~Love Songs to set the Tone~

I know Valentine's day has passed but it's still the month for love. This blog will be all about love songs that set the tone.

Now I know there are some cheesy love songs out there that make you want to cringe, but the following comes from a few people I know including a mystery guest as well as a few songs I love too.

Do comment on our socials if you want to add your favourites!

Without further ado, I present to you the top 20 love songs as told by myself and some friends.

• Can't Take My Eyes off you- Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons- This is an absolute classic that the late Heath Ledger performed in the teen movie "10 Things I hate About You"- His version takes this song to near the top of the cheese-ohmmeter but the original is amazing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rore790l_sk&t=126s (Heath Ledger Version)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J36z7AnhvOM (Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons)

• Love Changes Everything- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Culn_hWWUw (Michael Ball Version) A classic from one of the greatest shows on earth- The Phantom of the Opera.

• Endless Love- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bwwo7ctG10 This is one of our mystery guest's picks and they love this song. It maybe a bit cheesy but it has a warm snuggle feeling to it. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross made a hit with this song in the 80's.

• Three Times A Lady- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9GlSzV9jVY The Commodores released this song in the late 70's and it has become a firm favourite across the world. It gives us goose bumps when we hear it.

• Midnight Train to Georgia- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwbmufPphP0 This hit by Gladys Knight & The Pips is one classic we'll never forget in a hurry. A woman's sacrifice of leaving LA for Georgia to see the man she loves. What a lovely romantic story!

• A Love That's Lasted Through the Years- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwpTvovf8L0 This song was sung by Big Tom & Margo O'Donnell (she's Daniel O'Donnell's sister). I love this song so much so it's on repeat at least twice a week in my kitchen. Unfortunately Big Tom passed away in 2018 and his death was a great loss to the Irish community. His songs live in our hearts and will do so forever. It's a beautiful love song about Big Tom's wife (he wasn't married to Margo) who passed away a few months prior to his death. When you write a love song about your wife, it becomes a personal song of love, joy and hope.

• All I ask of You- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE1T0lS_Zzo This song is another classic from The Phantom of the Opera. This version is by Josh Groban & Kelly Clarkson. Musically they make a great pairing. I'm trying to convince Duncan that it's a lovely song.

• These Are The Days- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lyve_egY8o Van Morrison is a triumph in writing and composing love songs. This song features on the soundtrack of the film "Nine Months" starring Julianne Moore & Hugh Grant. It's a song both me and Duncan love. Sometimes he dances around the living room with me (making silly faces in the process- causing me to laugh intensely.)

• Grow Old With You- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKs3bybeTO8 This song comes from one of the cheesiest films ever called "The Wedding Singer". We actually like this film! Adam Sandler wrote this song alongside Tim Herlihy and Adam sings it on the soundtrack and in the film itself. This one is a cute love song. Worth a listen :)

• Just The Way You Are- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjhCEhWiKXk Now we know that Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) used the famous line "I like you just the way you are" in the Bridget Jones film series. Bruno Mars wrote this song telling a story of love. It makes me smile every time I hear it!

• More Than Words- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrIiLvg58SY This song was written by the band Extreme in the early 90's. It's very different from their funk metal style of music. The ballad notes that there's more to just saying 'I Love You'. I love the acoustic style of this song and it's a favourite to sing.

• She- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O040xuq2FR0 Elvis Costello's version of this for the film 'Notting Hill' is so amazing that it automatically makes you think about Love. It's one of those songs though that's like Marmite- you either love it or hate it.

• The Way You Look Tonight- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5c_lZIRrwU 'Someday, when I'm awfully low. When the world is cold, I will feel a glow just thinking of you, and the way you look tonight...' I love this version by Steve Tyrell. it features on the 'Father of the Bride' soundtrack and that was one of the first films I saw with Steve Martin & Diane Keaton in. The original was sung by Fred Astaire.

• L.O.V.E- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_HmF84G7ZY L.O.V.E was written and composed for Nat King Cole. He released it in 1964 as a single and it was featured on his 1965 album 'L.O.V.E'. It's quite a popular choice. Often used as a 'First Dance' song for a wedding.

• Everything- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_HmF84G7ZY Michael Bublé is someone who knows a lot about Love and sings a lot about it too! His voice is charismatic, he melts everyone's heart and brings joy to everyone. This song 'Everything' is the perfect song to declare to someone that they are your everything.

• You Send Me- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JDTXZ1S2Cs Sam Cooke originally wrote and sung this song- but this version by Aretha Franklin is just magical. It makes me dance around the house every time I hear it.

• Moondance- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kfYOGndVfU Van Morrison's classic song Moondance is one to dance with your partner to. It's sensual but encourages time together (without work, children and life in general getting in the way). I love the jazz tones to it as well. This song has been used for weddings too!

• Have I Told You Lately- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZxzZFddmTg This is another one of Van Morrison's brilliant creations. Rod Stewart sang a beautiful cover of this and apart from Van Morrison himself, Rod Stewarts version reminds me of what it's like to be in love.

• For You- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQUuqbzQVsY The lovely Rita Ora & Liam Payne sang this song for the Fifty Shades Freed film (part of the Fifty Shades film series). Now I know that Fifty Shades is not everyone's cup of tea but the music from the films is incredible. This song talks about when you don't search for someone to love but that they are thrown in the midst of your life when you least expect it.

• Your Song- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlPlfCy1urI Elton John's melodic song is popular at weddings, and is nothing short of lovely. The words alone speak warmly of love and the music accompanying it compliments the lyrics.

So there you have it. Our top 20 love songs to set the tone for a romantic Valentine's evening. Do let us know if you think one of your favourites should be in our list.

Love,

Lily