posted
So on my way home from work today the radio started playing "I'll Remember You" by Skid Row. Seldom have I derived such a pure sense of joy from a radio song. I had completely forgotten about the song and all my angsty would-be teenage romances it was a soundtrack to. Anyway, I sang loudly and felt my soul renewed.
On a similar note, last weekend I caught part of a VH1 countdown of fan-favorite music from the 80s. Most of the fare was pretty pedestrian pop ("Like a Virgin", "Billie Jean", etc.) but the power ballads were well represented with songs like "Sweet Child O' Mine," "Pour Some Sugar on Me," and (in the #1 spot) "Livin' on a Prayer."
The thing about it is my life has moved me in such a different direction as far as taste and aesthetics go, but I hear Axl Rose and it's like I'm back in 7th grade, with all its melodrama and life's frightening and exciting infinitude. I don't know, I can't capture it in words, but man it feels strange to remember the feelings I had back then via this conduit of music.
So anyway, for all those who know and care, what are your favorite Power Ballads (a term I use somewhat loosely; "Pour Some Sugar on Me" isn't really a ballad, and Bon Jovi doesn't have a lot of power. But you get the genre, right?) Here are some of mine (besides those already mentioned):
Give Me Somethin' to Believe In (Poison) High Enough (Damn Yankees) November Rain (GnR) You Shook Me All Night Long (ACDC) Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi) Here I Go Again on My Own (Whitesnake) Angel (Aerosmith) Heaven (Warrant) I'll Be There For You (Bon Jovi) Silent Lucidity (Queensryche)
Posts: 2926 | Registered: Sep 2005
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quote:I don't know, I can't capture it in words, but man it feels strange to remember the feelings I had back then via this conduit of music.
-Totally- know what you're saying here. Unfortunately...*that* rock song that everyone wants played at the prom, the one every couple is saying is 'theirs'...kinda always got on my nerves a little bit. They still do...I swear if I hear Lips of an Angel one more time...okay well I won't actually do anything about it other than change the station until it goes away but I'll be irritated for three whole seconds!
That said, I can't help but turn up Axl Rose when I hear him on the radio *grins* and ain't nothing wrong with Bon Jovi.
Posts: 1676 | Registered: Jul 2000
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My first slow dance was to the one "When I look into your eyes." That might not be the name, but it's the first line of the chorus. Anyway, I think it's Firehouse? They had another popular one around the same time and if I ever hear those I seriously get all blushy and fast-pulsed remembering how excited and nervous I was to be dancing with that cute guy from the other school.
Also, "More Than Words" has a lot of memories and I love Damn Yankees because Tommy Shaw used to be in Styx.
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Close My Eyes Forever - Ozzy Osbourne and Lita Ford Keep On Lovin You - Foreigner To Be With You - Mr. Big (?)
Posts: 4515 | Registered: Jul 2004
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Whit Wedding - Billy Idol The Flame _ Cheap trick (not really a power ballad, but it gets me every time) Anything Ronnie James Dio sings is power. Don't Stop Believin' - Journey I Was Made for Lovin' You - Kiss Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley
Posts: 2208 | Registered: Feb 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Icarus: "You Shook Me All Night Long" is a power ballad?!?!
I would add "More Than Words" by Extreme.
C'mon, "Knockin' me out with those American thighs!" Totally a ballad
Some really good ones. I remember riding home from an amusement park trip, generally in love with love, and more specifically with the girl sitting in the seat in front of me, and listening to "More than Words" and getting all teary eyed. Totally.
And Firehouse! Awesome. I remember a church dance, watching my friend dance to "When I Look Into Your Eyes" and kicking myself for being too shy to ask, hmm I think it was Wendy Petersen, to dance.
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Every Rose Has Its Thorn - Poison Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue I Wanna Be With You - Pretty Boy Floyd Mamma I'm Coming Home - Ozzy Osbourne
These are pure nostalgia. This is what my older brother listened to and I was exposed to by extension.
Posts: 1336 | Registered: Mar 2002
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Def Leppard's "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad" transports me back to 8th grade every time.
Posts: 5264 | Registered: Jul 2002
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I consider "The Final Countdown" to be a power ballad. It's a ballad to SPACE. It's also one of my finest karaoke tunes.
Posts: 1006 | Registered: Jun 2006
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