Best Rock Love Songs
Love is in the air and rock music helps us express that love with guitars, pianos, and drums. Whether it is to celebrate Valentine’s Day, your wedding or your anniversary, use these songs as the soundtrack to your time of love.
1. “(Everything I Do)I Do It For You“ by Bryan Adams
Canadian rocker, Bryan Adams was really active in the Eighties and Nineties with hits like “Run to You”, “Heaven”. This song was released in 1991 and went to number one in several countries. It was on the soundtrack for the movie Robinhood: Prince of Thieves. The power love ballad has everything in the lyrics to make it to the top of our list. The lyrics talk about lying and dying for this person that they love.
2. “I’ll Be There For You” by Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is a band that hails from New Jersey. Created in 1983, the band consists of singer, Jon Bon Jovi, keyboardist, David Bryan, Drummer Tico Torres, Guitarist John Shanks. Original bassist, Alec John Such, left in 1994. Original guitarist and co-songwriter, Richie Sambora left in 2013. This power rock love song talks about leaving and if the person stays, that
“I’ll be the water when you’re thirsty, baby
When you get drunk, I’ll be wine”
3. “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin
This song is a testament from Robert Plant to his wife, Maureen Wilson. “Thank You” was released October 22, 1969 and appears on the album, Led Zeppelin II. The track is a haunting, beautiful song that has stood the test of time as one of the best in rock.
4. “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” by KISS
KISS and Paul Stanley wanted to prove that writing a disco song was not hard. So they tapped Desmond Child on the shoulder to help. Desmond Child was responsible for numerous hits in the Eighties and Nineties like “I Hate Myself for Loving You” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, “You Give Love a Bad Name”, “Livin’ on a Prayer”, and “Bad Medicine” by Bon Jovi, “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”, “Angel”, “Crazy”, and “What It Takes” by Aerosmith. This song is a balance between disco and a classic KISS song. The song was the band’s second gold single.
5. “Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon
This is a power ballad that has really stood the test of time. The song was released December 17, 1984 and is over forty years old. REO Speedwagon was formed in Champaign, Illinois by members who were attending University of Illinois. The band has had different lineups over the years. There are many songs that could have been chosen by REO Speedwagon to be on this list however I chose “Can’t Fight This Feeling” as one of my personal favorites.
6. “Bring Me To Life” by Evanescence
Off of their debut album, Fallen, and this debut single may be one of their best. The song appeared on the Daredevil soundtrack. It was our introduction to the haunting voice of Amy Lee. In the video, Amy was asking for someone to come and save her and portrays her having a nightmare.
7. “More Than Words” by Extreme
Extreme consists of vocalist Gary Cherone, drummer Paul Geary, and guitarist, Nuno Betancourt, who definitely became the most ubiquitous member of the band. In popular culture, Jimmy Fallon and Jack Black did a recreation of the “More Than Words” video shot for shot for the tonight show. The song released in March 12, 1991 and quickly became a number one.
8. “I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith
This song was featured in the movie, Armageddon, that starred Liv Tyler, Steven Tyler’s daughter. Co-written by prolific hit songwriter Diane Warren and Aerosmith guitarist, Joe Perry. “I don’t was Aerosmith’s first and only number one in the United States. The ballad is considered one of Aerosmith’s best songs. Fans of the band prior to 1998 would disagree as they like the hard rocking song more. They even liked the 1986 collab with Run DMC on “Walk This Way” better than this power ballad however the song opened up Aerosmith to a much, larger audience.
9. “Iris” by Goo Goo Dolls
Okay so the theme is that there were a lot of rock songs in movies in the Nineties. “Iris” was featured in the movie City of Angels. The soundtrack also had the hit “Uninvited” by Alanis Morrissette. John Rzeznik said he wrote the song after thinking about the character, Seth, in the movie who gives up immortality to be human.
