The much-celebrated wedding website, The Knot, recently published a roster with some of the best love songs of all time. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we can’t think of a better gift for our string musicians than a list of romantic songs. All of them are contenders for serenading your love on Valentine’s or any other day.
Violin Arrangements for Love Songs
Here are our top 10 favorite love songs from across the music genre spectrum, along with information about where you can purchase and download the sheet music.
Classical
These two classical songs will inspire you to gaze endlessly into the eyes of the one you love over a romantic candlelight dinner, or to snuggle up close in front of a fire or movie.
- Romance No. 2 in F Major (Beethoven). violinsheetmusic.org. Given what we know about Beethoven’s tumultuous life and nature, we can only imagine that this sweet and wistful, romantic composition is a glimpse into his lesser-witnessed, softer side.
- Serenade for Strings in E minor (Edgar Elgar). Sheetmusicplus.com. This passionate musical journey is a far cry from Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance. Let your hearts enjoy the ride.
Country
The violin-as-fiddle is a constant in bluegrass and country music genres, which are why these songs are perfectly suited for love-inspired bowing.
- I Will Always Love You (Dolly Parton). sheetmusicplus.com. While Whitney Houston revamped this beautiful song in the movie, “Bodyguard,” it is a Dolly Parton original. Its poignant melody sticks with you and is a reason why it has become a timeless favorite.
- To Make You Feel My Love (Garth Brooks). sheetmusicdirect.com. This is another country song made famous via a movie soundtrack. To Make You Feel My Love was a tearjerker in Hope Floats, starring musical great, Harry Connick Jr., and Sandra Bullock, so expect some misty eyes in the audience.
Rock
You might need to invest in a pick-up (transducer), if you haven’t already, to boost these songs into rock song quality. You, onstage, with your violin amped, and playing a dedicated love song to your dream partner? Now, that’s a recipe for romance success.
- I’ll Stand By You (The Pretenders). www.musicnotes.com. The combination of a slow tempo and the husky voice of The Pretenders’ lead singer, Chrissie Hynde, made this the perfect, rock-style love song.
- Love of My Life (Queen). www.musicnotes.com. This is more like a love lost song, than a love song, but that makes it ideal for the valentine-less, OR when you’re ready to serenade him/her back into your life. Who could possible resist it?
Indie
Looking for something a little less mainstream and a bit more on the fringe? How about…
- Sleep Walking (Modest Mouse). tabnabber.com. Does your beloved like to sing? Consider surprising him/her with the duet, Sleepwalking. The lilting swing beat makes it sound as if you’ve stepped right out of, or into, the 1950s.
- There’s a Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths). musicnotes.com. The Smiths are practically synonymous with the term “Indie music.” In fact, their success almost forced them right out of the Indie genre, but not quite. If your better half hears you play this, they won’t be able to resist you.
Contemporary
Prefer to embrace the music of our times? Here are two contemporary love songs by current chart-toppers.
- Crazy in Love (Beyonce). www.musicnotes.com. Who says that hip-hop isn’t conducive to strings? Artists such as Black Violin would beg to differ. Surprise your audience by printing the sheet music to Beyonce’s Crazy in Love, add a bit of savvy dance choreography, and you’ll have a winner.
- Love Story (Taylor Swift). www.noteflight.com. Okay, so this one is almost 10-years old, but Taylor Swift songs never go out of style. Plus, this one transcends the contemporary and country music boundaries, making it a crowd pleaser.
Don’t be surprised if your violin love song performance results in an ovation. In that case, we’ve got you covered, too. Check out, What Popular Songs Can I Play on the Violin, so you have another song or two up your romantic sleeve.
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