Nothing says romance quite like music. In fact, there are several songs that say that very thing.
When you’re looking for a love song a little outside the mainstream (at least, in these modern times), the public domain is a great place to start.
Public domain love songs have several things going for them. They have that old-fashioned sound, but a timeless quality.
They have an innocence about them, but not too much innocence.
Plus, they have the considerable advantage of being free to consume, record, and distribute.
So, if you’ve been thinking about cutting an amorous EP for your valentine, anniversary, or just to kick your wooing up a notch, these are some public domain songs you might want to consider, starting with a few you’ve almost certainly heard before.
(NOTE: While public domain songs are copyright and royalty free, keep in mind that just because a song is in the public domain doesn’t mean a performance of that song is.
More recent recordings of public domain songs – anything recorded after 1926 – don’t fall under current public domain, but remain the property of their record labels and recording artists.)
And now for the songs –
Love Songs in the Public Domain
Ain’t We Got Fun (1921)
Written by: Richard Whiting, Gus Kahn & Raymond Egan
“Ain’t We Got Fun” Sample Lyric
Ev’ry morning, ev’ry evening
Ain’t we got fun?
Not much money, Oh, but honey
Ain’t we got fun?
Where to Find “Ain’t We Got Fun”
Library of Congress Digital Copy (instrumental)
Ain’t We Got Fun Sheet Music (from the University of Maine)
By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1909)
Written by: Gus Edwards & Edward Madden
“By the Light of the Silvery (Silv’ry) Moon” Sample Lyric
By the light of the silvery moon,
I want to spoon
To my honey I’ll croon love’s tune
Where to Find “By the Light of the Silv’ry Moon”
Library of Congress Digital Copy
By the Light of the Silv’ry Moon Sheet Music (from Connecticut College)
Hello! Ma Baby (1899)
Written by: Joseph E. Howard & Ida Emerson
(Warning: This song has a racist past. The original lyrics contain offensive words and ideas [as does the sheet music].
If you can separate this song from its history, you’ll have some rewriting to do.
We’ve included it because it has entered popular culture in more recent years in less offensive ways.)
“Hello! Ma Baby” Sample Lyric
Hello! ma baby
Hello! ma honey
Hello! ma ragtime gal
Send me a kiss by wire!
Baby, my heart’s on fire!
Where to Find “Hello! Ma Baby”
Library of Congress Digital Copy
Hello! Ma Baby Sheet Music (from Duke University)
It Had To Be You (1924)
Written by: Isham Edgar Jones & Gus Kahn
“It Had To Be You” Sample Lyric
For nobody else gave me a thrill
With all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you
Wonderful you
It had to be you
Where to Find “It Had To Be You”
Library of Congress Digital Copy (instrumental)
It Had To Be You Sheet Music (from Connecticut College)
Let Me Call You Sweetheart (1910)
Written by: Leo Friedman & Beth Slater Whitson
“Let Me Call You Sweetheart” Sample Lyric
Let me call you sweetheart
I’m in love with you
Let me hear you whisper
That you love me too
Where to Find “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”
Library of Congress Digital Copy
Let Me Call You Sweetheart Sheet Music (from Indiana State University)
Tea For Two (1924)
Written by: Irving Caesar & Vincent Youmans
“Tea For Two” Sample Lyric
Just tea for two and two for tea
Just me for you and you for me alone
Where to Find “Tea For Two”
Library of Congress Digital Copy
Tea For Two Sheet Music (from Wikimedia Commons)
All The World Will Be Jealous Of Me (1917)
Written by: Al Dubin & Ernest R. Ball
“All The World Will Be Jealous Of Me” Sample Lyric
The roses all envy the bloom on your cheek
And the sun even envies your smile
The birds in the wildwood are stilled when you speak
Their songs don’t seem half worth the while
Where to Find “All The World Will Be Jealous Of Me”
Library of Congress Digital Copy
All the World Will Be Jealous of Me Sheet Music (from Connecticut College)
I Love You: Je T’aime! (1923)
Written by: Harry Archer & Harlan Thompson
(Paul Combis – original French lyric)
“I Love You: Je T’aime!” Sample Lyric
Lovers always sing
The same familiar thing
I love you, I love, I do
Where to Find “I Love You: Je T’aime!”
Library of Congress Digital Copy
I Love You: Je T’aime! Sheet Music (from The University of Maine)
I Love You Truly (1901)
Written by: Carrie Jacobs-Bond
“I Love You Truly” Sample Lyric
I love you truly, truly, dear
Life with its sorrow, life with its tear
Fades into dreams when I feel you near
For I love you truly, truly, dear
Where to Find “I Love You Truly”
Library of Congress Digital Copy
I Love You Truly Sheet Music (from Indiana State University)
The Sunshine Of Your Smile (1915)
Written by: Lillian Ray & Leonard Cooke
“The Sunshine Of Your Smile” Sample Lyric
Give me your smile
The love-light in your eyes
Life could not hold
A fairer paradise
Give me the right to
Love you all the while
My world forever
The sunshine of your smile
Where to Find “The Sunshine Of Your Smile”
Library of Congress Digital Copy
The Sunshine Of Your Smile Sheet Music (from Connecticut College)
As Long As The World Rolls On (1907)
Written by: Ernest R. Ball & George Graff
“As Long As The World Rolls On” Sample Lyric
As long as the world rolls on, dear
As long as the world rolls on
There’s naught for me
But to live for thee
Just as long as the world rolls on
Where to Find “As Long As The World Rolls On”
Library of Congress Digital Copy
As Long As The World Rolls On Sheet Music (from Baylor University)
Dearest, You’re The Nearest To My Heart (1922)
Written by: Harry Akst & Benny Davis
“Dearest, You’re The Nearest To My Heart” Sample Lyric
Everyone has one thing that they most adore
The time is nearing
You’ll soon be hearing
Dearest I love you
Always think of you
Where to Find “Dearest, You’re The Nearest To My Heart”
Library of Congress Digital Copy
Dearest, You’re The Nearest To My Heart Sheet Music (from The University of Maine)
Jealous (1924)
Written by: Jack Little, Tommy Malie & Dick Finch
“Jealous” Sample Lyric
I’m jealous of the moon that shines above
Because it smiles upon the one I love
I’m jealous of the birds up in the trees
They sing for you their sweetest melodies
Where to Find “Jealous”
Library of Congress Digital Copy
Jealous Sheet Music (from The University of Mississippi)
Silver Threads Among The Gold (1873)
Written by: H.P. Danks & Eben E. Rexford
“Silver Threads Among The Gold” Sample Lyric
Darling, I am growing old
Silver threads among the gold
Shine upon my brow today
Life is fading fast away
(I know. It gets happier after this… I promise.)
Where to Find “Silver Threads Among The Gold”
Library of Congress Digital Copy
Silver Threads Among The Gold Sheet Music (from Connecticut College)
And there it is, our list of some of the best love songs in the public domain.
Good luck with your copyright-free courting.
Looking for something with a bit more sizzle? Check out 7 Surprisingly Sexy Songs From The Public Domain.