10. “Miss You In a Heartbeat” by Def Leppard
The acoustic version was released on the album Retro Active. Def Leppard is an British band formed in 1976. The Eighties and early Nineties were the years for Def Leppard with hit albums Pyromania, Hysteria and Adrenalize and hit songs “Love Bites”, “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Let’s Get Rocked”. While in 1984, their drummer, Rick Allen was involved in a severe car accident that resulted in the loss of his left arm. The band continued with Rick Allen who continues to drum for them to this day. That is dedication to the band.
11. “Love of My Life” by Queen
Queen is a British rock band and this song is on the album A Night At The Opera and featured Brian May playing the harp.
The lyrics
“When I grow olderI will be there at your side to remind youHow I still love you”
This song was a favorite ballad live that the audience could sing along to. It still resonates as a sing along at weddings or karaoke.
12. “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica
This was the love song by Metallica that we never knew we needed until it was released. Released on the Black Album on August 12, 1991 but as a single April 12, 1992. More metalheads than ever have had that song play at their wedding since it’s release. Finnish metal band Apocalyptica covered it on cellos in 1996. The Apocalyptica cover was featured on the TV series Wednesday. The song is beautiful in every version.
13. “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star
This rock love song was not a one hit wonder from the band but vocalist, Hope Sandoval, received a lot of attention after this song was a hit. It is considered one of the best songs of all time and it is such a short song. Is it about unrequited love? I think that is up to interpretation. However, when we think about it, it really is about the listener and what they feel when listening to it and I feel love when I listen to it.
14. “Faithfully” by Journey
Journey is a rock band from San Francisco formed in 1973. The band has changed lineups over the years. This song was written by Journey keyboardist, Jonathan Cain. We are not going to weigh in on the debate of who should be the lead singer of Journey. All we are going to say is that this song is one of the greatest rocks love songs of all time sung by Steve Perry.
15. “I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders
The Pretenders were formed in 1978 in London, England. Chrissie Hynde, the vocalist is from Akron, Ohio. “I’ll Stand By You” was released April 11, 1994 off the album Last of The Independents. The song is about loving someone through sickness. The video shows Chrissie Hynde helping take care of a man. Another song that has stood the test of time and is used by lovers for weddings.
16. “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS
The song peaked at number 5 on the Billboard US Mainstream Rock. The music was written by keyboardists, Andrew Farriss and lyrics by vocalist, Michael Hutchence who wrote the lyrics for his girlfriend at the time. INXS is a band from Sydney, Australia. Michael Hutchence died in 1997 by suicide but at the time, there was speculation that it was erotic asphyxiation. That was sensational news at the time but later found to be false. “Never Tear Us Apart” has left an indelible mark on rock history and is an undeniable great love song.
17. “I Want To Know What Love” Is by Foreigner
Foreigner is a British and American rock band formed in 1976. It was formed by vocalist, Lou Gramm,guitarist Mick Jones, keyboardist Al Greenwood, drummer Dennis Elliott and Ian McDonald who plays various instruments. “I Want To Know What Love Is” reached number one on both the United Kingdom charts and Billboard Hot 100. The lyrics lend to physical love:
I wanna know what love isI want you to show me(I wanna feel) I wanna feel what love is(I know) I know you can show me
18. “Yellow” by Coldplay
This love song was released in 2000. When you see the video, vocalist Chris Martin is almost unrecognizable from today. The story goes that the name was derived from the yellow pages sitting in the studio area. The yellow pages was paper book with a listing of businesses with landline phones in your area. Coldplay is a British band from London.
19. “Song #3” by Stone Sour
Hard rockers unite behind a love song that is not a ballad. Corey Taylor, vocalist for Slipknot also has a hard rock band called Stone Sour. It has recruited members of Slipknot for inclusion over the years. Corey Taylor, states the song is about strong passionate love that is undying. The exact song we need to cap off a day of love.
20. “Sabbra Cadabra” by Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath have announced a final show July 5, 2025 since Ozzy Osbourne wants to say goodbye to fans after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. The lyrics for this song:
Love that little lady, always on my mindShe gives me lovin’ every night and dayNever gonna leave her, never going awaySomeone to love meYou know she makes me feel alright
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