This summer, Drake declared himself the “certified lover boy” with the release of his sixth studio album of the same name. The 21-track project, which includes top 10 hits like “Way 2 Sexy,” “Girls Want Girls,” and “Fair Trade,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and continues to break streaming records. But Drake’s new “lover boy” persona is nothing new. The Boy has been a love magnet since the beginning of his career.
Known for blending R&B vocals with personal raps, Drake has often been considered the “emotional rapper” who wears his heart on his sleeve. He has never shied away from creating love songs to fit every mood. For over a decade in the music industry, he’s recorded tracks for the broken-hearted, the confused, and those deeply in love.
So, in the midst of the Certified Lover Boy era, it only felt right to round up his best love songs. Since most of Drake’s catalog is centered around relationships, it’s worth setting out some guidelines for how this list was put together. A love song doesn’t necessarily mean ballads or ’90s slow jams. Sure, some melancholic records made the cut, but there are also some upbeat, dance tracks. Lyrics were important in considering the ranking. Sometimes Drake is his own worst enemy, and songs that tend to focus on his paranoia or unrequited love didn’t make the list. Without further explanation, check out the list of Drake’s best love songs below.
15. “Find Your Love”
View this video on YouTube
Album: Thank Me Later
Mood: for the hopeless romantic type
“Find Your Love” is a vibrant, upbeat record that finds Drake on a mission to find true love. On the track, co-produced by Kanye West and No I.D., Drake lists off some of his desirable qualities. “I’m more than just a number (Hey, hey, hey)/ I doubt you’ll find another,” he sings. Drake admittedly doesn’t have the best judgment, though. “Too many times I’ve been wrong/ I guess being right takes too long,” he sings. Although Drake is still in search of love, “Find Your Love” is a record for the hopeless romantic who perseveres no matter how long it takes.
14. "Best I Ever Had"
View this video on YouTube
Album: Thank Me Later
Mood: third date at a theme park
Drake’s breakout single “Best I Ever Had” doesn’t necessarily find The Boy in his most romantic element. He’s not exactly preaching about monogamy or offering to take anyone out on a romantic getaway. But he makes an effort to appeal to his girl in her love language: words of affirmation. Sure, he can be sleazy at times, as he constantly highlights her physical strengths, but the moments of him being a hopeless romantic shines through in brief glimpses. “Baby you my everything, you all I ever wanted/ We could do it real big, bigger than you ever done it/ You be up on everything, other hoes ain’t never on it. I want this forever, I swear I can spend whatever on it,” he sings.
13. “Girls Love Beyoncé” f/ James Fauntleroy
View this video on YouTube
Album: N/A
Mood: writing a journal entry
On “Girls Love Beyoncé,” Drake puts his ego aside, willing to discuss his faults in past relationships. He shares some of his most personal insecurities while trying to appeal to his new love interest. “I need someone I leave through the front door with/ ‘Cause we don’t wanna hide no more/ Plus you’re not shy no more/ Neither of us wanna play the side no more,” he raps. The single also interpolates the chorus of Destiny’s Child’s 1999 hit “Say My Name.” And with help from singer James Fauntleroy, Drake creates a smooth and irresistible record that will go off at an outdoor event or in the comforts of your own home.
12. “A Night Off” f/ Lloyd
View this video on YouTube
Album: So Far Gone
Mood: after-hours hook-up
“A Night Off” was officially released on So Far Gone in 2009, but only recently hit streaming service in February 2019. It’s the quintessential slow jam, perfect for late-night hours. On the track, Drake clocks off from working in the studio to dote on his girl for the night. Lloyd’s silky vocals slide perfectly over DJ Aneudy and 40 production as he sings, “I been waiting for so long to get you all alone/ Now I finally got you right here.” “A Night Off” is one of the more sensual songs on this list and really appeals to Drake’s female audience.
11. “Come Thru”
View this video on YouTube
Album: Nothing Was the Same
Mood: Netflix and chill
“Come Thru” is the more playful love song, in comparison to a track like “A Night Off.” It’s meant to be sexy and flirty, but it doesn’t come off too serious. On the track, Drake extends an invitation to his girl to spend some quality time together. “Someone put an order in for a chicken/ Told my girl to order in, I need the kitchen,” he raps. Drake’s interest in staying in and ordering takeout would suggest this is the perfect Netflix and chill record. Elsewhere on the track, though, he manages to show some of his feelings as he reminisces on the days when he used to sleep at her crib.
10. “After Dark” f/ Static Major & Ty Dolla Sign
View this video on YouTube
Album: Scorpion
Mood: late-night cruising
On “After Dark,” Drake is leaving the mindless hookups behind and looking to pursue a more intimate connection. He seems paranoid at first, because he hasn’t heard from this woman in a while, but as Static Major’s sweet vocals play in the background, Drake finds the courage to express his true feelings. “I wanna make you a priority/ I wanna let you know there’s more to me/ I wanna have your faith restored in me,” he sings over a melodious beat. Ty Dolla Sign is an appropriate addition to the track—his syrupy harmonies give this love song validity and drives Drake’s intentions home even more. “After Dark” is one of those deep cuts off of Scorpion that, true to its title, is best played at night.
9. “Finesse”
View this video on YouTube
Album: Scorpion
Mood: setting up for Valentine’s Day
On “Finesse,” Drake gets right to the point, sharing his love for an unknown woman. It’s a pretty short song, but in just three minutes, Drake pledges to be faithful and reveals his interest in having a baby that has “your eyes.” On the track, Drizzy shares his desire to leave the streets behind and spend it inside with the mystery woman. “I would make time for you/ Commitment/ Going the distance/ I’m new to all of this,” he sings over a slow-burning beat, courtesy of Noel Cadastre.
