50 Best Filipino (OPM) Love Songs in English
MYMP (Make Your Momma Proud) in 2011
Rommel Manzano, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons/Photoscape
About 80% of Filipino songs in the English language are about love. According to surveys, the Philippines is one of the countries where love and companionship are prominent. Filipinos are the type of people who would always look for songs that relate to their lives. They are obsessed with a certain romantic feeling, which occupies the whole entertainment and media industries in the Philippines.
Most of the movies, series, and songs made in the Philippines are about love. Usually, official soundtracks from movies and TV series are the ones that are most popular. Here are the 50 best Filipino love songs in English from the '80s to the present.
Top 10 OPM Love Songs in English
- "Forevermore"—Side A
- "Set You Free"—MYMP
- "Your Love"—Alamid
- "I'll Never Go"—Erik Santos
- "Let Me Be the One"—Erik Santos
- "Only Reminds Me of You"—MYMP
- "I've Fallen for You"—Toni Gonzaga
- "Don't Know What to Say"—Ric Segreto
- "Till I Met You"—Angeline Quinto
- "Love Moves in Mysterious Ways"—Nina Girado
1. "Forevermore"—Side A
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 1995
This song is one of the biggest hits of Side A, a Filipino pop band formed in 1985. Starting in the 1980s, Side A was a big part of Filipino music. They became more popular after this hit single. This Filipino love song sold more than 90,000 copies and was covered by the American Idol pop star, David Archuleta when he visited the Philippines.
The song is about how the singer was dreaming of someone and can't believe that he finally has her by his side. The song describes the surreal feeling of finally having the one you love the most.
2. "Set You Free"—MYMP
Genre: Folk Music
Released: 2008
"Set You Free" is one of the most popular love songs of MYMP (Make Your Momma Proud), one the most respected acoustic bands in the Philippines. From 1996 to the present, they have released more than ten albums and received more than ten awards.
This hit Filipino love song is one of their breakout songs in the 21st century. It is a song about letting go of someone you love. It explains that loving is the act of giving someone the freedom to be happy and, if letting go is the necessary path to his/her happiness, let it be.
3. "Your Love"—Alamid
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2005
"Your Love" is Alamid's biggest hit single and received the Song of the Year award at the NU107 Rock Awards in 1995. Afterwards, multiple artists covered the song and it became even more popular. The song describes how sensational the love of a person towards someone can be.
4. "I'll Never Go"—Erik Santos
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2005
This Filipino love song, by Erik Santos, was one of the greatest hits of 2005. "I'll Never Go" is about not leaving someone and making the promise to never go away. It shows a message of commitment.
5. "Let Me Be the One"—Jimmy Bondoc
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2005
Together with "The Man I Was With You" and "Akin Nalang Sana Siya", "Let Me Be the One" is one of Jimmy Bondoc's original hit love songs. The song is an unusual breakup song. In this song, the one deeply in love is the one ending the relationship, kindly, so that it won't end with someone winning and the other suffering more.
6. "Only Reminds Me of You"—MYMP
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2006
"Only Reminds Me of You" is one the most tragic Filipino love compositions of MYMP. The lyrics reminisce about two lovers. The singer laments that in everything she does, every single thing reminds her of her lost love.
7. "I've Fallen for You"—Toni Gonzaga
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2007
"I've Fallen for You" is the official soundtrack of the 2007 film "I've Fallen for You", starring Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson. Jamie Rivera originally sang the song in 2005, but the song was popularized by Toni Gonzaga in 2007. It is a Filipino love song about a confession of love.
Gonzago is multi-talented, appearing at number four in our article, Most Popular Filipino Love Songs for the Broken-Hearted," for her 2008 breakup classic, “Someone's Always Saying Goodbye.”
8. "Don't Know What to Say"—Ric Segreto
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2013
"Don't Know What to Say" is one of Ric Segreto's first songs in his album Segreto. It is one of the most famous English original Filipino love songs of all time. The song is about someone who is intensely in love with someone and doesn't know what to do, or what to say, whenever that person is nearby.
9. "Till I Met You"—Angeline Quinto
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2014
Angeline Quinto is one of the most popular balladeers in the Philippines. The song "Till I Met You" has been covered by multiple artists, but her version is one of the most heartfelt. The song is about finally feeling what real love is.
