The 100 Greatest Love Songs According To The NY Daily News
Have you guys compiled that perfect playlist for your Valentine's night? If you haven't, then don't expect any help here. Okay, that's unfair; don't expect any help here unless the only love songs you've enjoyed since 1990 are Mariah Carey's "Vision Of Love" and Seal's "Kiss From A Rose." But you should forward it to your parents! (Just delete the bit about forwarding it to your parents.) The list:
100. "Oh Girl" - The Chi-Lites
99. "When I Fall In Love" Nat King Cole
98. "Have I Told You Lately" - Van Morrison
97. "How Can I Tell You" - Cat Stevens
96. "Alison" - Elvis Costello
95. "Do You Love Me?" From Fiddler on the Roof
94. "Some Enchanted Evening" From South Pacific
93. "Someone to Watch Over Me" - Linda Ronstadt
92. "A Man and a Woman" - Anita Kerr Singers
91. "Natural Woman" - Aretha Franklin
90. "All I Want" - Joni Mitchell
89. "At Last" - Etta James
88. "You Make Loving Fun" - Fleetwood Mac
87. "Songbird" - Fleetwood Mac
86. "Just the Way You Are" - Billy Joel
85. "Last Dance" - Donna Summer
84. "Fever" - Peggy Lee
83. "Do You Want to Dance?" - Bette Midler
82. "Sexual Healing" - Marvin Gaye
81. "Crazy" - Patsy Cline
80. "Always on My Mind" - Willie Nelson
79. "Saving All My Love for You" - Whitney Houston
78. "On the Street Where You Live" - From My Fair Lady
77. "Somewhere" - Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein
76. "Still in Love With You" - Al Green
75. "Do You Believe in Magic?" - The Lovin' SpoonfulNothing from this millennium. Not even "Dick In A Box" (last time, sorry).
74. "Just Like a Woman" - Bob Dylan
73. "P.S. I Love You" - The Beatles
72. "Chelsea Morning" - Joni Mitchell
71. "Girl" - The Beatles
70. "Kiss From a Rose" - Seal
69. "Vision of Love" - Mariah Carey
68. "With or Without You" - U2
67. "Moon River" - Henry Mancini
66. "Take on Me" - a-ha
65. "Crazy for You" - Madonna
64. "Time After Time" - Cyndi Lauper
63. "Come On Eileen" - Dexys Midnight Runners
62. "Love You Inside Out" - Bee Gees
61. "You're the One That I Want" - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
60. "How Deep Is Your Love" - The Bee Gees
59. "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)" - Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.
58. "Shining Star" - Earth Wind & Fire
57. "Lovin' You" - Minnie Ripperton
56. "Then Came You" - Dionne Warwick and the Spinners
55. "Can't Get Enough of Your Love Babe" - Barry White
54. "Feel Like Makin' Love" - Roberta Flack
53. "Love's Theme" - The Love Unlimited Orchestra
52. "The Way We Were" - Barbra Streisand
51. "Midnight Train To Georgia" - Gladys Knight
50. "Let's Get It On" - Marvin Gaye
49. "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" - Stevie Wonder
48. "Lean on Me" - Bill Withers
47. "Here, There and Everywhere" - The Beatles
46. "Heart of Gold" - Neil Young
45. "Let's Stay Together" - Al Green
44. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Diana Ross
43. "Close to You" - The Carpenters
42. "The Long and Winding Road" - The Beatles
41. "Sugar Sugar" - The Archies
40. "Higher Love" - Steve Winwood
39. "Love Theme From Romeo and Juliet" - Henry Mancini
38. "This Guy's in Love With You" - Herb Alpert
37. "Baby Love" - The Supremes
36. "Strangers in the Night" - Frank Sinatra
35. "Reach Out I'll Be There" - The Four Tops
34. "When a Man Loves a Woman" - Percy Sledge
33. "I Will Always Love You" - Dolly Parton/Whitney Houston
32. "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" - The Righteous Brothers
31. "My Love" - Petula Clark
30. "I Got You Babe" - Sonny and Cher
29. "Back in My Arms Again" - The Supremes
28. "Happy Together" - The Turtles
27. "My Guy" - Mary Wells
26. "Chapel of Love" - The Dixie Cups
25. "I Will Follow Him" - Little Peggy March
24. "He's So Fine" - The Chiffons
23. "Up on the Roof" - The Drifters
22. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" - Carole King
21. "Stay" - Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs
20. "Save the Last Dance for Me" - The Drifters
19. "Unchained Melody" - The Righteous Brothers
18. "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" - Queen
17. "Sherry" - The Four Seasons
16. "To Sir With Love" - Lulu
15. "Killing Me Softly With His Song" - Roberta Flack
14. "You've Got a Friend" - Carole King
13. "All I Have to Do Is Dream" - The Everly Brothers
12. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - Simon & Garfunkel
11. "Best of My Love" - The Emotions
10. "I Can't Stop Loving You" - Ray Charles
09. "Michelle" - The Beatles
