1970s Love Songs: Groovy Romance Hits That Defined an Era
For a complete list of 70s songs for weddings, please visit our best 1970s songs for weddings list.
We will offer our favorite 70s love songs by year with 2 songs from each year.
The 70s were about love and peace and war. Those feelings were expressed through popular music.
However, we want to showcase the love songs of the 1970s that reflect love in a relationship only.
We feature songs in many different styles including rock, R&B, and pop music.
Top 1970s Love Songs List
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel
Released in February 1970, Album: Bridge Over Troubled Water
Won 5 Grammys: Song Of The Year, Record Of The Year, Best Contemporary Song, Best Engineered Record, and Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists. The album also won Album Of The Year.
The song is about comforting someone who is having a difficult time and letting them know that this too shall pass.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
I’ll Be There – Jackson 5
September 1970, Third Album
A song that is popular for a parent and child to dance at a wedding because it signifies that they will be there for each other for support.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’ll be there with a love that’s strong
I’ll be your strength
I’ll keep holdin’ on (holdin’ on)
Yes I will, yes I will
Next, read 1950s love playlist.
You’ve Got A Friend – James Taylor
Released in June 1971, Album: Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon
Won Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Male.
A song about being there for a friend. It is commonly played for formal dances at receptions when the dancers do not have a lovey-dovey relationship.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running, oh yeah baby, to see you again
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Released in December 1971, Album: Let’s Stay Together
Won Best Contemporary Vocal Performance by a Male.
A very popular wedding anniversary song particularly for a dance at a reception for the longest-married couple because the song talks about staying together forever.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Ooh, loving you forever
Is what I need
Let me, be the one you come running to
I’ll never be untrue
If – Bread
Released in January 1971, Album: Manna
A romantic slow song about having internal love and devoting your life to them.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
If a man could be two places at one time
I’d be with you
Tomorrow and today
Beside you all the way
Check out the 1960s love playlist.
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack
Released in March 1972, Album: First Take
Won Record of The Year and Song of the Year.
A song about having love at first sight and wanting to love them for the rest of your life.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
Lean On Me – Bill Withers
Released in April 1972, Album: Still Bill
A song about assuring someone you care about that you will be there to help them through life’s challenges.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
Released in March 1973, Album: Talking Book
Won Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Male.
A song dedication from a parent to their child that they are your whole world and that the child makes the parent’s life better.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
You are the sunshine of my life
That’s why I’ll always stay around
You are the apple of my eye
Forever you’ll stay in my heart
Just You ‘N’ Me – Chicago
Released in September 1973, Album: Chicago VI
A song about finding the person of your dreams to spend the rest of your life with and sharing experiences together.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
You are my love in my life
And you are my inspiration
Just you and me
Don’t forget to see a 1980s love playlist.
I Honestly Love You – Olivia Newton-John
Released in September 1974, Album: If You Love Me, Let Me Know
Won Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Female.
A ballad acknowledging to your lover that you love them.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And you should realize
That it’s coming from my heart and not my head
I love you
I honestly love you
You’re the First, the Last, My Everything – Barry White
Released in December 1974, Album: Can’t Get Enough
An upbeat love song to sing to your lover to let them know they are the last person you will ever love and that they are your whole world.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I see so many ways that I
Can love you ’til the day I die
You’re my reality, yet I’m lost in a dream
You’re the first, the last, my everything
Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain & Tenille
Released in April 1975, Album: Love Will Keep Us Together
Won Song of the Year.
A fun duet love song about how your love for each other will conquer all challenges.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I will, I will, I will
I will be there to share forever
Love will keep us together
Fallin’ In Love – Joe Frank & Reynolds Hamilton
Released in June 1975, Album: Fallin’ in Love
The song tells a story of a man who falls in love over and over with his girl every single day.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
You and me for eternity
In love will always be
Young and free and that should be
The way it’s gotta be
Listen to a 1990s love playlist.
I’d Really Love to See You Tonight – England Dan and John Ford Coley
Released in June 1976, Album: Nights Are Forever
A song about two lovers in a distant relationship or separated for a bit and desire to be together.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
But there’s a warm wind blowing the stars around
And I’d really love to see you tonight
Love Theme From A Star Is Born (Evergreen) – Barbra Streisand
Released in December 1976, Album: A Star Is Born Soundtrack
Won Song of the Year in 1977.
