Love songs don’t always have to sound so heavy. While sometimes love calls for a sprawling romantic ballad, there’s definitely also something to be said of a tooth-achingly sweet pop joint to express the way you feel. We’ve rounded up the best pop love songs for when you want to shout out those gooey emotions, but also maybe want to dance a little too.
“We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey
With the airy “come back, come back” ad-libs and the piano-driven beat, “We Belong Together” is a standout in a Mariah Carey catalogue that spans nearly thirty years. Since Carey (who has continued to uphold her songbird diva reputation all this time) often seems completely and totally unshakeable, it feels especially human to hear her lament letting go of a lover too soon.
“Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z
At 21, Beyoncé had more style, confidence, and talent than probably any other 21-year-old ever. Not only was “Crazy in Love” her first number-one solo single, ushering in nearly two decades of a queendom, but it also birthed the ever-iconic “uh-oh” dance to go along with it. Plus, there’s something sweet and nostalgic about the fact that Jay-Z and Bey still weren’t public with their relationship when the track, and the subsequent video, dropped.
“My Love” by Justin Timberlake
At one point in time, Justin Timberlake and producer Timbaland were the ultimate power duo. “My Love” is a high point in that alliance, with Timberlake singing nearly the full song in a piercing falsetto, only interrupting himself to half-sing half-rap the chorus. With lyrics like, “If I wrote you a symphony just to say how much you mean to me,” it’s hard not to fall in love.
“Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” by Kylie Minogue
“Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” is a super fitting title for this insanely catchy track. Its lyrics loop for nearly the entirety of the four-minute song, making it a repetitive and infectious dance-pop staple that perfectly mirrors what it’s like to circularly obsess over the person you’re into.
“Love on the Brain” by Rihanna
With the release of 2016’s Anti, it seemed Rihanna had fully proven herself not just as a pop-single machine, but also as an artist capable of creating an entirely cohesive, yet genre-defying album with tracks that could stand alone. On “Love On The Brain” Rihanna fully embraces her voice’s natural rasp, pleading, begging, and demanding continued love—which would seem easy enough, given it’s Rihanna.
“Like a Prayer” by Madonna
Not for anyone offended by mistreated religious iconography, Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” and its video tactfully pushed back on police brutality and the Catholic Church, all while seamlessly telling a story of love using prayers as a metaphor. Nobody knows how to stir the pot like Madonna, and nobody knows how to make a hit like Madonna.
“Come on Over” by Christina Aguilera
Way before “Dirrty” Xtina, there was a much squeakier and bubblier Christina Aguilera, seemingly still in the Britney Spears-driven mold of early 2000s pop. And while Aguilera eventually came fully into her own, “Come on Over” is a lasting gem from her earliest phases of pop stardom. The message is pretty simple on this, with Aguilera flexing her pipes as she asks for a boy to come over. It might be a baby Christina singing, but the talent remains as evident as ever.
“Underneath It All” by No Doubt ft. Lady Saw
“Underneath It All” is somewhat of a departure for No Doubt. It’s romantic and pillowy soft, with gentle lyrics like “you see the colors in me like no one else,” coming from ultimate Cool Girl and frontwoman, Gwen Stefani. The track still does have the signature reggae influences the band usually pulls from, with a guest verse from Queen of Dancehall, Lady Saw. In 2004, the song even earned the group one of their two Grammy wins.
“Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga
“Bad Romance” not only solidified Lady Gaga as one of the leading visionaries in pop, but it was also somewhat of an original viral hit. It blew up online when it was originally released, and just this month, it hit one billion views on YouTube. “Bad Romance” is peak Gaga, as it ties a conceptually-driven track with its perfectly abstract visuals. And as for the love part, is there anything more relatable than Lady Gaga repeatedly shouting “I don’t wanna be friends”?
“Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars
“Just the Way You Are” is an unapologetically corny, mushy, over-the-top statement on what it’s like to accept the one you love, flaws and all. With a chorus that boasts, “Girl you’re amazing, just the way you are,” it’s a swoon-worthy bop at the beginning of Bruno Mars' big career.
“As Long as You Love Me” by The Backstreet Boys
With their bleached hair, baggy denim, and intensely in-sync (not NSYNC) dance moves, the Backstreet Boys were the dreamiest five boys in the world in 1997. “As Long As You Love Me” is a lasting relic from the group’s shining era, with the members going verse for verse, showing off their melodic prowess in an ode to the girl they love.
“Love Story” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s personal love life has been a highly publicized spectacle for the last ten years, often thanks to her songwriting. And while she has a penchant for composing scathing lyrics about her exes, “Love Story” shows what happens when you stick around long enough to get a song while you’re still in her good graces.
“Baby” by Justin Bieber
At only 15 years old, Justin Bieber proved to be quite the romantic. While still rocking the upgraded bowl cut hairstyle, the teeny bopper cranked out “Baby,” the squeaky clean soundtrack to puppy love, crushes, and first-time heartbreak. With an adorably wholesome verse from Ludacris, the song makes for a wildly catchy, cute bop.
“The Way” by Ariana Grande ft. Mac Miller
“The Way” is a collaboration done right. Ariana floats her otherworldly high notes throughout the verses, with Mac Miller bringing things back down for a few rap assists. The track stands as a gorgeous showing of the two artists’ real-life romantic relationship.