08. "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" - Elvis Presley
07. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" - Roberta Flack
06. "In My Life" - The Beatles
05. "You Are So Beautiful" - Joe Cocker
04. "I Just Called to Say I Love You" - Stevie Wonder
03. "Wonderful Tonight" - Eric Clapton
02. "I'll Be There" - The Jackson 5
01. "My Girl" - The Temptations
Posted at 6:00 PM in Shit List
yawn
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No "Something" with the Beatles??
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What a terrible list. god
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whaaat! no pretty ricky rickay!
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Let's Stay Together at 45? That list has lost all credibility for me.
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Hell yeah, SO glad to see "Alison" on there. I'd put in top 10, though. But this is a pretty good list.
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"Let's get it on" at 50?
No "stand by me"?
Eric Clapton at 3????!!!
Good number 1 though...
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No Leonard Cohen.
No Roy Orbison.
Void list.
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bob marley is this love is the epitome
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jesus..."I Just Called To Say I Love You"?? Tacky, sentimental crap.
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"I don't want clever conversation/I never want to work that hard ... I love you just the way you are." Yeah, don't go changing, you simple-minded bitch.
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How is Wonderful Tonight even on this list! It's an anger song!! Meant in a total ironic sense!!
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I can't help but notice how much this list sucks.
-No 'Julia' by The Beatles
-NO BEACH BOYS!!! WHERE IS GOD ONLY KNOWS
-No Weezer
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god only knows is about racing cars, not love. listen to the actual words sometime and it will lose all meaning to you.
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I thought the public had finally figured out that "With or With Out You" isn't really a love song.
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Barry White at #55?! They're on crack.
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No Flamingos "I Only Have Eyes For You"?!?!?
Still sounds amazing nearly 50 years later!
The Love Unlimited Orchestra?!?!
HUH?
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'Take On Me'? Seriously?
*barfs*
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OK, so I'm a proper clapton fan, but #3?? really??
Where is Misty Blue by Dorothy Moore, or P.P.Arnold's version of "The First Cut Is The Deepest", or "Jersey Girl" by Tom Waits?
(OK, forget the last one, it is the NY Daily News after all)
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No Otis Redding?
Inexcusable!
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WTF? Numbers 87 and 88 should totally be switched. I mean really, what gives?
And I feel you Sully. Barry White should easily place in the high 40s.
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Come on Eileen? No Wings songs?? Are you fucking serious????
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No "i love how you love me" in any form? that song takes the damn cake, and its not even here.
no "suzie q"?
and i agree, no beach boys is ridiculous.
what the hell.
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No "God Only Knows" in the Top 5, much less Top 100, invalidates this list.
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I was pleasantly surprised to see "Here, There and Everywhere" on the list.
"The Luckiest" by Ben Folds should be on here. But, as noted, they kind of neglected the fact that the 90's and 2000's ever existed.
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"I Never", Rilo Kiley (Jenny Lewis), my favorite of all time
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"Maybe I'm Amazed" and I second, where is, "God only knows", WTF
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Yeah, no Roy Orbison? Man.
Then, think about the general readership of the Daily News. Not necessarily very adventurous types, probably. Still probably better than the Post's list.
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where in the fuck is sam cooke? the top should've just been nineteen sam cooke songs and the way you look tonight.