10. "Love Moves in Mysterious Ways"—Nina Girado
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2005
"Love Moves in Mysterious Ways" is one of the most successful singles of Nina Girado. It is her first single and rose to the top of local music charts for twelve consecutive weeks.
11. "Stay"—Daryl Ong
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2016
The song "Stay" is one of the most popular Filipino love songs released by Daryl Ong. The song was the "Best Ballad Recording" of 2017 and nominated as "Best Wish Cover" and "Best Wishclusive Performance of a Male Artist." The love song is about the impossibility of wanting someone, who has left, to come back and stay forever. It is a song for people who are moving on from their past relationship.
12. "So It Is You"—Raymond Lauchengco
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2009
Raymond Lauchengco is a successful recording artist with roots in musical theatre. He popularized the song "So It's You," a Filipino love song for people deeply in love with someone. The song narrates how he waited for so long to find the perfect love.
13. "Before I Let You Go"—Freestyle
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 1998
"Before I Let You Go" is one of the greatest hits of Freestyle, a Filipino band formed in 1996. They became famous in 1998. This song is in Viva Records' silver series of best songs of 2009.
14. "Closer You and I"—Gino Padilla
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2006
"Closer You and I" is one of the greatest hits in the history of Philippine Music. The love song, popularized by Gino Padilla, was originally written for a toothpaste commercial. Spongecola is one of the bands who made a cover of this song, which introduced the song to a much larger audience.
15. "Smile In Your Heart"—Ariel Rivera
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 1999
This a lovely song from a Filipino recording artist and actor named Ariel Rivera. The song from Ariel Rivera's platinum album Aawitin Ko Na Lang. It became the official soundtrack of Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano's movie called Just The Way You Are.
16. "Say That You Love Me"—Martin Nievera
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 1989
"Say That You Love Me" is a Filipino love song of hope, reminiscence, and unhappiness. It shows how hard it is to not be with someone you love.
17. "Till My Heartaches End"—Ella May Saison
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2006
Ella May Saison is a Filipino Singer who popularized the song "Till My Heartaches End". Before going to the United States, they included this love song in 1996's Best of Ella May Saison featured collection. Later on, Passage and Kyla covered the song and became even more popular in the Philippines.
18. "Say You'll Never Go"—Neocolours
Artist: Neocolours
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 1988
"Say You'll Never Go" is one of Neocolours' English singles. The love song is about regrets and sorrow.
19. "The Way You Look at Me"—Christian Bautista
Genre: Easy Listening
Released: 2004
Although Christian Bautista only ranked 4th in a reality singing competition called "Star In a Million," he still became famous. He released his first single, "The Way You Look At Me", under Warner Music Philippines.
20. "Jealous"—Nina Girado
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2002
"Jealous" is Nina Girado's second official single. It became her second song to top various Philippine music charts. The love song is about the jealousy of a girl towards her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend.
21. "214"—Rivermaya
Genre: Rock Music
Released: 1994
It is mainstream in Filipino music to use numbers in representing the number of letters of the title. The title of the song "214" is the phrase "Am I Real", which is also found in the lyrics. This love song is different from other love songs in the Philippines because it is a rock song by Rivermaya, one of the 30 best Filipino (OPM) bands of all-time.
22. "Beautiful Girl"—Jose Marie Chan
Genre: Easy Listening
Released: 1989
"Beautiful Girl" is one of the hit singles of Jose Marie Chan, a Chinese Filipino singer in 1989. In the official music video, Chan is wearing a dinner suit with some ladies appearing. Due to the song's popularity, Martin Nievera and Christian Bautista covered this song in early 2000.
23. "I'll Be There For You"—Martin Nievera
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2014
Martin Nievera is a Filipino singer and songwriter who made the song "I'll Be There for You" famous in the Philippines. It is a song of promise, support, and always being there for someone. Jake Zyrus, formerly known as Charice Pempengco, covered this love song for the hit Philippine TV Series, "The Good Son", as the official soundtrack.
24. "Tell Me Where It Hurts"—MYMP
Genre: Folk Music
Released: 2005
"Tell Me Where It Hurts" is a Filipino love song of comfort and support. The lyrics of the song demonstrate unselfish love towards someone who feels worried.
