From the sublime, to the downright cheesy, there is one time a year in which the love song is both revered and reviled in almost equal parts. Valentine’s Day, with its hearts and flowers, represents as many conflicted emotions as there are different types of relationships. That said, regardless of what category or state our personal lives are in, the love song seems to be the universal component that everyone relates to. Ask any songwriter if they’ve ever written a love song and the answer will invariably be yes. Love rules the airwaves and always has.
We at SHOF have come up with a bare bone listing of some of the great classic love songs, written by our esteemed inductees. This is definitely the short list, as we’d be working from now until next Valentine’s Day to put together anything resembling comprehensive. We would be remiss if we did not pay special attention to the Valentine’s Day theme song, “My Funny Valentine,” composed by SHOF inductees Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers.
Kicking things off is one of the ultimate love songs that has become an anthem to multiple generations, written by our own Chairman/CEO Hal David and Burt Bacharach, both SHOF inductees.
You’re also invited to peruse the Inductee Exhibits of our Virtual Museum to get more of an idea of how many love songs have been written, especially those you recognize from your own life-soundtrack. In the meantime, here are but a few gems, and Happy Valentine’s Day to all!
"What the World Need Now Is Love" – Hal David/Burt Bacharach
"Puppy Love" – Paul Anka
"Chapel Of Love" - Jeff Barry/ Ellie Greenwich/ Phil Spector
"Love Is Where You Are" – Alan and Marilyn Bergman/Mark Isham
"Bye, Bye Love" – Felice and Boudleaux Bryant
"Love And Marriage" – Sammy Cahn/Jimmy Van Heusen
"It’s Love" – Betty Comden/Adolph Green/Leonard Bernstein
"I’m Stone In Love With You" – Linda Creed/Thom Bell
"How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" – Lamont Dozier/B.Holland/Eddie Holland
"How Deep Is Your Love" – Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb
"Love And Happiness" - Al Green/Mabon “Teenie” Hodges
"Looking Through The Eyes Of Love" – Marvin Hamlisch/Carole Bayer Sager
"Can You Feel The Love Tonight" – Elton John/Tim Rice
"All You Need Is Love" – John Lennon/Paul McCartney
"Loving You" – Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller
"I Will Always Love You" – Dolly Parton
"Endless Love" – Lionel Richie
"Love Will Keep Us Together" – Neil Sedaka/Howard Greenfield
"Loves Me Like A Rock" – Paul Simon
"You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’" – Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil/Phil Spector
"I Just Called To Say I Love You" – Stevie Wonder
"When I Fall In Love" – Victor Young/Edward Heyman