The history of love songs

Valentine’s Day is approaching, which may make you more inclined to listen to love songs. However, I will be discussing why love songs are so popular all year round, diving into some of the biggest and most beloved hits. 

Music has been used as a form of emotional expression for centuries across multiple genres such as pop, rock, and hip hop. I could go on, but I will first travel back to 18th and 19th-century eras of classical music. One unforgettable composition with a strong love theme is Tchaikovsky’s ‘Pas de Deux’ (The Nutcracker). In the ballet, which was first performed in 1892, the Sugar-Plum Fairy and the Prince duet to this hypnotic love composition. The Nutcracker’s ‘Pas de Deux’ evokes a dream-like, magical atmosphere whilst also having moments of dynamism and intense emotion. This duet continues to be performed today, usually in winter, and Tchaikovsky’s ‘Pas de Deux’ certainly emphasises the love between the Sugar-Plum Fairy and her Prince. 

Certain love songs have timeless qualities and still enchant audiences even decades after their initial release

Some of the most timeless love songs were released in the 1960s across genres such as blues, soul, rock and roll, and surf. This decade was dominated by artists like Aretha Franklin, Nat King Cole, The Righteous Brothers, and many others. One of the most iconic 1960s love songs is Elvis Presley’s ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’, which is inspired by an 18th-century French melody, famously reaching number one in the UK in 1962. This song was so incredibly popular that UB40 made their own reggae-inspired version in 1993, which also topped the charts. Looking to other artists, it is not unusual for lyrical love melodies to have multiple covers. Frank and Nancy Sinatra’s rendition of Carson and Gaile’s ‘Somethin’ Stupid’ was released to international acclaim in 1967, making it to number one in Australia, the US and the UK. In parallel, the Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman cover of the song reached the top of the UK Singles Chart in 2001, becoming the UK’s Christmas number one. Evidently, certain love songs have timeless qualities and still enchant audiences even decades after initial release; both artists and listeners can tap into their own unique experiences and connect their emotions to the lyrics and melodies. 

For decades, there has been a multitude of renowned love ballads released by bands who have cemented themselves into love song history. British rock band, The Beatles, celebrated their first US chart-topper in 1964 with the catchy and cheery, ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’, which has been labelled as the beginning of the “British invasion of the American music industry”. The Spice Girls stand in great contrast to The Beatles’ music style, but they also released famous love songs, specifically ‘Wannabe’ in their debut 1996 album, Spice. This song was number one for seven weeks in the UK and differs from some of the more soulful, yearning, and direct love songs I have already discussed. It focuses on the importance of the lasting power of friendship and how their love interests must get along with their friends if they want the relationship to succeed; the upbeat chorus stresses this in the lyrics “If you wanna be my lover/You gotta get with my friends”. 

Other modern artists who are trailblazers of love songs that come to mind are Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and Adele

Furthermore, a band that has had a significant impact on the music industry with their love songs is Coldplay. Famously, much of their discography is played at weddings; is there a better indicator that you have produced the love songs of the century? Notable love songs played on this occasion include ‘Yellow’ – often a first dance song – and the mellow ‘Sparks’, both from Coldplay’s debut 2000 album Parachutes. 

Other modern artists who are trailblazers of love songs that come to mind are Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and Adele. Undoubtedly, Sheeran had the song of 2017 with ‘Shape of You’. It earned him the ‘Best Pop Solo Performance’ at the 2018 Grammy Awards, and spent fourteen weeks at number one on the UK charts; to this day, it remains the second most listened-to song on Spotify, with over 2 billion streams. Sheeran’s infectious and light-hearted tune is absolutely beloved by a diverse audience. I have heard ‘Shape of You’ being used as a ringtone for multiple older family members, as well as hearing it on a night out. 

It is a beautiful thing for artists to be able to express themselves through music. Love songs span across genres and can alternate between being smooth and melodious to upbeat and dynamic. Nevertheless, both types can produce timeless tunes due to the universal experiences of love and yearning; the combination of heartfelt lyrics supported by a melody creates a powerful emotional experience. These songs have persisted for centuries and will continue to resonate because loving, feeling, and expressing oneself is essential to the human experience, with each individual doing so uniquely.