The Most Romantic Songs of The 90s

by WiseFool

Some of the best schmaltzy love songs, with just a touch of nostalgia.

Most of my pre-adolescent and teen years were lived during the 90s. So, perhaps unsurprisingly, many of my favorite music memories are from that decade.

And it was a great ten years for an infectious ballad, a soppy romantic tune or a slightly more racy ditty dedicated to the physical act of love - I'm thinking of a particular number by Color Me Badd.

These are just a few of the most romantic songs of the 90s or, to put it another way, the most oft sung tunes of my teenage bedroom.

Beauty and The Beast - Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson

One of my favorite songs, which just so happens to be from one of my favorite Disney movies. What girl of the 90s didn't love Beauty and The Beast? In fact, what girl of the 90s doesn't still love Beauty and The Beast?

Let's face it, the entire soundtrack (composed by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken) is fabulous.

However, the title track; sung during that unforgettable ballroom sequence by the immensely talented Angela Lansbury; and on the end credits by Celine and Peabo, is particularly appealing.

Released in 1991, the song stormed the charts in Canada, the US and the UK. It remains immensely popular, having been covered by numerous artists - including, most recently, Jordin Sparks of American Idol fame.  

I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston

Another number from a movie soundtrack, and yet another classic that has been covered and re-released over the years.

Written by Dolly Parton, 'I Will Always Love You' was heard by country music fan, Kevin Costner, who suggested it as the Bodyguard's main theme. The rest, as the say is history. When Houston's version of the song was released in 1992, it became one of the biggest selling singles of all time, winning numerous awards and topping more than twenty music charts worldwide.

Save The Best for Last - Vanessa Williams

She would go on to torment poor Ugly Betty and make waves on Wysteria Lane, but the fresh-faced Vanessa Williams of the 90s was carving out a career as a singer. 

'Save The Best for Last' has, arguably, become her signature number, but it wasn't written for her. In fact, it was quite by chance that she landed it; having to make a quick change when recording her album 'The Comfort Zone' with one song suddenly being dropped.

Although it seems crazy now, apparently, a number of other singers had been offered 'Save The Best for Last' and had (for reasons only known to them) turned it down. Their loss was Williams' gain, as the song shot to number one in both the U.S. and Australian charts, and breached the top ten in numerous other countries. 

(Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams

And back to the great romantic songs from the movies of the 90s we go (and more Kevin Costner), with Bryan Adams' smash hit, epic ballad from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.

Winning a Grammy for best song from a motion picture and an Oscar nomination, the track was also a huge commercial success; reaching number one in eighteen countries and remaining in several music charts for months.

'(Everything I Do) I Do It For You' also graced the wedding receptions of thousands of 90s couples.

In the late 90s, RnB princess Brandy (aka Brandy Norwood) covered the song, but it was nowhere near as successful as the original had been. 

I'll Stand By You - The Pretenders

Arguably The Pretenders' most well known song, 'I'll Stand By You' was released in July of 1994, as the second single from the group's sixth album, 'Last of The Independents'.

Written by lead singer Chrissie Hynde, with Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg, the track reached number sixteen on the Billboard Hot 100, and has since been covered by American Idol winner Carrie Underwood.

You Are Not Alone - Michael Jackson

The King of Pop proved he could also deliver a great ballad in 1995, with a song allegedly written by R. Kelly, although that was contended by two Belgian songwriters, who claimed the track was plagiarized.

'You Are Not Alone' became one of the great love songs of the 90s, reaching number one in several countries, including Belgium - where, several years later, due to a court determining that the melody was indeed stolen, radio stations were prohibited from playing the track.

Regardless of who wrote it, the song remains a firm favorite among Jackson fans and 90s music lovers everywhere.

Always Be My Baby - Mariah Carey

Written by Mariah Carey, with Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, 'Always Be My Baby' was Carey's eleventh song to top the Billboard Hot 100.

The song, released in March of 1996, tells of that never-ending love that all teenage girls (this one included) dream of.

Although, now, I must admit, "no way you're never gonna shake me" does seem a little like the mantra of a stalker.

Nevertheless, it's still one of Mariah's most well-known songs, and, as we seem to be discovering,  any 90s song worth its salt is covered by an American Idol contestant. 'Always Be My Baby' was taken on my David Cook in 2008, with a more rocky feel. 