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LAME!!!!!! No Bonnie Raitt, Marty Robbins, Roy Orbison, Beach Boys (hell - even the Back Street Boys beat out some of the lame selections on this list....) Sam Cooke; what about The Moody Blues? "Once, Twice, Three Times A Lady" by The Commodores? There are a handful of good ones here, but c'mon....
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I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
Id love you to love me.
Im beggin you to beg me.
I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
Id love you to love me.
Ill shine up the old brown shoes, put on a brand-new shirt.
Ill get home early from work if you say that you love me.
Didnt i, didnt i, didnt I see you cryin?
Oh, didnt i, didnt i, didnt I see you cryin?
Feelin all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin.
Oh, didnt i, didnt i, didnt I see you cryin?
I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
Id love you to love me.
Im beggin you to beg me.
Ill shine up the old brown shoes, put on a brand-new shirt.
Ill get home early from work if you say that you love me.
Didnt i, didnt i, didnt I see you cryin?
Oh, didnt i, didnt i, didnt I see you cryin?
Feelin all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin.
Oh, didnt i, didnt i, didnt I see you cryin?
Feelin all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin.
Oh, didnt i, didnt i, didnt I see you cryin?
I want you to want me.
I need you to need me.
Id love you to love me.
Im beggin you to beg me.
I want you to want me.
I want you to want me.
I want you to want me.
I want you to want me.
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This is an indie-cliche,and a relativly new song, but I'm still suprised Maps by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs wasn't included on there.
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where is Ace, Ambrosia, or Player?
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You have to get away from the mainstream junk to find the greats; here's two:
Roger Whitaker, "The Last Farewell" (1950s)
Irish music great Tommy Makem, "Gentle Annie" -- which is the best I ever heard, and is actaully a tribute to his wife. Gorgeous poetry set to a gentle tune.
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Ok...so this list isn't stellar. But the funniest thing so far have been some of the suggestions coming from these posts...weezer? Really? Come on Eileen. And I think I saw some one dissing Billy Joel. You guys are on something.
One suggestion from me is switch your clapton song at #3 to "Bell-bottom blues"
And I agree with the suggestion of "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds.
PS "My girl" being #1 makes me want to barf. Can we get any cornier here, children?
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This list is gayer than the guy above me.=]
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uhmmm... was this list compiled before the release of I don't wanna miss a thing by aerosmith... it was my bet and i rarely make mistakes....
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No Rod Stewart? (Tonight's the Night is a song that really gets a woman in the mood if she's even halfway thinking about wanting it! His version of Have I Told You Lately is better than Van Morrison's, too!) Also, no Flamingoes (I Only Have Eyes For You which is one of the greatest love songs ever! And did I miss Percy Sledge When A Man Loves A Woman? It's generally recognized as the #1 love song of all time! Ambrosia's You're The Only Woman, Little River Band Reminiscing, man they left some plums off this list!
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where is sam cooke, where is smokey robinson, i mean if i saw any less motown on this list id be crying right now, speaking of which i don't even see crying on this list
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The comments are far more interesting than the list. Obviously, there are some poor sad souls out there who aren't intelligent enough to realize that music is a substance much like food or dress style....it's based on 'taste' !
This list uses the popularity, the number of cd/record sales, weeks spent in the top of the charts, uses in other media, etc.
While we may not 'LIKE' a particular song and 'LIKE' some more than others....this list is A VERY ACCURATE LISTING of best all time love songs.
The fact you may disagree with it, does NOT make you a music expert.
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no journey!!!! WTF
open arms and faithfully totally should have been on here
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No Luther Vandross?! LOL come on man, what is this list writer thinking?
His songs "Hear and Now" and "Never Too Much" tops most of the songs on the list.
Hear his other songs they'll top the list as well
especially if you really need some love songs to listen to and you like R&B of course...I do
like some songs on this list though but you can't forget Luther.
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What? wheres god only knows by the beach boys? and Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls? this is bogus, both of those are better than alot of these songs
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Day After Day - Badfinger
Traces Of Love - ???
Black - Pearl Jam
Nights In White Satin - Moody Blues
If Lovin' You Is Wrong (I don't wanna be right)
But definite, some good songs on the list.
