From Cup of Joe to Phum Viphurit: The Most Iconic Love Songs from Southeast Asia’s Top Acts

Across Southeast Asia, love is celebrated and serves as a bridge between cultures, even as languages change at every border. These melodies from each region share a distinct feature: soulful storytelling, rich production, and the ability to give us butterflies.

From Manila to Vientiane, here is a snapshot of the most iconic love songs shaped by romance across Southeast Asian countries.

Tingin – Cup of Joe (Philippines)

In Filipino culture, harana, or the serenade tradition, has carried into modern Indie-Pop. “Tingin” by Cup of Joe captures the electric tension of a first gaze through groovy basslines and smooth vocal harmonies. It’s the anthem that makes you realize, in a single moment, you are already in love with someone.

Lover Boy – Phum Viphurit (Thailand)

“Lover Boy” became a global phenomenon that helped introduce Thai-Pop to international audiences through Phum Viphurit’s signature jangly guitar. Effortless, breezy, and universally relatable, it proves that Thai artists can blend Western indie-folk with an unmistakable Bangkok soul.

I Wouldn’t Know Any Better Than You – Gentle Bones (Singapore)

Singaporean music often mirrors the city-state’s introspective nature. Gentle Bones’ “I Wouldn’t Know Any Better Than You” is an atmospheric R&B piece that explores devotion within a deep relationship, becoming a modern classic for late-night reflection.

It’s You That Matters – Reshmonu (Malaysia)

A titan of Malaysian R&B, Reshmonu delivers a wedding staple with “It’s You That Matters”. The timeless track, carried by a smooth and soulful arrangement, perfectly suits newlyweds swaying beneath a mirrorball.

Ánh nắng của anh – Đức Phúc (Vietnam)

Vietnam, often called the “land of the Mega-ballad,” boasts a crown jewel in Đức Phúc’s “Ánh nắng của anh” (You Are My Sunshine). Deeply sentimental and cinematic, the song explores love’s transformative power through Phúc’s powerful and emotive delivery, illustrating how one person can illuminate a once dark life.

 ຢາກເປັນລູກເຂີຍ – SOPHANA (Laos)

SOPHANA spearheads the modern Lao pop-rap surge. His infectious and upbeat anthem “ຢາກເປັນລູກເຂີຍ” (I Want to Be Your Son-in-Law) is a playful, culturally grounded track about a man seeking his partner’s family’s approval, embodying the youthful energy of today’s Lao music scene.