1
“Say Don’t Go (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” by Taylor Swift
It’s not a music story without the presence of Taylor Swift. With the release of her re-recorded hit album 1989, Swift released a handful of new songs, written in the 1989 era and never heard before. “Is It Over Now?” is one of the best, but honorable mention also goes out to “Slut!” and “Now That We Don’t Talk.”
Most Romantic Lyric: I would stay forever if you / (Say) say, / “(Don’t) don’t (Go) go”
2
“My Love Mine All Mine,” by Mitski
This song is sad as f*ck. In “My Love Mine All Mine,” our indie queen writes about sending her love to the moon so that when she dies, her lover will feel that love around her.
Most Romantic Lyric: Moon, tell me if I could / Send up my heart to you? / So, when I die, which I must do / Could it shine down here with you?
3
“Dial Drunk” by Noah Kahan
Before you ask, yes this is a romantic song. Probably Noah Kahan’s most recognizable song since “Stick Season,” “Dial Drunk” was recently remastered with a verse from Post Malone.
Most Romantic Lyric: I don’t like that when they threw me in the car / I gave your name as my emergency phone call / Honey, it rang and rang, even the cops thought you were wrong for hangin’ up / I dial drunk, I’d die a drunk, I’d die for you
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
4
“We’re In Love” by boygenius
Sad love songs are love songs too, and boygenius has some of the best.
Most Romantic Lyric: I can’t imagine you without the same smile in your eyes / There is something about you that I will always recognize / And if you don’t remember, I will try to remind you / Of the hummingbirds
5
“Vacation Eyes” by Jonas Brothers
This sleeper gem from the teen idols’ new album The Album grew mighty strong new legs in recent weeks following clips from the group’s ongoing tour. Stream now, close your eyes, and pretend all three brothers are not married with children.
Most Romantic Lyric: I don’t need my feet in the sand / ‘Cause when your body’s up in my hands / I get vacation eyes
6
“I, Carrion (Icarian)” by Hozier
One of the best tracks from Hozier’s latest album Unreal Unearth, “I, Carrion” is about the feeling of falling in love, and the entire album is based on Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy and speaks to love, commitment, and the nine circles of hell.
Most Romantic Lyric: Once I wondered what was holdin’ up the ground / But I can see that all along, love / it was you all the way down
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
7
“logical,” by Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo’s entire sophomore album Guts is incredible. Chock full of teen angst and breakup ballads, America’s Sweetheart never runs out of things to say about love.
Most Romantic Lyric: And now you got me thinkin’ / Two plus two equals five / And I’m the love of your life / ‘Cause if rain don’t pour and sun don’t shine / Then changing you is possible / No, love is never logical
8
“A Running Start,” by Sufjan Stevens
This is the most heartbreaking love song on this list, but hey, love hurts. Sufjan Stevens wrote this song (and the entire album) about his partner, who passed away earlier this year, and the entire Javelin album was the artist’s official coming out after many years in the industry.
Most Romantic Lyric: I see the future in your eyes / I know you see the same in mine / I want this forever, yeah / Our hearts beatin’ together / And I’m feelin’ so alive.
9
“Smaller Acts,” by Zach Bryan
Okay, perhaps we can’t all relate to the title of “simple girls,” but we can pretend for three minutes and eight seconds.
Most Romantic Lyric: All the money in the world couldn’t make her smile / Shе prefers things that are worth whilе / Like small towns, that old style, and smaller acts
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
10
“Red Wine Supernova,” by Chappell Roan
Listen to us now. Chappell Roan is the pop girl of 2024, so start streaming early. In her words, this song is “a campy gay girl song that [captures] the magic of having feelings for another girl.”
Most “Romantic” Lyric: I heard you like magic / I got a wand and a rabbit / So baby, let’s get freaky, get kinky
11
“One of Your Girls,” by Troye Sivan
Sad bop ahead! This song is incredible, and while you’re dancing, it reminds you of the plight of so many among us. In “One of Your Girls,” Sivan sings about all of the experiences he has had with closeted men in the past who only want to be with him in secret.
Most Romantic Lyric: Give me a call if you ever get lonely / I’ll be like one of your girls or your homies / Say what you want, and I’ll keep it a secret / You get the key to my heart, and I need it
12
“But Not Kiss,” by Faye Webster
This love song, much like love itself, is confusing. Depending on how you listen, it’s either peak romance or the anti-love song of the year.
Most Romantic Lyric: I want to sleep in your arms, but not kiss / I long for your touch, but don’t miss / Don’t want to regret any of this
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
13
“Until I Found You” by Stephen Sanchez
A song so romantic Sofia Richie walked down the aisle to it. After going viral on TikTok, this song jumped to the top of the charts and into the hearts of young crooners everywhere.
Most Romantic Lyric: I would never fall in love again until I found her / I said, “I would never fall unless it’s you I fall into”
14
“You,” by Miley Cyrus
“Flowers” may have taken most of the roses for Miley’s latest album, Endless Summer Vacation, but “You” is the heart throbbing banger you didn’t know you needed.
Most Romantic Lyric: I wanna drive down to Texas, flip off my exes / Get kind of reckless and have wild, wild, wild sex under the moon / But only if it’s with you
15
“Daylight” by David Kushner
Another hit song born on TikTok, David Kushner’s “Daylight” is a soulful ode to the things that destroy us, like love (sometimes).
Most Romantic Lyric: Oh, I love it and I hate it at the same time / You and I drink the poison from the same vine
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
16
“Heaven” by Niall Horan
The lead single from Horan’s newest album The Show, “Heaven” is the former boy band member’s most swoon-worthy song since “That’s What Makes You Beautiful.”
Most Romantic Lyric: Strange light revolves around you / You float across the room / Your touch is made of something / Heaven can’t hold a candle too
17
“I’ll Be Waiting” by Cian Ducrot
This Irish singer-songwriter has been growing in popularity on TikTok for years, and if you like this track, check out his debut album Victory.
Most Romantic Lyric: If you ever wanna fall in love / If you ever wanna bet on us / If you ever wanna be my one / I’ll be waiting
18
“Pointless,” by Lewis Capaldi
Lewis Capaldi never fails to bring all the feels, and he does so once again with “Pointless,” which perfectly captures the power of all-consuming, totally intoxicating love. (And yes, this one technically came out in December 2022, but it’s from his 2023 album Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent, so it still counts.)
Most Romantic Lyric: I make her cards on her birthday / She makes me a better man / I take her water when she’s thirsty / She takes me as I am.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
19
“Trustfall,” by P!nk
The title track from her ninth studio album, P!nk’s “Trustfall” will remind you that—even though falling in love can be scary—the risk is v worth the reward when you find the right person.
Most Romantic Lyric: What if we just fall? / I’m not going without you / And you’re not going alone / I fell so far ’til I found you / But you know, what you know, when you know.
20
“Moonlight Sunrise,” by TWICE
The second-ever English-language single from K-pop girl group TWICE is dreamy, catchy, and totally swoon-worthy—what more could ya want??
Most Romantic Lyric: Cards out on the table, what you say? / I need you, you need me, you’re mine / I’m your moonlight, you’re my sunrise, babe / I guarantee I got ya.
Editor
Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.
Courtney Young is a freelance writer covering all things entertainment and pop culture, having previously written for Betches, Mic, and The Cut. Her Real Housewives locale of choice is New Jersey, her emotional support show is Girls, and her toxic trait is romanticizing mafia culture. You can follow her on Instagram @courtneyyoungg.
