Will Fenton
The magic of first love. The intense rush of emotions.
The heart pumps even faster, and butterflies in the stomach.
And big smiles on your face.
There’s something about young love that makes it unforgettable.
Whether the instant attraction or the nostalgic memories.
But in the midst of it is the inevitable heartbreak. The first crushing heartbreak that will make you swear never to fall in love again.
But it’s never too long before you find a new partner.
And the endless cycle continues.
Below are the 35 best songs about young love to rekindle memories of your first romance.
1. “Love Story” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s first love encounter in this 2008 hit single resonates with any new lovers.
The nostalgic track compares Taylor’s love to that of Romeo and Juliet, only this time, the story has a better ending as the two lovebirds defy all odds to be together.
With just enough flavor to spice up your first love and catchy lyrics to evoke emotions, “Love Story” is an almost flawless composition.
2. “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry
“Teenage Dream” is a nostalgic song about first love.
Katy Perry wrote this song as part of her 2010 album of the same name, and it resonated with many young listeners.
By design, the lyrics express the joy of first love and the rush of emotions.
The lyrics capture the intense feeling as the narrator dreams of spending her entire life with this one person.
3. “Memories Are Made Of” by Luke Combs
Luke Combs takes a trip down memory lane in his 2017 country song, talking about his youthful days and how everything was fun or not so.
While he admits his youthful days weren’t all that fun, he relishes the beautiful memories that helped shape his life.
One of his fond memories is his first love encounter as an innocently naive boy who only wanted to explore.
This is the song you need to reminisce about those lovely moments spent with your loved one.
4. “Strawberry Wine” by Deana Carter
Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine” is an ode to beautiful teenage love.
The lyrics recall the naivety of first love, comparing a girl’s bittersweet first romance to the sweet but intoxicating wine.
The song became Deana’s best-ever single, hitting #1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks and the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts.
5. “The One That Got Away” by Katy Perry
“You know it’s crazy, ’cause nights like this/Would start out with a little private party/You sneak me in your mom’s house.”
Have you ever loved somebody, then they just slipped away, never to hear from them again?
Katy Perry’s emotional pop ballad reminisces an intense and fun love with the addressee.
Then, something ripped them apart.
And now she longs for the good old days.
They did what every young lover could, from matching tattoos to planning their future together and getting nasty occasionally.
Unfortunately, it was never meant to be.
6. “I Knew I Loved You” by Savage Garden
Surely nobody could express the euphoria of first love better than the Australian pop duo.
Savage Garden’s track is also one of the best songs about love at first sight.
The singer is mesmerized by this one person and can imagine spending the rest of their lives together.
The deeply moving song has become a wedding staple for the powerful message about love at first sight.
After all the pain, heartbreaks, and waiting, he’s finally found the perfect one.
And he can’t hide his excitement.
7. “Stacy’s Mom” by Foundations of Wayne
“Stacy’s Mom” is a song about those oddly projected romantic feelings toward people we should call parents.
It is about a young man crushing on his girlfriend’s mom and the odd feelings around it.
Of course, that’s strange.
But what more proof do you need to know that not all young love is genuine romance?
8. “Young Dreams” by Elvis Presley
When you have your dreams, you only want to pursue them at all costs.
That’s The King of Rock and Roll’s message in his 1958 rock song.
The song takes a cheerful and optimistic view of life, with Presley discussing all young people’s dreams about making it in life and finding the perfect lover.
9. “Crush” by David Archuleta
The emotional rush of meeting a crush is unexplainable.
The guy in the song is quickly falling for the girl and believes they can take it to the next level.
No matter how hard he tries, he can’t hide his deep feelings toward the girl.
10. “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus
The teenage stage is your chance to do some nasty things with little responsibilities on your shoulder.
Wheatus’ 2000 hit song celebrates that rebellious nature as you define your life’s path.
You will be lucky not to get your first heartbreak at this stage.
“Teenage Dirtbag” was a global success, occupying the #1 spot on the Australian charts besides becoming platinum certified in the UK.
11. “Young Love” by Kip Moore
Nothing matters when you’re madly in love with someone.
The lyrics to Kip Moore’s song talk to young people in love and what it means to wake up beside the one you love.
You might have missed a lot if you didn’t have those sneaking nights, romantic dates, or secret adventures with your young lover.
12. “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield
What else could make you admire someone else’s lover, if not those misplaced romantic feelings in adolescence?
The narrator is obsessed with his friend’s woman even though the lady doesn’t seem to reciprocate the feeling.
