1. “Pushing it Down and Praying” – Live From AFAS, Amsterdam — Lizzy McAlpine

Love is a complex emotion that we don’t really understand. One of the best examples of this is how no one can really control who you love or find yourself falling for.

Lizzy McAlpine emphasizes this in her song, “Pushing it Down and Praying,” with the live version–where you can truly feel the ache in her voice—amplifying this further.

2. “Love Me” — Elvis Presley

There’s nothing better than an old school love song, especially from the King of Rock N Roll, Mr. Elvis Presley.

The name “Love Me” is self-explanatory, and centers around a theme of begging for “some loving”, even at the expense of your own self-respect.

Although this begging can be a bit much, it’s still a perfect oldie for a yearning soul that desperately craves the feeling of being loved by someone.

3. “Prototype” — Outkast

Outkast, best known for their two most popular songs, “Ms. Jackson” and “Hey Ya!” takes a spin on the love wheel in the hip hop world with “Prototype”.

The thought of being in an ideal relationship with someone is what we all dream about, but to hopefully get there one day, most have to go through lots of “prototype” relationships.

In this song, Outkast talks about the fragility and complexity of a new relationship and the endless questions that come along with it. Questions like, “is this actual love or just another prototype for a future relationship to come?”

4. “Good Luck, Babe!” — Chappell Roan

“Good Luck, Babe!” took the pop sphere for a ride last year and thrust the LGBTQ+ community into the spotlight, and it’s easy to see why.

In this song, Chappell Roan channels a question many in this new ear of love situationships have been asking, if what they have with someone is actually love or simply casual.

5. “intro (end of the world)” – extended — Ariana Grande

When you think you know, you know. But does that mean putting up with more from “your person” than you would with anyone else? Love, or the idea of it, can only do so much. And how far would you be willing to fight for that idea until you break?

Finding the right person and knowing that they are can be one of the most challenging things in the world, and Ariana Grande does a beautiful job at putting this together in the introduction song to her “eternal sunshine: brighter days ahead” deluxe album.

6. “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” — Jeff Buckley

For those who yearn quietly from the sidelines, those that feel like they missed the perfect moment to ask out that person they’ve liked, this six-minute love ballad may apply perfectly.

Jeff Buckley’s “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” speaks upon the innocence of love and how easily it can become lost in the naivety or blind ignorance of youth, accomplished by giving a fool’s heartbroken perspective of love.

7. “Everyone Adores You (at least I do)” — Matt Maltese

With the start of the new year comes the start of lots of new relationships. And with these new relationships, lots of couples have begun entering their awkward honeymoon phases. “Everyone Adores You (at least I do)” is the perfect song to describe this new love.

Matt Maltese speaks upon the insecurities that can often be brought on by new relationships and responds to them by creating this song of a partner’s reassurance. How, even through the hardships and unknowns life brings, someone will be there for you and love you.

8. “Bless the Telephone” — Labi Siffre

Labi Siffre’s “Bless the Telephone” is for those in long distant relationships, waiting patiently for those precious daily calls with their partner.

Siffre is able to shed light on a type of love that is formed when you’re only able to interact for very limited moments at a time, emphasizing how much those short and simple conversations with questions like “How are you” can easily translate into “I miss you,” and “I care”.

9. “More Of You” — Chris Stapleton

Most country music lovers are already aware of Chris Stapleton’s incredible ability to encapsulate the sense of yearning within his love songs, making music for couples to dance to and claim as “their” song for years to come.

“More Of You” describes a type of love only to be found after many years of memories and growth with a true life partner. A stubborn love, that after years of each changing as people both in and out of the relationship, will always stay strong and true.

10. “I’d Rather Go Blind” — Etta James

With some of the most notable love songs under her belt (“Trust in Me”, “If I Can’t Have You”), Etta James creates another classic song of heartbreak and pining perfectly suited for those recently out of relationships.

The song presents a timeless story of the heartbreak and resurgence of repressed feelings when an ex-partner is first seen with someone new. It’s a song for everyone not quite over that one person yet.