Ah, love! This powerful feeling is both a universal language and inexhaustible source of inspiration. Love songs is one of the most popular musical subjects as well. Indeed, many listeners happily identify with the sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking lyrics. With that in mind, check out the most beautiful love songs in the history of music, sure to bring a smile to your face…or a tear to your eye.

1. “Your Song” – Elton John (1970)

I hope you don’t mind, I hope you don’t mind That I put down in words How wonderful life is while you’re in the world Elton John’s first American success rocketed him to international stardom. The iconic song was written by Bernie Taupin, Elton’s faithful lyricist, with whom he has enjoyed a more than friendly, but never romantic relationship for over 50 years. Listen to the song here.

2. “Islands in the Stream” – Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers (1983)

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Islands in the stream That is what we are No one in between How can we be wrong? Sail away with me To another world And we rely on each other, ah ha From one lover to another, ah ha Despite having worked together many times during their decades-long friendship, Dolly and Kenny never had romantic feelings for each other, no matter how many songs they performed staring deeply into each other’s eyes. Listen to the song here. See photo on Facebook

3. “I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston (1992)

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EntertainmentBittersweet memories That is all I’m taking with me So goodbye Please don’t cry We both know I’m not what you, you need “I Will Always Love You” was first written and recorded in 1973 by Dolly Parton (as a farewell to her business partner Porter Wagoner and not a former lover), who became a sensation with her country version. The song got a second life after singer Whitney Houston did a soulful rendition for the soundtrack of the 1992 film The Bodyguard. In fact, the more contemporary version has had an even greater impact. Listen to the song here.

4. “L’hymne à l’amour” – Édith Piaf (1950)

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On peut bien rire de moi Je feraisn’importe quoi Si tu me le demandais This is, without a doubt, one of the most romantic (and tragic) songs in the French repertoire. La Môme wrote these lyrics for her lover, Marcel Cerdan, who died in a 1949 plane crash before she even had time to make a studio recording of this track. Édith Piaf decided to keep the original text (si un jour la vie t’arrache à moi, situmeurs, que tusois loin de moi [if one day life tears you away from me, if you die, may you be far from me]). Sadly, the accident was, in a way, the beginning of the end for the singer, who drowned her pain in alcohol and drugs. Listen to the song here.

5. “Stand by Me” – Ben E. King (1961)

©Dezo Hoffman/ShutterstockIf the sky that we look upon Should tumble and fall Or the mountains should crumble to the seaI won’t cry, I won’t cry No, I won’t shed a tear Just as long as you stand, stand by me “Stand by Me” has been covered more than 400 times and is ranked among the top five most-performed songs on stage (with some 11.6 million recorded performances). Inspired by the religious hymn “Oh Lord, Stand by Me,” this song remains a timeless classic. Listen to the song here.

6. “Still Loving You” – Scorpions (1984)

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If we’d go again All the way from the start I would try to change The things that killed our love Pride has built a wall, so strong That I can’t get through Is there really no chance To start once again? I’m loving you Rumour has it that this passionate love song has had a great impact in several countries, but especially France, where it’s credited with the 1985 baby boom. Listen to the song here.

7. “Pour que tu m’aimes encore” – Céline Dion (1995)

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Je trouverai des langages pour Chanter teslouanges Je ferainosbagages pour d’infinies vendanges Les formulesmagiques des marabouts d’Afrique J’lesdirai sans remords pour que tum’aimes encore Jean-Jacques Goldman’s lyrics and Céline Dion’s voice have always been a good match, but they’re absolute perfection with this song about a woman ready to do anything to win back her beloved’s heart. Listen to the song here.

8. “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” – Bryan Adams (1991)

©Ian Dickson/ShutterstockDon’t tell me it’s not worth tryin‘ for You can’t tell me it’s not worth dyin‘ for You know it’s true Everything I do, I do it for you This Grammy-winning song, which reached No. 1 in 30 countries, was written specifically for the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner, and featured on the Canadian artist’s sixth album, Waking Up the Neighbours. Listen to the song here.

9. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley (1961)

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Take my hand Take my whole life too For I can’t help falling in love with you While he didn’t write any of the 600 or so songs he recorded during his career, the King of Rock and Roll certainly knew how to interpret each one. One of his most outstanding recordings and now a signature piece is “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” composed for the movie Blue Hawaii (in which Elvis starred). Listen to the song here.

10. “Something” – The Beatles (1969)

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Something in the way she moves Attracts me like no other lover Something in the way she woos meI don’t want to leave her now You know I believe and how This song brought George Harrison out of Lennon and McCartney’s shadow. In fact, it’s one of the most popular songs on the Abbey Road album and, after “Yesterday,” the most-covered Beatles song. Listen to the song here.

11. “My Heart Will Go On” – Céline Dion (1997)

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MusicNear, far, wherever you are I believe that the heart does go on Once more, you open the door And you’re here in my heart And my heart will go on and on Did you know that Céline Dion hated the song “My Heart Will Go On” and didn’t want to record it? In fact, James Cameron (the director of Titanic) also hated it, feeling less than keen on ending his movie with a pop song. The tune has since become as popular as the movie, as well as one of this Quebec diva’s biggest hits! Listen to the song here.

12. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (1967)

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‘Cause baby, there ain’t no mountain high enough Ain’t no valley low enough, Ain’t no river wide enough To keep me from getting to you, baby The original version of this song, performed by Gaye and Terrell, reached No. 19 on the Billboard charts, but shot to No. 1 when Diana Ross released a cover in 1970. Listen to the song here See photo on Facebook

13. “I Just Called to Say I Love You” – Stevie Wonder (1984)

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I just called to say I love you I just called to say how much I care I just called to say I love you And I mean it from the bottom of my heart Written for the film The Woman in Red, this 1984 track was Stevie Wonder’s most popular release, topping the charts in 19 countries. In addition, “I Just Called to Say I Love You” won an Oscar for Best Original Song. Listen to the song here.

14. “When a Man Loves a Woman” – Percy Sledge (1966)

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When a man loves a woman Can’t keep his mind on nothin’ else He’d trade the world For the good thing he’s found According to singer Percy Sledge, he invented this piece on stage in the midst of true heartache and unable to think of anything else. That evening, Sledge reportedly asked his musicians to play a slow blues tune and improvised the lyrics before a live audience, spilling his heart out for over six minutes. The rest is history… Listen to the song here.

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