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100 Best Love Songs of the '70s

If you enjoyed the decade of the '70s, then this is the playlist for you!

If you enjoyed the decade of the '70s, then this is the playlist for you!

'70s Love Songs

The music scene changed dramatically towards the end of the '60s. The "hippy-trippy" sound favored in popular music at the time gave way to many new genres. Many '70s bands used these '60s recording tricks to create new ballads that blended psychedelic electronic soundscapes with more danceable grooves. Pop lyrics also changed during this decade as songwriters sought to appeal to global audiences. Thanks to the musical experimentation in the '60s, the '70s saw an onslaught of complex and untraditional song structures.

The list below showcases a diverse number of great '70s love ballads that will get you in the mood for romance. If you're a fan of '70s music, you'll definitely have something to say. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.

The '70s were full of love!

The '70s were full of love!

Top 10 Best Love Songs of the ‘70s

  1. “When I Need You”—Leo Sayer
  2. “How Deep Is Your Love”—Bee Gees
  3. “If”—Bread
  4. “Love Hurts”—Nazareth
  5. “Just When I Needed You Most”—Randy VanWarmer
  6. “Love Will Keep Us Together”—Captain & Tennille
  7. “I Need You”—America
  8. “The Things That We Do for Love”—10cc
  9. “Best of My Love”—The Emotions
  10. “Killing Me Softly With His Song”—Roberta Flack

Love Songs and Ballads in the ‘70s

In this decade, sound engineers paved the way for groundbreaking recording techniques. The polished sound that emerged in ‘70s pop and rock was perfect for love songs and ballads. Acoustic-rock was prominent in the '70s and was a key component in many ballads. The soft rock genre was very successful during this decade. R&B love songs, rock love songs, country love songs, pop love songs, soul ballads, and blues ballads of this decade are known for their smooth sound.

Best Love Songs of the ‘70s #11—20

11. “Babe”—Styx

12. “Do That to Me One More Time”—Captain & Tennille

13. “I Honestly Love You”—Olivia Newton John

14. “Sad Eyes”—Robert John

15. “All By Myself”—Eric Carmen

16. “Baby I’m a Want You”—Bread

17. "You’re So Vain"—Carly Simon

18. “I’ll Never Love This Way Again”—Dionne Warwick

Recommended

19. “Dance With Me”—Orleans

20. “Let Your Love Flow”—The Bellamy Brothers

Sentiments in Love Songs of the ‘70s

In this decade, rock's radio-friendly sound paved the way for the arena rock and AOR bands of the ‘80s. The disco-laden beats that were popular in the ‘70s evolved into the synthesized beats of the ‘80s. Many of the love songs during this decade were fun and energetic. Love songs from this decade focused on various themes and broke with many of the conventions of the time.

Best Love Songs of the ‘70s #21—40

21. “You Are the Woman”—Firefall

22. “I’d Love You to Want Me”—Lobo

23. “You Light Up My Life”—Debby Boone

24. “She’s Gone”—Daryl Hall & John Oates

25. “Chiquitita”—ABBA

26. “If You Leave Me Now”—Chicago

27. “When You’re in Love With a Beautiful Woman”—Dr. Hook

28. “Easy”—Commodores

29. “Just the Way You Are”—Billy Joel

30. “Your Song”—Elton John

31. “Rainy Night in Georgia”—Brook Benton

32. “Sailing”—Rod Stewart

33. “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight”—England Dan & John Ford Coley

34. “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face”—Roberta Flack

35. “After the Love Has Gone”—Earth, Wind & Fire

36. “Fernando”—ABBA

37. “Oh Girl”—The Chi-Lites

38. “I’ll Be There”—The Jackson 5

39. “Diamond Girl”—Seals & Crofts

40. “I’m Not in Love”—10cc

Emergence of Subcultures Through Love Songs

Dreamy pop became hugely popular with youth in the ‘70s. Global teen audiences found solace in these relatable songs. While the ‘70s may not be considered the most impactful decade in music history, there were definitive moments during this decade that would change the musical landscape.

One thing’s for sure, bands during this decade pioneered sounds that we still hear in today's mainstream and non-mainstream music genres.

Best Love Songs of the ‘70s #41—60

41. “You’ve Got a Friend”—Carole King

42. “Mandy”—Barry Manilow

43. “Let’s Stay Together”—Al Green

44. “It’s Sad to Belong”—England Dan & John Ford Coley

45. “Torn Between Two Lovers”—Mary MacGregor

46. “Just Remember I Love You”—Firefall

47. “Time in a Bottle”—Jim Croce

48. “Sharing the Night Together”—Dr.Hook

49. “Wonderful Tonight”—Eric Clapton

50. “Love Train”—The O’Jays

51. “I Go Crazy”—Paul Davis

52. “Don’t Give Up On Us”—David Soul

53. “Love Won’t Let Me Wait”—Major Harris

54. “Everything Is Beautiful”—Ray Stevens

55. “S.O.S”—ABBA

56. “Dream Weaver”—Gary Wright

57. “Sometimes When We Touch”—Dan Hill

58. “Fooled Around and Fell in Love”—Elvin Bishop

59. “I Just Want to Be Your Everything”—Andy Gibb

60. “(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All”—The 5th Dimension

