Top 10 Love Songs

'If I Loved You' - Carousel 

After meeting that evening at the town's carousel, Julie and Billy take a walk late at night. Each of them fantasise about what life would be like if they were in love, but neither are able to muster the courage to express how they really feel. 

Joshua Henry (Billy) and Jessie Mueller (Julie)

'You Matter to Me' – Waitress

After a very rough First Act for Jenna, she finds herself drawn to the kindness of Dr Pomatter. He shows her compassion, something she's not felt in her own abusive marriage for a very long time. 'You Matter to Me' shows us that love can arise out of the most difficult of circumstances.

Jessie Mueller (Jenna) and Drew Gehling (Jim Pomatter)

'Suddenly, Seymour' – Little Shop of Horrors

Act Two begins, business is booming at Muchnik's flower shop – and it's all down to the popularity of a large man-eating plant. Audrey feels guilty about her now ex-boyfriend Orin's mysterious disappearance. Seymour, who fed him to said plant, confides in Audrey and confesses his love to her and vows to protect her – well we know how that turns out...

Matt Doyle (Seymour), Joy Woods (Audrey)

'As Long as You're Mine' - Wicked

After an Act and a half, Fiyero admits to Glinda that he has feelings for Elphaba and leaves to find her. Elphaba has spent her whole life thinking that no one could love someone like her, especially now that she is considered dangerous and public enemy number one by the people of Oz.

Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Norbert Leo Butz (Fiyero)

'Loving You' – Passion

Fosca is very unwell, she frequently suffers seizures and knows she hasn't long to live. Giorgio, a young soldier, shows a kindness to her that all the other soldiers do not. Fosca falls deeply in love – a love so extreme that it is destructive – but it is not reciprocated. 

Judy Kuhn (Fosca) and Ryan Silverman (Giorgio)

'Last Night of the World' – Miss Saigon

War is coming, Kim and Chris have just married and vow to stay with each other, no matter what happens. Chris is forced to flee Vietnam shortly after, making this is the last duet they sing together before the very end of the show.

Lea Salonga (Kim) and Will Chase (Chris)

'Changing my Major to Joan' – Fun Home

This song is a sexual epiphany. Alison has spent much of the show up until now coming to terms with her sexuality. So, after having her first sexual experience, she feels on top of the world. Is it love? Is it lust? We don't think she cares!

Emily Skeggs (Alison)

'Something Good' – The Sound of Music

This could easily have been a Top 10 Rodgers and Hammerstein love song: their sumptuous melodies and lyrics have defined the genre ever since. While not in the original Broadway production, 'Something Good' was written for the now-iconic 1965 film adaptation. Captain von Trapp does not initially take to Maria, the new governess to his seven children – but after reigniting his love for singing and music the two come together. 'Something Good' tells us that no matter how traumatic your past is, it does not have to define you.

Julie Andrews (Maria) and Christopher Plummer (Captain von Trapp)

'Seventeen' – Heathers: The Musical

Far from the fairy-tale notion of romantic love, 'Seventeen' is an ultimatum. After initially bonding as outcasts at their high school, Veronica and JD's obsessive relationship leads them to mass murder. Veronica longs for the 'normal' life of a 17-year-old but maybe it's too late for that.

Carrie Hope Fletcher (Veronica) and Jamie Muscato (J.D.)

'Tonight' - West Side Story

The Jets and the Sharks, both alike in dignity… A tale now almost a cliché. Maria and Tony defy the racial tensions that would otherwise keep them apart and meet in secret.

'My Friends' – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Whoever said that love songs couldn't be sung to inanimate cutthroat razors? Coined as a 'love song' by Sondheim himself, 'My Friends' is sung by Sweeney Todd early in Act One after being presented his old set of razors following his return from a long exile. It certainly foreshadows the bloody events of the show but what is particularly ominous is that, although it is just Sweeney singing, he asks his razors questions – but only he can hear the answers. 

George Hearn (Sweeney Todd) and Patti Lupone (Mrs Lovett)