Falling in love is a magical experience, and what better way to capture those feelings than through the perfect soundtrack? Rom-coms wouldn't be the same without their iconic musical moments – those soaring ballads, upbeat pop anthems, and quirky indie tunes that perfectly complement the on-screen romance. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and prepare to rediscover your favorite rom-com moments with our definitive list of the best songs from rom-coms. We've scoured the most beloved films, from classic hits to modern masterpieces, to compile an ultimate playlist guaranteed to evoke nostalgia, ignite romance, and transport you back to those unforgettable cinematic moments. Whether you're a seasoned rom-com aficionado or just looking for some feel-good tunes, this curated list is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates the power of music and love. Prepare to have your heartstrings tugged – and maybe even discover your new favorite song!
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Must Have Been Love | Roxette | 886M+ | |
| 2. Still Falling For You | Ellie Goulding | Brothers | 216M+ |
| 3. Dancing on My Own | Robyn | 86M+ | |
| 4. If You Leave | OMD | 41M+ | |
| 5. This Year's Love | David Gray | White Ladder (2020 Remaster) | 38M+ |
| 6. She | Elvis Costello | 35M+ | |
| 7. The First Cut Is the Deepest | Sheryl Crow | 29M+ |
1. Must Have Been Love - 1990
Sound: Roxette's signature blend of pop and rock creates a timeless, instantly recognizable sound perfectly suited for the upbeat yet sentimental moments of a romantic comedy.
Vocals: Marie Fredriksson's emotive vocals convey a sense of longing and bittersweet joy, capturing the complex emotions often present in romantic storylines.
Emotional Impact: "Must Have Been Love" evokes a feeling of nostalgic tenderness, making it ideal for scenes depicting the blossoming or remembrance of a relationship, perfectly underscoring the film's romantic heart.
2. Still Falling For You
Sound: Ellie Goulding's signature ethereal vocals blend seamlessly with a driving, yet delicate, electronic beat, creating a perfect soundscape for a romantic montage.
Emotional Impact: The song's lyrics perfectly capture the bittersweet joy and vulnerability of falling in love, making it incredibly relatable to romantic comedy scenarios.
Use in Rom-Coms: Its upbeat tempo and hopeful melody make "Still Falling For You" ideal for scenes depicting the blossoming of a relationship or a triumphant moment of connection.
3. Dancing on My Own - 2025
Heartbreakingly Relatable Lyrics: Robyn's vocals perfectly capture the bittersweet ache of unrequited love, making it the ideal soundtrack for a rom-com's emotional climax.
Upbeat, Danceable Melody: Despite the melancholic theme, the song's infectious beat and driving rhythm create a surprisingly uplifting and cathartic listening experience, fitting for a feel-good rom-com scene.
Iconic Status in Pop Culture: "Dancing on My Own" transcends its original context, becoming a frequently sampled and covered track, solidifying its place in the fabric of popular culture and making it a familiar and effective choice for a rom-com soundtrack.
4. If You Leave
Synth-Pop Perfection: OMD's "If You Leave" boasts a signature 80s synth-pop sound, perfectly capturing the bittersweet feeling of romantic uncertainty often found in rom-coms.
Emotional Resonance: The song's melancholic melody and yearning vocals create a powerful emotional impact, making it ideal for scenes of longing and hopeful anticipation.
Memorable Hook: Its instantly catchy chorus is easily embedded in the listener's mind, enhancing the emotional impact of a romantic climax or heartbreaking farewell.
5. This Year's Love (1998)
Sound: David Gray's signature melancholic folk-pop sound creates a bittersweet atmosphere perfectly suited to the reflective moments often found in romantic comedies.
Vocals: Gray's emotive vocals, filled with yearning and vulnerability, amplify the longing and emotional depth typical of romantic storylines.
Emotional Impact: The song's wistful melody and lyrics about lost love resonate deeply, adding a layer of complexity and authenticity to the lightheartedness of many rom-coms.
6. She (Elvis Costello - 1999)
Sound: "She" boasts a driving, upbeat rhythm that perfectly captures the giddy energy of a blossoming romance, making it ideal for those lighthearted rom-com moments.
Vocals: Elvis Costello's signature sharp, witty vocals deliver the lyrics with a charming vulnerability that adds emotional depth to the otherwise joyous melody.
Emotional Impact: The song's blend of playful instrumentation and heartfelt lyrics creates a feeling of hopeful optimism, perfectly mirroring the typical emotional arc of a romantic comedy.
7. The First Cut Is the Deepest
Sheryl Crow's Vocals: Crow's powerful yet vulnerable vocals perfectly capture the bittersweet ache of heartbreak, a feeling perfectly suited to the emotional rollercoaster of many rom-coms.
Emotional Resonance: The song's melancholic melody and lyrics about a deep, lingering love lost resonate deeply with the themes of love, loss, and longing often explored in romantic comedies.
Perfect Soundtrack Moment: Imagine this playing during a pivotal breakup scene – the raw emotion elevates the scene to a truly memorable moment.
8. In Your Eyes
Sound: Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" features a captivating blend of world music influences and synth-pop, creating a richly textured soundscape perfect for a romantic moment in a rom-com.
Emotional Impact: The song's soaring vocals and heartfelt lyrics express a deep and tender emotion, making it incredibly effective at conveying the burgeoning romance central to many rom-coms.
Vocal Performance: Gabriel's emotive delivery is both vulnerable and powerful, perfectly capturing the heightened feelings often portrayed in romantic comedies.
9. For the First Time (1997)
Sound: Kenny Loggins' signature smooth vocals and the upbeat tempo of "For the First Time" create a joyful, romantic atmosphere perfectly suited for a feel-good rom-com moment.
Emotional Impact: The song captures the exhilarating rush of new love, making it an ideal soundtrack for scenes depicting first kisses, declarations of affection, or the giddy excitement of a burgeoning relationship.
Pop Culture Moment: Its association with romantic comedies has solidified "For the First Time" as a quintessential track for celebrating those heartwarming, cinematic moments of love found.
10. Crashing
Sound: Crashing by ILLENIUM and Bahari masterfully blends soaring electronic melodies with Bahari's soulful vocals, creating a bittersweet yet uplifting soundscape perfect for a romantic movie montage.
Emotional Impact: The song's emotional resonance lies in its ability to capture the complexities of love – the joy, the vulnerability, and the inevitable heartbreak – making it ideal for scenes depicting both the highs and lows of a relationship.
Vocal Performance: Bahari's vocals are particularly noteworthy, conveying a palpable sense of longing and yearning that adds depth and emotional weight to the already poignant composition, amplifying the romantic narrative in a rom-com setting.
11Follow You Down
Gin Blossoms
1996
12Yellow
Katherine Ho
2018
13Way Back Into Love
Hugh Grant, Haley Bennett
2007
14Secret Garden
Bruce Springsteen
1995
Born To Run
15Crystal
Stevie Nicks
1998
Nightwatch
16Supercut
Lorde
2017
Melodrama
17Today Was a Fairytale
Taylor Swift
2010
18Just For Now
Imogen Heap
2005
19Lighthouse
Patrick Watson
2015
20It Had to Be You
Harry Connick Jr.
1989
21The Luckiest
Ben Folds
2001
22The Distance
Evan and Jaren
2001
23Make Up My Mind
Maya Payne
2015
24In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning
Carly Simon
1993
25Over the Rainbow
Harry Nilsson
1994
26Strawberries and Cigarettes
Troye Sivan
2018