It may sound crazy, but it’s just one of those stages we all go through in our teenage years.
13. “Teenage Love” by Slick Rick
One of Slick Rick’s most recognizable songs expresses the bittersweet feelings of first love.
It was part of the singer’s 1988 The Great Adventures album with a melancholic mood as the narrator breaks down his teenage love story.
“Teenage Love” was a massive hit, peaking at #8 on the Hot Rap Singles chart.
14. “Young Love” by Air Supply
There’s something about young love that makes you want to experience it even more.
If you find the right partner, then the innocence and purity of first love get even better.
Air Supply’s song expresses those feelings about falling in love so badly you can’t think of anything else.
The song appealed to Air Supply’s fan base, especially the youthful listeners, because of its relatable message and reflective lyrics.
15. “Baby” by Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris
Justin Bieber describes his first love encounter in “Baby.”
The addressee appears to show interest at the beginning.
But that’s short-lived.
And Justin is heartbroken when the romantic interest fails to reciprocate his love, admitting they can only be friends.
Then comes rapper Ludacris, sharing his account of first love.
Like Justin, his first love only brought him pain.
Strangely, this consoles Bieber that he’s not alone in it, and it’s probably wiser to concede defeat.
16. “The Only Exception” by Paramore
Paramore’s heartfelt love song is about taking a risk in love.
The singer doesn’t believe in love when the narration begins after watching her parents’ divorce.
Suddenly, she finds the perfect guy and makes an exception to fall in love because of this one person.
17. “She’s In Love With the Boy” by Trisha Yearwood
Trisha Yearwood’s 1991 country song recognizes the charm of young love.
The upbeat track describes a teenage love story with a happy ending and still resonates with new lovers today.
18. “Shape of You by Ed Sheeran
Love grows anywhere.
Ed Sheeran’s romantic story began in a bar with his drinking buddies when he spotted a beautiful woman.
Just like any young love, romance grew.
And before they knew it, they had a strong bond.
When experimenting with love, you are never sure what will work out.
And it helps to find out if it’s driven by genuine affection or lust.
For Ed Sheeran, it looks like he’s just found the perfect girl to complement his life.
19. “First Kiss” by Kid Rock
Young love is incomplete without that first kiss.
The first kiss that stays in your mind forever.
Kid Rock reminisces about his first love in the nostalgic 2015 song, thinking about the special kiss.
The lyrics will remind you of your teenage love story with that one person who could laugh at your jokes, care for you, and light up your day with their bright smile.
It’s just the perfect song to bring back those memories of your high school sweetheart.
20. “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepson
Everybody remembers Carly Rae Jepson for her 2012 hit “Call Me Maybe.”
The flirtatious message and the catchy lyrics made the track one of the most popular love songs in the 2010s.
The beloved Carly Rae song stayed at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 9 weeks.
It also became the best-selling single in 2012.
Let’s remind you of this line for the last time, “Hey, I just met you/And this is crazy/But here’s my number/So call me maybe.”
21. “Teenager In Love” by Dion and The Belmonts
Love can hurt you at any age.
And it gets even worse for teenage lovers who must face their first-ever heartbreak no matter how promising the first romance looks.
“Teenager In Love” echoes the same message about a vulnerable schoolboy worried about a potential heartbreak.
The teenage love song reached #5 on the Billboard pop charts.
22. “Thirteen” by Big Star
Many artists have written beautiful songs about childhood experiences.
But only a few bring out the pure innocence and joy of young love like Big Star’s “Thirteen.”
The lyrics are designed to put you in full nostalgia, taking you back to your teenage years with the innocence of young love.
The magical sound makes the narration even better, and some have described the song as “one of rock’s most beautiful celebrations of adolescence.”
You can find it on Big Stars’ 1972 debut album, #1 Record.
23. “Love Is A Battlefield” by Pat Benatar
Teenage love is all fun and games until it isn’t.
Pat Benatar acknowledges that love, especially young love is full of ups and downs, comparing it to a battlefield.
Young love brings the inevitable heartbreak.
Then there are endless uncertainties.
And the persistent doubt.
In Pat’s case, she’s trapped in a troubled relationship with a toxic partner who’s given her enough reasons to move on.
But she’s stuck in this little thing called love and won’t move.
24. “You Belong With Me” by Taylor Swift
Just another song and yet another high school drama from a young Taylor Swift.
Unrequited love is a common theme in young love.
Just like Taylor Swift expresses in her 2008 song from the Fearless album.
The lyrics describe a young Taylor falling head over heels for a guy who doesn’t reciprocate the love.