The song describes two people in love who love each other so much that each day is like a renewed love for each other.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I have found with you
Like a rose under the April snow
I was always certain love would grow
Love ageless and evergreen
When I Need You – Leo Sayer
Released in February 1977, Album: Endless Flight
A song about a musician out on the road away from his lover and dreams of the day when they can be together again IRL.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
When I need you
I just close my eyes and I’m with you
And all that I so want to give you, babe
Sometimes When We Touch – Dan Hill
Released in December 1977, Album: Longer Fuse
A very romantic slow song about wanting a night of romance and never wanting it to end.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I want to hold you till I die
Till we both break down and cry
I want to hold you till the fear in me subsides
Keep going with a 2000s love playlist.
Always and Forever – Heatwave
Released in January 1978, Album: Too Hot to Handle
One of the greatest wedding songs of all time. The song is about telling your lover that you have an undying love for them.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Take time to tell me you really care
And we’ll share tomorrow together
I’ll always love you, forever, forever
Three Times a Lady – The Commodores
Released in June 1978, Album: Natural High
A romantic ballad about a guy who thinks his lady is greater than all of the ladies in the world and loves her.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Yes, your once, twice
Three times a lady
And I love you!
Stumblin’ In – Suzi Quatro & Chris Norman
Released in January 1979, Album: If You Knew Suzi.
An uptempo duet song telling the one you love that you will do anything for you to be together.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’ve fallen for you, whatever you do
‘Cause, baby, you’ve shown me so many things that I never knew
Whatever it takes, baby, I’ll do it for you
I’ll Never Love This Way Again – Dionne Warwick
Released in June 1979, Album: Dionne
Won Best Vocal Performance by a Female.
A very romantic admission that you love someone so much that you will not love another this much as you do right now.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I know I’ll never love this way again
So I keep holdin’ on before the good is gone
I know I’ll never love this way again
Put in your earbuds and play a 2010s love playlist.
More Popular 70s Love Songs
They Long To Be (Close To You) – Carpenters
Released in 1970
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Why do stars fall down from the sky
Every time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you
Crazy Love – Van Morrison
Released in 1970
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Yes it makes me righteous, yes it makes me whole
Yes it makes me mellow down into my soul
She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love
Your Song – Elton John
Released in 1970
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I hope you don’t mind
That I put down in the words
How wonderful life is while you’re in the world
I Feel the Earth Move – Carole King
Released in 1971
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I know that my emotions
Are somethin’ I just can’t tame
I just got to have ya, baby
I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You – Tom Waits
Released in 1973
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
You’re nowhere to be found
I search the place for your lost face
Guess I’ll have another round
And I think that I just fell in love with you
Time In A Bottle – Jim Croce
Released in 1973
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
The first thing that I’d like to do
Is to save every day ’til eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you
Four Tops – Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)
Released in 1973
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
She don’t ask for things, no diamond rings
(So together, like a hand in glove)
Like pages in a letter
(Ain’t no woman like the one I love)
I Will Always Love You – Dolly Parton
Released in 1974
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And I wish you happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
I love you
I will always love you
You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker
Released in 1974
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Can’t you see
You’re everything I hoped for
You’re everything I need
You are so beautiful
To me
Lovin’ You – Minnie Riperton
Released in 1975
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
No one else can make me feel
The colors that you bring
Stay with me while we grow old
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
Released in 1975
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
You brought a lot of a sunshine into my life
You filled me with happiness I never knew
You gave me more joy than I ever dreamed of
How Deep Is Your Love – Bee Gees
Released in 1977
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I believe in you
You know the door to my very soul
You’re the light in my deepest, darkest hour
You’re my savior when I fall
Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel
Released in 1977
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I would not leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far, mmm
I took the good times, I’ll take the bad times
I’ll take you just the way you are
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
Released in 1977
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And then she asks me, “Do I look alright?”
And I say, “Yes, you look wonderful tonight”
Still – Commodores
Released in 1979
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Remembering the pain if I must say
It’s deep in my mind and locked away
But then most of all
I do love you
Still
You Decorated My Life – Kenny Rogers
Released in 1979
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
And you decorated my life
Created a world
Where dreams are apart
And you decorated my life
By paintin’ your love all over my heart
Longer – Dan Fogelberg
Released in 1979
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean
Higher than any bird ever flew
Longer than there’ve been stars up in the heavens
I’ve been in love with you
Do you have a favorite love song of the 1970s? Please share your song below in the comments!
You might want to revisit this list at some point and think about either expanding it or revising it. The other decades you’ve covered have been ranked as opposed to chronological. I’m sure each decade is difficult. The 70s might be most difficult. An obvious omission is ‘If’ from Bread (1971). As a love song – and especially for a wedding – it easily exceeds the two songs from 1971 you have offered (regardless of the cited awards).
Thank you, Art, for the song recommendation and tip. Yes, we will definitely be adding more songs very soon and Will include the song If by Bread!