A couple enjoying music. (Adobe Stock)
Across campus, FAMU students feel like love songs have lost their spark and have become more lustful, lacking the actual feeling of love.
While many new-age love songs lean more toward surface-level desire, there are timeless classics that continue to define what real love feels like. Songs like “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green capture a depth of commitment and gratitude that never goes out of style.
“Ribbon in the Sky” by Stevie Wonder paints love, while “Endless Love” by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie reminds us of devotion that stands the test of time. Even modern classics like “All of Me” by John Legend feel honest.
Trends may shift, but songs that speak to lasting love and commitment will always have a place in people’s hearts. Nydia Roman, senior business administration student, feels like love songs have completely lost their touch.
“Men actually use to love,” Roman said. “Men use to talk about their wives, and how they lost the love of their lives … it was just different. I listen to older songs and I’m just like dang they don’t make music like this anymore.”
When thinking of old love songs, Roman thinks of artists like Charlie Wilson who produced the hit “Charlie, Last Name Wilson” and Anthony Hamilton with the hit “The Point of it All.” Roman said that Ambré is an artist today that makes love songs that has the same vibe of these artists.
“She’s the first artist that I’ve connected with, and I feel like ooh, I feel this, I hear what you’re saying,” Roman said. “I love that it’s very pure and I love that for her, for me.”
With TikTok on the rise, Kendyl Meeks, a sophomore food science student, feels like love songs are not as popular, and lyrics may not hold as much weight as they use to.
“There’s a lot more vulgar music that gets more attention, especially if it’s catchy. But I think love songs are still there, they’re still meaningful,” Meeks said.
Takeira Nettles, senior public relations student, says that in the early 2000s love music felt more like they actually loved women rather than lusting over them.
“Back in the early 2000s you would see a guy sit and cry his heart out, now they are like ‘break up with your girlfriend,’” Nettles said. “I feel like now that has affected our generation. They’re scared to talk about love, because these love songs don’t do that.”
Nettles feels that Sasha Keable is an artist that gives her the same vibe as the early 2000s.
“She actually just dropped her album, ACT II, I’ve been hooked on it, and I feel like that gives me that taste of 2000s R&B, just pouring her love out about a past relationship,” she said.
Do you think love songs have lost their magic, or can they still make your heart skip a beat?