It's Your Love - Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

It doesn't get much more romantic than two attractive, extremely talented singers, who also happen to be married to each other, belting out a beautiful ballad of love.

Released in May, 1997, 'It's Your Love' stormed the CMAs, winning song, single and video of the year. In the charts, it was case of a slow boil; making it to the top of the Billboard 100 by its fifth week in the chart.

Once Tim and Faith got there though, they were tough to budge - sticking it out at the top spot for six weeks. 

From This Moment On - Shania Twain

Anybody who attended a lot of weddings during the late 90s probably became sick of 'From This Moment On'. It is one of Shania Twain's best loved ballads, and unsurprisingly, was the choice of many couples for their 'first dance'.

And, I'm sure, for some of the couples, who didn't quite go the distance, the song has lost its lustre. Which is, no doubt, true for Twain herself, who wrote the song with her then-husband Robert John 'Mutt' Lange. 

Subsequently, the pair divorced, amid rumors that Lange had been having an affair with Twain's best friend, Marie-Anne Thiébaud. In a bizarre twist, Shania Twain went on to marry, Frédéric Thiébaud, who had been the husband of Marie-Anne.

I must admit, all this slightly taints 'From This Moment On', but it's still a wonderful ballad and the sentiment is incredibly romantic, even if reality teaches us it's a fairy tale.

 

Kiss Me - Sixpence None The Richer

The song 'Kiss Me' brought Sixpence None The Richer into the mainstream, thanks mainly to the song featuring on the soundtrack of popular 90s TV series Dawson's Creek. It would go on to be used in the movie She's All That.

Released in the summer of 1998, 'Kiss Me' spent 24 weeks in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. And went on to become the sixth best-selling track of 1999.

Alas, for Sixpence None The Richer, that's pretty much where they peaked. With the exception of a cover of The Las' 'There She Goes', we didn't see or hear much of the band again.

Nevertheless, I'm sure I'm not alone in having some very good memories surrounding (and, therefore, a continued fondness for) 'Kiss Me'.

Updated: 02/10/2013, WiseFool
 
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Is Your Favorite Romantic Song From the 90s Missing From The List?

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WiseFool on 02/21/2013

Hi, Jerrico! Thanks very much. Glad you've been enjoying the tunes as you work. I'm quite eclectic in my musical tastes, but the 90s is some of my very favorite stuff, too!

Jerrico_Usher on 02/20/2013

Wow, great post this page has become today's music menu, I'm updating my article on motivation mechanics and the whole time I'm playing things from this page! I have a dedicated channel in my satellite TV music menu for "90's hits" that I play almost all the time (I loved my childhood especially the 90's (graduated in '93)... thanks for sharing!

WiseFool on 02/20/2013

Hi, Elias. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Very glad the songs brought back some memories for you, too. I think I'd have to agree with you over Kiss Me and I'll Stand By You, they're both stalwart favorites of mine.

EliasZanetti on 02/20/2013

Cool post. I remember the impact of Houston's song and of Adam's as well. My favorite would have been Kiss me and the one from The Pretenders Thanks for the memories ;)

WiseFool on 02/12/2013

Yes, indeed, Katie. Lisa Marie and Michael was got to be one of the strangest pairings. They look good together in the video, though. Doesn't Lisa Marie have a great figure!

katiem2 on 02/12/2013

I like; Kiss Me, Its Your Love, and Michael Jackson - You Are Not Alone with the biggest thrill of the video being his marriage to Lisa Marie Presley and their role as man and wife. Great group of diverse love songs, something for everyone. :)K

WiseFool on 02/12/2013

Glad to know it brought back the memories, Angel! I think some of these tracks will still prove to be timeless classics in decades to come.

Angel on 02/12/2013

Wow... what a flashback for me! I was a child of the 80s and 90s. Born in 73 so maybe late 80s but more of the 90s. These were great songs... thanks for bringing up some good memories!

WiseFool on 02/11/2013

Thanks, Mira! Glad you enjoyed the song choices. They all certainly bring back memories for me.

Mira on 02/11/2013

Very nice page! I enjoyed all the trivia, as well as remembering all the songs :)

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