Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and this year it falls on a Saturday. That can only mean one thing. Many couples across the country will be heading off on weekend romantic getaways.
One way to make the time pass faster in the car is by listening to love songs that help set the mood before you reach your destination. But some songs are more distracting than others.
Research shows that songs exceeding 120 beats per minute (BPM) are the most distracting to listen to while driving, as fast music can increase the chance of speeding. On the other hand, songs with 60 to 80 beats per minute (BPM) are closer to the human resting heart rate, helping you stay calmer and more focused on the road.
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, our team analysed 150 of the greatest love songs of all time using Billboard charts to discover which songs are best for driving, as they are the least distracting on the road.
Love songs to add to your Valentine’s Day playlist
If Adele, Whitney Houston, Ed Sheeran, or The Beatles are on your playlist, we have some great news. Their love songs are often slower, which makes for a more relaxed drive. They are perfect for Valentine’s Day road trips, whether you are heading away for the weekend or just enjoying the journey together to your favourite restaurant.
Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love” comes in at just 65 beats per minute. Its slow, emotional sound makes it ideal for calm drives and quiet moments, especially as the sun starts to set.
Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”, her iconic number one hit from The Bodyguard, spent 14 weeks at the top of the charts in 1992 and has a tempo of only 68 beats per minute. It is one of the most loved Valentine’s Day songs of all time and a track most people never skip, even in traffic.
Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” has a tempo of 79 beats per minute and is known for its romantic lyrics and wedding dance popularity. It is a feel good song that is easy to sing along to without taking your focus off the road. If you prefer classic love songs, “She Loves You” by The Beatles written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon has just 75 beats per minute. Its upbeat but steady rhythm makes it a timeless choice for couples of all ages.
If you want to show your partner that you are in it for the long run this Valentine’s Day, “10,000 Hours” by Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber is a great pick.
The song is all about commitment and learning everything about the person you love, and with a tempo of just 90 beats per minute, it fits perfectly into a relaxed driving playlist.
Here is the full list of the least distracting love songs to help you choose what to add to your playlist this Valentine’s Day weekend.
The most distracting love songs to listen to while driving this Valentine’s Day
Now it is time to reveal the most distracting love songs to avoid this weekend. These tracks may be romantic and well loved, but their fast tempo makes them less ideal for driving, especially during a busy Valentine’s Day weekend.
Fans of Zac Efron may want to skip “Rewrite the Stars” from The Greatest Showman. The film soundtrack was a huge success and spent weeks at the top of global charts. But this romantic duet is 125 beats per minute, which can make it harder to relax while driving, especially if you start singing along and want your partner to join in.
If you are a fan of Rihanna, we have some bad news. “We Found Love” featuring Calvin Harris has a tempo of 128 beats per minute. The song topped charts in over 25 countries and became one of the biggest dance hits of the 2010s. Its high energy and club style beat make it great for nights out, but not the best choice when you need to stay focused on the road.
One of the biggest surprises on the list is “Woman in Love” by Barbra Streisand. The song was released in 1980 and became a worldwide number one hit. Despite being a love ballad, it has a very fast tempo of 170 beats per minute, placing it among the most distracting tracks for drivers.
Another song to be careful with is “The Power of Love” by Celine Dion. The song spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1994 and was the 48th biggest hit of the 1990s. While it is a Valentine’s Day favourite, its tempo of 140 beats per minute means it may be better saved for when the car is parked.
The most distracting love songs are "I Think I Love You” by The Patridge Family and “Vision of Love” by Mariah Carey, with both tracks coming in at 205 beats per minute.
Whether you are driving to a weekend getaway or heading out for dinner, music plays a big part in the Valentine’s Day experience. Slower love songs can help keep the drive calm while setting the perfect romantic mood along the way. Choose slower tracks for the drive, enjoy the journey, and save the big sing along moments for when you arrive.
Here is a full list of the most distracting love songs you may want to avoid this Valentine’s Day weekend.
Methodology
We analysed 150 of the greatest love songs of all time using data from Billboard charts. To measure how distracting each song may be while driving, we looked at the beats per minute (BPM) of every track using the Song BPM tool. Each song was ranked based on its BPM. Songs with more than 120 beats per minute were classed as the most distracting, while songs under 120 beats per minute were considered less distracting to listen to while driving.
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