Romantic Love Songs of the ‘70s #61—80

61. “Yesterday Once More”—Carpenters

62. “Still the One”—Orleans

63. “He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)”—Tony Orlando & Dawn

64. “Let’s Get It On—Marvin Gaye

65. “You’re the Inspiration”—Chicago

66. “Touch Me in the Morning”—Diana Ross

67. “Baby, I Love Your Way”—Peter Frampton

68. “How Much I Feel”—Ambrosia

69. “Laughter in the Rain”—Neil Sedaka

70. “Never Ending Song of Love”—Delaney & Bonnie & Friends

71. “Day Dreaming”—Aretha Franklin

72. “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours”—Stevie Wonder

73. “Baby Come Back”—Player

74. “I Just Wanna Stop”—Gino Vannelli

75. “Love Is in the Air”—John Paul Young

76. “Alone Again (Naturally)”—Gilbert O’ Sullivan

77. “You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)”—Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.

78. “Longer”—Dan Fogelberg

79. “More Than a Feeling”—Boston

80. “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe”—Barry White

Romantic Hits of the ‘70s #81—100

81. “So in to You”—Atlanta Rhythm Section

82. “You’re Having My Baby”—Paul Anka and Odia Coates

83. “Lean On Me”—Bill Withers

84. “We’ll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again”—England Dan & John Ford Coley

85. “I Just Can’t Help Believing”—BJ. Thomas

86. “On and On”—Stephen Bishop

87. “Say You Love Me”—Fleetwood Mac

88. “Lonesome Loser”—Little River Band

89. “Come and Get Your Love”—Redbone

90. “Behind Closed Doors”—Charlie Rich

91. “Precious and Few”—Climax

92. “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me”—Gladys Knight & The Pips

93. “Love or Let Me Be Lonely”—The Fiends of Distinction

94. “Kiss You All Over”—Exile

95. “Reunited”—Peaches and Herbs

96. “You Needed Me”—Anne Murray

97. “It’s Too Late”—Carole King

98. “Fallin’ in Love”—Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds

99. “Wildfire”—Michael Martin Murphey

100. “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”—Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes

Other Notable Love Songs of the ‘70s

  • “My Eyes Adored You”—Frankie Valli
  • “She’s Always a Woman”—Billy Joel
  • “You Make Me Feel Brand New”—The Stylistics
  • “Sister Golden Hair”—America
  • “Hello It’s Me”—Todd Rundgren
  • “That’s the Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be”—Carly Simon
  • “Lonely People”—America
  • “Desperado”—The Eagles
  • “Kiss an Angel Goodbye”—Charley Pride
  • “Get Closer”—Seals & Crofts
  • “You Decorated My Life”—Kenny Rogers
  • “Lady”—Styx
  • “I’m in You”—Peter Frampton
  • “Feel Like Makin’ Love”—Roberta Flack
  • “Muskrat Love”—Captain & Tennille
  • “Silver Threads and Golden Needles”—Linda Ronstadt
  • “The Way We Were”—Barbara Streisand
  • “Everything I Own”—Bread
  • “Rich Girl”—Daryl Hall & John Oates
  • “Close the Door”—Teddy Pendergrass
  • “Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)”—Aretha Franklin
  • “Never Can Say Goodbye”—The Jackson 5
  • “Love Is Alive”—Gary Wright
  • “Three Times a Lady”—The Commodores
  • “Stoned Love”—The Supremes
  • “Love in the Hot Afternoon”—Gene Watson
  • “I Want You to Want Me”—Cheap Trick
  • “The Most Beautiful Girl”—Charley Rich
  • “Nights Are Forever Without You”—England Dan & John Ford Coley
  • “Show Me the Way”—Peter Frampton
  • “Blue Bayou”—Linda Ronstadt
  • “Still”—Commodores
  • “Maggie May”—Rod Stewart
  • “Best of My Love”—The Eagles
  • “Lotta Love”—Nicolette Larson
  • “Bridge Over Troubled Water”—Simon & Garfunkel
  • “Where Is the Love”—Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
  • “Feel Like Making Love”—Bad Company
  • “Knock Three Times”—Tony Orlando & Dawn
  • “The Morning After”—Maureen McGovern
  • “You’re No Good”—Linda Ronstadt
  • “Me and Mrs. Jones”—Billy Paul
  • “I Will Always Love You”—Dolly Parton
  • “What You Won’t Do For Love”—Bobby Cladwell
  • “Stumblin’ in”—Chris Norman and Suzi Quatro
  • “Love to Love You Baby”—Donna Summer
  • “I Think I Love You”—The Partridge Family
  • “You Are So Beautiful”—Joe Cocker
  • “If I Were Your Woman”—Gladys Knight & The Pips
  • “The Right Thing to Do”—Carly Simon