As today is Valentine’s Day, I thought I would share with you some of my favourite love songs from musicals. There are so many great ones out there and it was extremely difficult to cut this list down. So please feel free to check out my Spotify playlist with more songs at the end of the post!

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IN A CROWD OF THOUSANDS – ANASTASIA

The 90’s movie (with questionable historical accuracy) about the mystery of the youngest Romanov daughter had my whole heart. Newly written for the stage adaptation, this song is a sweet duet between Anya and Dmitry as they share paralleling stories of the same event that leads them to a major realisation.

“With the sun in my eyes you were gone, but I knew even then, in a crowd of thousands I’d find you again”

NO ONE ELSE – NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812

Dave Malloy composed a very complex, and insanely gorgeous, score for Great Comet. He gave this beautiful melody to Natasha, who is singing about her longing for the return of her fiancé from the war. It’s a charming song about missing a person that you love so dearly.

“First time I heard your voice moonlight burst into the room, and I saw your eyes, and I saw your smile, and the world opened wide”

FIRST IMPRESSIONS – FIRST DATE

Ever had an awkward first date? This song embodies that awkwardness so well I almost feel secondhand embarrassment. The lyrics describe the crazy, often wrong, first assumptions you can make about someone from their looks, encouraging you to see beyond this and give people a chance.

“The one thing I’ve learned, is often times first impressions are worth a second glance”

RUN AWAY WITH ME – THE MAD ONES

Is it a rule that every male Broadway performer has to sing this song? Kerrigan and Lowdermilk have written many wonderful songs together, but this one is by far their most popular. The song embodies a charming amount of impulsiveness mixed with the longing to spend your life with someone else.

“Let’s go, anywhere, say the word and I’m already there, run away with me”

SEEING YOU – GROUNDHOG DAY

Throughout the show, Phil goes on an enlightening journey, learning how to be more humble and kinder to those around him. This is the moment that Phil and Rita begin to see each other in a whole new light. It warms my soul every time!

“I know now that I know nothing, but I’m here, and I’m fine, and I’m seeing you for the first time“

YOU MATTER TO ME – WAITRESS

We all need someone to say the words ‘you matter to me’ every once in a while. This affirmation that you are important and deserving is why I love this song so much. The whole song is about the importance of reinforcing someone’s worth, and we could all do with a little sprinkle of that.

“Because you matter to me, simple and plain and not much to ask from somebody”

GIMME GIMME – THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE

For all the desperate singles out there (me), this one goes out to you guys. Also, who doesn’t want Sutton Foster singing to them on Valentine’s Day? I have nothing else to add to this apart from I wish Sutton Foster was my Valentine.

“Here I am St. Valentine, my bags are packed, I’m first in line”

WHAT ONLY LOVE CAN SEE – CHAPLIN

Sometimes the only people who truly know us, are the ones who are closest with us. What does it really matter what others think when they barely know you? It’s an airy, light soprano song that you definitely need to listen to today.

“Let me show you the best that’s inside you”

CHANGING MY MAJOR – FUN HOME

This is such a fun and heartfelt song about a teenager finding her first love in university and having the freedom to explore her sexuality. If there’s a song that embodies that excited gonna-do-some-cartwheels sort of fluttery feeling in your heart when you’re falling for someone… this is it.

“I am writing a thesis on Joan, it’s a cutting edge field, and my mind is blown.”

ONE SECOND AND A MILLION MILES – BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

It’s hard for this captivating melody, alongside these gorgeous lyrics, not to immediately capture your whole heart. This Jason Robert Brown song focuses on the idea of two incomplete souls finding each other. Also, it’s just another reason to listen to Steven Pasquale’s perfect vibrato.

“We are tied, we are locked, we are bound; this will not be reversed or unwound”

FINE – ORDINARY DAYS

Romantic duets can be sometimes fun, other times lovey-dovey… not often are they structured around an argument. That’s what makes this song so great. It’s a humorous track breaking down the silly little things that couples have disagreements about. One of the things I love most about this song is how well the music compliments each emotional beat. The arguments are done in short, snappy staccato, then switches to a flowy legato style when they are reflecting. 

“And somehow I want to get us back to there, I want her to know that I can’t bear to spend a single day without her”

BLIJF BIJ MIJ – 40-45

This song comes from the Belgian musical 40-45, set in 1940s Nazi occupied Antwerp, and is the only non-English song on this list. But if you don’t speak the language don’t let this put you off. This musical taught me that, when done correctly, music can be used to convey emotion so beautifully that lyrics aren’t needed to understand the story.

“Die glimlach doet me smelten, verjaagt wat er gebeurt”
(thanks to my pal Evelynn for pulling out her favourite lyrics for this non-Dutch speaker over here)

LOVE WHILE YOU CAN – IF/THEN

Harmonies aside, this song is one of the most beautiful tracks in this show with the message it exudes. It reminds us that life is short and how we should be forgiving to the ones that we love and work through things together.

“Love where this world let’s you”

REWRITE THE STARS – THE GREATEST SHOWMAN

Ending this post on a movie bop. If ‘Romeo and Juliet’ had a song, it would probably be this one (minus the deaths). Everytime I hear this tune it instantly takes me back to the stunning cinematography of this number being performed on screen.

“But you’re here in my heart so who can stop me if I decide that you’re my destiny?”

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What are your favourite love songs for Valentine’s Day (they don’t have to be from musicals)?