Valentine’s Day 2026 is here! I’ve curated a short set of love songs from five different genres for the occasion, so there should be something here for many of us. I’d love to hear your additional choices in the comments.
Popular culture has a lot to answer for. It’s repeatedly told us that in terms of romantic love, the only genuine kind is passionate and dramatic.
I definitely don’t think that’s true. So in addition to being from different genres, most of these songs cover different aspects and expressions of love.
Blues
Rita Chiarelli: I Can Change For You
Rita Chiarelli is a legendary Canadian blues singer with a three octave voice. This is actually one of the many pop culture visions of dramatic love that I mentioned above. She belts out this plea to her beloved with all her heart. It’s a passionate cry of a woman hopelessly in love with someone and willing to do anything if he’ll love her in return. I don’t recommend that you adopt this philosophy, but there’s no denying it makes for a compelling song.
Country
Willie Nelson: You Were Always On My Mind
This gently sung ballad might not be the stuff of romantic legends and hit box office films, but to my mind it portrays an honest, realistic expression of love that many of us can relate to.
Wikipedia helpfully tells us that the writer of the song (Wayne Carson) got the idea for it during a phone call with his wife where she was upset at the prospect of his extended absence.
As a side note, I had a difficult time choosing between two songs in this category, Eventually Shania Twain’s “You’re Still The One” came in second, but it was a very close second.
Trivia: Although I knew many artists had covered this song, I was startled to discover that Brenda Lee did the first recording of it.
Folk Rock
Van Morrison Queen of the Slipstream
This is the song that lifts my heart and makes me stop whatever I’m doing to listen to it. Every. Single. Time. I first heard it when a Second Life DJ played it as his outro and I fell in love with it immediately.
Trivia: according to Wikipedia, “It was a favorite song of actress Farrah Fawcett.”
Jazz
Holly Cole Cry If You Want To .
Holly Cole is a Canadian jazz singer, and I first heard this song on our national broadcaster CBC Radio FM (as it was then known, CBC Radio 2 now).
I immediately thought that this was a real love song. It expresses genuine concern for the other person who was going through a hard time and offers complete acceptance and genuine support. I don’t know of a better definition of love than that.
Pop
Righteous Brothers Unchained Melody
Although this song has been covered multiple times, the only one that hits home for me is the one by the Righteous Brothers. The credit here is a bit of a misnomer as Bobby Hatfield, one half of the Righteous Brothers, sings it solo.
When he hits those high notes at the end, I get chills. Literally.
I was baffled about the title of this song for years until I discovered that it was written as the theme song for the movie Unchained.
Trivia: According to Wikipedia, “According to [Hatfield’s] singing partner Bill Medley, they had agreed to do one solo piece each per album. Both wanted to sing “Unchained Melody” for their fourth album, but Hatfield won the coin toss.”
*****
We can never have too much music in our lives! Again, let me know of your favourite long song in the comments.
Thanks for reading!
Until next time,
Mistress Sascha, Kink Blogger
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