I have my own favorites (e.g., "The Next Ten Minutes," "The Last Night of the World," "Falling Into You" but I think that the best ever written is "If I Loved You" from Carousel.
Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!
Move on is simultaneously a love song from a romantic and paternal perspective (somehow without being creepy), and it also doubles as the greatest pep talk song of all time. I’d say that’s a pretty good pick. I also find A Marriage Proposal from Falsettos pretty fantastic. Seeing a social anxiety ridden nerd work up his feelings while simultaneously helping his love’s confidence about her physical desirability is both adorable and hilarious. Johanna has an amazing ability to have creepy lyrics, but music that is just so ravishingly beautiful that the song still feels romantic anyway. I agree with the mentions of So in Love. I’m pretty surprised that no one has mentioned Some Enchanted Evening. That song’s practically the definition of romantic. I’m also surprised no one has mentioned If I Loved You. Another song that completely and totally defines love ballads. Something Wonderful is another great one. Rogers and Hammerstein sure knew how to write love songs. It Takes Two is another adorably charming example.
Thank god Bernadette mentioned Some Enchanted Evening. As if I couldn’t respect her taste more.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Sure that I am forgetting a biggie, but the following seem to be the best that I can think of.
-- Embraceable You -- Girl Crazy
-- But Not For Me -- Girl Crazy
-- People Will Say We're In Love -- Oklahoma
-- I Have Dreamed -- The King and I
-- Easy to Love -- Anything Goes
-- This Nearly Was Mine -- South Pacific
-- Somewhere -- West Side Story
-- Gigi -- Gigi
-- I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face -- My Fair Lady
-- Til There Was You -- The Music Man
-- The Party's Over -- Bells Are Ringing
If forced to pick one, I would probably pick Embraceable You or I Have Dreamed.
I am sure there must be some from the last 50 years. I just can't think of one that compares to those above, all of which are IMO among the greatest songs ever written. Period.
It's got to be 'If I Loved You', right? But 'Til There Was You' is really high up there as well, especially Shirley Jones' renditions in the movie. If you go to the pre-Oklahoma! days there's dozens of contenders from the Great American Songbook guys. I'd shout out 'Sorry-Grateful' from Company, too.
“I’ve Never Been in Love Before” (Guys & Dolls) “The I Love You Song” (Putnam County Spelling Bee) “True Love” (High Society) “Imagining You” (Birds of Paradise) “Once Upon a Time” (All-American)
For me it's definitely Origin of Love from Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I think it's one of the most beautiful songs ever written, honestly.
(I linked to the OBC recording with Neil Patrick Harris since that's technically the "Broadway" one, but I personally prefer John Cameron Mitchell's performance in the off-Broadway and movie cast recordings)
I know many likely never have heard it, but whenever it comes onto my phone when listening to my music, I stop and get goosebumps.
When She Smiles - Lysistrata Jones
Its honestly just a great modern pop musical theater love song, of the comedic male lead realizing he is in love, but not in the typical comedic musical comedy way. It simply an earnest song about the male lead noticing that his heart flutters when the "outcast" girl smiles, and that he isn't going to let his past mistakes in love stop him form pursing it.