Top 100 Classic Love Songs

The top classic love songs of the '50s and '60s have endured for decades on our radios, in the movies and as the soundtrack to our romantic dreams. They can capture the dizzying rush of new love, the desperation to recover from a broken heart or the satisfaction and security the right partner brings. Here are the top 100 Classic Love Songs as chosen by all the love-struck fools listening to AOL Radio.

100

'('Til) I Kissed You'

The Everly Brothers

More than 50 years later, the real-life brothers' 1959 single still captures the rush of newly found love perfectly.

iTunes | Lyrics

099

'Hey Paula'

Paul & Paula

Ray Hildebrand and Jill Jackson, not a couple, changed their first names to match their 1962 debut hit.

iTunes

098

'Since I Fell for You'

Lenny Welch

Lenny's passionate vocals perfectly capture the pain of unrequited love in his cover of the big-band classic.

iTunes

097

'Venus'

Frankie Avalon

Frankie sings to the goddess of love for help, in a voice that already seems to be halfway to the heavens.

iTunes | Lyrics

096

'Love Me Tender'

Elvis Presley

The power of Elvis' voice led stores to order a million copies of this song the day after he sang it on TV.

iTunes | Lyrics | 10 Best Elvis Songs

095

'Little Darlin''

The Diamonds

The Canadian doo-wop quartet combine their vocal talents to apologize for some bad two-timing behavior.

iTunes | Lyrics

094

'Walkin' After Midnight'

Patsy Cline

Reportedly, Patsy had to be persuaded to even record this love song, now hailed as a country music classic.

iTunes | Lyrics

093

'Then He Kissed Me'

The Crystals

Guess who did a startlingly faithful (gender aside) version of this song in 1978? That's right, Kiss!

iTunes | Lyrics

092

'Goin' Out of My Head'

Little Anthony & the Impreials

She sent him out of his head, but Little Anthony's high-pitched falsetto was already out of this world.

iTunes

Little Anthony And The Imperials Going Out Of My Head

091

'All Shook Up'

Elvis Presley

Perfectly sums up that moment when you know your world has just turned upside down, in a really good way.

iTunes | Lyrics

090

'Traces'

Classics IV

This 1969 hit draws inspiration from the reminders of old love, like the photos we've all boxed up somewhere.

iTunes | Lyrics

089

'Dedicated to the One I Love'

The Mamas & the Papas

Two other groups sang it previously, but the soaring vocals on this 1967 version make it the one everyone remembers.

iTunes | Lyrics

The Mamas And The Papas Dedicated To The One I Love

088

'Wishin' and Hopin''

Dusty Springfield

Great advice from Dusty: If you want to find the love of your life, you better be willing to work hard for it.

iTunes | Lyrics

087

'Surfer Girl'

The Beach Boys

He's been admiring her form out on the waves. No, no, seriously, he's talking about her surfing technique.

iTunes | Lyrics

086

'Chapel of Love'

The Dixie Cups

It sounds a whole lot easier to plan a wedding back then. Where's time travel when you need it?

iTunes | Lyrics

085

'Tell It Like It Is'

Aaron Neville

Yes he's pleading, and yes his voice is quivering, but he's man enough for a "yes" or "no" answer. Just be honest.

iTunes | Lyrics

084

'To Sir With Love'

Lulu

Love and respect flow from student to teacher -- who opened her eyes to so much -- from the hit 1967 film.

iTunes | Lyrics

083

'You've Really Got a Hold on Me'

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

It's the classic quandary: He loves her, can't stand her. Leaves her, then can't live without her. Oh, dear ...

iTunes | Lyrics

Smokey Robinson And The Miracles You've Really Got A Hold On Me

082

'And I Love Her'

The Beatles

All those young, wholesome American girls really didn't stand a chance against those charming Brits, did they?

Lyrics | Best Beatles Songs

081

'(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher'

Jackie Wilson

Wilson originally sang it like a ballad, until producer Carl Davis advised him to follow the percussion -- resulting in the heart-racing favorite we still hear today.

iTunes

Jackie Wilson Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher And Higher

Filed under: Best Songs, Top 100 Songs

Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. Come on! lets see some classic classics.
Musicals and opera and ballads from the crooners!
Why is all the hype geared for the youngin's?
There are more of us baby boomers!
Give us a richer palate, PLEASE!

