Unchained Melody in 1965, and the song is still one of the most frequently recorded and performed songs of all time. The beautiful ballad  topped the charts again in the 90s after being included in the 1990 blockbuster movie Ghost, starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore.

Written and sung by George Harrison, Something by The Beatles was released in 1969. "He told me in a matter-of-fact way that he had written it for me," Pattie Boyd said in her memoir. "I thought it was beautiful and it turned out to be the most successful song he ever wrote, with more than 150 cover versions. George's favorite version was the one by James Brown. Mine was the one by George Harrison, which he played to me in our kitchen. But, in fact, by then our relationship was in trouble."

Your Song by Elton John was released in 1970 and landed at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. John and Bernie Taupin wrote the track, one of his most enduring love songs. Your Song has been covered by artists such as Rod Stewart and Lady Gaga.

Endless Love by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross was released in 1981. Shania Twain, Mariah Carey, and Luther Vandross have also covered the hit. It was used as the theme for the Franco Zeffirelli movie of the same name.

I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston (written by Dolly Parton) was released in 1992 for The Bodyguard. One of Houston's most enduring hits, it sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Houston won a Grammy for The Bodyguard soundtrack.

Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton is one of the most recognizable songs in music history. Also written about Pattie Boyd, the ballad was part of Clapton's 1977 album Slowhand. The track is by far Clapton's most popular on streaming service Spotify.

​​My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion was an absolute chart-smasher, written by Dion and James Horner for Titanic (1997). One of the best-selling singles of all time, the song is firmly entrenched in popular culture.

At Last by Etta James was released in 1960 and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Beyonce and Celine Dion have also successfully covered the sweet ballad.

Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel was part of his 1977 album The Stranger. The enduring love song won two Grammys in 1979. Joel wrote the song for his first wife Elizabeth Weber.

God Only Knows by The Beach Boys is one of the most recognizable love songs ever written. Released in 1966, the ballad is a perfect representative of the band's unique sound. Rolling Stone ranked the song at number 11 in their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list in 2021.

Elvis Presley recorded Can't Help Falling in Love for the movie Blue Hawaii (1961). The song was very successfully covered by British reggae band UB40 in 1993, but the original version is by far the most moving.

When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge was released in 1966 and still stands the test of time. The track was successfully covered by Michael Bolton in 1991, topping the music charts in the UK and US.

Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper is one of her most beloved songs, released in 1984. Almost 40 years later, the song still tops lists of the most romantic songs of all time. The song is also heavily used on Baz Luhrman's Strictly Ballroom soundtrack.

End of the Road by Boyz II Men was released in 1992 and immediately became a huge hit both in the US and internationally. The song shipped over a million units in the US and won two Grammy Awards: Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best R&B Song.

No romantic song list would be complete without Stevie Wonder. You Are the Sunshine of My Life was released in 1973 to critical acclaim. It's still one of Wonder's most recognizable songs.

Country ballad Amazed by Lonestar was released in 1999, and was an immediate hit. The song topped the Billboard charts for eight weeks, and was covered by Boyz II Men and Bonnie Tyler amongst others.