33 votes

Love songs about established, long term relationships

So, I used to think I hated all love songs.
I disliked them because, in the ones that id heard were the type that found on the FM radio stations, and those tend to fall into a couple broad categories:

  • I just met you, and I want to marry/stalk you
  • You broke up with me, and I will do anything to get you back
  • Your with someone else, and Im trying to win you over

My view on them changed when I found I'll Take Lonely Tonight, A song about the temptation of cheating in an established relationship.
While not a song I can exactly relate to, it still struck me, because its, well, respectful.
Its respectful towards the woman offering the one night stand, but still describes a deep, enduring love between Tim and his wife,
that he would rather spend the night on his own then break their trust.
(I guess it probably helps that I already like tim minchin, especially his newer, more subdued works.)

Since then, Ive only discovered one other song that scratches that same itch: Like my Father, a song about how the artist's parents relationship set the standard she strives for in her own relationship (My parents relationship was very much a role model for my marriage today, so this one hits me in the feels)

Im actively looking for other similar songs, and would appreciate any other suggestions.

25 comments

  1. Kranerian
    Link
    "Still Into You" by Paramore fits the bill. My wife and I actually danced to that at our wedding after 10 years of dating.

    "Still Into You" by Paramore fits the bill. My wife and I actually danced to that at our wedding after 10 years of dating.

    11 votes
  2. Beowulf
    Link
    You’re Still The One by Shania Twain

    You’re Still The One by Shania Twain

    10 votes
  3. nosewings
    Link
    "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young is a pretty major example.

    "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young is a pretty major example.

    9 votes
  4. gryfft
    Link
    Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

    Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

    9 votes
  5. lackofaname
    Link
    I feel like Jack Johnson build an entire career on love songs. Some might fall into that first "chasing" theme you're not interested in, but a lot, imo, feel like steady/longtime love. He knows...

    I feel like Jack Johnson build an entire career on love songs. Some might fall into that first "chasing" theme you're not interested in, but a lot, imo, feel like steady/longtime love.

    He knows his audience and went ahead and made a playlist of love songs (spotify link).

    5 votes
  6. [2]
    TheRtRevKaiser
    Link
    The Weight by Thrice is a pretty good example of this and even criticizes the kind of short term, shallow thinking that you're talking about.

    The Weight by Thrice is a pretty good example of this and even criticizes the kind of short term, shallow thinking that you're talking about.

    4 votes
    1. joshtransient
      Link Parent
      dustin kensrue's solo cut "of crows and crowns" feels like the natural evolution of "the weight".

      dustin kensrue's solo cut "of crows and crowns" feels like the natural evolution of "the weight".

      2 votes
  7. Drewbahr
    Link
    For me, it's gotta be Foggy by Leslie Odom Jr.. Maybe not romantic-romantic, but it's a love song for sure. To me, it's a love song - two people, in a long-term relationship, failing to make time...

    For me, it's gotta be Foggy by Leslie Odom Jr.. Maybe not romantic-romantic, but it's a love song for sure.

    To me, it's a love song - two people, in a long-term relationship, failing to make time for each other. They forget what commitments they make to each other, they fail to make good on promises, they fail to make their relationship as important as their other responsibilities. The possibility of a lazy morning in bed and calling in sick offers them the ability to make space for each other.

    Foggy, sun peeking through the gray
    It's foggy, smoke rising on the day
    And baby, I can't pry myself out of your arms

    Maybe I'll call in sick today
    'Cause feeling this way's too good to waste on coffee
    The morning, angel girl, is foggy

    We're living in a shit show
    Modern day Romeo
    But I forget, my Juliet, ain't no time for you
    People calling me, list of things to do

    "Sorry," may sound so trite to say
    My darling, let's not get up today
    And maybe I'll find a way to right this wrong

    You said you wanted to disappear
    Miss Capulet, your hair's all done and your cheek's all wet, yeah
    Forgive me, memories fade, and I forget, I'm foggy

    'Cause every day's a shit show
    Modern day Romeo
    But I forget you're Juliet, ain't no time for you
    People calling me, people calling you

    Oh, running in the rat race
    I forgot to make the time and space
    For us to be just you and me
    Something in my heart says
    That we need to find a way to break away
    Today could be the perfect day to breathe

    Foggy
    My darling, yeah-eh-eh
    Baby, look out your window
    Girl, it's foggy

    4 votes
  8. first-must-burn
    Link
    Here are a few (sorry in advance if country music is not your thing, but that is where my musical experience lies) Spirit of a boy, Wisdom of a man by Randy Travis One Boy, One Girl by Colin Raye...

    Here are a few (sorry in advance if country music is not your thing, but that is where my musical experience lies)

    3 votes
  9. greyfire
    Link
    P!nk has a lot of good songs along those lines-- many of them about the work it can take to maintain a long-term relationship. True Love Just Give me a Reason Turbulence

    P!nk has a lot of good songs along those lines-- many of them about the work it can take to maintain a long-term relationship.

