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The 20 Best Love Songs of the Last 20 Years

By Talmage Garn

Posted on February 11, 2025

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The Ultimate Top 40 Love Song Playlist: 2005–2025

Love songs have always defined pop music, capturing every shade of romance—from euphoric highs to bittersweet endings. Over the past 20 years, these tracks have ruled the airwaves, soundtracked weddings, and even comforted broken hearts. Here’s a countdown of the best love songs from 2005 to 2025, blending classic ballads with modern anthems.

Love’s Soundtrack: The Biggest Romantic Songs Since 2005

15. John Legend – “All of Me” (2013)

Album: Love in the Future
Release Date: August 12, 2013
Achievements: Billboard Hot 100 No. 1, Diamond-certified

A wedding staple and one of the most heartfelt love songs of the 2010s, “All of Me” was inspired by Legend’s wife, Chrissy Teigen. The raw piano ballad became his signature hit, capturing deep devotion with lyrics that embrace love in all its imperfections. The song was recorded in just one take and later performed live at their wedding, making it a true love story in musical form.

14. Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” (2017)

Album: ÷ (Divide)
Release Date: March 3, 2017
Achievements: Billboard Hot 100 No. 1, Multi-Platinum worldwide

Sheeran crafted this timeless love song as a tribute to his then-girlfriend (now wife), Cherry Seaborn. Its dreamy melody and fairy-tale lyrics made it an instant classic, with multiple versions, including a duet with Beyoncé and an orchestral rendition featuring Andrea Bocelli. Interestingly, Sheeran wrote the song while staying at James Blunt’s house and first played it on a guitar owned by Blunt’s wife.

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13. Taylor Swift – “Lover” (2019)

Album: Lover
Release Date: August 16, 2019
Achievements: Grammy-nominated, Multi-Platinum

A romantic waltz with vintage vibes, “Lover” celebrates the comfort and joy of long-term love. Swift wrote and produced the song herself, channeling the intimacy of a candlelit slow dance. Its heartfelt lyrics make it a staple for weddings and anniversaries. The song was also the first track she fully owned after leaving her old record label, marking a new era of artistic independence.

12. Miley Cyrus – “Flowers” (2023) (Self-love counts too!)

Album: Endless Summer Vacation
Release Date: January 13, 2023
Achievements: Billboard Hot 100 No. 1, Grammy-winning

An anthem of independence, “Flowers” flips the love song script by celebrating self-worth after heartbreak. With a disco-infused beat and empowering lyrics, it became one of Cyrus’ biggest hits, proving that sometimes, loving yourself is the best romance of all. Fans speculated that its release date—coinciding with her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth’s birthday—was a deliberate move, adding an extra layer of personal storytelling.

11. Adele – “Make You Feel My Love” (2008)

Album: 19
Release Date: October 27, 2008
Achievements: Platinum-certified, Covered by multiple artists

Adele’s rendition of this Bob Dylan classic turned it into a modern love anthem. Her soulful delivery brings new emotional weight to the song, making it a go-to ballad for romantic moments and melancholic reflections alike. Dylan originally wrote it in the late ’90s, but Adele’s version became the definitive one, even earning praise from the legendary songwriter himself.

Explore Adele’s 21 in detail.

10. Rihanna – “We Found Love” (feat. Calvin Harris) (2011)

Album: Talk That Talk
Release Date: September 22, 2011
Achievements: Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 for 10 weeks, Grammy-winning

A euphoric dance hit about love’s intensity, “We Found Love” became one of Rihanna’s biggest songs. Calvin Harris’ electrifying production and Rihanna’s emotive delivery capture the highs and chaos of an all-consuming romance. The music video, featuring a toxic love story, was so intense that some countries initially banned it. Also, Rihanna stuns in red for Valentine’s Day.

Explore the darker side of love songs over on X96

9. The Weeknd – “Die for You” (2016)

Album: Starboy
Release Date: November 25, 2016
Achievements: Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, Certified Multi-Platinum

Blending ‘80s synths with haunting lyrics, “Die for You” expresses unwavering devotion even in difficult times. The song saw a resurgence in 2023 thanks to a remix with Ariana Grande, proving its timeless appeal. It was initially an album deep cut, but after gaining viral popularity on TikTok, it climbed the charts again years after its release.

8. Justin Bieber – “Anyone” (2021)

Album: Justice
Release Date: January 1, 2021
Achievements: Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, Multi-Platinum

A heartfelt love letter to his wife, Hailey Bieber, “Anyone” is a cinematic ballad about finding “the one.” With soaring vocals and anthemic production, it solidified Bieber’s transition into mature, love-driven pop. He debuted the song with a surprise performance on New Year’s Eve.

7. Harry Styles – “Adore You” (2019)

Album: Fine Line
Release Date: December 6, 2019
Achievements: Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, Grammy-nominated

A dreamy, psychedelic love song with a funky groove, “Adore You” captures the rush of infatuation. Styles’ smooth vocals and rich storytelling make this a standout love song of the decade. The song’s surreal music video, set in the fictional Isle of Eroda, became a viral marketing sensation before its release.

6. Lady Gaga – “Always Remember Us This Way” (2018)

Album: A Star Is Born (Soundtrack)
Release Date: October 5, 2018
Achievements: Oscar-nominated, Multi-Platinum

This poignant ballad from A Star Is Born showcases Gaga’s powerful vocals and raw emotion. It beautifully captures the nostalgia of love and longing, making it a modern classic. Gaga recorded it live on set, adding to its authenticity.

5. Dua Lipa – “Levitating” (2020)

Album: Future Nostalgia
Release Date: October 1, 2020
Achievements: Billboard Hot 100 Top 5, Grammy-nominated

A feel-good, disco-infused hit, “Levitating” celebrates the euphoria of falling in love. Dua Lipa’s infectious energy and space-themed metaphors make it one of the most joyful love songs in recent memory. It became one of the longest-charting Billboard hits of the decade.

4. SZA – “Snooze” (2023)

Album: SOS
Release Date: December 9, 2022
Achievements: Billboard Hot 100 No. 1, Grammy-winning

A sultry, slow-burning R&B track, “Snooze” explores deep, unshakable love—even when it’s complicated. SZA’s velvety vocals and lush production make it a standout in contemporary love songs. The music video featured stars like Justin Bieber, adding to its cultural impact.

3. Olivia Rodrigo – “enough for you” (2021)

Album: SOUR
Release Date: May 21, 2021
Achievements: Multi-Platinum, Fan-favorite deep cut

A heartbreaking acoustic ballad, “enough for you” details unreciprocated love and self-doubt. Rodrigo’s raw storytelling and emotional delivery resonate deeply, making this one of her most relatable tracks. She wrote it entirely by herself, showcasing her songwriting talent.