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I thought love is all around, wet wet wet and shania twain, from this moment would rate a mention...
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Wow! I don't even want to know the methodology they used to create this stupid list. While even the most ardent critic can agree that there are certainly some great songs on here, the absence of even the overly-commercialized "Always and Forever" by Heatwave, the lesser know "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me," covered by Gladys Knight was disgustingly surprising.
"Ribbon in the Sky" should replace "I Just Called," though not as high on the list. How about adding "I Thought About You" by Luther Vandross, or anything by him, period? Heck, MJ's "PYT," "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," or even "The Lady in My Life" are all better than 1/3 of this crap. I could right all night on this, so needless to say this list is a waste of time.
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How come Richard Marx - Right Here Waiting Aint on here?
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Kisten to HIM if you want a love song. End of Discussion
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or The Cure WTF!
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or The Cure WTF!
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Two songs that should have been here -
1. Bryan Adams, "Everything I Do (I do if for you)
2. The Moody Blues, "Knights in White Satin"
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A great deal of the list is indeed very great. But forgotten is:
José Gonzales - Heartbeats (originally by the knife)
Sort Sol - Let your fingers do the walking
Bonnie Tyler - Total eclipse of the heart
Art Garfunkel - I Believe (When I fall in love it will be forever)
Alphaville - Forever young
The Drifters - Kissing in the back row
(Whitney Housten - I will allways love you)
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A few of my personal favs that weren't on the list:
~Eagles, "Love Will Keep Us Alive"
~Bruce Springsteen, "If I Should Fall Behind"
~Bon Jovi, "I'll Be There for You"
~Bon Jovi, "Always"
~Poison, "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"
~Don Henley (Eagles), "Heart of the Matter"
~Alan Jackson, "Remember When"
~Bob Seger, "Night Moves"
~Boston, "Amanda"
~Brad Paisley feat. Alison Krauss, "Whiskey Lullaby"
~Brooks & Dunn, "You're Gonna Miss Me"
~Zakk Wylde, "Sweet Jesus"
~Cranberries, "Linger"
This could take all night, I better stop.
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these are the days of our lives - queen
im already there - lonestar
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what about "More Than Words" (Extreme)??
"Love of my Life" (Queen)
"God Only Knows" (Beach Boys)
There are many Beatles songs missing too
who in the hell wrote this list??
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First of all, this list is absurd, simply because in the rock-n-roll era (50's to the present), a love song is generally a sweet, smooth, timeless ballad; it is a slow, romantic song. Whose idea was it to include several uptempo songs on this list? "You Make Loving Fun," "Take On Me" and "Last Dance," for example, are songs which reference love is some way; however, they are not tender and romantic; therefore, they are not quintessential, classic love songs. This list is bizarre; it makes no sense whatsoever. Just off the top of my head, I can come up with several timeless ballads which would easily fall into the greatest love song category:
God Only Knows (Beach Boys)
And I Love Her (Beatles)
Never My Love (The Association)
We've Only Just Begun (Carpenters)
Longer (Dan Fogelberg)
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (Shirelles)
Love Me Tender (Elvis Presley)
Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel)
Your Song (Elton John)
All I Have to Do Is Dream (Everly Brothers)
You Are the Sunshine of My Life (Stevie Wonder)
Here, There & Everywhere (Beatles)
...to name a few obvious choices.
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This list so stupid... Is this all youve got??? come on...
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Just Like A Woman by Bob Dylan should not be on that list, it's not a love song.
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"Thank You" by Led Zeppelin, could not believe it wasn't on the list.
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WTF? Shining Star by Earth Wind and Fire? Good song but not a love song. Shining Star by Manhattans on the other hand, should be on here.
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I am looking for a song title that I heard just before Valentine's Day on a station that was playing the 50 greatest love songs. I only heard the end of the song, but it was by a man, and it is an older song, I thought Percy Sledge, but haven't been able to find it.
The words I remember are, "just when you think I or (he) don't understand you, just turn around and you will see, I'll be there or (he) before you can count, one, two, three, yes I (he) will, yes I will.
I would love to know the title and singer if you can help.
