From Anita Baker to After 7: Why Love Songs Sound Sweeter When You're in Love

Like Lenny said, "Maybe you've never been in love like I've been in love. And maybe you've never felt the things that I've felt."

Have you ever noticed that when you're in love, love songs just hit different? The butterflies flutter a little stronger. And if you've been with someone for a while and weathered the storms Johnny was talking about in "Can You Stand the Rain" together, coming out stronger and more deeply in love...my God! Those songs can take you somewhere. A place of joy, gratitude and a love so deep it feels blessed by God. Especially those late '80s and early '90s R&B cuts.

This morning, on my way to work, I was listening to "Ready or Not" by After 7. I had to slow down as I was pulling into the parking lot just so I could hear the whole song. This is my JAM.

And it got me to thinking - being in love really changes the way you experience a love song. Some days in the car, it feels like I'm catching the Holy Ghost because the music just takes me in.

Here's why: there's actually science behind it.

When your attachment to your partner is secure, your stress hormones, especially cortisol, are lower. That frees up emotional space to fully feel the song the way it's meant to be felt. And it's a two-way street: not only do you feel love songs more deeply when you're in love, but listening to songs that mirror the beauty of your relationship can keep stress low and connection high.

The lyrics feel relatable because they are. Maybe you've come home to a hot bubble bath and candles, or all the things Boyz II Men promised in "I'll Make Love to You." When you're in love, you interpret lyrics and melodies through a warmer lens. The music becomes a cue for connection - you hear that song, think of your boo, and next thing you know you're sending a flirty text, picking up flowers, or leaning in for those daily kisses before and after work.

On the flip side, when you're not in love, love songs can sometimes feel distant or unrelatable - like they're about someone else's life. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy them. I'm a firm believer that listening to love songs while I was single is part of what prepared me for the love I have now. I think of my playlist of love songs as auditory vision boards - shaping my desires, helping me recognize the love I wanted, and making sure I didn't settle for anything less than the Anita Baker kind of "Sweet Love."

Ironically, on my first date with my husband, he picked me up with Maxwell's "This Woman's Work" playing in his car. Later, on the way from Olive Garden to the movie theater, he asked, "Do you like old school music?" (If you know me, you already know, this is where I was hooked lol). I said yes, and he put on "Tender Love" by Force MDs - his favorite song - and sang the high notes at the stoplights. That night, he asked me, "Do you believe in love at first sight?" The rest, as they say, is history.

Now, I give all glory to my big homie Jesus Christ for sending me the love of my life - but I also won't overlook the power of a good love song.

So maybe you create your own playlist. Whether you're single and longing for love, or alredy in it and savoring every moment, let the music move you. Because love songs aren't just background noise, they're powerful companions on the journey of the heart.