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35 Best 2000s Love Songs (Top Picks)

December 29, 2023
2000s love songs

I’ve carefully selected the best 2000s love songs, a collection of top picks that capture the unique romantic spirit of the early millennium.

This playlist is a blend of heartfelt melodies and lyrics that defined a decade, perfect for reminiscing or experiencing the 2000s anew through its most touching love songs.

Top 2000s love songs

  • “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol
  • “Crazy In Love” by Beyonce
  • “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey
  • “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift
  • “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele
  • “Fallin” by Alicia Keys
  • “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones
  • “Down” by Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne
  • “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias
  • “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars

1. “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol

Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol gained significant popularity after being featured in the hit TV show Grey’s Anatomy’s second season.

The singer expresses how he finds comfort in his lover and wants to forget the rest of the world.

The song ranked no. 1 on the US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard), US Adult Contemporary (Billboard), and the US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) charts.

2. “Crazy In Love” by Beyonce

“Crazy In Love” by Beyonce is about someone falling in love and how emotion makes them act out of character.

The song is considered one of Beyonce’s bests and topped several music charts, including US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard), US Dance Club Songs (Billboard), and US Billboard Hot 100.

The song won two Grammy’s for Best R&B Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2004.

3. “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey

In “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey, the singer regrets her breakup and tries to convince her ex that they should give their relationship another chance.

The R&B ballad topped many music charts, including US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard), US Pop 100 (Billboard), and US Rhythmic (Billboard).

“We Belong Together” was Carey’s comeback song after critics had deemed her career over.

4. “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift

If you were a teen in the 2000s, you probably know how obsessed everyone was with “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift.

The song is full of high school stereotypes, and its video has 1.4 billion views on Youtube.

The song won a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Song and an MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video.

5. “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele

“Make You Feel My Love” by Adele is about giving love to those who need it no matter the sacrifice required. 

Bob Dylan originally wrote this song for his album Time Out of Mind.

Adele’s cover of the song was described as soulful and ranked no.1 on the Netherlands (Single Top 100) and UK Indie (OCC) charts.

6. “Fallin” by Alicia Keys

“Fallin” by Alicia Keys has gospel elements and is a great first dance song option for weddings.

The song was the singer’s debut single and is popular for being played in processions.

It won 3 Grammy’s for Song of the Year, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Song. 

7. “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones

“Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones is one of the popular jazz 2000s love songs on this list.

The song is about different places where two lovers can escape to enjoy each other’s company.

8. “Down” by Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne

“Down” by Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne was written by the singer in 90 minutes, after which he was told by the record company that something was missing from the song.

Playing it again, the singer realized that a collaboration with Lil Wayne would be perfect for the song.

He also replaced some sad lyrics with more hopeful and happy ones.

9. “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias

The song “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias became an unofficial anthem after the 9/11 attacks because it was about heroes who sacrificed themselves for loved ones.

This gave the song significant popularity, and it topped music charts like the US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) and US Dance Club Songs (Billboard).

It won a Billboard Latin Music Award for Latin Dance Club/Play Track of the Year and a Comet award for Best Male Video.

10. “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars

“Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars is a popular wedding song in which Mars praises his lover for being perfect as they are.

The song had everyone swooning over its adoring lyrics and won Mars a Grammy for  Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

11. “You And Me” by Lifehouse

“You and Me” by Lifehouse describe the overwhelming feeling that takes over when someone is in love.

All you can think about is the person you love; nothing apart from them matters anymore.

The soft rock song topped the US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) and US Adult Top 40 (Billboard) charts.

12. “She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5

“She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5 skyrocketed the band’s fandom when it was released in 2004.

The song is a sentimental track and can be dedicated to someone you love to tell them that you’ll always be there when they need you.

13. “Yellow” by Coldplay

“Yellow” by Coldplay is one of the best 2000s love songs and was the band’s first American hit.

The song was dedicated to Chris Martin’s mom, who was dying from a disease that made her skin yellow.

14. “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane

Another Grey’s Anatomy fan-favorite, “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane, expresses the wish to run away to somewhere secluded with the person you love.

The song is 2 times platinum certified in both the United Kingdom (BPI) and the United States (RIAA).

15. “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis

“Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis was one of the 2000s love songs whose chorus you won’t get out of your head no matter how hard you try.

The song tells the story of two people who love each other, but the world is hell-bent on setting them apart.

Lewis’s signature song got her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

16. “Love Story” by Taylor Swift

“Love Story” by Taylor Swift is one of the singer’s greatest hits and won fans over as soon as it was released.

The song tells a happier version of Romeo and Juliet.

It won Swift a Country Award in 2009 and a Pop Award in 2010, both for Song of the Year.

17. “Angel” by Shaggy ft. Rayvon

“Angel” by Shaggy ft. Rayvon advises men not to mess up their relationships by being wild when they’re young.

