10 Best Songs For Lovers Only

Feature Photo: dam McCullough / Shutterstock.com

There are love songs—and then there are songs for lovers. The kind that don’t just play in the background, but wrap around you like candlelight. These are the tracks that turn the volume down on the world and bring the heart into full focus. At ClassicRockHistory.com, we’ve covered thousands of songs, but every so often, a certain kind of track rises above the rest—not just romantic, but timeless, classy, and deeply intimate.

“10 Best Songs for Lovers Only” is a collection of those rare recordings where everything comes together: the voice, the mood, the arrangement, the story. Some of these will be instantly familiar—others might surprise you. But every song here has one thing in common: they speak directly to that part of the soul that still believes in candlelit evenings, whispered promises, and holding someone close without saying a word.

Whether you’re looking to create the perfect atmosphere or simply revisit the songs that once set your heart racing, this list is for you.

# 10 – The Look Of Love – Diana Krall

We didn’t know whether to open this list with this song or save it for the closer. It’s just that perfect. In the end, we decided to lead with it because it so beautifully sets the mood for everything this list is about—romance, elegance, and a sense of intimate connection. This legendary tune, written by Burt Bacharach with lyrics by Hal David, has been interpreted by countless artists over the decades, but Diana Krall’s rendition offers something entirely unique.

Krall recorded her version for her 2001 album The Look of Love, produced by Tommy LiPuma and arranged by Claus Ogerman. With its lush orchestration, slow-burning tempo, and Krall’s breathy, jazz-tinged vocals, her interpretation of the song adds a new dimension of sensuality and restraint. It’s not over-sung. It’s not embellished. It’s delivered with a quiet kind of confidence that draws you in and holds you there.

Her take on “The Look of Love” may not have been the first or the most famous, but in many ways, it feels like the definitive version for modern lovers. It’s the sound of candlelight flickering in a quiet room, of two people connected by more than just words. Krall doesn’t just cover the song—she inhabits it. What an artist.

# 9 – Tonight’s The Night – Rod Stewart

We continue with another blonde-haired singer—and one of rock’s most notorious romantics. With “Tonight’s the Night,” Rod Stewart delivered a track that oozes seduction without ever feeling forced. Released in 1976 on his A Night on the Town album, the song became one of the most provocative hits of its era, and one of the most memorable.

Built on a slow, sensual groove and Stewart’s raspy, whisper-in-your-ear delivery, “Tonight’s the Night” was a bold declaration of romantic intent. The lyrics are direct, even daring, as he gently coaxes a lover into surrender. French whispers by then-girlfriend Britt Ekland add to the song’s sultry mystique, making it one of the few mainstream rock hits that managed to sound both radio-friendly and downright intimate.

The song spent eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the biggest hit of Stewart’s career in the United States.

# 8 – You And Me – Alice Cooper

Since we’re a rock site, we’ve got to make sure we get the Coop on this list—because this one just feels right. “You and Me” might surprise casual fans who know Alice Cooper primarily for shock rock theatrics, but longtime listeners know there’s always been a softer, more sentimental side under the makeup and stage blood.

Released in 1977 as the lead single from the Lace and Whiskey album, “You and Me” is a tender ballad that strips away the bravado. With gentle acoustic guitar, subtle strings, and Cooper’s unexpectedly vulnerable vocal delivery, the song paints a picture of domestic intimacy and quiet devotion: “You and me ain’t no movie stars / What we are is what we are…”

The track became a major hit, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reminding the world that Alice Cooper wasn’t just a master of macabre spectacle—he could write a love song that hit just as hard as any of his anthems. It’s a slow dance for grown-ups. A reminder that even the godfather of theatrical rock had a heart. And on a list made for lovers, “You and Me” earns its place without a hint of irony.

Read More: Top 10 Alice Cooper Love Songs

# 7 – Come Away With Me – Norah Jones

As effective as the lyrics are, the real strength behind this song lies in the mood—the tone, the groove, and especially that voice. When Norah Jones sings “Come Away With Me,” you’re pretty much going to want to do anything she says.

Released in 2002 as the title track from her Grammy-winning debut album Come Away With Me, the song is a masterclass in subtle persuasion. It’s not a power ballad or a dramatic declaration of love. Instead, it’s an invitation—a whisper in the dark. Blending elements of jazz, folk, and soft rock, the track floats on a gentle rhythm and acoustic textures that leave plenty of space for Jones’s smoky, intimate vocals to draw you in.

Read More: Top 10 Norah Jones Songs

# 6 – Leather And Lace – Stevie Nicks & Don Henley

You get two for the price of one with this song—thanks to the breathtaking vocal performances of both Stevie Nicks and Don Henley. When two voices as iconic as these come together, it’s not just a duet—it’s a conversation between souls.

