Best Romantic R&B Songs

These 10 love tunes can help set the mood

Whether you're looking for a song that expresses how you feel about that special person in your life, searching for a tune to set the mood in the bedroom, or you just like soothing love songs, this list of the most romantic R&B jams will cover all your bases.

'Next Breath,' Tank, from 'Savior,' 2012

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If you've ever felt like you need someone more than you need oxygen, then you can probably feel Tank on this intensely romantic song, make-believe when he sings "Girl, I need you more than my next breath, never would I ever leave you, 'cause darlin' I need you more than the next breath I breathe." That's pretty heavy stuff.

'Share My Life,' Kem, from "Intimacy: Album III," 2010

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This is a sweet, romantic song perfect for men who are getting ready to propose to a lady and need a little inspiration. It starts out softly as Kem tenderly makes his case to his love, then builds power and momentum as he declares his love in a bolder, stronger voice.

'teachme,' Musiq Soulchild, from 'Luvanmusiq,' 2007

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Sometimes guys get so caught up in trying to be manly that they forget how to love, how to trust, how to show their feelings. This song speaks directly to everyone who's dealing with that or knows someone who is. "teachme" is about a man who wants his woman to show him how to explore his feelings: "Teach me how to love, show me the way to surrender my heart, girl I'm so lost."

'Trust,' Keyshia Cole featuring Monica, 'A Different Me,' 2008

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This strong duet, from Keyshia Cole's third album, is a lush ballad about a woman whose man has trust issues even though she's completely and utterly loyal to him and would do anything for him.

'Pretty Wings,' Maxwell, from 'black SUMMERS' night,' 2009

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"Pretty Wings," Maxwell's first single after a hiatus of over seven years, is a bittersweet love song. "It’s about the last relationship I had," Maxwell said in an interview. "How you meet the person of your dreams but at the wrong time ... the song is a testament to what I wanted to say and say, to her."

'You Are My Starship,' Kenny Lattimore, from 'Timeless,' 2008

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In 2008, Kenny Lattimore released an album of cover songs, including Norman Connors' sexy and romantic "You Are My Starship," which has been covered again and again since the 1970s.

'Can't Help but Wait,' Trey Songz, from 'Trey Day,' 2007

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This single by Trey Songz features a laid-back, romantic vibe, perfect if you're looking for music to set, well, that kind of mood.

'Save Room,' John Legend, from 'Once Again,' 2006

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After achieving mainstream success with his debut album, John Legend decided against tailoring his sound to contemporary popular tastes. "Save Room" goes against the grain of what's become popular in R&B music as a slow-burning, sophisticated song.

'Suffocate,' J. Holiday, from "Back of My 'Lac,' 2007

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"Suffocate" is about a man who's so in love (or maybe so infatuated) that he seemingly can't even breathe when his woman's not around.

'Real Love,' Eric Benet, from 'The One,' 2012

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As the title of Eric Benet's "Real Love" implies, the song's a celebration of genuine emotion, as opposed to the Tinsel Town kind. Or, as Eric puts in in the song: "In a world full of make-believe, we got something real, girl, real love, real love, I bet everything on you and me."