Songs about love at first sight are very common in different genres of music. From classics such as Stevie Wonders’ “Isn’t She Lovely” to modern hits like Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe”, there seems to be no shortage of love songs that talk about falling for someone the moment you lay eyes on them. Most likely, this is because an experience like falling in love at first sight is a very common occurrence.
As universal an experience as it is, the way artists portray it differs from song to song, ranging from the sweet and innocent renditions commonly seen in animated films to the more lustful interpretations in pop and hip-hop. In any case, whether you’ve experienced love at first sight that leads to true love or you’re just a non-believer, you can still find plenty of inspiration in these songs.
Heartwarming Songs About Love at First Sight
The following list looks at some of the best examples of this commonly explored relationship narrative in music.
1. First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes
“First Day of My Life” is a single from American band Bright Eyes’ album I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning, released on February 7, 2005. It is about a lover who realizes that meeting their partner changed their life forever. It captures the transformational power of all relationships, not just romantic ones. The love song written by Conor Oberst has become a wedding staple.
The lyrics are overtly about falling in love and the ensuing beginning of a meaningful relationship. The implication is that this experience was the most significant part of Oberst’s life so far that felt like a rebirth.
Conor Oberst is the band’s main songwriter, and people often regard his lyrics as one of the band’s strongest features. They’re emotive, typically melancholic, and introspective in general. “First Day of My Life,” like many other Bright Eyes songs, deals with powerful emotional subjects through poetic, allusive lyrics. The song charted at No. 37 in the United Kingdom.
2. More Than a Woman by Bee Gees
The Bee Gees wrote, “More Than a Woman” for the film Saturday Night Fever. Co-written by all three brothers, it was one of the film’s romantic highlights. It provided a dramatic musical backdrop to a dance scene between John Travolta and his love interest while the band’s soaring emotional lyrics played in the background.
Many disco songs are about dancing or celebrating the nightlife. Still, in this one, the singer has realized his love for a woman he had previously ignored, and he wants the world to know about it. Saturday Night Fever’s soundtrack album was released on November 15, 1977. It rapidly became one of the best-selling albums, with over 40 million copies sold worldwide.
3. Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears
“Head Over Heels” is a romantic love song about the uncertainties and anxiety of starting a new relationship. This song, written by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith of Tears for Fears, finds Orzabal in love with a girl and begging her not to break his heart.
However, there is the impression that the girl has all the cards. She’s either not reciprocating or not indicating whether she is interested in him. This kind of complete intoxication by someone’s beauty is reminscent in tropes of immediate love, making it a good song about love at first sight.
Tears for Fears’ tenth UK single, “Head Over Heels,” was their eighth Top 40 hit in the United Kingdom. It is also one of the band’s five hit songs from their second studio album, Songs from the Big Chair, released in 1985.
4. True by Spandau Ballet
“True” is a song by the English new wave band Spandau Ballet written by Gary Kemp. It was released on April 15, 1983, as a third single from their studio album of the same name. The song was a massive worldwide hit, charting at No. 1 in 21 countries. It’s also the only big hit for Spandau Ballet in the US, although it’s one of many in their homeland UK and other areas of Europe.
Kemp had a crush on Altered Images singer and Gregory’s Girl performer Clare Grogan, which inspired the lyrics for this song. He told The Guardian that he was enamored with Grogan. “I met her on Top of the Pops and, at one point, traveled up to Scotland to have tea with her and her mum and dad. Although my feelings were unrequited and the relationship was platonic, it was enough to trigger a song,” said Kemp.
The song “True” is a classic. It’s also the perfect background music for meet-cute scenes whether in a book, film, or even in real life. Indeed, it’s one of the best songs about love at first sight.
5. Hello Hello by Elton John
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FUVbWrc6X4
Elton John’s song “Hello Hello” was included on the soundtrack for the 2011 animated romantic comedy film Gnomeo & Juliet. This charming pop track plays when the eponymous characters, played by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, meet for the first time.
Although listeners can hear a version of the song starring Lady Gaga during the film, it was not included on the soundtrack or broadcast on the radio.
The Hello Hello has also gone viral on TikTok recently. The #HelloHello craze has users inventing or reenacting the first time they meet their future partners. Some people also share images or videos from the time they met their partner. Even more than a decade later since its release, “Hello Hello” is still one of the most beloved songs about love at first sight.
6. Just a Cloud Away by Pharrell Williams
In 2013, Pharrell Williams contributed “Just a Cloud Away” to the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack. This song plays when Margo first sees Antonio in Paradise Mall.
In the animated film, Antonio is the son of Eduardo Perez (also known as El Macho) and is the tertiary antagonist. He was also Margo Gru’s first known love interest, much to Felonius Gru’s (Margo’s adoptive father) dismay.
Apart from “Just a Cloud Away,” Williams also composed three new songs for the film: “Happy,” “Fun Fun Fun,” and “Scream.” This upbeat song has gone viral on TikTok thanks to a heartfelt meme.
