51 best love songs of all time

38. “Make You Feel My Love,” Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan doesn’t have to describe going to the ends of the Earth to prove his feelings for whichever lucky person was the inspiration behind this song — it’s the small gestures (like a warm embrace) that make all the difference.

39. “Because You Loved Me,” Celine Dion

The Priestess of Pop puts beautiful words to the act of standing by someone, no matter what life throws.

40. “Just the Way You Are,” Bruno Mars

Chances are, you read that song title and then sang it back to yourself a second time. There are few people who haven’t heard this song, be it at a wedding, a dance, or on the radio. Love is all around, friends!

41. “Adore You,” Harry Styles

Harry Styles has a way with words that’s both descriptive and deceptively simple: “You don’t have to say you love me, I just wanna tell you somethin.’ Lately you’ve been on my mind.” It’s a whole lot of sentiment in just a couple of sentences.

42. “Want You Back,” Haim

There’s some serious regret and retrospection happening in this love song: “Just know that I want you, I’ll take the fall and the fault in us. I’ll give you all the love I never gave before I left you.” Oof.

43. “Lover,” Taylor Swift

Those early-in-love feelings, there’s a reason why most people want to fall for someone. T-Swift tacklesnails it in a single line: “Have I known you 20 seconds or 20 years?”

44. “Mystery of Love,” Sufjan Stevens

Ethereal and heartbreaking — two of Sufan Stevens’ favorite themes. And this song is no exception, quickly waffling between the whole-body feeling of being in love and the world-busting pain of losing someone.

45. “You’ve Got the Love,” Florence and the Machine

Your partner in love can be many things: a best friend, a collaborator, a complete annoyance. Florence Welsh digs into that last role and the lighthearted feeling of knowing that you just have to throw your hands up in the air and say “Lord I just don’t care.”

46. “Drunk in Love,” Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z

Beyoncé and Jay-Z bring alllll of their real-life chemistry into this song.

47. “With You,” Mariah Carey

Mariah is the queen of setting the scene and in this one, she’s trying real hard to deny someone who’s been holding a flame for a long time.

48. “Cheek to Cheek,” Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald makes her happiness clear from the first line of the song: “Heaven, I’m in heaven.” It’s a classic for a reason.

49. “You Got Me,” Erykah Badu and The Roots

Erykah Badu joins The Roots to sing what may be the most fun love song to ever exist.

50. “Make Me Feel,” Janelle Monáe

Funky and dancefloor-ready, Janelle Monáe captures that hip-shaking kind of romance. The moody music video is well worth a watch, too.

51. “Nothing Even Matters,” Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill says it all: “Your love makes me feel ten feet tall.”

This story was originally published on Teen Vogue.