Posted at 11:03PM on Jul 27th 2010 by Mollie

2. I like to hear all the musics that you have,sine I am american leaving in the south of Brazil

Posted at 1:46PM on Jan 21st 2011 by manuel gonzalez

3. Yeah for Mollie and her comment for more classic classic love songs.....let's hear it for the classic love songs that are played 50 years later instead of 50 weeks ...maybe!!!

Posted at 10:31PM on Jul 28th 2010 by Pilar Rivas

4. While it's difficult to argue with any of the deserving songs on the list, several others immediately popped into my head (pardon the unintended pun): The Lovin' Spoonful's "Darlin Be Home Soon," "She Cried." by Jay and the Americans to name but two. These lists are lots of fun and always evoke wonderful memoris, especially for the older set who remembembers the first time they heard Otis Redding sing, "Try a Little Tenderness" and "I've Got Dreams to Remember." Then, the fabulous Bee Gees alone deserve numerous mentions for their emotive career!

Posted at 2:10PM on Jul 29th 2010 by PTMR

5. A music snob!!?? Oh come on Mollie! Shame on you! "richer palate"? hahahaha You're too much

Posted at 8:05PM on Jul 29th 2010 by deborah

6. Wilson originally sang it like a ballad, until producer Carl Davis advised him to follow the percussion -- resulting in the heart-racing favorite we still hear today.btw,I'm a doctor,31 ,rich but still single.It's hard to get a girlfriend in my town ,most of them like my money more than like me.I just want to find my true love.so i uploaded my hot photos on Seek wealt hy.c o m under the name of hot561.u dont have to be a millionaire,but u can meet one there. ..if you girls see this comment,i hope you will check my photos out there.maybe you are the one who i'm looking for!!!

Posted at 8:47PM on Jul 30th 2010 by kkeaid

7. I Honestly Love You Olivia Newton John

Posted at 9:36PM on Jul 30th 2010 by liz

8. Righteous Brothers has always been my favorite for love songs and looking back anyone who commented on that subject that I knew, said them too.

Posted at 9:45PM on Jul 30th 2010 by JIM

9. Hey kkeaid hot561.
What are you talking about? Can you not stay on subject? Ever heard of attention span?

No wonder you have difficulty dating. You write like a 12 year old girl and you are so full of yourself that it is difficult to hear what you are saying you are, I am sure listening to your crap for 10 minutes would ruin any conversation. Try to have a (nice) life.

Posted at 9:53PM on Jul 30th 2010 by what's up

10. Another case of some nerd in a back room pulling song titles out of the sky.
The greatest love song ever made never made the list at all which is "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis. Sad.

Posted at 9:53PM on Jul 30th 2010 by dreamlover50s

11. Another classic case of some Nerd sitting in a back rook pulling song totles out of the sky.
The greatest love song of all time "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis did not even make the list. Sad.

Posted at 9:59PM on Jul 30th 2010 by dreamlover50s

12. I never realized that Olivia Newton John ever sang "I Honestly Love You" to anyone but me...
Alan

Posted at 10:17PM on Jul 30th 2010 by Alan Kunski

13. Seriously, you guys need to do these lists by decades.

Anyway, what about songs sung between men and women like:

"You're All I Need To Get By" - Marvin Gaye and Tanmmi Terrell

"Where Is the Love" - Roberta Flack and Donny Hathway

"Then Came You" - The Spinners and Dionne Warwick

Not to mention several songs by The Fifth Dimension, the Chi-Lites, Al Green, Teddy Pendergrass, etc.

Posted at 10:22PM on Jul 30th 2010 by chr101

14. Freddie Fender had three that come to mind
Secret Love, Vaya Con Dios and Before the Next Teardrop Falls.
The Scorpions Still Lovin You.