    3 votes
  10. [2]
    GobiasIndustries
    Link
    Stuck With You - Huey Lewis and the News captures a lot of the conflicting feelings of being in a less than perfect long-term relationship. The catchy tune and chorus belies some of sadder lyrics,...

    Stuck With You - Huey Lewis and the News captures a lot of the conflicting feelings of being in a less than perfect long-term relationship.

    The catchy tune and chorus belies some of sadder lyrics, which tell a story of a couple that may only be together because they have the same friends and share an address. Although they're happy to be stuck with each other, they're only in the relationship because of convenience and familiarity.

    3 votes
    1. Promonk
      Link Parent
      Throw in "a modicum of mutual respect" and I can think of worse tripods to support a marriage with.

      ... they're only in the relationship because of convenience and familiarity.

      Throw in "a modicum of mutual respect" and I can think of worse tripods to support a marriage with.

      3 votes
  11. PancakeCats
    Link
    "In Spite of Ourselves" by John Prine and Iris Dement. Link to the song. It's a funny and sappy love song that my partner and I always bust out into song when it comes on in the car.

    "In Spite of Ourselves" by John Prine and Iris Dement. Link to the song. It's a funny and sappy love song that my partner and I always bust out into song when it comes on in the car.

    3 votes
  12. RoyalHenOil
    Link
    I heard this very sappy 1957 song on the radio recently: Magic Moments by Perry Como

    I heard this very sappy 1957 song on the radio recently: Magic Moments by Perry Como

    2 votes
  13. TheRTV
    Link
    Dontchange - Musiq Soulchild It's an R&B song where he reaffirms that his love is deeper than skin deep. As long as their love for each other doesn't change, then it doesn't matter that whether...

    Dontchange - Musiq Soulchild

    It's an R&B song where he reaffirms that his love is deeper than skin deep. As long as their love for each other doesn't change, then it doesn't matter that whether she looks older or what ever.

    While the message is simple, it's a really good one. Not to mention the song itself is really good. The melody and his voice bring a classic R&B vibe to it. That's why I like this song at least

    2 votes
  14. NoblePath
    Link
    D-i-v-o-r-c-e by Tammy Wynette (about not getting a divorce). Escape by Rupert Holmes. The yacht rock take.

    D-i-v-o-r-c-e by Tammy Wynette (about not getting a divorce).

    Escape by Rupert Holmes. The yacht rock take.

    2 votes
  15. Vito
    Link
    10 years by Daði Freyr Faithfully by Journey

    10 years by Daði Freyr
    Faithfully by Journey

    2 votes
  16. rogue_cricket
    Link
    I really like Glasses by Jonathan Colton for this, which is about accepting the aging of yourself and your partner. The chorus gets to me. I like the affirmation:...

    I really like Glasses by Jonathan Colton for this, which is about accepting the aging of yourself and your partner. The chorus gets to me. I like the affirmation:

    Forget the grey, let it fall apart
    It's okay
    I like you in glasses

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ipa6gfNHCZE

    2 votes
  17. Bohmbot
    Link
    Cold Fire by Rush is a strange love song about established relationships.

    Cold Fire by Rush is a strange love song about established relationships.

    1 vote
  18. AlienAliena
    Link
    Bill & Annie by Chuck Brodsky. It's about a guy getting married before realizing he might love someone else and he made a mistake. Even still, he decides he can be happy with this situation. Even...

    Bill & Annie by Chuck Brodsky.

    It's about a guy getting married before realizing he might love someone else and he made a mistake. Even still, he decides he can be happy with this situation. Even after that wife passes away, they resist the urge to act on their feelings out of respect for the deceased. It's a bittersweet story about a forbidden lifetime love that only really got to be enjoyed in the lovers late years, but they're still happy they're experiencing it nevertheless.

    More folky than a lot of the songs on here, but I enjoy it and I think it fits to what you're looking for!

    1 vote
  19. kovboydan
    Link
    Honey by Bobby Goldsboro is a love song that doesn’t fall into those categories. It’ll hit you in the feels with the last verse.

    Honey by Bobby Goldsboro is a love song that doesn’t fall into those categories. It’ll hit you in the feels with the last verse.

    1 vote
  20. InfiniteCombinations
    Link
    Billy Bragg’s Brickbat is a lovely instance of exactly this. It’s about a couple who really care about one another amidst the everyday bickering over mundane things, the errands, and the child...

    Billy Bragg’s Brickbat is a lovely instance of exactly this. It’s about a couple who really care about one another amidst the everyday bickering over mundane things, the errands, and the child rearing (Bragg’s son, Jack Valero, was a toddler when the album came out and is now a musician in his own right).

    1 vote
  21. corney91
    Link
    Peaches and Cream by John Butler Trio is about his daughter and partner, so more familial love than romantic, but I think fits what you're looking for.

    Peaches and Cream by John Butler Trio is about his daughter and partner, so more familial love than romantic, but I think fits what you're looking for.