The 100 best love songs of all time

If music be the food of love, play on! – Twelfth Night, Act I, Scene I

As Shakespeare so aptly put it, music and romance go hand in hand. We pick first dances at weddings; couples have ‘our’ song; teenagers who are too shy to say it out loud declare their love via mix-tape (or, more likely these days, an online playlist).

The 100 best love songs: choosing the greatest

But is there a definitive list of the best love songs ever? No – and there can never be – because music is so subjective. But can we try? You betcha.

We’ve compiled a Spotify® list that showcases 100 of the best love songs of all time. From sexy soul to perky pop, there’s something here for everyone – click through the slideshow to see our countdown and to find out more about what makes each track just so great. Think of it as our mix-tape for you.