Ten Flawless Love Songs

Sep. 26, 2011

By Ryan O'Connell info

I write and edit Thought Catalog. I'm a brat. Send me fun things at ryan@thoughtcatalog.com

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1. “Wonderwall’ by Oasis

If someone ever told me “You’re my wonderwall”, I would whip my penis out and be like, “Hi. It’s yours. Take this forever.” There’s a hybrid of sweetness and sadness to this track that provides it with more depth than the average one dimensional love song. Because good love should always make you a little sad, you know?

2. “I Only Have Eyes For You” by The Flamingos

The best love songs make it possible for you to feel like you’re in love for the duration of the song. Even if you’ve been single for some time, you can play the song and feel like you belong to somebody. That’s what “I Only Have Eyes For You” does for me. It makes me safe and comforted, which is rare for a love song to do when I’m not in a relationship. It’s also just a hauntingly beautiful song.

3. “When The Sun Don’t Shine” by Best Coast

Ugh, I’m going to get so much crap for including a Best Coast song on this list. Whatever. I advise you to just listen to the song and hear the lyrics, “I just want to tell you that I’ve always loved you” without melting into sentimental mush. The earnestness in which it’s delivered coupled with the precious jangly guitars is almost too overwhelming for my heart to handle. A lot of the best love songs are just simple. Phil Spector and early Beatles built their fortune around delivering straightforward lyrics about love. Sometimes the most simple sentiments are the ones that can leave us breathless.

4. “Ten Storey Love Song” by The Stone Roses

The Manchester music scene wasn’t necessarily known for their love songs. They were more into being depressed and making everyone else around them depressed as well. But The Stone Roses were different. Their music was upbeat and cheerful with swirling guitars and energetic drumming. Their track “Ten Storey Love Song” is a sickeningly endearing song about building…something? For someone you love? I don’t actually know but I can say that it all sounds super sweet and charming.

5. “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails

This is not your mother’s love song. It’s raw, graphic and intense, but I also think there’s heart underneath the cold industrial beat and rough vocals. “You get me closer to God?” I mean, gee thanks! Plus, that piano part at the very end is so sweet!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=612928768 Samie Rose

    You put Wonderwall as number one. I want to punch you after reading this list, Ryan.

    • http://twitter.com/nuclearcabbage Nive

      I’m glad someone feels the same way. 

    • Ryan O’Connell

      that’s really weird, honey.

      • Anonymous

        fight fight fight fight

      • iamabear

        For all you watching at home, calling a girl “honey” is the equivalent of “cunt”.

    • RH2011

      Wonderwall is one of the most amazing love songs EVER!
      But Ryan you did forget I Wished For You, Jasmine Ash. Shame….

  • http://twitter.com/nuclearcabbage Nive

    WTF-! There are so many songs out there, this list is absolute trash. What about ‘Is This Love’ by Whitesnake And Toothpaste Kisses by the Maccabees ?? 

    • http://twitter.com/versayce Tom Sullivan

      Seconded on Toothpaste Kisses. FOR SHAME.

    • your cousin

      It’s “Ten Flawless” songs – not the Top 10.

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=612928768 Samie Rose

        Have you ever HEARD Wonderwall?

      • your cousin

        It’s on every mix CD I ever made.

      • Ryan O’Connell

        THANK YOU

      • Ryan O’Connell

        THANK YOU

  • http://facebook.com/sdouglas Scott

    This is poor.

  • NA

    I’m sorry but I don’t see how closer by NIN is a love song.. that is a song about someone who hates themselves and  finds an escape in mindless sex. Also, he gets closer to god because of the fact that when he’s with someone he can feel better about his own insecurities and when he does have sex with someone he takes something  from the other person. Sorry for the rant but I couldn’t let that go.

  • mashka

    I am sorely disappointed :(

  • http://bubblegumbasics.blogspot.com/ Mikaela Kaimo

    I feel the need to comment on anything Best Coast

  • this is severely lacking

    what what what is this list

  • Kelsey

    The only thing I would add is Daft Punk something about us. It’s my favorite love song =]

  • http://twitter.com/mung_beans Mung Beans

    All I Want Is You is powerful shit for sure, who cares about Bono’s assholery?

  • but but but

    i’m so happy you put best coast on here… but what about the beatles? i mean, you said it yourself, they’re the kings of boiling down complex emotions to ‘i wanna hold your hand.’ 
    otherwise, i pretty much agree across the board. go ryan!

    • TomatoQueen

      I’m glad somebody said Beatles.  I’ve always thought “In My Life” was the most perfect love song ever.  The lyrics acknowledge that there were others before, but *you* are the best.  ”In my life, I love you more”.

  • Ashaw

    You missed Our Year by the Zombies! 

  • Abby

    Temptation of Adam by Josh Ritter, the sweetest and saddest of songs.

    • http://twitter.com/neuroboy Chris Borger

      holy fuck, yes!

      • http://www.twitter.com/mexifrida Frida

        reminds me of damien rice. i like it a lot. 

  • _____

    I always thought ‘someone great’ was about a miscarriage or a baby dieing or something awful like that :/

    • Taogwbycb

      same here- I was pretty certain that it was about death

  • devin

    if someone said, “you’re my wonderwall,” to me, I would say, “what the fuck does that even mean???”

    • Rh2011

      Hahahahahaaaaaa

  • http://twitter.com/girlygirlblues Miss Maryam

    I’m so glad you included the U2 song. I just watched Reality Bites and this song really hit the spot at the end.

  • Daryl

    I quite expected to see Always – Bon Jovi in the list 

  • Anna

    Kim by Eminem

  • Max

    Yo La Tengo – Our Way To Fall, pleaaaaasee (or Gentle Hour). Yo La Tengo have the most tender, sweet songs that have that power to make you feel in love during the song. 

  • jesse john

    the magic position by patrick wolf, man.

  • T.

    Just Like Heaven-The Cure

  • Guest

    “Someone Great” is clearly about the death of someone close, presumably a family member rather than a significant other. I find it difficult to believe that you have misinterpreted this as a relationship song.

    I might also add that the choice of songs in general indicates poor,  unlaboured taste.

    • guest1

      I believe it is about the death of his therapist.

  • Jkhathorn

    I’ve always loved that Paramore song, and where most of my friends go talk about the merits of various Animal Collective member’s solo efforts, I don’t think I’ve ever said that out loud. 
     I’ll always remember being back home from college, driving around the Camarillo outlet center, and The Only Exception came on the radio and I had to pull over. 

  • Anonymous

    http://www.lovetoshopping.org  Cheapest Vans Shoes,Tiffany Jewelry Company,Wholesale Hollister Clothing 

  • Alias Grace

    Ryan, you’re my wonderwall!  But I thought, according to you, I wasn’t supposed to like Oasis.

  • VivianDarkbloom

    I want you – Bob Dylan.

    Just that line even taken out of the context of the song makes my knees tremble~. Hnnggg.

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