25. "You Are My Song"—Regine Velasquez
Genre: Pop Music
Released: 2017
"You Are My Song" is a theatrical Filipino love song from Regine Velasquez's romantic comedy film "Wanted Perfect Mother." It was the soundtrack's lead single and was her first song in a cinematic platform.
| Song Title | Artist | Year Released |
|---|---|---|
26. Rainbow | South Border | 2003 |
27. The Past | Jed Madela | 2004 |
28. Hold On | Neocolours | 2016 |
29. I Feel for You | Kyla | 2002 |
30. A Little Bit | MYMP | 2003 |
31. All This Time | Side A | 2001 |
32. You've Made Me Stronger | Regine Velasquez | 1995 |
33. If the Feeling Is Gone | Kyla | 2004 |
34. Maybe | Neocolours | 1990 |
35. I Didn't Mean to Make You Mine | Nina Girado | 2006 |
36. How Could You Leave | Regine Velasquez | 1998 |
37. Hard to Believe | Eraserheads | 1997 |
38. When I Met You | APO Hiking Society | 1983 |
39. Cold Summer Nights | Francis Magalona | 1990 |
40. How Did You Know | Gary Valenciano | 2005 |
41. Say That You Love Me | Martin Nievera | 1989 |
42. Let the Love Begin | Gino Padilla | 1987 |
43. It Is Over Now | Kyla | 2007 |
44. Heart of Mine | Janno Gibbs | 2004 |
45. Got to Believe in Magic | Christian Bautista | 2007 |
46. Foolish Heart | Nina Girado | 2002 |
47. Forever Stay | Side A | 2015 |
48. Dream Without You | MYMP | 2003 |
49. I'll Be Over You | Kyla | 2008 |
50. Each Passing Night | Gary Valenciano | 1990 |
Related Reading
- Best December Avenue Songs (OPM)
Are you looking for the best December Avenue songs? Here is the ultimate list! Read on to learn more about these songs and see if your favorite made the list. - Top Filipino Novelty Songs (OPM) of All Time
This article explores the most famous Filipino novelty songs ever recorded. Read on to learn more about these great artists and see if your favorite made the list. - Best Filipino Wedding Songs (OPM) of All Time
Are you looking for Tagalog wedding songs? This article explores the most popular and heartwarming Filipino wedding love songs (OPM) ever recorded. - 70 Most Popular Filipino (OPM) Funeral Songs
Here are the most popular funeral or burial songs among Filipinos in the Philippines—in both Tagalog (OPM) and English. - OPM Songs: 20 Best Filipino (OPM) Songs 2019
This article is a list of the most popular OPM songs of 2019. Read on to learn more about these songs and see if your favorite Filipino songs made the list.
Explore the 50 best Filipino love songs in English from the '80s to the present.
Comments
Win on July 22, 2020:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc_hPTvp_Uo
Ray (author) from Philippines on March 08, 2020:
Thanks, John. I'll check on the songs again and try to highlight the original artists.
Doe on February 06, 2020:
Misleading and incomplete facts. Do some research first.
John on September 16, 2019:
Great list. It's just disrespectful to highlight the cover artists than the original artist.
2) Set You Free was originally sang and composed by SIde A
4) I'll Never Go was originally sang by Nexxus
and so on....
Chris on March 19, 2019:
Only Reminds me of you was not a original compistion of MYMP it was covered from artist St. Paul
Ray (author) from Philippines on July 10, 2018:
Hi, Patricia! Thank you for stopping by. These Filipino love songs in English are big hits here in the Philippines. I am glad you enjoyed listening to some of these love songs. Have a great day!
Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on July 10, 2018:
Music is a passion of mine and I certainly enjoyed listening to some of these...wow...thanks for sharing them with us. Angels are on the way to you this evening. ps
Ray (author) from Philippines on July 03, 2018:
Hi, Ma'am Maria Cecilia. Thank you for your comment. Yes, I really love Filipino music. In fact, I prefer OPM than International Music. I hope I was able to include your favorite Filipino love song in English. Have a great day!
Maria Cecilia from Philippines on July 03, 2018:
Hi obviously you belong to a younger generation. Most of the songs you mentioned were revived by younger artist. I am glad to see songs its original artists... you must be a music lover to take note of those songs. Good Job..
