21 Best Easy Listening Songs Ever

Easy listening music, often referred to as ‘lounge music', is an excellent choice when you're looking for something relaxing.

Today we're going to look at some of the best easy listening songs of all time. These songs are in no particular order, so keep your pitchforks in the garage if a Barry Manilow song is listed a bit higher than your favorite Chicago hit.

1. Everything I Do (I Do It for You) by Bryan Adams

1993

The tune that has been the first dance song at many a wedding, ‘Everything I Do' by Bryan Adams is from the soundtrack for ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' staring Kevin Costner. The song, believe it or not, is more popular than the movie.

The song is about a man's undying love and devotion to the woman he loves. The lyrics are simple and direct, but the sentiment of Adams' voice is heartfelt. Spliced with clips from the movie, the music video received plenty of rotation on MTV in the early 90s.

2. Save the Best for Last by Vanessa Williams

1992

We're staying in the 90s with this one. Vanessa Williams was a pageant queen that found an easy listening hit with Save the Best for Last in 1992.

The song is about taking the time to appreciate the moment with the one you love and not taking them for granted. It's about recognizing the special person in your life and not letting them slip away. The lyrics talk about a person in a relationship, who is thinking back to the time when they first met, and how they should have known right away that this was the one.

3. Take On Me by A-ha

1983

One of the first easy-listening hits of the 80s, 1983's Take On Me by A-ha is a radio staple and remains one of the most incredible music videos of all time.

The song is about a young man trying to win a girl's heart. He is trying to show her that he is serious about his feelings for her and that he won't give up until she gives him a chance. So he sings, “Take on me, take me on/I'll be gone in a day or two,” to show her that he is determined to win her over.

4. Mister Sandman by The Chordettes

1954

A sleepy classic that conjures images of nightcaps and peaceful slumbers in a cozy bed, this 1954 standard is usually the first song you hear in movies that take place in the 50s.

The lyrics in Mister Sandman are charmingly nostalgic and evoke a longing for a simpler time. The song has gotten covered by numerous artists over the years and has become a classic of American popular music.

5. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head by B.J. Thomas

1969

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head is a beloved classic song composed by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and sung by B.J. Thomas. Since its debut in the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the song has been featured in countless movies, commercials, and TV shows.

The song is a gentle, upbeat track that encourages us to look on the bright side and find solace in adversity. The lyrics are simple yet profound, describing how the rain will eventually subside even in the darkest times.

6. Desperado by The Eagles

1973

Easy-listening songs are primarily about love, but the world took notice when The Eagles dropped this masterpiece in 1973.

The song centers around the titular Desperado, a mysterious outlaw struggling to make sense of his life. He is a man who lives on the edge, and he is a symbol of the struggles of the American Dream. The song lyrics are full of heartache and longing as the protagonist searches for meaning in his life.

7. Hard To Say I'm Sorry by Chicago

1982

We've reached the power ballad portion of our list, and what better way to introduce that than with this Chicago hit?

Hard to Say I'm Sorry, released in 1982, is a powerful lesson on the difficulty of apologizing and accepting blame in a relationship. The song begins with a haunting piano melody, setting the mood for the song's emotional journey. Peter Cetera's soulful vocal performance brings the lyrics to life, conveying the sadness and regret of a broken relationship.

8. Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra

1966

You know we couldn't make this list without an appearance by Old Blue Eyes himself. Frank Sinatra's 1966 classic is a perfect example of Sinatra's signature crooning style, and its romantic tone has made it one of the most beloved love songs of all time.

The song tells the story of two strangers who meet in the night, and despite their differences, they fall in love. The emotion and sentiment of the song are timeless, and it has become an iconic symbol of romance.

9. Mandy by Barry Manilow

1974

It's challenging to make an easy listening list without Barry Manilow. While Manilow has dozens of song credits to his name and numerous hits, Mandy, without question, is the very definition of easy listening.

The song tells the story of a man reminiscing about a lost love. He remembers their good times together and how he misses her now that she is gone.

The lyrics of “Mandy” are pretty simple, but they effectively convey the narrator's emotions. The words “I remember all my life, Raining down as cold as ice” perfectly describe the feeling of lost love and longing that the narrator is experiencing.

10. Unforgettable by Nat King Cole

1952

Nat King Cole's “Unforgettable” is a timeless classic covered by many artists since releasing in 1952. The song has such a unique and soulful sound that it is easy to see why it is so beloved by music fans worldwide.

The song engenders covers time and time again, but the song reached a larger mainstream audience with Cole's daughter, Natalie Cole, revisiting it with her own spin and her father's accompanying vocals in 1991.

11. She's Got a Way by Billy Joel

1981

Billy Joel's 1981 hit “She's Got A Way” is a classic love song that captures the power of a woman's charm over a man. Many artists, including John Mayer and Carrie Underwood, have covered it since its release.

The song is simple and sweet, with Joel singing about how this woman's beauty and charm have taken him. The lyrics are full of admiration and wonder as he sings about her eyes, voice, and smile. Even though he doesn't know what she's thinking, he can't help but get drawn to her.

12. Do That to Me One More Time by Captain and Tenille

1979

This beloved 1979 soft rock classic has been covered by many artists over the years and is still as relevant today as it was back in the 70s.

The song, written by Toni Tennille, tells the story of a couple that is deeply in love and wants to keep that connection alive. The lyrics are simple and sweet, but the melody makes the song shine. The track gets driven by a gentle piano line and features backing vocals that help to add depth and emotion to the tune.