The guy is already in a stable relationship and won’t leave it for the American singer.
If you’ve experienced unrequited love, you will know how much it hurts.
25. “Only Sixteen” by Sam Cooke
An innocent, young, and naive Sam Cooke expresses his teenage love story in “Only Sixteen.”
He thought the intense feeling would last forever when the relationship began.
Sadly, it never goes that way for young lovers.
But how would he know when he was only 16?
26. “Catching Feelings” by Justin Bieber
Do you remember the butterfly feelings some people get when they see a romantic interest or crush?
Have you experienced it before?
Justin Bieber’s romantic song is about just that, expressing the flurry of emotions when in a special person’s company.
Justin is falling in love with this girl but is too nervous about making his feelings known.
“Catching Feelings” was the 4th single from the Canadian singer’s Believe album and is what young love is all about.
27. “You Make Me Feel So Young” by Frank Sinatra
The excitement of finding a genuine lover supersedes any emotion.
And “You Make Me Feel So Young” finds Frank Sinatra expressing how special this girl makes him feel.
They do what every romantic couple does, like playing hide and seek.
Frank feels like a young man even in his old age because he’s found, genuine love.
A positively joyous message runs throughout the narration.
28. “The First Cut Is The Deepest” by Sheryl Crow
The first heartbreak is the most painful.
As much as young love can be glittery and exciting, the inevitable heartbreak hurts the most.
Some never love again after this, while others learn from it as they become more experienced in love.
Sheryl Crow doesn’t want to love again after her first heartbreak.
This is ruining her chances of getting a new lover.
29. “Wish You Were Here” by Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne’s song is about missing a special person.
The singer shows her vulnerable side by allowing a special someone to control her feelings.
These emotions are shared by young lovers who always show their vulnerability in troubled times.
30. “When We Were Young” by Adele
“When We Were Young” is Adele taking a trip down memory lane while reflecting on her childhood memories with her old friends.
While we never know if the lyrics are based on a romantic context, they capture the emotions of young love.
The dramatic nostalgia made “When We Were Young” one of the most recognizable Adele songs and one of the best songs about new love.
31. “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum
Reminiscing about lost love only brings sadness and pain.
It’s even sadder when loneliness creeps in at midnight, and you now have to call your ex-lover to express how you feel.
The classic country ballad has become a timeless hit with a message any heartbroken young lover can relate to.
32. “I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner
The narrator in the Foreigner’s song struggles to find true love.
Only this time, he’s craving a different love.
He wants a spiritual love that goes beyond earthly pleasures.
The lyrics describe a desperate need to connect with a soul.
If you view it as a craving for romance, like some people, you will find the lyrics even more relatable.
It’s one of the best power ballads that expresses the struggle to find love.
When starting love, there’s a likelihood you will experience many heartbreaks before finding your better half.
And it’s songs like these that will keep you going.
33. “First Date” by Blink-182
How do you remember your first date?
Was it fun?
Or embarrassing?
The first date can be embarrassing for many reasons.
But it’s also your best chance to know your significant other better and start this new amazing chapter together.
The setting for Blink-182’s song is the narrator’s first date with his romantic interest.
Like any young lover, anxiety slowly creeps in as he keeps asking questions to calm his nerves.
34. “Endless Love” by Diana Ross ft. Lionel Richie
Young love will get you thinking that it will last forever.
Only for the inevitable heartbreak to come a few months later and throw you into a period of pain, regret, and sadness.
In Diana Ross’ popular ballad, the singer shares her undying love for her better half.
It’s just about what anyone would feel towards their young lover.
And long may it live.
35. “Summer Nights” by John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
There’s nothing better than a summer vacation when love’s in the air.
And it gets even better when young lovers are involved.
“Summer Nights” is a song about a summer fling with an unexpected ending.
The lady in the song spent the summer with the guy, Danny, and they had a lot of fun together.
But everything ended abruptly, with the pair going separate ways.
Surely, this isn’t how a summer vacation should end.
Best Songs About Young Love – Final Thoughts
We can all remember our first love encounter.
Young love is special whether at 16, 18, or early 20s.
It’s never enduring but a complete whirlwind of emotions, filled with joy and anxiety.
Then, there’s the inevitable heartbreak, a devastating loss that leaves many people cursing for a better part of their teenage years.
The 35 best songs about young love capture the pure emotions of the nostalgic moment.
Listen to them to bring back those raw memories as you laugh, cry, or joke about your first love encounter.
You may also like: Best Songs About Falling in Love