Posted at 11:17PM on Jul 30th 2010 by mark

15. no "my girl" by the temps? "shes lost that loving feeling" doesnt make the cut? no credibility to this list.

Posted at 1:00AM on Jul 31st 2010 by bubba gump

16. All in the Game, I think by Tommy Edwards?
I Want to Kiss You All Over Exile
I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner
Something's Burning by Kenny Rogers
Anything by Barry White

Posted at 11:25PM on Jul 30th 2010 by Avice

17. What about "Ooh Baby,Baby" by Smokey and the Miracles

Posted at 7:52PM on Jul 31st 2010 by Debbie

18. how could they leave out bobby goldsboro classic tear jearker song ..honey

Posted at 11:54PM on Jul 30th 2010 by clyde

19. 3 TIMES MY FAVORITE VOICES OF THIS PLANET...
3 SONGS BY " THE EVERLY BROTHERS "
WHOOPEEE. !!!

Posted at 11:56PM on Jul 30th 2010 by erik ricky teal

20. Mollie, are you sure you are a baby boomer. Based on my birth year I am one of the first boomers and I have to say (although I did not go thru the entire list) that most of these songs are from our era. These songs could make the sound track of our youth. How are the geared to youngins? You are right in that there are some great love songs from Broadway and from the list of "American Standards".

Posted at 11:57PM on Jul 30th 2010 by Jim

21. Of course Elvis woudl be the one with 6 songs. Although, it could've been Patsy Cline...

Posted at 12:41AM on Jul 31st 2010 by Lizzie

22. I think Hey Jude by the Beatles should be in the mix somewhere.

Posted at 12:49AM on Jul 31st 2010 by John Benedetta

23. I would have expected more songs by the Supremes; they just about dominated the mid-60s. Great list though--with so many great songs it's hard to go wrong.

Posted at 1:01AM on Jul 31st 2010 by jlharmony1

24. The beatles broke up in 1969 and only wrote 2 love songs on your list? What about Cream, Van Morrison, Joplin, Just call your list 1950's and early 60's and it would be ok but you left out the best 5 years of rock

Posted at 1:34AM on Jul 31st 2010 by testakel

25. I agree with "Dedicated to the One I Love" but would add "Brandy" by Looking Glass and "Norman" by Sue Thompson.

Posted at 1:43AM on Jul 31st 2010 by curryinnm

26. Im surprised that with ALL the "Chicago" Love songs out there not one made the top 100 .

Posted at 2:51AM on Jul 31st 2010 by David

27. I can't believe the lousy quality of some of those tunes. ex: Traces, Dedicated to the One I Love, To Sir With Love, Higher & Higher, etc etc etc. What? Did you make your MP3 by holding a mic up to an old turntable speaker? I found excellent quality STEREO versions of these songs just by doing a Google search. C'mon, AOL Radio. Surely you can do better than that.

Posted at 9:03PM on Oct 5th 2010 by Mike Hennessy

28. I wonder why Nat king cole wasn't mentioned.Tell me he wasn't one of the great ones

Posted at 6:16AM on Jul 31st 2010 by fred

29. wonder why Nat King Cole wasn't mentioned

Posted at 6:18AM on Jul 31st 2010 by fred

30. My Favorite is I've Been Loving You Too Long--Otis Redding

Posted at 6:32AM on Jul 31st 2010 by Frank campbell

31. "Can't help falling in love" by Elvis should definitely have been in the top 10 of this list. And almost all of Johnny Mathis' love songs. But a great list, and I'm glad I lived through the times when these were hits.

Posted at 12:02PM on Jul 31st 2010 by Mahealani

32. What about "Ooh, Baby, Baby" by Smokey and the Miracles

Posted at 7:53PM on Jul 31st 2010 by Debbie

33. "Bread" ok oldies 50's 60's Bobby Vinton Leslie Gore, 4 Seasons (may not be a oldie)... wish there was a station that played some of everthing...we had one radio station one tv station,black and white( hurried home from school to watch General Hospital)

Posted at 6:56PM on Aug 2nd 2010 by judy1700

34. Bread had some mellow,love songs Burton Cummings he was lead singer in one of the bands...then went on his own,Stand Tall,Bobby Vinton Lesley Gore (you don't own me)It's my party...Lobo,Beach Boys...In my room...I was never into the heavy metal stuff...how old do you have to be a baby boomer? what is the Oldies?

