New relationship songs for him: Express your love with 11 love songs

Medically reviewed by Melissa Guarnaccia, LCSW
Updated June 28, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Music appreciation is often considered a universal experience and part of shared humanity. For many, music can be a continual joy throughout life. In some cases, the opening notes of a song, even if not a love song, can instantly transport a person back to a specific time and place in their memory. For example, perhaps your first date with your future husband was at a concert, and the opening notes of a particular song from that concert now fill you with a flurry of nostalgia and love. 

Music can have significant power over emotion and memory and is a way to express love, with extensive research showing that music strongly impacts emotions. To understand this connection, it may be helpful to explore the psychology of love and its relation to music and recommend love songs in various genres for the new man in your life. Sharing love songs with your partner can be romantic and may strengthen your bond.

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The psychology between love and music

You may have experienced a sense of “goosebumps,” “chills,” or adrenaline rush when hearing a specific moment in your favorite song. According to a 2014 study, music is unique in its power to incite a psychophysiological response in individuals that can have a potent emotional impact. 

Even discussing one’s favorite music can elicit a tingling throughout the body. The late, influential composer Frank Zappa once said, “Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid.” Although this may seem like a sardonic quip on the surface, it might be difficult to imagine your life without music and its real psychological impact. 

Music has a profound influence on emotional associations and perceptions. For example, research shows that when someone is shown a picture of a happy face accompanied by happy music, they are likelier to interpret the face as happier than it is. Sad music also exaggerates how people perceive sad faces. According to the same study, music had such emotional power on participants that a picture of a neutral face could be perceived as happy or sad depending on the music's tone and how it impacted the participants’ emotions. 

Have you ever wondered why a sad scene in a movie doesn’t have a happy song playing in the background? This effect is one example of music’s impact on emotions at work and personal life. For this reason, it can make sense for music to help you emotionally connect with a new man in your life.  

Modern love songs for your new partner 

Creating a playlist of the best romantic songs for your new boyfriend can be a way to express your feelings. However, compiling a list of the most romantic songs for the new love in your life may be difficult because of how many are available. 

Some people may have difficulty exposing feelings of love to a partner. They might put up emotional guards, especially if they have experienced past trauma. In this case, there are beautiful and poignant love songs you can use to express the emotions you might be scared to reveal due to vulnerability.  

There are many popular modern love songs and pop songs you can share with your partner, including the following: 

  • Love Story by Taylor Swift: This song is a gorgeous, modern-day retelling of Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet. This song can send your man a clear message about how you feel about the relationship.
  • If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys: This anthem is a touching neo-soul song that helped establish Keys as a prophet of love. The narrator speaks of how fame and fortune matter little when love is at stake.
  • Unconditionally by Katy Perry: This song is an ode to the joys of unconditional love.
  • Just to Hear You Say That You Love Me by Faith Hill: This song is a touching duet featuring Tim McGraw. The lyrics are so universal that your boyfriend may act as a stand-in for Tim McGraw.
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Classic love songs for a new relationship 

When compiling the perfect playlist for your man, it may be valuable to include a classic love song from the old days. The love song has been a facet of nearly all musical cultures since the birth of popular music. In particular, Spanish love songs are often used to express care for a partner. Spanish is often described as one of the most beautiful and romantic languages, and the language translates to the perfect love songs. Below are a few romantic love songs to consider: 

  • El Amor by Jose Jose: This song is a touching Latin ballad.
  • Amor Prohibido by Selena: Selena’s ode to forbidden love and what she will do to achieve it can be a romantic way to show care for a partner. 
  • Bailamos by Enrique Iglesias: This song about dancing with a loved one is a moving musical piece.  
  • El Amor de Mi Vida by Ricky Martin: This song is one of the most romantic Latin pop songs available. 

Rock love songs for a new boyfriend 

Maybe the new man in your life is a rocker who doesn’t play by society’s rules. Perhaps he finds romantic gestures “corny” and doesn’t typically have a lot of love songs on his playlist. There are various love songs for people who seem to hate love songs. These rocking tunes might approach love from a different angle than the typical love ballad. 

  • Desire by U2: Bono is known as a symbol of love and unity throughout much of the world.
  • About a Girl by Nirvana: While considered a parody in the style of The Beatles, this song’s sentiments may resonate the same. This song is hard-edged with a pop feel. 
  • Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard: This tune is a rocking love song that approaches the topic of love from a more sensual angle. 

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Support options 

While expressing feelings by sharing the best new and old romantic songs with your man can be a way to bond and form emotional connections, it may be helpful to know when it may not be healthy to rely on songs to express your feelings. If you’re experiencing challenges with communication in a relationship or want to improve your connection with your partner, it may be helpful to talk to a therapist.

If you face barriers to in-person therapy, you can also consider online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp for individuals or ReGain for couples. Connecting with a licensed professional through an online platform can give you access to weekly sessions via phone, video, or live chat. In addition, you can access resources like journaling prompts, worksheets, and group sessions.

Studies show that online therapy is effective. In one study, researchers found that online interventions were more effective than in-person options for couples, as they found the distance that video therapy offered was preferable to face-to-face interactions, offering more accessibility and convenience. 

Takeaway

Sharing a romantic song with the new man in your life may be a way to bond and form emotional connections. Music can have a strong impact on emotions. Sharing music with others may strengthen a relationship. However, therapy can be a valuable resource for those with difficulty expressing their feelings through other means.

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