Love songs in Western music: world classics and recommended popular tracks

PerfectEd Sheeran

Ed Sheeran – Perfect (Official Music Video)

Ed Sheeran released a heartwarming love song in March 2017 that portrays happy moments spent with a loved one.

Filled with gentle warmth, its beautiful melody and lyrics—capturing pure love from his younger days—are deeply influenced by real experiences with his wife.

Included on the album ÷ (Divide), the song won support from a wide audience, and its collaborations with Beyoncé and Andrea Bocelli also became major talking points.

The music video, filmed at a ski resort in Austria, beautifully depicts the artist and his partner close together, and its tender scenes are truly captivating.

It’s the perfect song for moments when you want to express your feelings to someone special or create unforgettable memories.

FluxEllie Goulding

Ellie Goulding – Flux (Official Video)

A gem of a ballad that delicately captures the pain of heartbreak and lingering attachment.

Ellie Goulding’s clear, translucent vocals beautifully portray the feeling of being trapped by a past love.

The simple, piano-centered arrangement enhances the emotion conveyed by the lyrics.

Released in March 2019, the track is included on the album Brightest Blue.

Its black-and-white music video also superbly reflects the song’s world.

This is a must-listen for anyone who has experienced heartbreak or carries unspoken feelings in their heart.

Love The Way You Lie ft. RihannaEminem

Eminem – Love The Way You Lie ft. Rihanna

Created by American rapper Eminem, this work is a shocking piece that candidly portrays the complexities of a violent romantic relationship.

Through a collaboration with Rihanna, it expresses the intertwining emotions of love and hate from both male and female perspectives.

Released in June 2010, it spent seven consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the U.

S.

Billboard Hot 100.

It topped the charts in more than 22 countries worldwide and became the best-selling single of Eminem’s career.

While it resonates with those suffering from dependent and destructive love, it also serves as a warning about the dangers of such relationships.

The ReasonHoobastank

Hoobastank – The Reason (Official Music Video)

A heart-stirring power ballad from American band Hoobastank.

It captures the resolve to admit one’s mistakes and mend a cherished relationship, resonating with many listeners.

Released in January 2004, it became a global hit, reaching No.

2 on the U.

S.

charts.

Its universal theme—wanting to change for the one you love—intertwines with an emotional melody to leave a deep impression on the listener.

Highly recommended for those who have experienced heartbreak or separation, or who want to reevaluate an important relationship.

RudeMAGIC

MAGIC! – Rude (Official Video)

A reggae number that sings of a young man’s determination to marry the one he loves, even after being refused permission to propose by a stubborn father.

It portrays not only the often-highlighted dynamics between lovers, but also the complex relationship between a father and his prospective son-in-law when faced with the life-defining decision of marriage.

Seamlessly blending MAGIC!’s breezy reggae-fusion sound with earnest emotion, the song sold 8.

6 million units worldwide in 2014 and topped the U.

S.

Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks.

Featured on their debut album, “Don’t Kill the Magic,” it remains one of the band’s signature tracks, beloved across the globe.

It’s a song that gently supports those resolved to marry the one they love or seeking their family’s blessing.

Marry MeTrain

Train – Marry Me

Set to a sweet, gentle melody, this song weaves tender yet bittersweet feelings as it vows an eternal bond with a loved one.

From the moment of love at first sight with someone met at a café, it portrays a pure heart dreaming of a future walked together.

Its simple expressions of love and sincere sentiment make it a moving piece that resonates deeply with listeners.

Released in October 2010 as the third single from the album “Save Me, San Francisco,” it was well received on various music charts, reaching No.

34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and ranking high on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Celebrated as a signature track packed with Train’s charm, it’s a heartwarming song perfect for proposals and other romantic moments of pledging love.

If I Ain’t Got YouAlicia Keys

Alicia Keys – If I Ain’t Got You (Official HD Video)

Without someone to love, wealth and fame mean nothing—this is a stirring R&B ballad that sings of eternal love.

Alicia Keys’s soulful voice and classical piano melodies gracefully express the preciousness of love.

While contrasting the emptiness of those who chase materialism and fame, it asks what truly matters.

Released from the album “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” the song won the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance after its February 2004 release.

In 2023, an orchestral arrangement was featured in the Netflix series “Queen Charlotte,” bringing a new wave of emotion.

It’s a perfect track for moments when you want to convey your feelings to someone special, such as a proposal or a wedding.