As February draws to a close, we’re wrapping up our celebration of love by looking back at timeless love songs that have enriched our nation over the past two and a half centuries.
These selections embody the beauty and importance of traditional American values in music: loyalty, genuine affection, commitment, respect for one another, and the pursuit of enduring, meaningful bonds that strengthen individuals, families, and society.
1
Revolutionary Era
Locks and Bolts: This enduring folk ballad tells of a determined lover who overcomes barriers to rescue and unite with his true love, leading to marriage and happiness. Passed down through Appalachian and Southern traditions its narrative of perseverance, devotion, and triumph over obstacles reflects early American frontier spirit and the value placed on faithful, unbreakable commitment in romance—qualities that fortified families and communities in a young nation.
2
19th Century Foundations
Aura Lee (1861): Written by W.W. Fosdick (lyrics) and George R. Poulton (music), this tender Civil War ballad paints a picture of pure, idealistic love for a maiden with “golden hair,” where sunshine and swallows arrive with her presence. Its gentle melody and heartfelt devotion—later adapted into Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender”—reflect an era when songs honored innocence and the quiet beauty of committed romance, values that sustained Americans through hardship and helped preserve the moral fabric of the nation.
3
Golden Age
Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1929): Composed by Fats Waller with lyrics by Andy Razaf and Harry Brooks this playful yet steadfast jazz standard has the narrator affirming loyalty despite temptation: “No one to talk with, all by myself... Ain’t misbehavin’, I’m savin’ my love for you.” Rooted in stride piano brilliance and vibrant spirit, it celebrates faithfulness and self-discipline in love—traditional virtues that elevate personal integrity and honor the sacredness of commitment over fleeting indulgence.
4
Mid-20th Century Triumphs
Ain’t That a Kick in the Head (1960): Penned by Sammy Cahn (lyrics) and Jimmy Van Heusen (music), and immortalized by Dean Martin in his smooth, big-band style this upbeat swing tune captures the joyful surprise of falling deeply in love: “How lucky can one guy be? I kissed her and she kissed me.” Its lighthearted celebration of mutual affection, romance, and the thrill of a genuine connection reflects an American optimism grounded in respect, reciprocity, and the enduring happiness that comes from building real relationships rather than chasing superficial highs.
5
Contemporary Excellence
A Wink and a Smile (Harry Connick Jr., 1993): Written by Marc Shaiman (music) and Ramsey McLean (lyrics) this charming, swinging original evokes the simple joy of finding true companionship: “We go together like a wink and a smile.” Connick’s warm vocal delivery and jazzy arrangement capture a sense of destiny, lightness, and mutual delight in love—reviving the elegance of the Great American Songbook while celebrating the everyday magic of committed partnership, shared dreams, and the quiet fulfillment of building a life together rooted in respect and affection.
These love songs became cherished parts of America’s musical heritage, weaving threads of devotion, honor, mutual respect, and lasting happiness into the fabric of our national life. They built a culture that celebrated relationships as sacred, uplifting, and worthy of sacrifice—values that once nurtured strong families, communities, and a confident nation.
Yet they stand in stark contrast to much of today’s mainstream songs about relationships, which too often revel in perverted lyricism and explicit music videos that degrade intimacy into something transactional and hollow. Songs shape how we perceive love, and today often encourage accepting the absolute bare minimum: fleeting encounters, emotional detachment, and the normalization of hookup culture over meaningful, long-term, committed relationships that bring real, lasting happiness. Mainstream culture increasingly celebrates instability and selfishness instead of the virtues that lead to true fulfillment—leaving many feeling empty rather than enriched.
So what happened to the great American tradition of music that honored virtue, elevated the soul, and reflected a nation aspiring to higher ideals in love and life?
It’s time to reclaim it.
Let’s dedicate the next 250 years of our great nation’s music culture to creating and cherishing something truly worthy—music that builds strong bonds and passes down values that foster genuine happiness and generational strength.
This year, join us in growing a movement to restore the soul of America’s music culture! Start by checking out Make Music Right’s America 250 Playlist—now updated with February’s picks of these beautiful love songs, alongside other timeless, uplifting selections rooted in traditionalism, artistic integrity, commitment, and elevation of the human spirit. Add it to your library today, share it with loved ones, and let these enduring melodies remind you of the beauty that real love—and real American music—can bring!
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