If there was ever a time for epic power ballads, the ’80s was that time. Just naming ten of them does not a definitive list make, but we’re JACK FM and we’re lazy. Plus, the ten we curated below are some of the best of the bunch.
“Patience”-Guns ‘N Roses
Let’s forget the actual song for a moment; Axl Rose looks amazingly healthy in this video. This scorcher was allegedly about Rose’s relationship to ex-wife Erin Everly–the hottie in the “Sweet Child O’ Mine” video. Izzy Stradlin was actually the one who wrote the song, so who knows.
“Waiting For A Girl Like You”-Foreigner
Guitarist Mick Jones says he has no idea what this song means, that some sort of magic creature came through his fingers and wrote one of the most-lauded love songs of that time, a song that transcends the ages and is still played at weddings.
“The Ballad Of Jayne”-L.A. Guns
L.A. Guns don’t get the credit they deserve for their awesome ballads–outside of Los Angeles that is. But the “love” song is actually dedicated to ’50s pin-up bombshell Jayne Mansfield, a sassier equivalent to Marilyn Monroe, who died tragically before she got her time to shine.
One of Tesla’s most popular songs, just like the Sacremento-based band, this song speaks for itself.
“Alone”-Heart
Not only men can rock the power ballad; the woman of Heart could passionately obliterate a man with their powerful vocals and expert guitar shredding. Although Heart wrote most of their earlier hits, this song was written by songwriting team Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly.
“Still Loving You”-Scorpions
One of Scorpions’ most beloved songs, this song took six years, SIX YEARS, to get on an album. In an interview with SongFacts, guitarist Rudolf Schenker said that “It’s a story about a love affair where they recognized it may be over, but let’s try again. It’s the old story; always the old story. I mean, what can we use? We can’t reinvent the wheel. What we always do, is say something which has already been said many times, in our own way.”
“Every Rose Has Its Thorn”-Poison
Bret Michaels wrote this song after a man picked up the phone at his girlfriend’s house, presumably she was cheating on him. Michaels should actually thank this woman, because the song became one of Poison’s number one hits and skyrocketed them to success.
We thought this was a love song, but Songfacts says it’s a song about aliens? We’re so freaking confused.
“Love Bites”-Def Leppard
A hit from Def Leppard’s album Hysteria from 1987, this song is a love song but also a sort of twisted mental manipulation revenge song. If the girl is in another relationship, leave her be, guys.
His girlfriend better call him. It’s starting to get pretty emo in here.
- What are some of your favorite power ballads from the ’80s? Let us know in the comments!
–Nadia Noir, CBS Radio Los Angeles
