35 Cheesy Love Songs With Lyrics So Bad They're Good
These cheesy love songs are so sappy it's almost criminal.
Getty Love makes the world go 'round... and it also helps sell music. Whether the best love songs are crushing classics that could make a generation of babies, or are a nausea-inducing love ditty, we can't get enough of these tunes.
Of course, cheesy love songs can still be pretty good, too!
Cheese is the best food group, so cheesy doesn’t always equal bad. I’m not going to deny my all-out love for the cheesy love song “You’re The Inspiration” by Chicago, or that I know all the words to Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is,” both of which I frequently dedicate to my boyfriend.
Heck, I’ll openly share my love for “Groovy Kind of Love” by Phil Collins, which was my wedding song (although, I’m divorced now, so maybe it’s bad luck).
The fact remains that not all songs in our collection of music are ones we would proudly blast from our cars. We might, in fact, secretly love them while singing the lyrics in private or despise their sugary disgustingness. (That's especially true with power ballads from those cheesy 80s love songs.)
Whatever you think, the cheesy love songs listed below are just that: major cheese.
The 35 Best Cheesy Love Songs of All Time
1. “I Adore Mi Amor” by Color Me Badd
This song features the men of Color Me Badd telling one woman that she doesn't stand a chance because he loves another woman, which is sweet. But the boy band's "seduction jam" style of music is objectively cheesy — and the spoken-word Spanish verse doesn't help.
Dream on, dream away / I think I'm gonna have to stay stay forever
I adore (I adore) mi amor (yea yea) I adore mi amor
2. “You’re The Inspiration” by Chicago
Originally written for cheesy love song king Kenny Rogers, "You're the Inspiration" was inherently cheesy before classic rock band Chicago picked it up. But it's that classic rock sound that makes "You're the Inspiration" undeniably catchy.
You're the meaning in my life / You're the inspiration
You bring feeling to my life / You're the inspiration
3. “Heaven” by Warrant
Not exactly a song you'd expect from an 80's hairband, but perhaps that's what makes it stand out.
I don't need to be the king of the world / As long as I'm the hero of this little girl
Heaven isn't too far away / Closer to it every day
No matter what your friends might say
4. “(God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time on You” by *NSYNC
The song title alone sounds like a cheesy pick-up line, but you can't help but sing along with it whenever it comes on.
When I look into your eyes / I know that it's true
God must have spent / A little more time
On you
5. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler
Play the very first piano notes in a bar and watch everyone get super excited to sing along in spite of the repetitive, cheesy lyrics.
Once upon a time I was falling in love / But now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do / A total eclipse of the heart
6. “More Than Words” by Extreme
We love a catchy acoustic song, and the harmonies in this song are on point.
What would you do / If my heart was torn in two
More than words to show you feel / That your love for me is real
What would you say / If I took those words away
Then you couldn't make things new / Just by saying I love you
7. “When I See You Smile” by Bad English
The generic love song lyrics in this power ballad aren't anything special, but you can't help but love the big chorus.
When I see you smile / I can face the world
You know I can do anything
8. “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion
Would this song be as big without the accompanying movie "Titanic?" Probably not. But when you sing it imagining Jack and Rose, you can't help but belt the lyrics along with Celine Dion.
Near, far, wherever you are / I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door / And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
9. “Is This Love” by Whitesnake
Not quite what you'd expect from the same band that released "Here I Go Again," Whitesnake nailed this 80's power ballad, cheesy lyrics aside.
Is this love that I'm feeling / Is this the love that I've been searching for
Is this love or am I dreaming / This must be love
'Cause it's really got a hold on me / A hold on me
10. “Love of a Lifetime” by Firehouse
Firehouse created the perfect wedding song with lyrics describing being with someone that you know will never hurt you or leave you.
I finally found the love of a lifetime
A love to last my whole life through
11. “High Enough” by Damn Yankees
The big, catchy chorus in this song is enough to make you overlook the cheesy power ballad lyrics.
Don’t say goodbye / Say you’re gonna stay forever
Oh oh, all the way
12. “I Swear” by All-4-One
Fun fact: this song is actually a cover, originally a country song by John Michael Montgomery. All-4-One's R&B version is about a cheesy love song as you can get. However, you can't help but sing along.
And I swear by the moon and the stars in the skies / I'll be there
I swear like a shadow that's by your side / I'll be there
13. “All For Love” by Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, & Sting
By lyrics alone, this song is almost too cheesy. But give it to Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, AND Sting to perform, and it's suddenly one of the greatest love songs ever.
When there's love inside, I swear I'll always be strong
Then there's a reason why, I'll prove to you we belong
I'll be the wall that protects you
From the wind and the rain, from the hurt and the pain, yeah!
Let's make it! (All for one and all for love)
14. “How Can We Be Lovers” by Michael Bolton
This song questions how a relationship can last between two people who apparently can't get along at all, which gives off some toxic relationship vibes. But with Michael Bolton on the track, it's suddenly a relatable love song.
How can we be lovers if we can’t be friends
How can we start over when the fighting never ends
15. “I’ll Make Love to You” by Boyz II Men
The song title itself is a little cringy, but it's a catchy R&B song nonetheless.
I'll make love to you like you want me to / And I'll hold you tight, baby, all through the night
I'll make love to you when you want me to / And I will not let go 'til you tell me to
16. “I Knew I Loved You” by Savage Garden
If you think about the lyrics too hard, you realize this bad is not actually in love with someone but in love with the idea of them. So we choose not to think about the lyrics and instead appreciate it for the cheesy love song it is.