Posted at 10:31PM on Aug 2nd 2010 by judyadarling

35. Love songs ? The Platter's. So many. Also Ron Holden's "Love You So"

Posted at 5:23AM on Aug 3rd 2010 by gary

36. hey, what about " Love is all around " by The Troggs ? " it's written in the wind, it's everywhere i go....." Also,no one has written & played better love songs than- yep, The Beatles !!!

Posted at 8:56AM on Aug 3rd 2010 by janet

37. no barry white the maestro of love

Posted at 10:00AM on Aug 3rd 2010 by nicholas talley

38. I don't consider some of the songs listed as "love songs". Lenny Welch's "Since I fell for you" is a beautiful love song, and should have been higher on the list. I agree with commenters input of Dolly Parton's "I will always love you" as being a great love song. We all have our own opinions but I think we can all agree that we all would love to have this collection along with commenters' choices on a CD to have forever.

Posted at 5:56PM on Aug 5th 2010 by Glenda

39. Any songs by Luther Vandross and the Delfonics.

Posted at 11:30AM on Aug 3rd 2010 by sheryl

40. I found most of these songs from the rock age. come on, most of the great songs were written and recorded before 1950. Only Frank S made it..
And the greatest female singer of the last half century would be Eydie Gorme and her "if he walked into my life today" will make tears come every time. I would have had Eydie as all of the top ten...

Posted at 12:08PM on Aug 3rd 2010 by Don Jaster

41. What about God Only Know by the Beach Boys,That song is rated usually in the top 100 songs of all times usually in the top 10.

Posted at 5:35PM on Aug 3rd 2010 by lkamer

42. What about Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On"?

Posted at 5:47PM on Aug 3rd 2010 by Ellie

43. How about Tony Bennett's "Because Of You"?

Posted at 5:48PM on Aug 3rd 2010 by Ellie

44. My forgotten Three Dog Night, Billy Joel wayne newton not one of my favorites!!!some of the new country songs...they don't look like "cowboys" to me, but there seems to be a story to them...I stopped loving her today,neon lights,walking in the rain,rainy day people,dreamweaver, 4 Seasons,rightios Brothers,everly brothers, 10 cc Micheal Bolton, sorry if I repeat myself, sort of those evidence of oldies :)

Posted at 12:39AM on Aug 6th 2010 by judy1700

45. Great classic love songs, I know almost all of them what a welcome change. Keeps me motivated just painted my home office listening to all these favorites: Connie Francis, Al Green, Barry White, Marvin Gay Shep & the limelites Peggy March, Skyliners, Duprees, and more. Wish I could listen to Aol music in my car.

Posted at 11:38PM on Aug 9th 2010 by Dill

46. Lets hear some music from the 40s....tommy and
Jimmy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Harry
James,

I'm so appreciative of this site. Thank you
I'm 84 years old and still enjoying music.
Thanks for the Memories!!

Posted at 1:29AM on Aug 30th 2010 by Audrey Marchesano

47. Top 100 Classic Love Songs is just great.
I'm 84 yrs. old and just love this site.
Don't forget Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra.

Posted at 2:01AM on Dec 20th 2010 by Audrey Marchesano

48. Why can't you keep the Sinatra Stlye music on the site?

Posted at 9:32PM on Aug 31st 2010 by hoandme

49. Wonderful music, brings back lots of old memories.

Posted at 4:45PM on Sep 9th 2010 by Jewel

50. WHAT ABOUT GOD ONLY KNOWS BY THE BEACH BOYS NOW THAT SONG SHOULD BE UP ON THE TOP TEN IF YA ASK ME I KNOW THAT SONG IS NUMBER ONE ON VALENTINES DAY FOR SURE

Posted at 10:18AM on Sep 28th 2010 by RENEE

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Top 100 Classic Love Songs

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