Songs of Love and Devotion for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is coming and nothing complements a romantic evening with your better sweetheart than a background of beautiful love songs. There are literally thousands upon thousands of great love songs out there, and we've all got our favorites. The songs listed here are some of my favorite songs that express undying love and devotion from recent years. All of them express some of the wonderful things in life, the feelings we get when we get to share our lives with the ones we love. Enjoy them with your loved one this Valentine's Day.

Beautiful - Akon

"When I see you, I run out of words to say"

And so begin the lyrics to this modern twist on a love song meant to express the love and admiration for the object of one's affection. Check out the video for Akon's "Beautiful" here.

By Your Side - Sade

This is one of my all time favorite songs! The song is one of Sade's best and the music "soothes the soul" as her words warm the heart. Just read this little snippet of the lyrics and you'll see what I mean:

"Oh when you're cold, I'll be there
Hold you tight to me
Oh when you're low
I'll be there by your side baby"

Watch Sade's equally beautiful video for "By Your Side" here.

Glitter in the Air - Pink

To me, this is another one of the most beautiful songs ever written. The lyrics are a fantasy of sorts, a series of questions about life and about love. Simply moving!

"Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?

Closed your eyes and trust it, just trust it?

Have you ever thrown a fistful of glitter in the air?"

Check out Pink performing "Glitter in the Air" here.

Halo - Beyonce

"Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray won't fade away"

Songs with a spiritual reference have always appealed to me, and this one by R&B songstress Beyonce has an ethereal quality that's a perfect backdrop for true love and devotion. Take a look at "Halo" here.

Come to My Window - Melissa Etheridge

Though Melissa Etheridge was popular before the release of this tender love song, she climbed into the stratosphere once it hit the airwaves. The combination of an uplifting musical track, the heartfelt emotion of Etheridge's voice, and of course the moving lyrics make this one an all time favorite of many.

"I would dial the numbers
Just to listen to your breath
I would stand inside my hell
And hold the hand of death
You don't know how far I'd go
To ease this precious ache
You don't know how much I'd give
Or how much I can take
Just to reach you
Just to reach you
Oh to reach you..."

Check out Melissa Etheridge performing "Come to My Window" here.

Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars

This is the most recent of the songs of love and devotion appearing on this list. It's a classic love song that's sure to stick around for many Valentine's Days to come. The lyrics are as beautiful as they get.

"When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are"

Check out Mars' video here .

Kind and Generous - Natalie Merchant

Though this one's not a classic love song, it is an uplifting song of devotion to another person. The song comes off of Merchant's 1998 "Ophelia" album and is the ultimate ode to giving gratitude to someone who deserves it. Check out the beautiful video for "Kind and Generous" here.

My Love is Your Love - Whitney Houston

I have to admit that the first time I heard this song it was the remix version at a dance club and so for awhile that was all I knew until I bought Houston's 1998 album of the same name. The original ballad has a slow moving, hypnotic groove and the lyrics are so much more meaningful in this medium. The chorus has a spiritual feel to it and is so moving. Take a look at the first stanza to see how powerful the love and devotion is expressed in this song:

"If tomorrow is a judgement day
And I'm standin' on the front line
And the Lord ask me what I did with my life
I will say I spent it with you"

Watch the video for "My Love is Your Love" here.

Never Too Much - Luther Vandross

Oh, my love
A thousand kisses from you is never too much
I just don't wanna stop

Oh, my love
A million days in your arms is never too much
I just don't wanna stop

The chorus to this one explains just why this tune was included on this list. It's one of the first Luther Vandross songs I ever knew and it's simply a classic R&B tune from a classic R&B singer. Check out the song here.

I hope you've enjoyed some of the wonderful and beautiful songs of love and devotion included in this list. Each of them is a worthy complement to a tender evening of togetherness spent with your loved on Valentine's Day or any other day.