A recent study has unveiled the ultimate tracks that set the mood for love, pinpointing the most beloved romantic anthems leading up to Valentine’s Day. This research sifted through Spotify’s ‘love song’ playlists to identify which tunes are the favorites among listeners. The findings spotlight renowned musicians like Ed Sheeran, John Legend, and James Arthur as pivotal figures whose tracks are often the soundtrack to romance.
Topping the charts, Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” emerged as the quintessential love song across Spotify playlists, with another of his hits, “Thinking Out Loud,” securing a place in the top five. This study, conducted by the team at QR Code Generator QRFY, utilized Spotify’s Playlist Miner to analyze over 1,000 playlists titled ‘love songs,’ uncovering the most frequently featured tracks.
“Perfect” by Ed Sheeran not only dominates the romantic playlists but also boasts 2.7 billion streams globally, appearing 129 times across these playlists. This track also shines as a popular choice for weddings, coming in as the second favorite. Since its release in 2017, “Perfect” has enjoyed top chart positions in both the US and UK.
John Legend’s heartfelt “All of Me” follows closely behind, found in 120 ‘love songs’ playlists. This ballad, which Legend penned for his wife, Chrissy Teigen, also features prominently in wedding playlists. “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur claims the third spot, resonating in 98 playlists and amassing over 2.6 billion streams on Spotify.
The Arctic Monkeys’ “I Wanna Be Yours” takes the fourth place, proving its enduring appeal with 77 playlist appearances. Despite its modest chart performance, the song’s romantic lyrics have captured listeners’ hearts. Ed Sheeran makes a second appearance in the top five with “Thinking Out Loud,” a favorite in both romantic and wedding playlists.
The study also highlights other timeless love songs, including Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting,” Whitney Houston’s rendition of “I Will Always Love You,” and Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is.” Additionally, Peter Cetera’s “Glory of Love” and Ruth B.’s “Dandelions” share the ninth spot, while Calum Scott’s “You Are The Reason” completes the top ten.
Notable mentions just outside the top rankings include Bruno Mars’s “Just the Way You Are,” Phil Collins’s “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now),” and George Michael’s “Careless Whisper,” each a staple in romantic playlists yet narrowly missing the highest positions.