7. Be My Baby by The Ronettes
The Ronettes’ most well-known song and possibly one of the most successful songs of the 1960s was “Be My Baby. Released in August 1963, it was sung by Veronica (Ronnie Spector), with her huge voice piercing through each lyric. In the song, she recounts the narrative of an instant love connection and a girl craving the attention of one particular guy.
Even though The Ronettes disbanded in 1967, “Be My Baby” remains their most popular song. It is also the group’s sole Top 10 hit, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard 100 list. In addition, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, 35 years after it was first released.
The Library of Congress added, “Be My Baby” to the United States National Recording Registry in 2006. It was also named one of the best songs of all time by Rolling Stone.
8. Love at First Sight by Kylie Minogue
Kylie Minogue’s song “Love at First Sight” is from her eighth studio album, Fever (2001). This dance-pop song is about the singer falling in love at first sight and believing in it. However, the interesting part of the song is that Minogue falls in love with the other person after “hearing” him.
Cause, baby, when I heard you / For the first time I knew / We were meant to be as one” This isn’t a case of a homegirl meeting someone and falling in love with them right away. Rather, this piece is reminiscent of the 1973 hit “Killing Me Softly with His Song” by Roberta Flack. Minogue is captivated by the guy’s appearance as much as his sound.
During the 2003 Grammy Awards, the song was nominated for Best Dance Recording, marking Minogue’s first Grammy nomination.
9. Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
It’s not a list of songs about love at first sight without “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen. Jepsen wrote this song for her EP Curiosity (2012) and eventually included it on her second studio album, Kiss (2012). This pop song alludes to the inconvenient nature of love at first sight, where a girl hopes to hear back from a new crush.
The song gained popularity online after Justin Bieber praised it in December 2011. Since its release, the song has sparked many lip dub tributes, parodies, and covers on YouTube. “Call Me Maybe” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on March 10, 2012, and spent 50 weeks on the chart.
10. I Met a Girl by William Michael Morgan
“I Met a Girl” is the lead single from William Michael Morgan’s self-titled EP released in 2016. Here, Morgan remembers meeting the girl who captured his heart and changed his life.
He sings about actual events that occurred to the songwriters, namely Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, and Trevor Rosen. In an interview with The Boot, McAnally said, “The three of us in the room were trying to go back to moments – My little girl thinks that ‘I Met a Girl’ is about her. It was actually written before she was born, but I do love that it can live in that world because now I kind of can’t remember that it’s not about her.”
Warner Bros. released the song on August 24, 2015. It climbed to the peak of the Country Radio chart after 58 weeks. The ascent was so gradual that it set a world record for the longest road to the top.
11. Good Directions by Billy Currington
Billy Currington’s song “Good Directions” is a country music classic. It was released as the third and final single from his album, Doin’ Somethin’ Right, in September 2006.
In the lyrics, the narrator appears to be a man selling turnips at a roadside stall. A lovely woman arrives in a car, asking for directions to an unidentified Interstate. The man provides the directions and suggests she stop by a small country store to sample Miss Belle’s sweet tea.
The man subsequently regrets dismissing the woman without even asking her name. He does, however, see the woman return to his booth later. “Thank God for good directions and turnip greens,” he exclaims as he sees the woman return. This Currington classic is truly a one of the best country songs about love at first sight.
12. As She’s Walking Away by the Zac Brown Band
“As She’s Walking Away” is a song by Zac Brown Band, an American country music band. It featured guest vocals from legendary country artist Alan Jackson and was written by Zac Brown and Wyatt Durrette. The song is the first single from their album, You Get What You Give.
“Now I’m fallin’ in love as she’s walkin’ away.” It’s about a man who has a deep romantic attachment to a woman he doesn’t know and his efforts to win her over.
At the 53rd Grammy Awards, “As She’s Walking Away” took home the Best Country Collaboration with Vocals award. It’s also the band’s and Jackson’s second Grammy overall.
13. Enchanted by Taylor Swift
“Enchanted” is not just one of Taylor Swift’s most underrated songs; it is also one of her best. In 2010, she released “Enchanted” as part of her Speak Now album. The lyrics are quite romantic as she recounts what it’s like to meet someone intriguing for the first time.
This song chronicles her from the first time their eyes meet to the point where she wonders if he’s single. She ponders whether anything remarkable could come from their initial encounter.
Enchanted is slightly different from most of the songs on this list. It’s about that love at first sight moment when you meet someone, but the narrator doesn’t want to rush into things. Instead, she wants to take her time and get to know the guy better before actually falling in love with him.
Next: 25 Songs About Breathing
14. Deja Vu by J. Cole
“Deja Vu” is a song by American rapper J. Cole from his fourth studio album, 4 Your Eyez Only, released on December 9, 2016. On this reflective track, Cole describes the things that passed through his mind when he first set eyes on a certain girl at a club. Then, he attempts to summon the bravery to approach the woman before the night ends.
