Power Ballads

[Lyric]

Love 'em or hate 'em, the "hair bands" certainly made a cultural impression. Many of us made some awfully good memories in those years, and hearing one of those old songs can bring it all back like nothing else.

Post a power ballad (song title and artist) that you like (or at least liked back then.) Provide a YouTube link if you can, and if you're feeling REALLY generous, tell us what memories you associate with that song.

I'll start with two of mine.

"I Saw Red" by Warrant.

This was the song playing on the radio when I had my very first kiss (at age 12.)

"November Rain" by Guns n Roses.

I remember singing along with this song on the radio every morning as I was getting ready for school. I thought it was sooooo romantic. I was in 8th grade. :)

[skygazer]

1. An oldie - THE slow-dance song of my youth

Nazareth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2BjJbKQkgc

[Lyric]

2. Ooooo, good one.

Heart did a cover of it that's really amazing.

[cemaphonic]

3. I think Roy Orbison's version is the best of that song.

I like the Everly Brothers and Graham Parsons & Emmylou Harris better than the Nazareth one too.

[mokawanis]

22. damn, that takes me back

I went out with a girl for about 18 months in high-school and that was our song, perfect for slow dancing and making out.

[AlCzervik]

4. Scorpions-Still loving you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uNyPefjS88

does this count, don't know but i love this song.

[Iggo]

19. Not only does it count...

...it's the GOAT, and all other power ballads pale in comparison.

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. Three of 'em

All by Journey:

Feelin' That Way/Anytime

La Do Da



If you can call this a power ballad, it's four.



(The lyrics to all these could've been written by a 13-year-old, but who cares? They drive.) :headbang:

[Lyric]

6. Yep, Journey definitely counts. Although

if I had to choose the best Journey power ballad, it would have to be this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKorl7Ouht0 - Faithfully

God, I remember listening to the Weekly Top 40, and hearing Casey Kasem's Long Distance Request & Dedications--"Faithfully" was one of the most-requested ones EVAR. :)

[Texasgal]

7. 1985

Me? Dating some guy that was British and getting ready to go home after his time as an exchange student.

This was our song.... ack.. we were soooo dramatic! :rofl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9OGfBGOCpk

[Oeditpus Rex]

9. 'Frontiers' came out long after they lost me

I think "Evolution" was Journey's last good album, though "Departure" had some good tracks ("Walks Like a Lady," "Where Were You," "Stay Awhile") — but "Anyway You Want It" was utter crap and a harbinger of what was to come.

"Escape" had two good tunes, "Still They Ride" and "Open Arms," which I consider the best of their ballads.

Journey really needed Gregg Rolie to be Journey. His replacement, Jonathan Cain, was like Huey Lewis on a forced diet of white bread and 2-percent milk. But what they really needed was to get the hell away from Columbia Records assrag execs.

[mcctatas]

8. here's a few (Ok, the only three I can think of)

Just Between You and Me by April Wine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj9j-Z4QAss

Patience by Guns N Roses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpPl9IWXk08

Sister Christian by Night Ranger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlo4ZCc-ItQ

[Oeditpus Rex]

10. Shit

Now I'm gonna get on a Night Ranger jag. x(

[mcctatas]

12. I'm sorry Oedi...

maybe this will take your mind off of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB3kQZJ2aLw

[Oeditpus Rex]

15. Bwah!

I was just watching that. :rofl:



That tune burned — in fact, I recall air-guitaring it once while standing on my car's fender — but for some reason, I never liked the band. Maybe it's because of that one fuck who seemed to think he was Sammy Hagar. :puke:

[Texasgal]

16. OMG! APRIL WINE!!!

LOL!

That took me back!!! :rofl:

[TrogL]

11. WTF IS a power ballad?

You mean like "Turn me loose"?

[mcctatas]

13. Here ya go...

"A Power ballad is a type of song typically characterized by having a slow tempo, long voiced notes, electric and/or acoustic guitars, and deemphasized percussion and bass. Some sections of the song may include strong percussion and bass that are more typical of the hard rock and heavy metal genres for increased emotional effect, and often the electric guitar comes back in the song's climax. Common power ballad themes include (but are not limited to) emotional heartache, need, love and loss."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_ballad

[TrogL]

14. Phil Collins - In the air tonight?

[RandomThoughts]

17. I have an interesting power ballad story

The band styx was mostly a certain style of music.

Then the lead singer belted out some of the first power ballads. In the middle of a band, and a type of music that was mostly hard and brash, he sung out a beautiful song. It is true many of his songs are of a different tune. But their was a few that really sung out.

Songs written for his wife.

Babe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtcwwUonC2g
Best of times
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFCGn_bU_kI
Lady
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR4if4ble1A

I think the lead singer had been under a period of strife because he was one of the ones to usher in the power ballad. Since he was singing such songs of joy, he was confronted by the force battle so many people who are heard by many face.

After overcoming the difficulty, he is singing again, but for a time he had some anomalous medical issues. I think the issues were to try and keep him from singing new songs like those. Its so cool he is out making music again.

I see the white coat covering his prison stripes as very moving.

[Rhythm]

18. "Love Song" - Tesla

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aubjDJc07E

So you think that it's over
Say your love has finally reached the end
Anytime you call, night or day,
I'll be right there for you if you need a friend

Love is all around you
Love is knocking outside the door
Waitin' for you is this love made just for two
Keep an open heart and you'll find love again
I know

It's gonna take a little time
Time is sure to mend your broken heart
Don't you even worry, pretty darlin'
I know you'll find love again

Love is all around you
Love is knocking outside the door
Waitin' for you is this love made just for two
Keep an open heart and you'll find love again
I know you'll find love again

Love will find a way
Darlin', love is gonna find a way
Find it's way back to you
Love will find a way
So look around, open your eyes
Love is gonna find a way
Love will find a way back to you
I know

[PVnRT]

24. That's a great song

I love the guitar intro to it.

[Aristus]

20. "Love Of A Lifetime" by the last of the hair bands, Firehouse.

I remember I fell in love with a beautiful Jersey girl back in 1991. After the phone call in which we discovered we were crazy about each other, I went to the local pizza parlor, ordered pizza for one and a pitcher of beer, and got drunk to this cheesy, but effective, power ballad. Oh to be 23 again... B-)

[Mudoria]

21. Don't Close Your Eyes --- Kix

[CraftyGal]

23. How about this one...

Two Out of Three Ain't Bad by Meatloaf

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=UWfq2wFhYmg

This was when I fell in love with Meatloaf. I have all his albums. Pretty good for a country lovein kinda gal.

Of course all the typical Barry Manilow ballads

http://ca.youtube.com/results?search_query=barry+manilow&search_type=

Mandy
Looks Like We Made It
I Made It Through the Rain
Could It Be Magic
Somewhere Down the Road
I Write the Songs
Ships
Weekend in New England
This One's For You
Ready to Take a Chance Again
Even Now

[LanternWaste]

25. Boston - Amanda.

Though I don't really know what power ballads, prog rock, or any of the other johnny-come-lately sobriquets used to described sub-sub-sub genres are... (it's still rock and roll to me :evilgrin: )

Boston's 'Amanda' was the first song I ever slow danced to (was it really 1979? sheesh...)