I knew I loved you before I met you
I’ve been here waiting all my life
17. “Glory of Love” by Peter Cetera
How can a song with such a distinct 80s sound be so timeless?
I am a man who would fight for your honor / I'll be the hero you're dreaming of
We'll live forever, knowing together / That we did it all for the glory of love
18. “You're Still The One” by Shania Twain
Whether you like country music or not, when this song comes on you can't help but sing along. It stands out from most cheesy love songs because it's not about falling in love with someone new, it's about still loving someone you've been with for a long time.
You're still the one I love / The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night
19. “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” by Air Supply
Despite being a song about a guy who knows how to charm women into sleeping with him by lying to them about his feelings, the piano riff can really trick you into thinking this is a bonafide love song. And maybe in a way it is.
I can make you every promise that has ever been made / And I can make all your demons be gone
But I'm never gonna make it without you / Do you really want to see me crawl
And I'm never gonna make it like you do / Making love out of nothing at all
20. “We’ve Only Just Begun” by The Carpenters
Another perfect wedding song that describes a couple just starting out together, "white lace" and all.
We've only just begun to live
White lace and promises / A kiss for luck and we're on our way
We've only begun
21. “I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner
This huge 80s power ballad is basically Foreigner asking someone to show what love really is. And as cheesy as that sounds, its that huge 80s power ballad chorus that hooks you in.
In my life there's been heartache and pain / I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now / I've traveled so far to change this lonely life
I want to know what love is / I want you to show me
22. “Eternal Flame” by The Bangles
This song questions whether someone feels the same for you as you do for them, and its simple sound is undeniably beautiful.
Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling
Do you feel my heart beating? Do you understand?
Do you feel the same? Am I only dreaming?
Is this burning an eternal flame?
23. “Can’t Live Without Your Love And Affection” by Nelson
Nelson sings about a man pining away for a woman who apparently thinks he's a "waste of her time." Released in 1990, it has that 80s power-ballad feel that's clearly necessary to make an otherwise cheesy song catchy and relatable.
Here she comes / Just like an angel
Seems like forever that she's been on my mind / Nothing has changed
She thinks I'm a waste of her time
24. “I Just Called to Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder
This Stevie Wonder love song stresses the importance of calling someone just because, which is sweet.
I just called to say I love you / I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you / And I mean it from the bottom of my heart
25. “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias
Despite the generic love song lyrics that describe a man being all a woman needs for a perfect life, Iglesias' smooth voice cemented this song as one of the best love songs ever.
I can be your hero, baby / I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever / You can take my breath away
26. “The Search Is Over” by Survivor
You probably wouldn't expect a love song from the same band that made "Eye of the Tigeer," but perhaps that's what makes this so great.
Now I look into your eyes / I can see forever
The search is over / You were with me all the while
27. “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)” by New Kids on The Block
If "I'll Be Loving You's" lyrics aren't cheesy enough, the synth puts the song over the edge — but how can you not love it?
I'll be loving you forever / Just as long as you want me to be
I'll be loving you forever / All this love's for you and me, yeah
28. “Sometimes” by Britney Spears
Britney Spears had her fair share of pop bangers in the 90s and early 00s, so the slowness of "Sometimes" was a change of pace. The lyrics discuss wanting to be with someone but being scared of getting hurt and wanting to take it slow.
Sometimes I run / Sometimes I hide
Sometimes I'm scared of you
But all I really want is to hold you tight
Treat you right, be with you day and night
Baby all I need is time
29. “To Be With You” by Mr. Big
You can't help by sing along with the group chorus.
I’m the one who wants to be with you
Deep inside I hope you feel it, too
30. “Hello” by Lionel Richie
Creepy lyrics (and music video) aside, the song's line "Hello, is it me you're looking for?" is unforgettable.
I've been alone with you inside my mind / And in my dreams I've kissed your lips a thousand times
I sometimes see you pass outside my door / Hello, is it me you're looking for?
31. “The One That You Love” by Air Supply
This song is about refusing to let someone break up with you, and despite that cheesiness, you just can't refuse to sing along.
Here I am / The one that you love
Askin' for another day
Understand the one that you love / Loves you in so many ways
32. “The Lady in Red” by Chris De Burgh
de Burgh sings about taking the woman in his life for granted and not realizing it until he saw that other guys were paying attention to her, which is a weird flex for a love song, but catchy nonetheless.
The lady in red is dancing with me / Cheek to cheek
There’s nobody here / It’s just you and me
It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side / I'll never forget the way you look tonight
33. “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight” by England Dan & John Ford Coley
The song goes from calling someone you haven't seen in a while to immediately talking about moving in, but the song's upbeat catchiness makes it easy to ignore that little detail.
I'm not talking about moving in / And I don't want to change your life
But there's a warm wind blowing, the stars are out / And I'd really love to see you tonight
34. “Take a Chance on Me” by ABBA
What's cheesier than literally telling someone how desperate you are to be with them? Not much, but it's all good when you have a song this catchy.
f you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free / Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie / If you put me to the test, if you let me try
35. “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer
When you think about cheesy love stories, you probably think about kissing and dancing under the moonlight surrounded by fireflies — which is exactly what this song describes, and in the perfect bubbly sound to make it a lasting love song.
Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight / Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand / Strike up the band, and make the fireflies dance
Silvermoon's sparkling / So kiss me
Laura Lifshitz is a former MTV personality currently writing about divorce, women’s issues, fitness, parenting, and marriage. Visit her website for more.