Cole could be reminiscing about the first time he saw his present wife, Melissa Heholt, in a nightclub. Although it’s still unclear when they married, she and the rapper met while both were students at St. John’s University.
The title “Deja vu” (from the French “previously seen”) is not mentioned in the lyrics. However, the term is most likely used to express Cole’s nervousness when approaching the girl to ask for her phone number.
15. The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face
Ewan MacColl, a British political singer-songwriter, wrote “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” for Peggy Seeger. She eventually became his wife in 1957. While various folk singers sang it during the 1960s, Roberta Flack’s version became a massive international hit in 1972.
The song earned her Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. According to Billboard, it was also the top Hot 100 single of 1972.
In this song, Flack recounts her memorable firsts with her special someone: the first time she saw his face for the first time, kissed his mouth, and laid with him. She remembers all three events in a lofty, poetic manner, indicating that they were among her most memorable and delightful occasions.
16. Isn’t She Lovely by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” is from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. This classic is about his love for his daughter, Aisha, when he first saw her. Here, Wonder conveys his love for his daughter and the lovely sentiments of being a father. The first lines, “Isn’t she lovely? Isn’t she wonderful? Isn’t she precious?” show how intense his love and pride are.
Stevie was only 25 years old when he became a father for the first time. He claimed that waiting until she was born was one of the most difficult things he’d ever had to do. Essentially, the song is his love letter to his daughter while also honoring his relationship with her mother.
17. Lady in Red by Chris de Burgh
British-Irish singer-songwriter Chris de Burgh wrote “The Lady in Red” for his album Into the Light. Released in June 1986, this song was instrumental in bringing de Burgh’s music to a wider audience worldwide.
On the British TV show This Is Your Life, De Burgh claimed that the song was inspired by the memories of seeing his wife Diane for the first time and how men often forget what their wives were wearing when they first met. “Lady In Red” was an international hit song, reaching No. 1 in 25 countries.
18. Love @ 1st Sight by Mary J. Blige, Method Man
“Love @ 1st Sight” is a song performed by Mary J. Blige with rapper Method Man. Released in June 2003, this was the lead single from Mary’s sixth studio album, “Love & Life”. Here, the lyrics show Blige pondering a romantic connection for a stranger at first sight.
The song is built around a sample of the 1992 hip-hop song “Hot Sex” by A Tribe Called Quest. “Love @ 1st Sight” charted at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart in the United States.
19. I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden
“I Knew I Loved You” is a song by Australian pop duo Savage Garden. It was released as the second single from their second studio album, Affirmation, on September 28, 1999. The romantic ballad’s lyrics allude to the happiness and feeling of achievement that comes with finally finding the right person to love.
The pre-chorus (“I know it might sound more than a little crazy, but I believe“) and chorus (“I knew I loved you before I met you, I think I dreamed you into life“) emphasize the irrational nature of such love.
20. Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley
One of Elvis’ most famous and romantic songs is this sensitive ballad about being unable to resist falling in love. The song was originally produced to accompany his film Blue Hawaii and has subsequently been covered by various singers, including U2, Britney Spears, and twenty one pilots.
“Can’t Help Falling in Love” was used in Elvis Presley’s 1961 film Blue Hawaii. The song was composed by songwriter George Weiss. He said that neither the movie producers nor Elvis’ colleagues liked the demo. Still, Elvis insisted on recording it for the film.
One of Elvis’s most famous and romantic songs, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, was named the 5th best Elvis song by Rolling Stone magazine. According to Billboard, it was also named the 50th most popular wedding song.
21. Something by The Beatles
Something, arguably George Harrison’s finest performance on the Abbey Road album, was one of the album’s undoubted highlights. Through this song, Harrison showed that he could finally break free from the songwriting shadow of Lennon and McCartney.
One of the most romantic rock songs of all time, “Something” is most likely about Harrison’s then-wife, Pattie Boyd. The lyrics of being attracted to how a person moves or smiles, make it one of the best songs about love at first sight. It’s all about the rush of emotions that you feel just from laying your eyes on the other person.
“Something” was composed during The Beatles’ White Album sessions in 1968, but the band didn’t finish it until the following year. The Beatles released it as a single alongside “Come Together,” reaching No. 4 in the United Kingdom and No. 1 in the United States. In 2021, it was ranked 110th on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Conclusion
Love at first sight is a common theme in popular culture. While love stories have been an essential part of storytelling for generations, what better way to express the experience of love at first sight than through songs?
Arguably, the best part of a romance is the initial connection, that moment when you know that someone has caught your eye, and you recognize in them something so special and unique to them. Many artists sing songs to praise this kind of instant love, proving that love can be strong during the fateful first encounter. If you are searching for songs about love at first sight, we hope these tunes will find their way into your playlists.
