When the calendar turns to Valentine’s Day, the world seems to move to the rhythm of love. Couples walk hand in hand with bouquets in tow, and every corner is filled with heartfelt melodies.
This Valentine’s Day, #legend_TH invites you to take a journey through time and revisit love songs that are more than just chart-topping hits. These are defining anthems of their eras, timeless classics whose emotional impact continues to resonate today.
1960s : “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley
First released in 1961 for the film Blue Hawaii, this enduring ballad captures the inevitability of falling in love, likening emotion to a river flowing naturally toward the sea. Inspired by the 18th-century French song “Plaisir d’amour,” it was originally written from a female perspective under the title “Can’t Help Falling in Love with Him.” The track later became one of Presley’s signature closing numbers during the final years of his career and has since been covered by countless artists, cementing its place as one of the greatest love songs of all time.
1970s : “Let’s Stay Together” – Al Green
Released in 1971, this soulful anthem speaks of unwavering devotion through both good times and bad. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the chart for 16 weeks, while also holding the number one position on the R&B chart for nine weeks. Ranked by Billboard as one of the best-selling singles of 1972, it became a defining love song of the 1970s and a blueprint for romantic R&B in the decades that followed.
1980s : “I Just Called to Say I Love You” – Stevie Wonder
Released in 1984 for the film The Woman in Red, this straightforward declaration of love resonated instantly with audiences worldwide. With lyrics about calling simply to say “I love you,” no special occasion required, the song became one of the decade’s most sincere romantic hits. It topped charts in over 20 countries, reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
1990s : “My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion
The unforgettable theme from Titanic (1997), this ballad tells a story of enduring love in the face of loss. Powered by Dion’s soaring vocals and a sweeping melody, the song became inseparable from the film’s global success. Selling over 18 million copies worldwide, topping charts in more than 25 countries, and winning multiple Grammy Awards including Record of the Year, it remains one of the best-selling singles in history.
2000s : “We Belong Together” – Mariah Carey
Released in 2005 as the standout single from The Emancipation of Mimi, this R&B-infused pop ballad explores longing and the realization that a loved one is irreplaceable. The song dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks and was named the number one song of 2005. Widely regarded as one of the most successful singles of the 2000s, it marked a triumphant comeback for Carey and reaffirmed her place at the top of the music industry.
2010s : “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran
Released in 2017 from the album ÷ (Divide), “Perfect” tells the story of young love growing into lifelong partnership. The song became a global wedding favorite, topping both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. With over three billion streams on Spotify and Diamond certification in the United States, its popularity continues to endure. The duet version featuring Beyoncé and the orchestral “Perfect Symphony” collaboration with Andrea Bocelli further expanded its timeless romantic appeal, solidifying its status as a modern-day love classic.
