Welcome to Love Notes, our monthly column featuring romantic music from around the globe. Explore the world through the romantic songs of these artists!

Bic Runga by Grace Sydney, Entertainment Editor Born and raised in a family with a diverse cultural background (her father is Maori and her mother Chinese) in Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island, singer/songwriter Bic Runga relies not upon her exotic lineage for musical inspiration, but rather the common thread of love to embroider a tapestry of songs dedicated to the beauty of life's quiet moments. [more]

Sissel by Grace Sydney Her voice was a wordless lament for the souls which slumbered beneath the waves in the epic romance "Titanic". Spellbound by this siren's song which resonated through darkened movie theaters, American audiences had little idea that they were hearing the vocal stylings of one of Norway's most prized treasures-- Sissel. [more]

Enya by Grace Sydney The sounds of traditional Irish airs flowed just as freely as the spirits served at Leo's Tavern, situated in the mainly Gaelic-speaking area of Gweedore in County Donegal. The pub was run by Leo Brennan, himself a musician who passed on his love of song to his progeny of nine, which included Eithne Ni Bharaonain, better known as Enya. [more]

Love Notes: Ronan Keating by Grace Sydney American audiences were first introduced to Ronan Keating's voice though the soundtrack of the Julia Roberts' movie, "Notting Hill," where he can be heard both as a solo act and in his former band, Boyzone. A native of Dublin, Ireland, Keating's first taste of fame came during his adolescence as a member of one of Europe's best-selling boy bands [more]

Andrea Bocelli by Grace Sydney The seeds of tenor Andrea Bocelli's romantic nature were sown in the pastoral farming community of Lajatico, Italy, where grapes harvested for the family wine still ripen [more]

Luis Miguel by Grace Sydney Affectionately referred to as "El Idolo (The Idol)", Luis Miguel has been worshipped by adoring fans for the past two decades for his sophisticated stage persona and mastery of romantic ballads, or boleros [more]

Alejandro Fernandez by Grace Sydney Alejandro Fernandez, born the son of legendary ranchera singer Vicente Fernandez, was raised in Guadalajara with a deep appreciation for Mexican culture.read more

Lara Fabian by Grace Sydney Named after the heroine in the romantic epic Doctor Zhivago, Belgium-born Lara Fabian- a resident of Canada for many years- is most often compared musically with a celebrated native of that country- Celine Dion. read more

Marisa Monte by Grace Sydney A fusion of American pop, jazz, and the sounds of her Brazilian homeland sets the music of Marisa Monte apart from her contemporaries. Although she began her musical studies at the age of fourteen, for a time the native of Rio de Janeiro found an alternative outlet to express herself creatively. read more

Loreena McKennitt by Grace Sydney Loreena McKennitt's musical journey of discovery originated from a fascination with her Irish heritage, and over the years her travels around the globe have opened up new avenues of expression as she embraced the sounds of diverse cultures, ranging from the haunting Celtic ballads which represent her family's origins, to exotic Sufi chants.

Misia by Grace Sydney Misia seemed destined from birth for a career in the arts. The need for creative expression is in her blood, inherited from her grandmother, a former music-hall entertainer, and her mother, a ballerina. Born in Oporto, Portugal, Misia experimented with different musical forms early on, but it was the allure of the fado, a Portuguese word meaning "fate", which captured her heart. read more

Sarah Brightman by Grace Sydney The career of Sarah Brightman has undergone several incarnations- that of dancer, actress, and interpreter of both classical and contemporary compositions. By adding each new element to her repertoire, read more

Beres Hammond by Grace Sydney Growing up in St. Mary, Jamaica, Beres Hammonds' musical influences came from a variety of genres, and from this diversity was born his unique stylistic blend of reggae, ska, and R&B. The lead singer of the group Zap Pow in the 1970's, he left the band after four years to strike out on his own, and his first solo effort, Just A Man, was released in 1980. read more

Ronan Keating by Grace Sydney American audiences were first introduced to Ronan Keating's voice though the soundtrack of the Julia Roberts' movie, "Notting Hill", where he can be heard both as a solo act and in his former band, Boyzone. A native of Dublin, Ireland, Keating's first taste of fame came during his adolescence as a member of read more

Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole by Grace Sydney Perhaps no other voice has captured the essence of the Hawaiian soullike that of Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole. His passion for the sounds of his native land read more

Pop Idol by Grace Sydney Are you a fan of American Idol? Then check out the romantic sounds of the British show that inspired it: Pop Idol!