Thanks
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well Im surprise Lovesong by The Cure was not on here, and there definitly should have been some Journey. well If I was to make this list I probably couldn't list a hundred songs...im pretty picky, but I know My Girl would not be #1, and Unchained Melody would probably be higher cause I love to karaoke to it lol.
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i love lovesong so much.......
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Seems Like The greatest love song "Linger" with the Cranberries is missing
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i love love songs
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this list is terrible! no bryan adams??? no journey??? no led zepplin??? no r kelly??? no firehouse??? no lonestar??? no air supply??? no bon jovi??? no bryan adams??? who ever came up with this list must really no know too much about music.
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Where's Chicago, Billy Joel, where's Wildflower by Skylark...and if you are going to put Dexie's Midnight Runners on the List how about Boys to Men or Insync..they had better songs than this. Along with all the other great advice...
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No
_tim mcgraw
-keith urban
- rascal flatts
SO TOTALLY INEXCUSABLE
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Ten overlooked
Miracles (if only you believe)-Jefferson Starship/martin balin
Everlasting Love- Carl Carlton
Bring it on home to me-Sam Cooke
More than This-Roxy Music,( I prefer 10000 maniacs version,) but both are great.
Baby I need your lovin-Four Tops
You've got to hide your love away-Beatles
For your Precious Love-Jerry Butler
Memphis Tennessee-Chuck Berry. Also, Johnny Rivers is Good. (No one said this list coulldn't include a fathers love for his daughter.
Come Monday-Jimmy Buffet
Wev'e got tonight-Bob Seger
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Johnny Mathis.- It's not for me to say These should have been considered in
The Beatles.- Something the top 20. Some not All of the songs are
Frank Sinatra.- Strangers in the Night way retarded for my taste.
Abba.- The winner takes it alll i Stevie Wonder.- Golden Lady
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Oh.. you guys come on, why read the list if you have no good comments. Luck for most of us we have different tast. Nobody can force you to listen to the songs. There are good songs among them, and if you are realy in love with somebody you will enjoy all love songs.
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to all!!!!!!!!
make your own list..stupid..
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How about "In The Still of The Night"
The Five Satins?????????????
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Whitesnake's Is This Love and Chilliwack's I Believe are great love songs. So is Gino Vinelli's I Just Wanna Stop. These stood the test of time.
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RIGHT??????? That was the number one love song for a LONg time!! Considered the best love song n the 20th century!!!!!
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Songs like Faithfully from Journey are great for those who have that perfect love story in their lives... who have that person they always wanted.. who were absolutely in love and were lucky enough to marry that person... but what about all the people out there who lost that soulmate.. that first crush they never got over.. that girl you realize you walked away from when you were a kid, only to discover in mid-life that she is in fact everything you've ever wanted in a woman.. and you love her more than you could possibly say in mere words? Say.. you found her again.. and this time she rejects your many attempts and rekindling that long lost love.. that first, true love that you'd now give anything for... you'd trade anything and everything for another chance with her.. but so far it doesn't look like she'll ever feel the same way about you? What about that type of love song? Where you'd cross the world a million times just to spend one day with her? This is my reality now.. the pain just wont' subside.. and I cry my guts out for this perfectly beautiful unique lovely woman.. her face is a vision of loveliness... I think I'm going to cry my guts out forever at this point.. What about that kind of love song?
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what about Coldplay? The Scientist !!! and Damien Rice?!!
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No "Something" by 'The Beatles" -???
"The Greatest Love Song of All-Time" - Frank Sinatra
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Wow, complainers, so it isn't the best list?
make your own damn list then and shut up.
Geeze.
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LAWL, most of the songs by the comenters r worse than the list. First of all no country fans need apply there posts because country sucks and even among them rascal flatts...come on. Second someone mentioned weezer ...omg ur a joke, and classic would pretell to older love songs...thus CLASSIC s those of u complaining that your favourite shitty bands song is not on here go QQ else where .. ty
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Sorry i am not happy with this selection.... there are so many song that should be on here that are not
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Hear Me Now by Saint John and the Revelations is on my list at the moment. So simple and true.
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Ok, a Clapton song should have been 3, but it should have been Layla, why is Layla not on this list, its the perfect love song!
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