The 10 Greatest Romantic Classic Rock Songs, Ranked

Love songs can come in many different forms, and tracks like "Something" and "Layla" are among the most enduring in classic rock history!

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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This article ranks the 10 greatest romantic classic rock songs, including tracks from artists like The Beatles, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, and more. The songs are evaluated based on their lyrics, musical power, romantic vibes, and complexity, showcasing the diverse ways classic rock has depicted love and relationships.

Why it matters

Classic rock has produced some of the most beloved and enduring love songs, capturing the full range of romantic emotions and experiences. This list highlights the genre's ability to convey the joys, complexities, and nuances of love through powerful songwriting and musicianship.

The details

The article covers 10 classic rock love songs, each with a unique take on romance. From the acoustic intimacy of Jethro Tull's "Wond'ring Aloud" to the epic grandeur of Queen's "Love of My Life," the songs showcase classic rock's versatility in expressing love. Other highlights include the emotional turmoil of Fleetwood Mac's "Over My Head," the sensual desire of Derek and the Dominos' "Layla," and the uplifting joy of Chicago's "Beginnings." Each song is analyzed for its lyrical, musical, and thematic qualities that contribute to its status as a classic romantic rock anthem.

  • The article was published on February 14, 2026.

The players

J.S. Gornael

The author of the article.

Jethro Tull

A British rock band known for their acoustic and progressive rock sound, who contributed the song "Wond'ring Aloud" to the list.

Fleetwood Mac

A legendary British-American rock band, whose song "Over My Head" is included in the ranking.

Queen

A British rock band renowned for their theatrical and operatic sound, with their song "Love of My Life" making the list.

James Taylor

An American singer-songwriter whose folk rock classic "Something in the Way She Moves" is featured.

The Beatles

The iconic British rock band, whose song "Something" is ranked among the greatest romantic classic rock songs.

Bob Marley and the Wailers

The legendary Jamaican reggae band, with their song "Is This Love" included in the list.

Paul McCartney and Wings

The British rock band led by former Beatle Paul McCartney, whose song "My Love" is ranked highly.

Derek and the Dominos

The English rock band featuring Eric Clapton, whose song "Layla" is considered one of the greatest romantic classic rock songs.

10cc

The British rock band known for their sophisticated and experimental sound, with their song "I'm Not in Love" making the list.

Chicago

The American rock band renowned for their use of horns, whose song "Beginnings" tops the ranking.

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What they’re saying

“Love songs can come in many different forms, and tracks like "Something" and "Layla" are among the most enduring in classic rock history!”

— J.S. Gornael, Author (collider.com)

The takeaway

This list showcases the enduring power of classic rock to capture the full range of romantic experiences, from the intimate and acoustic to the epic and theatrical. These songs have stood the test of time, demonstrating the genre's ability to convey the universal language of love through exceptional songwriting and musicianship.