“Raspberry Beret” by Prince
Leave it to Prince to pick up a girl based on her accessories. “Raspberry Beret” is a feel-good track for the ages, and with some female-led backing vocals and a sing-along chorus, it’s a jam that will continue to inspire thoughtful fashion choices.
“Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish
In 2020, Billie Eilish’s cult fanbase and critical acclaim makes her reign as alt-pop queen indisputable. But in 2017, a 15-year-old Eilish was just starting to peek through the squeaky-clean boundaries of commercial pop. “Ocean Eyes” is a chilling introduction to her now-signature layered vocals and chillingly serene production.
“Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5
Maroon 5’s debut album, Songs About Jane, seems like decades ago … and partially because it basically was. The easygoing 2002 hit “Sunday Morning” taps into the group’s since-lost jazz influences, amounting to a much smoother, Sunday-appropriate cut than some of the sterile pop they’re more known for now.
“Video Games” by Lana Del Rey
“Video Games” is a haunting profession of unchecked adoration and nostalgia. Lana Del Rey floats recklessly through her romantic fantasies, delivering hymnals of complete commitment and summertime aesthetics with airy, baby-voice vocals. No one gives swelling piano-driven ballads like Lana.
“Lean On” by Major Lazer
As far as Diplo’s catalogue goes, “love songs” certainly don’t make up the bulk of his collection, but “Lean On” is a dark horse. It’s a dance floor-ready, loosely love-based track about simply needing “someone to lean on.” Diplo might not be our emblem of romance, but “Lean On” will do for now.
“Special Affair” by The Internet
With soft baritone whispers and a pumping bass line in its intro, “Special Affair” lets onto its impending sexual persuasion in just its opening seconds. What follows is lead singer Syd’s unrelentingly salacious case for an unhinged night that ends at her place, convincingly combating defenses before they even come, as she purs, “Tryna act nice / Girl your cover’s blown.”
“Location” by Khalid
“Location” is smooth, inviting, and universal in its sentiment. Khalid is every partner’s dream as he offers up clear communication and his immediate presence via teenage vocals that seem nearly too charming to be true.
“Cyber Sex” by Doja Cat
For all the lofty romanticism, Doja Cat cuts through the nonsense with a song that’s crystal clear with its intentions. “Cyber Sex” is a 21st-century anthem; Doja makes a case for loving that’s cold, metallic, and preferably on film.
“Sober” by Lorde
“Sober” is a perfect misnomer for a song that’s actually about indulging in the swirling, drunken summer nights spent with dreamy boys in crowded spaces. Lorde’s 2017 Melodrama is a masterclass in capturing women’s emotions, as she dips in and out of the pleasures of love, anxiety, and self-discovery. “Sober” is a playful dive into the fun of letting go and the fantasy of adornment.
“Adore You” by Harry Styles
Harry Styles is begging to adore someone, and it seems hard to believe that no one is around to oblige. “Adore You” is a superb pop cut that etches itself deep into memory.
“Flowers (Sunship Edit)” by Sweet Female Attitude
At the height of the U.K.’s garage scene—the turbulent, sweaty, and fast-paced music from London’s club scene—came “Flowers,” an absolutely relentless cut made more so for dancing than actual … romancing.
“LMK” by Kelela
Fusing experimental techno with thoughtfully pop influences, “LMK” is a refreshingly bright track about keeping it cool, despite a decidedly real need for something more: “It ain’t that deep by the way,” she assures.
“Ain’t Together” by King Princess
As music mirrors culture, the most traditional mom-and-pop love songs only really address cisgender heteronormative love. But in recent years, artists like King Princess ring in a firm reminder that relationships can look and feel a lot more nuanced. “Ain’t Together” hits on the incredibly millennial situation-ship setup and begs the ultimate question of a setup that doesn’t come with monogamy boundaries: “Do you think labels make it taste much better?”
“Caroline Shut Up” by Caroline Polachek
In the midst of Caroline Polachek’s incredible new record, Pang, is the colloquial shot-in-the-chest that is “Caroline Shut Up”—the insanely relatable ode to the self-doubt all women seem to feel when voicing strong feelings in relationships, and then the immediate “shut up” reaction that tends to follow.
“Tried Up” by Ama Lou
Newcomer Ama Lou is a force. Cutting through a beat with clear R&B influences, Lou’s signature cracked vocals cut deep, making for a love song that’s open, honest, vulnerable, and poetic.
“Genesis” by Grimes
In present day, Grimes is decidedly the people’s alt-synth-pop princess. In 2012, she introduced us to the near decade of excellence to come with her introduction, “Genesis,” a dance track that makes a point with only a few lines of repeated refrain, as it deftly addresses the cyclical nature of love and its subsequently suffocating side effects.
Listen to all the songs below and check out more playlists by Harper's BAZAAR on Spotify.
Natalie Maher is a contributor to BAZAAR.com's music section. She's also covered similar topics for sites like COMPLEX and Billboard. Aside from writing, Natalie enjoys reading Sixers’ conspiracy theories on Twitter, adding exorbitantly expensive sneakers to make-believe online shopping carts, and watching slime videos on Instagram.
