Brian Kelly: Love songs to put you in the mood on V Day

Ghost starring Patrick Swayze and/Demi Moore made The Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody one of the most memorable love songs of all time. Photo / Supplied

Happy Valentine's Day. With love in the air, roses in the vase and the Champagne chilling, I thought I would look at the most romantic love songs ever released.

You may or may not agree with my list and you may have some of your own that I have not included ... so apologies before I begin.

Topping my list would have to be Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers.

This song first appeared in a 1955 movie called Unchained. A singer named Todd Duncan sang the song in the movie, but an instrumental version recorded by Les Baxter hit No 1 in the US in 1955.

The Righteous Brothers' version released in 1965 was also a huge hit but when it was used in the movie Ghost in 1990 it became a worldwide sensation. Who could not forget the scene with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore at the potter's wheel? Romantic.

Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight is another to send hearts flying.

Released in 1977 this song is a regular feature at weddings.

Clapton wrote the song while he was waiting for his girlfriend (and future wife) Patti to come downstairs ready for a night out. The old question was asked of Eric "How do I look?" and out came those beautiful words. In the time it took her to get dressed he had written the song.

Patti Clapton inspired a lot of love songs. When she was married to George Harrison he wrote Something for her along with the Beatles song For You Blue.

Chris de Burgh's Lady in Red was inspired by his wife Dianne after they had an argument.

He was inspired to write the song after he saw her in a crowded nightclub wearing red.

Lady in Red was a huge worldwide hit, going to No 1 in 25 countries in 1986, including New Zealand.

It's hard not to include an Elton John song and certainly one of his most romantic is Your Song.

This was Elton's first hit single and was released in 1970. It was one of the first songs Elton wrote with Bernie Taupin. The song was written in 1967 when Bernie was 17. The American Band Three Dog Night recorded the song first for their 1970 album It Aint Easy.

The band chose not to release it as a single in an effort to help a young British singer, who had opened for them on their UK tour ... one Elton John.

There are literally hundreds of romantic songs around. My daughter has chimed in with her favourite. Al Green's Let's Stay Together.

Not a bad choice Amy.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day.