He urges them to cherish their partners and not to take them for granted.

The song topped many international charts, including charts in Australia, Austria, Flanders, Germany, and Ireland.

18. “Maps” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Lead singer Karen O wrote “Maps” for her then-boyfriend, who left her to take up a job offer.

In the song, she expresses how she can’t get over him, and he’s always on her mind.

19. “Bubbly” by Colbie Caillat

“Bubbly” by Colbie Caillat was the singer’s debut single from her album Coco (2007).

The song captures the emotions you feel when you have a crush on somebody.

The song ranked no.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard), and US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) charts.

20. “A Moment Like This” by Kelly Clarkson

“A Moment Like This” was Kelly Clarkson’s debut single after she won the show, American Idol.

The song jumped on the US Hot 100 chart from position no. 52 to 1.

Its video features Clarkson roaming around in a vacant theatre and getting on its stage, reminiscing about her American idol-winning moment.

21. “Halo” by Beyonce

“Halo” by Beyonce is about someone who initially suffered from a bad relationship and built an emotional wall around herself.

She sings about letting go of caution with her new relationship and how her partner’s love is breaking down the walls she had built.

The song won Beyonce a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. 

22. “Everything” by Michael Buble

“Everything” by Michael Buble was written for his then-girlfriend Emily Blunt.

He sings about how a person’s love makes life better and worthwhile.

The song topped the US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) and Italy (FIMI) charts.

23. “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay

“A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay was written during the band’s Ghost Stories sessions with Avicii.

It ranked no.1 on the US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) and US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard) charts.

24. “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz

“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz is about making the most of every moment and giving yourself fully to the person you love.

The song was a commercial success in the United States, topping 4 Billboard charts, including the US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard) and US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) charts.

25. “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt

“You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt is allegedly about the singer’s former girlfriend, Dixie Chassay.

He wrote the song after catching his ex-girlfriend’s eye in the subway while she was with her new boyfriend.

26. “If It’s Lovin’ That You Want” by Rihanna

“If It’s Lovin’ That You Want” by Rihanna is from the singer’s debut album, Music of the Sun (2005).

In the song, Rihanna tells a guy that he should be with her if he wants to be loved.

27. “So High” by John Legend

“So High” by John Legend is one of the 2000s love songs that make you want to fall in love all over again.

The soulful song is about how free he feels being in love and wants to leave everything behind and go somewhere secluded with his partner.

28. “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones

“Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones is among the popular 2000s love songs that are usually played at weddings.

The song peaked at position no. 2 and was played in the movie Maid in Manhattan (2002).

29. “My Boo” by Usher ft. Alicia Keys

“My Boo” by Usher ft. Alicia Keys is a duet about a couple that has broken up but is still hung up on each other.

The son stayed on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for six weeks.

It was ranked 36th of the biggest songs of the 2000–2009 decade in the United States.

30. “Better Together” by Jack Johnson

“Better Together” by Jack Johnson is from the singer’s 2005 album, In Between Dreams.

In the song, the singer expresses how he and his partner are incomplete without each other and how they make even the dark moments of life better for each other.

31. “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton

“A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton expresses the singer’s yearning for the person she’s in love with.

This was one of the 2000s love songs that blew up on the radio.

The song earned a Grammy nomination for the Song of The Year category.

32. “Drops of Jupiter” by Train

Drops of Jupiter” by Train is about the death of the lead singer, Pat Monahan’s mother, who died of lung cancer.

The song is about how she hasn’t left him and still exists in the atmosphere.

The song is also about Mohanan finding himself after the tragedy of her death.

33. “With You” by Chris Brown

“With You” by Chris Brown is about a girl he hopelessly loves and needs in his life.

The singer said the song was inspired by the love of his fans for him.

The song topped the US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard) and US Rhythmic (Billboard) charts.

34. “Lucky” by Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat

“Lucky” by Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat was written by both singers over email.

It’s about two best friends who are in love with each other.

The song won Mraz and Caillat a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.

35. “She Is Love” by Parachute

“She Is Love” by Parachute was the band’s debut single from their album, Losing Sleep (2009).

Songwriter Will Anderson simply wrote the song to sing in front of some girls he wanted to invite to his show.

The song peaked at position no.4 on the US Heatseekers Songs (Billboard) chart.

2000s Love Songs – Final Thoughts

2000s love songs are great to play at weddings or anniversaries to set a romantic vibe. 

They are also perfect for dedicating to your loved ones to make them feel special.

We hope you enjoyed these songs and felt as nostalgic as we did while compiling them.

You may also like: Best Songs of the 2000s

Will Fenton

Will, the founder of MIDDER, is a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for music and personal finance. As a self-proclaimed music and personal finance geek, he has a keen eye for futuristic technologies, especially those that empower creators and the public.

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