8. “The Real Her” f/ Lil Wayne & André 3000
View this video on YouTube
Album: Take Care
Mood: first match on a dating app
“The Real Her” isn’t quite the song that you’d play on your first date, and there are some contradictory moments on the song, but it still deserves a spot on this list. On the track, Drake shows love to a sex worker who has caught his eye. Though some might have written her off based on her choice profession, Drake commends her for being independent and handling her business. “You got your guards up, I do too/ There’s things we might discover/ Cause you got a past and I do too/ We’re perfect for each other,” he sings. André 3000, though a little more hesitant than Drake and Lil Wayne, also seems interested, rapping, “Everybody has an addiction, mine happens to be you/ And those who say they don’t/ Souls will later say to them ‘That ain’t true.”
7. “Jungle”
View this video on YouTube
Album: If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Mood: a date at a play with a glass of wine
Although Drake is uncertain of where he stands with the woman in his life, he doesn’t hold back in professing his love to her. On “Jungle,” he notes the obstacles his relationship has been through, but asserts that she is The One. “She said, ‘you’re my everything/ ‘I love you through everything’/ I done did everything to her/ She forgave me for everything/ This a ‘forever’ thing,” he sings over a sample of singer-songwriter Gabriel Garzon.
6. “Take Care” f/ Rihanna
View this video on YouTube
Album: Take Care
Mood: first date at a dance party
Anything with Drake and Rihanna is usually hit, and “Take Care” is no exception. This is another fun record that might be best played in a outdoor or party setting. The track has a fun beat that is easily danceable, but lyrically, it’s a sweet record where both artists vow to be there for one another. “Cause if you let me/ Here’s what I’ll do/ I’ll take car of you,” Rihanna sings with raspy vocals over Jamie xx production. Drake is equally eager to protect his girl from past heartbreak, rapping, “Dealing with a heart that I didn’t break/ I’ll be there for you, I will care for you.”
5. “Marvin’s Room”
View this video on YouTube
Album: Take Care
Mood: on the curb outside of a bar or in a dark room alone
We’ve all had a moment like the one Drake had on “Marvin’s Room.” On the song, an intoxicated Drizzy calls up his old flame to vent about her new man and profess his love for her. “Fuck that nigga that you love so bad/ I know you still think about the times we had,” he croons on the chorus. “Marvin’s Room” may seem low on this list considering its impact on popular music in 2011 and the countless covers that resulted from its popularity. Despite its influence, though, the song finds Drake heartbroken, which suggests it’s more of an anti-love song.
4. “Teenage Fever”
View this video on YouTube
Album: More Life
Mood: couples in the “honeymoon stage”
Over a sample of Jennifer Lopez’s 1999 hit, “If You Had My Love,” Drake expresses his feelings about a new relationship that is reminiscent of teenage puppy love. Though he’s not able to admit he’s in love just yet, he alludes to the feelings. “Out of body/ That’s just how I feel when I’m around you shawty/ Last night we didn’t say it/ but girl we both thought it,” he sings. Drake admittedly sounds a little lovesick on the track, and Hagler’s slowed-down production adds to the feeling of hopelessness. But don’t be discouraged; “Teenager Fever” is definitely a love song that captures the early stages of falling for someone new.
3. “Fire & Desire”
View this video on YouTube
Album: Views
Mood: an intimate dinner
Unfortunately, a lot of Drake songs depict a situation in which Drake is in love with an unattainable woman who is more than likely committed to someone else. That’s basically the case with “Fire & Desire.” Even so, it’s still a love song. On the track, Drake expresses his love to one woman, despite her being claimed by someone else. He admires her realness and is committed to giving her everything she wants and desires. “Look, you know I’m rider, nothin’ left to hide,” he sings. The girl Drake is pining for, however, isn’t convinced that she’s ready to be with Drake just yet. All the unrequited love and drama aside, though, “Fire & Desire” is an enchanting record that is best played in a dim lit restaurant setting.
2. “Shut It Down” f/ The-Dream
View this video on YouTube
Album: Thank Me Later
Mood: baby-making music
“Shut It Down” is an ode to a beautiful girl Drake has had his eye on for awhile, who has everything that he’s looking for. She’s educated, has a career, and lives in the city. On the track, Drake admires her independence, while also offering to take her out. “Say baby, I had to mention/ That if you were a star, you’d be the one I’m searching for,” he sings. The-Dream is the best feature Drake could have found for the track. His smooth vocals sound effortless over the sensual beat as he sings, “What you want, what you want/ I can be your everything.” What’s great about “Shut It Down” is that it showcases all of Drake’s styles—his R&B and rap sides. While he starts off singing, he quickly transitions to rap on the third verse, where he gushes about his girl even more. “Why do I feel like I found the one?” he asks. “What’s in these shots that you ordered us? Damn, I mean you sure know how to paint a town/ Ever since you came around, it’s obvious.”
1. “Hold On We’re Going Home” f/ Majid Jordan
View this video on YouTube
Album: Nothing Was the Same
Mood: wedding reception
“Hold On We’re Going Home” isn’t your typical love song. It has a fun and uptempo beat that will get a lot of spins on the dance floor. Nevertheless, at the core of this track, Drake is in full “lover mode.” On the track, the OVO artist pours his heart out to the “good girl” he’s currently infatuated with. “I got my eyes on you/ You’re everything that I see/ I want your hot love and emotion endlessly,” he sings over poppy production, courtesy of Majid Jordan’s Nineteen85 and 40. “Hold On We’re Going Home” is a dreamy record that mixes the synths of R&B with the upbeat energy of house music. Even Drake previously said that the track is meant “to be played at weddings in 10 years.” Mission accomplished.