Written by Stevie Nicks and originally intended for Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter, “Leather and Lace” ended up being recorded by Nicks herself as a duet with Eagles frontman Don Henley. It was released in 1981 on her solo debut album Bella Donna and quickly climbed to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song’s magic lies in its contrast—softness and strength, vulnerability and resolve

# 5 – Michele – The Beatles

Well, since this is a list about songs for lovers, we tried really hard to get a little bit of French in there—and what better way to do it than through The Beatles? A lot of people might have leaned toward “Something” by George Harrison—which we would’ve had no problem with—but there’s something a little extra special about this one.

“Michelle,” written primarily by Paul McCartney with help from John Lennon, appeared on the Beatles’ 1965 album Rubber Soul. It’s a gentle, wistful ballad wrapped in acoustic guitar and subtle harmonies, with that instantly recognizable touch of French—“Michelle, ma belle / These are words that go together well…” That elegant phrase, sung in McCartney’s softest register, became a symbol of romantic charm for generations of fans. It’s charming, classy, and just exotic enough to make it feel like you’re being serenaded in a Paris café. That alone earns it its place here.

# 4 – All I Know – Art Garfunkel

With the voice of an angel, this song is guaranteed to set the mood. Released in 1973 as the lead single from Angel Clare, Art Garfunkel’s debut solo album, “All I Know” was written by Jimmy Webb and became one of Garfunkel’s most enduring solo hits. From the moment his voice enters, gentle and aching, there’s a purity and vulnerability that immediately fills the room. It’s not flashy. It speaks to the fragility of love and the strength it takes to hold onto it. Whether you’re deep in the throes of romance or just settling in beside someone you care about, this song creates the perfect atmosphere. Soft, heartfelt, and deeply moving—this one lingers long after it ends.

Read More: Top 10 Art Garfunkel Songs

# 3 – Ooh Baby Baby – Linda Ronstadt

One can’t create a list of songs for lovers without including the stunning Linda Ronstadt—and her version of “Ooh Baby Baby” earns its place with ease. Ronstadt took this Smokey Robinson classic and made it entirely her own.

Originally recorded by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles in 1965, “Ooh Baby Baby” was already a slow-burn soul masterpiece. But when Ronstadt covered it in 1978 for her album Living in the USA, she brought a new layer of vulnerability and strength to the song. Her voice floats gently over the arrangement, blending elegance and ache in a way that cuts right to the heart.

Produced by Peter Asher, the track doesn’t try to outshine the original—it simply honors it with sincerity. Ronstadt’s delivery is restrained, never showy, allowing the emotion to simmer just beneath the surface. It’s a song of regret and longing, yes, but also of tenderness. And when she sings that title phrase—“Ooh baby baby”—you can feel the heartbreak and hope intertwined in every syllable.

Ronstadt’s take remains one of the most moving interpretations of a Motown classic and a perfect addition to any list meant for lovers only.

# 2 – Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers

This song has always been one of the most romantic ever written—but when it was featured in the 1990 film Ghost, during that unforgettable scene between Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze at the pottery wheel, it took on a whole new life. Suddenly, a love song from 1965 was introduced to a new generation, and it hasn’t left the cultural conversation since.

Originally composed by Alex North with lyrics by Hy Zaret for the 1955 film Unchained, the song had been covered by numerous artists before The Righteous Brothers recorded their now-iconic version. Produced by Phil Spector’s associate Bill Medley (who also sings lead), the track was released in 1965 and has become their signature song—defined by Bobby Hatfield’s soaring, emotional vocal and the sparse, dramatic arrangement that gives the melody room to breathe.

There’s a timeless ache in “Unchained Melody”—a longing that feels both celestial and deeply personal. When Hatfield holds the note on “I need your love…” it’s almost otherworldly. And yet, it’s that down-to-earth vulnerability that makes it resonate so deeply. Hands down, it’s one of the most loved—and most enduring—songs of all time.

Read More: Top 10 Righteous Brothers Songs

# 1 – What You Won’t Do For Love – Bobby Caldwell

This one just has it all—class, style, soul, and an absolutely incredible vocal performance. Simply put, it’s perfect. Released in 1978 on Bobby Caldwell’s self-titled debut album, “What You Won’t Do for Love” became an instant classic. Blending smooth jazz, R&B, and soft rock, the song was a crossover success, climbing the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts and eventually becoming one of the most recognizable love songs of its era.

What makes it so powerful is how effortless it feels. The groove is silky, the horn arrangement subtle, and that voice—rich, aching, and sincere—feels like it was born to sing this song. Caldwell delivers lines like “I guess you wonder where I’ve been / I searched to find a love within” with a kind of understated honesty that just pulls you in.

Read More: Top 10 Bobby Caldwell Songs