Whenever you think of Valentine’s Day, what comes to mind? Love, chocolates wrapped in a heart-shaped box. Some people think it’s a Hallmark holiday, which, in this day and age, it kind of is.

I’ve been married for eight years now, and my husband and I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day other than the fact that it was the day we had our very first date (it was very convenient that it was on the day, but I swear it’s completely coincidental).

For Valentine’s Day, of course, you think of romance and love songs. I do, too. There are so many love songs out there, but there are a handful of songs that stir emotion in me. It was tough to figure out which ones were in my top 10, but here they are:

10. Ain’t Nobody- Chaka Khan

This song became popular in 1983 when it was released. It reached number 1 on the US Billboard R&B chart and number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100.

This song has been covered by various artists including: Jaki Graham (1994), Diana King (1995), LL Cool J (1996), etc. This song has also been used in movies such as Breakin’ (1984), Bringing Down the House (2003), and Blink Twice (2024)

This song talks about love, being happy with the one you love, and feeling like the person you love has made you feel a way that you haven’t felt with anyone. It’s not your typical slow-dance romance song. It has a more uppity rhythm to it, that makes you want to grab your partner and dance.

9. “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias

So many people have heard this song and sang it countless times. It’s hard not to. It’s a very touching and meaningful song.

The song talks about the desire to be the hero of your loved one. As a partner, you want to be there for them, make them smile, and make them feel safe and secure.

While looking up information about this song, I found something very interesting. This song was released September 3, 2001, just 8 days before the September 11 attack on the Twin Towers. This song was one of the few songs chosen by radio DJs in NYC to be remixed with audio from police, firefighters, first responders, civilians, and politicians who were commenting on the attacks, which you can view on YouTube. He was asked to sing this song live on “America: A Tribute to the Heroes”

This song is not only about your loved one, but it’s about reassurance. That day was hard for everyone, and I believe this song helped ease some people’s grieving hearts, reassuring them that everything will be okay.

8. Sweet Dreams by Air Supply

This song was released in 1981 and became #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

I fell in love with this song thanks to my mother, who loves Air Supply.  This band has made a lot of love songs, which my mother played a lot when I was younger. Many of the songs stuck with me, and I listen to them now and again, such as “Making Love Out of Nothing At All,” “Even the Nights Are Better” (which is number #6 on this list), “The One that you love,” “This Heart Belongs to Me” and “Young Love”.

It’s a beautiful, emotional song that will stir up feelings. It’s a song about the longing for a connection and to be loved by someone, even if it’s just in dreams. Being in love can really feel like a dream sometimes. There are moments I look at my husband and think, “Wow. I’m actually married. Someone actually wanted me.” It’s a surreal feeling that fills you with so much emotion.

7. Somewhere Out There- An American Tail

This song was made for the movie “An American Tail,” a movie about the Mousekewitz family, a family of mice who get separated while on their way to America. The movie focuses on the family, mainly the youngest member, Fievel “Filly” Mousekewitz, as he makes his way through New York. In one scene, Fievel sings along with his sister, Tanya, who’s in another part of New York.

This song was also sung at the end by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram. The music video alone is beautiful and soothing, but add their voices, and it becomes a beautifully emotional song that depicts two loved ones who, despite being separated, have hope that they’ll one day be reunited.

6. Even The Nights Are Better by Air Supply

This song was released in 1982, and it reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and for good reason.

Another song from Air Supply, thanks to my mother, who played it over and over during my youth. This song is on my list because of the lyrics. It tells of how a person’s life, no matter how much negativity is going on, is better now that their loved one is in their lives.

We could be having the worst day, but when we’re together, we’re happy. It makes even the worst days better. There are times that my husband has admitted to me that he can’t wait until he comes home from work because he knows I’ll be there to put a smile on his face.

5. Because You Loved Me- Celine Dion

Though this song was a song by Celine Dion, it was written by Diane Warren, who originally wrote this song as a tribute to her father. It was released in 1996 and was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks.

This song expresses gratitude and thankfulness for the support and love of your loved ones.

This song touches my heart because I’m very grateful to my loved ones for always being there for me, lifting me up when I’m down, encouraging me when I just want to give up, and loving me while I was learning to love myself.

4. “Dreaming Of You,” by Selena

You can never go wrong with “Dreaming of You” by Selena. You can’t go wrong with any song from Selena, honestly. Her music gives you so many emotions, whether it be happiness, love, sadness, or just the feeling of the need to dance. Selena has made an impact on the generations before me and continues to make an impact on the current generations. I’m sure if she was still here, she’d be shocked and amazed at how much people love and adore her. The impact that she left when she tragically passed goes to show you just how amazing Selena was, not only as a singer but as a person.

When you think of Selena, “Dreaming of You” is one of the songs that comes to your mind. From the lyrics, to the instrumentals, to her voice, the song gives you that emotional of love.

Selena may not have been gifted with immortality, but her name and legacy sure did.

3. “Tell Me” by Groove Theory

This song was introduced to me by my husband and I absolutely fell in love with it. It’s a cover of Rhythm-N-Bass’ 1993 song. Though a cover, the song became one of my favorites that I had to include on this list. It’s a nice slow rhythm that you and your loved one can dance to.

The lyrics talk of a woman who has a crush on a man and is unsure if he feels the same way.

2. Lovesong by the Cure

I heard this song on the radio a few years back and instantly fell in love with it. I was shocked when I discovered it was released in 1989.

The song was written by the band’s singer, Robert Smith, for his fiancée, Mary. This song told her that no matter how many tours he goes on, no matter how much time they’re apart from each other, he will always love her.

1.   I’d Rather by Luther Vandross

This song is number one on my list for a variety of reasons, the main one being it’s basically my husband and I’s love story.

We dated for a few months, broke up, and dated other people but remained friends. When his relationship fell apart, I lent him my shoulder to cry on. Then, my relationship eventually fell apart, and he gave me his shoulder to cry on. Then we developed feelings, and here we are, eight years later.

Those relationships helped us grow individually and taught us a lot. We don’t see our relationships as failures but as lessons.

This is one of our songs that we listen to, reminding us of just how much we love each other despite everything. Marriage is hard, and there are moments when we can’t stand each other. But at the end of the day, we’d rather be with each other through the hardships than with anyone else because, to us, it’s completely worth it.

This was written by our contributing writer, Gigi Grindley.