Our Top 10 Romantic Songs come from every era of country music. Blake Shelton and Brad Paisley are the storytellers in the group, while Tim McGraw pours his heart out to the woman he cherishes. Then there are promises made by George Strait and Randy Travis and a Conway Twitty song that verges on going too far before returning to lyrics safe to play with the kids around.

The words of these romantic songs are those that a woman yearns to have whispered in her ear. These are the voices that send shivers down her spine. These are the songs that men dream of playing for someone special, some day. Note: No babies were made during the making of this Top 10 list.

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    10

    'We Danced'

    Brad Paisley

    Paisley hits like 'Then' and 'She's Everything' are without a doubt among the best love songs of all time, but 'We Danced' is a made for the movies romancer. It's a humble story about a couple falling in love. Along the way, Paisley reminds us all what those first sparks felt like when we laid eyes on that special someone. The powerful silence of a first meaningful dance is a conversation that can answer many important questions.

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    9

    'I Melt'

    Rascal Flatts

    This is perhaps the sexiest of the songs in the Rascal Flatts catalog. In this romantic song, the trio describes that moment of anticipation and adoration just before a long night, spent in doors together begins. "Well, I can feel the heat from across the room / Ain't it wild what a little flame can make you wanna do," Gary LeVox sings.

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    'The Keeper of the Stars'

    Tracy Byrd

    Tracy Byrd's hit from 1995 is a popular first dance song for newlyweds. The ballad captures that moment a man or woman realizes it's true love standing in front of him or her. "Soft moonlight on your face, oh how you shine / It takes my breath away / Just to look into your eyes," he sings before thanking God for aligning the stars to allow his love to enter his life. It's a lyric that resonates through years, or even decades, of marriage.

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    7

    'It's Your Love'

    Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

    McGraw emotionally gives himself to Faith Hill in this romantic song from 1997. "Better than I was / More than I am / And all of this happened / By takin' your hand," he sings during the sentimental duet with his wife. The best romantic country songs are effective at any stage of a loving relationship, and this one has endured because it still speaks to couples early and often. Young lovers as well as spouses with adoring smiles carved deep into their cheeks are likely to look for a hand to hold when this song begins.

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    6

    'Forever and Ever, Amen'

    Randy Travis

    This Grammy and ACM Award winning hit from 1987 has stood the test of time. It's a simple and loving reminder to a sweetheart young or old. "They say time can play tricks on a memory / Make people forget things they knew / Well it's easy to see it's happenin to me / I've already forgotten every woman but you," Travis sings. Like Josh Turner's song on this list, the romance factor is helped by a big, deep voice.

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    'Your Man'

    Josh Turner

    Overexposure on 'American Idol' has hardly sapped an ounce of the romance from this catchy Josh Turner hit from 2005. Turner's deep country growl lights the candles on the mid-tempo put-the-kids-to-sleep love song. "There's no hurry / Don't you worry / We can take our time / Come a little closer / Lets go over / What I had in mind," he sings. It's as good as a glass of red wine for setting the mood.

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    4

    'I Cross My Heart'

    George Strait

    Tender words from a steady singer like George Strait are extraordinarily effectual. "In all the world you'll never find a love as true as mine," he sings toward the end of the chorus. A promise kept can be just as romantic as roses and candles, and Strait's simple statement is among the most honest and pure.

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    'Austin'

    Blake Shelton

    A man never giving up on his true love is only romantic if his true love makes the wait worthwhile. Shelton's debut hit is one of the best stories told in country music history. He paints a picture with his words and lets the listener's heart fill in the vivid and passionate emotion. "If you're callin' 'bout my heart / It's still yours / I should've listened to it a little more / Then it wouldn't have taken me so long to know where I belong," he sings during the song's climatic verse. Raise a hand if you were a puddle of tears the first time you listened to this romantic song.

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    'I'd Love to Lay You Down'

    Conway Twitty

    Conway Twitty was among the best at singing songs that set the mood for a romantic night, or spelled out the importance of an effusive love that lasts a lifetime. His baritone never sounded better than on this clever hit. He says all the right words in all the right ways to the woman by his side. "Lay you down and softly whisper / Pretty love words in your ear / Lay you down and tell you all the things / A woman loves to hear," he sings. The candles are melting and they haven't even been lit yet. 

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    'When You Say Nothing at All'

    Keith Whitley / Alison Krauss

    Either version of this song would make (and top) this list of the best romantic songs. It's about appreciating the subtle details of love. "Try as I may I could never explain / What I hear when you don't say a thing," Whitley sings in the original version. 'When You Say Nothing at All' is absolute poetry. It's the song that realizes grand overtures like flowers and diamonds are worthless in comparison to constant loving attention. 

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