“If music be the food of love, play on,” says Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night. Music, pop music, certainly overflowed with love back in the 1960s and 1970. There was no dearth of love in music from the 1950s — I love songs like Walk the Line by Johnny Cash, Tennessee Waltz by Patti Page, To Know Him Is to Love Him by the Teddy Bears, All I Have to Do Is Dream by the Everly Brothers — and there can’t be a paucity of romance in contemporary playlists either. But music from the 1960s and 1970s — and, yes, the 1950s– stubbornly remains the soundtrack of my life.
And why not? There is something universal about a song like Yesterday Once More, a 1973 hit for the Carpenters. The lyrics are simple. But the song describes emotions universally felt by pop music fans.
When I was young
I’d listen to the radio
Waitin’ for my favorite songs
When they played I’d sing along
It made me smile.
Those were such happy times
And not so long ago
How I wondered where they’d gone
But they’re back again
Just like a long lost friend
All the songs I loved so well.
Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine.
When they get to the part
Where he’s breakin’ her heart
It can really make me cry
Just like before
It’s yesterday once more.
Lookin’ back on how it was
In years gone by
And the good times that I had
Makes today seem rather sad
So much has changed.
It was songs of love that
I would sing to then
And I’d memorize each word
Those old melodies
Still sound so good to me
As they melt the years away.
Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
Every shing-a-ling-a-ling
That they’re startin’ to sing’s
So fine.
All my best memories
Come back clearly to me
Some can even make me cry.
Just like before
It’s yesterday once more.
Simple lyrics sung tenderly, Yesterday Once More sung by Karen Carpenter is plaintive and haunting.
A song about love songs, Yesterday Once More made me wonder what were the most popular love songs in the 1960s and 1970s.
I came across a Spotify playlist called 60s Love Songs which included hits like:
- Save the Last Dance for Me by the Drifters
- Till I Kissed You by the Everly Brothers
- Will You Love Me Tomorrow by the Shirelles
- One Fine Day by the Chiffons
- Sugar, Sugar by the Archies
- Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra
- This Magic Moment by Ben E King
- Be My Baby by the Ronettes
- Bring It on Home to Me by Sam Cooke
- Dedicated to the One I Love by The Mamas and the Papas
They were wonderful songs, played constantly on the radio. The 1950s, 1960 and 1970s were all golden decades of music. The music was so good it’s hard to choose the best from among them. I have my personal favourites, but which were the most popular love songs?
I sought answers from Google’s Bard, Microsoft’s Bing and ChatGPT as these generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots hold the keys to crowdsourced knowledge.
Here’s what they said.
Q. Tell me which were the most popular love songs in the English language in the 1960s and 1970s? Tell me about those songs.
ChatGPT
The 1960s and 1970s were rich decades for love songs in the English language. Many iconic and enduring love songs emerged during this time. Here are some of the most popular love songs from those decades:
1960s:
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley (1961): This ballad is a timeless classic, known for its beautiful melody and romantic lyrics. It’s been covered by numerous artists and is a favorite at weddings.
“Something” by The Beatles (1969): Written by George Harrison, this song is a heartfelt expression of love. It’s widely regarded as one of The Beatles’ greatest compositions.
“My Girl” by The Temptations (1964): A Motown classic, “My Girl” is an upbeat and joyful declaration of love. Its catchy melody and soulful vocals make it an enduring favorite.
“I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles (1963): This song is one of The Beatles’ early hits and captures the excitement and innocence of young love.
“Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers (1965): Known for its soaring vocals and emotional depth, this song has been covered by many artists and is associated with the movie “Ghost.”
1970s:
“Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye (1973): This is one of the most sensual love songs of the 1970s, and Marvin Gaye’s smooth vocals make it an intimate anthem.
“Your Song” by Elton John (1970): Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, this song is a heartfelt and simple declaration of love. It remains a classic in Elton John’s repertoire.
“Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton (1977): Eric Clapton’s tender ballad is a popular choice for weddings and romantic occasions. It beautifully captures the feeling of being in love.
“If” by Bread (1971): This soft rock ballad by Bread is known for its gentle melody and lyrics about devotion and love. It’s a favourite of the easy listening genre.
“You’re Still the One” by Shania Twain (1970s): This country-pop love song is a more recent addition to the list but has become a classic since its release in the late 1990s. It expresses enduring love and commitment.
These songs continue to resonate with audiences today and are often included in romantic playlists and used as wedding songs. They have stood the test of time and remain beloved classics of the 1960s and 1970s
Bard
The following are some of the most popular love songs in the English language in the 1960s and 1970s:
1960s
Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers (1965): A classic ballad about the power of love to endure even after death.
Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley (1961): A sweet and romantic song about falling head over heels in love.
Yesterday by The Beatles (1965): A poignant song about lost love and the passage of time.
My Girl by The Temptations (1964): A heart-warming song about a man’s love for his girlfriend.
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher by Jackie Wilson (1967): A joyful and uplifting song about the power of love to transform one’s life.
1970s
Your Song by Elton John (1970): A simple but beautiful song about a man’s love for his partner.
I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton (1973): A heart-breaking song about a woman who is letting go of the man she loves.
Let’s Stay Together by Al Green (1972): A passionate plea to a loved one to stay together.
You’ve Got a Friend by Carole King (1971): A heartwarming song about the power of friendship and love.
Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel (1970): A hopeful song about the power of love to help us through difficult times.
These songs are all beloved classics that have stood the test of time. They are still popular today because they speak to universal human emotions of love, longing, and heartbreak. They are also beautifully written and performed, with timeless melodies and lyrics that continue to resonate with listeners.
