Published Feb 13, 2026, 2:51 PM EST
Ryan is a lifestyle and culture journalist born and raised in the Philippines. He primarily covers film, television, music, and all things pop culture. Beyond writing, you can find him buried in thriller novels or off exploring the world on occasion. He deeply romanticizes a slow, peaceful life — even though he’s almost always drowning in deadlines (insert skull emoji here).
Indeed, love songs never go out of style. From classics to modern hits, this genre continues to sweep us off our feet. However, there really was something in the air during the 1970s, when love songs felt more heartfelt, warm, and passionately romantic. In fact, some of the most unforgettable tracks came straight from that era. With Valentine’s Day, as we all know, being the perfect occasion to celebrate love and romance, these timeless hits have the power to make hearts flutter, set the mood, and bring a touch of nostalgia. Whether you’re celebrating with a significant other, a friend, or by yourself (a little self-love won’t hurt, after all), these three love songs from the 1970s are sure to hit all the right notes.
"(They Long To Be) Close To You" (1970)
Artist: Carpenters
To be fair, the Carpenters are pretty well known for their string of pop love ballads, made even more perfect with their signature soft musical style, complemented by the late Karen Carpenter’s distinctive, intimate, warm, and impressively clear vocals. Some of the fan favorites include “We've Only Just Begun,” “For All We Know,” and “Top of the World.” But there’s something about "(They Long To Be) Close To You" that just takes the top spot as their most romantic, gentle, and endearing.
Off the musical duo's second studio album, Close to You, the soft pop track (written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David) is a sweet and simple love song about the narrator’s longing to be near someone they love and deeply adore. Whimsical and tender in its imagery, it even sings about how that person attracts birds and falling stars — just like the narrator, who longs to be close to them. The song stands as the Carpenters’ signature hit, having topped the charts at the time of its release, and is still widely heard today. Apart from spending four weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 charts, the song also earned them a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus back in 1971.
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"How Deep Is Your Love" (1977)
Artist: Bee Gees
From the very first note, “How Deep Is Your Love” by the Bee Gees instantly pulls you in with its smooth, soothing melody. But it isn’t just its soft, melodic arrangement that makes it such a timeless song. Released in 1977 as part of the soundtrack for the dance drama film Saturday Night Fever, starring John Travolta and Karen Lynn Gorney, the soft-rock track explores the depths of romantic commitment and the longing for a sure and lasting love; thus asking the question, “How deep is your love?”
“How Deep Is Your Love” also showcased the Bee Gees in a different light, away from their dance floor-ready anthems like “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” and “You Should Be Dancing.” While ballads weren’t entirely new territory for the group, the song highlighted their ability to craft tender, emotive tracks even at the height of their disco fame. It wasn’t just a great love song; it’s also a great song in general, so much so that it appeared on numerous “best of” lists from various music publications.
"Make It with You" (1970)
Artist: Bread
“Make It with You” stands as not only one of Bread’s most recognizable tracks but generally one of the most iconic soft-rock love songs of the 1970s, with the first simple word “Hey” instantly drawing listeners into its warm, intimate embrace. From the band's second album, On the Waters, the song is about the narrator’s desire to build a lasting relationship with their special someone and the quiet certainty that he’d make it with her. It goes, "Dreams, they're for those who sleep / Life is for us to keep / And if you're wondering what this song is leading to / I want to make it with you / I really think that we could make it, girl."
“Make It with You” was the band’s first major hit (and a quick one upon its release, at that), and ultimately established them as soft-rock icons. In every sense, “Make It with You” is a song for the hopeful romantics. Even decades after its release, it remains a quintessential 1970s love song, and any list of the best love songs of that era would be incomplete without it.
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