The 10 Most Badass Love Songs Ever

Romance and Rock

Rock ‘n roll is never just about drugs and sex. There’s plenty of romance being thrown around too. And just because our favorite rockstars look cold-hearted doesn’t necessarily mean they actually are. In fact, there are hundreds of love songs to cater to anyone’s taste – from sweet and slow to rough and badass.

So if you’re more into the I’m-tough-but-I-also-need-love type of person, then the following songs may strike your fancy.

10. Foo Fighters – “Everlong”

This is an electric ballad written by Dave Grohl after falling in love with fellow musician Louise Post. He said, “That song’s about a girl that I’d fallen in love with and it was basically about being connected to someone so much, that not only do you love them physically and spiritually, but when you sing along with them you harmonize perfectly.”

9. Heart – “Crazy on You”

Heart’s debut single quickly became a classic. It’s starts out with an acoustic intro before the hard rock part takes over. Ann Wilson shared what inspired the song, “I was in a very close relationship with Michael. When you’re in that situation you just climb up into your love’s lap and say: ‘Oh God, what do we do about this world?’ That’s the feeling of the song.”

8. The White Stripes – “Fell in Love with a Girl”

The lyrics may seem sweet and a bit cheesy (“Fell in love with a girl / I fell in love once and almost completely”) but don’t be fooled because the moment the song comes on, it rocks hard and kicks ass too.

7. Radiohead – “House of Cards”

This hypnotic somehow trippy song is a bit different from the usual Radiohead music. Thom Yorke shared to Pitchfork Media, “I’d guess one doesn’t really need reminding of the ice outside at the moment, do you? It’s maybe a good thing to try to make music that feels reassuring in some ways – something that’s got a good feeling, a good vibe about it.”

6. Poison – “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”

Is it dramatic? Yes. Is it cheesy? Yes. But it still kicks ass for all that.

5. Def Leppard – “Love Bites”

It’s Def Leppard’s only #1 single on the US Billboard Hot 100. Guitarist Phil Collen told SongFacts, “It was just a standard rock ballad but it had something else going for it. Lyrically, it kind of painted a picture, and in a song you always want to do that, paint a picture. ‘On a dark desert highway,’ the first line of ‘Hotel California,’ great song, it just paints an image for you straight off the bat and that’s the sign of a really good song. It takes you right there. ‘Love Bites’ did that as well.”

4. Van Halen – “Can’t Stop Loving You”

Even hard rockers Van Halen have a romantic side. They’re not all anger and aggression.

3. Guns ‘N Roses – “Sweet Child O’ Mine”

Writing about his then-girlfriend Erin Everly, Axl Rose with his bad boy image still sure has some tender moments. And he managed to make a classic tune out of all that too.

2. Aerosmith – “Angel”

This power ballad helped give birth to other Aerosmith hits like “Amazing” and “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing.” Steven Tyler singing “I want your love”? Yes please!

1. Led Zeppelin – “Whole Lotta Love”

It’s one of their enduring hits and for good reason. It packs a lot of punch and you can’t listen to it just once.