In addition to the songs listed above, here are some other popular love songs from the 1960s and 1970s:
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli (1967)
I’ll Be There by The Jackson 5 (1970)
How Deep Is Your Love by The Bee Gees (1975)
Just the Way You Are by Billy Joel (1977)
Three Times a Lady by The Commodores (1978)
These songs are all examples of the diverse range of love songs that were produced during this era. There is something for everyone, from classic ballads to soulful R&B to catchy pop tunes.
Bard offered three drafts. Here are additions from Bard’s second draft:
1960s
“When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge (1966): This soulful ballad is a passionate declaration of love and devotion. It was a number one hit in the United States and the United Kingdom, and it has been covered by many other artists, including Elton John and Michael Bolton.
1970s
“I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5 (1970): This upbeat and soulful ballad is a promise of love and support. It was a number one hit in the United States, and it remains one of The Jackson 5’s most popular songs.
“Say It Isn’t So” by Hall & Oates (1976): This heartbreaking ballad is about the pain of a breakup. It was a number one hit in the United States, and it remains one of Hall & Oates’ most popular songs.
“How Deep Is Your Love” by the Bee Gees (1977): This disco ballad is a passionate declaration of love. It was a number one hit in the United States and the United Kingdom, and it remains one of the Bee Gees’ most popular songs.
“Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel (1977): This romantic ballad is a declaration of love for a partner with all of their flaws. It was a number one hit in the United States, and it remains one of Billy Joel’s most popular songs.
Finally, here are additions from Bard’s third draft:
1960s:
All You Need Is Love by The Beatles
And I Love Her by The Beatles
(You’re My) Sunshine by Bill Withers
I Love How You Love Me by Bobby Vinton
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Valli
Chapel of Love by The Dixie Cups
Where the Boys Are by Connie Francis
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ by The Righteous Brothers
1970s:
If You Don’t Know Me by Now by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
My Sweet Lord by George Harrison
I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner
Longer by Dan Fogelberg
You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker
These songs are all beloved by fans for their timeless melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and passionate performances. They capture the wide range of emotions that come with love, from the joy of new love to the depths of heartbreak.
Here are some more details about a few of these songs:
All You Need Is Love by The Beatles is a timeless anthem about the power of love to overcome all obstacles. The song’s positive message and hopeful lyrics have made it a popular choice for social movements and protests.
And I Love Her by The Beatles is a simple but heartfelt love song that expresses the singer’s deep affection for his loved one. The song’s gentle melody and Lennon’s sincere vocals make it a truly touching ballad.
Bing
Here are some of the most popular love songs in the English language in the 1960s and 1970s:
The Supremes – ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’: This gospel-tinged song was written and produced by the brilliant Motown team of Holland–Dozier–Holland. It focuses on a memory of a mother’s words of encouragement, telling her daughter that patience will help her find a special someone one day.
Ike and Tina Turner – ‘River Deep, Mountain High’: This single was among producer Phil Spector’s greatest works of the 1960s, and reached number three in the UK. It has since become a signature song for Tina Turner, and was also a hit for Celine Dion .
Nat King Cole – ‘L-O-V-E’: This song was composed by Bert Kaempfert and Milt Gabler for Nat King Cole’s album of the same name in 1965. It became one of his most popular songs, and has since been recorded by everyone from daughter Natalie Cole and of course, Michael Bublé .
The Monkees – ‘I’m a Believer’: Written by Neil Diamond, ‘I’m A Believer’ was recorded by The Monkees in 1966 with the lead vocals by Micky Dolenz. The single reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and remained there for seven weeks .
Elvis Presley – ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’: Elvis Presley’s version of this song topped the UK charts in 1962 and number two In the US. Recorded for his Blue Hawaii movie, the melody is based on ‘Plaisir d’amour’, a popular French love song composed in 1784 by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini. It was later a number one hit for UB40.
Sam Cooke – ‘Cupid’: Released in 1961, this cute ballad was one of Sam Cooke’s best and biggest hits. Cooke’s producers had asked him to write a song for a girl they had seen on a Perry Como TV show, but once they actually heard her sing, they kept the song for Cooke himself.
Coaxed for more detail, Bing said:
According to Smooth Radio, here are some of the most popular love songs of the 1970s.
Billy Paul – Me and Mrs. Jones1: This song, written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Cary Gilbert, tells the story of an affair between a man and his lover, Mrs. Jones. The two meet secretly every day at the same cafe, where they hold hands and talk. Despite knowing that their relationship is wrong, their connection is too strong to let go.
Commodores – Three Times a Lady: Written by Lionel Richie, this song was inspired by a comment Richie’s father made to his mother: “I love you. I want you. I need you. Forever.” The lyrics reflect the deep love and appreciation one person has for another.
Fleetwood Mac – Songbird: Christine McVie composed and wrote this beautiful song in just half an hour at 3 am. It captures the vulnerability and tenderness of love, with heartfelt lyrics that resonate with listeners.
Carpenters – We’ve Only Just Begun: Originally written as a jingle for a bank commercial, Richard Carpenter heard the potential for a full-length song. With additional verses and a bridge added, it became a huge hit and is now often played at weddings.
The Hollies – The Air That I Breathe: Co-written by Albert Hammond, this song was later covered by Simply Red. It features a captivating chord progression that Radiohead’s “Creep” also shares.
These songs are just a few examples of the romantic ballads that defined the 1970s. They continue to be cherished and enjoyed by music lovers around the world.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and there were many other popular love songs during this era, Bing added.
We will say amen to that.
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