100 Greatest Acoustic Rock Ballads and Power Ballads of the 80s and 90s

100 Best Acoustic Rock Ballads And Power Ballads Of The 80s And 90s

The 80s and 90s were important decades in music history. Some of the best acoustic rock ballads and power ballads performed by bands and artists came in this era. Here’s a list of the best from that glam age of music.


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The 80s and 90s were important decades in music history. Some of the best acoustic rock ballads and power ballads performed by bands and artists came in this era. Here’s a list of the best from that glam age of music.

AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) format became increasingly popular in the 80s and 90s. Balladry in songs reached a new level. Acoustic guitar interspersed with loud strains of electric guitars, bass, drums and keyboards gave acoustic rock ballads new meaning. Glam metal and hair metal bands ruled supreme.

Passion driven guitar solos alongside gut wrenching raspy high-pitched vocals in power ballads stamped their authority in the magical 80s and 90.

Every album released by a rock band or artist during this period had slow songs which had untamed raw power. The sheer intensity and delivery of vocalists from bands in the 80s and 90s took emotional quotient to higher ground. Screaming melodic guitar solos in acoustic rock ballads accompanied by shrill high pitched vocal harmonies was manna for the ears. Power ballads released by bands and artists made their way on music charts.

Hair bands received formidable airplay on music channel MTV in the 80s and 90s. Record companies released compilations of ballads that disappeared off counters like hot cakes. Just when it seemed the magical madness would never end, without warning the hard edged sound and lyrical balladry disappeared, making way for a heavier grunge and alternative sound. Few hair bands managed to survive the grunge onslaught. Post 2000 many bands from the 80s and 90s have made a comeback with new albums and reunion concerts. This list is a trip down memory lane. Relive the momentous times gone by.

1. Skid Row- I Remember You

2. Whitesnake- Is This Love

3. Poison- Every Rose Has Its Thorn


4. Mr. Big- To Be with You


5. Queensryche- Silent Lucidity


6. Europe- Carrie


7. Motley Crue- You’re All I Need


8. White Lion- When the Children Cry


9. Steelheart- She’s Gone


10. Scorpions- Still Loving You


11. Warrant- Heaven


12. Winger- Miles Away


13. Loverboy- Heaven in Your Eyes


14. Great White- Save Your Love


15. Bad English- When I see You Smile


16. Extreme- More Than Words


17. Damn Yankees- High Enough


18. Firehouse- When I Look Into Your Eyes


19. Kix- Don’t Close Your Eyes


20. Saigon Kick- Love Is On The Way


21. Stryper- Honestly


22. Ozzy Osbourne- Mama, I’m Coming Home


23. Slaughter- Fly To The Angels


24. Van Halen- When It’s Love


25. Kingdome Come- What Love Can Be


26. Journey- Open Arms


27. Foreigner- I Want To Know What Love Is


28. Tesla- Love Song


29. Kiss- Forever


30. Cinderella- Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)


31. Def Leppard- Love Bites


32. Steelheart- I’ll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes)


33. Boston- Amanda


34. Dokken- Alone Again


35. Giant- I’ll See You in My Dreams


36. MSG (McAuley Schenker Group) - Anytime


37. L.A. Guns- The Ballad Of Jayne


38. Night Ranger- Goodbye


39. Cinderella- Heartbreak Station


40. Winger- Headed For a Heartbreak


41. Bon Jovi- I’ll Be There for You


42. Alias- More Than Words Can Say (I Need You Now)


43. Firehouse- Love Of A Lifetime


44. Ennuf Z’ Nuff- Fly High Michelle


45. Sheriff- When I’m With You


46. Faster Pussycat- House of Pain


47. Cheap Trick- The Flame


48. Great White- The Angel Song


49. REO Speedwagon- Can’t Fight This Feeling


50. Styx- Show Me The Way


51. Bad Company- If You Needed Somebody


52. Trixter- Surrender


53. Nelson- (Can’t Live Without Your) Love And Affection


54. Bon Jovi- Always


55. Journey- Faithfully


56. Night Ranger- Sister Christian


57. Eric Clapton- Tears In Heaven


58. XYZ- What Keeps Me Loving You


59. Firehouse- I Live my Life For You


60. Guns N' Roses- Patience


61. Motley Crue-Without You


62. Ratt- Givin' Yourself Away


63. Danger Danger- Don't Walk Away


64. Warrant- Sometimes She Cries


65. REO Speedwagon- Keep On Loving You


66. Loudness- Lost Without Your Love


67. Heloween- A Tale That Wasn't Right


68. Bon Jovi- Bed Of Roses


69. Nazareth- Dream On


70. Scorpions- Wind Of Change


71. Aerosmith- Angel


72. Survivor- The Search Is Over


73. Manowar- Heart Of Steel


74. Little Ceaser- In Your Arms


75. Iron Maiden- Wasting Love


76. April Wine- Just Between You and Me


77. Krokus- Screaming In The Night


78. Bruce Dickenson- Tears Of a Dragon


79. Vandenberg- Burning Heart


80. Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne- Close My Eyes Forever


81. Mr. Big- Just Take My Heart


82. Vixen- Love Is a Killer


83. Motley Crue- Home Sweet Home


84. Lillian Axe- The Day That I Met You


85. Tangier- On The Line


86. Danger Danger- I Still Think About You


87. House Of Lords- What's Forever


88. Slaughter- Days Gone By


89. Sleez Beez- I Don't Want To Live Without You


90. XYZ- When I Find Love


91. Tyketto- Standing Alone


92. Bon Jovi- Never Say Goodbye


93. Damn Yankees- Where you Goin' Now


94. W.A.S.P. - Forever Free


95. Nelson- Only Time Will Tell


96. Keel- Tears Of Fire


97. Vinnie Vincent Invasion- Love Kills


98. MSG (McAuley Schenker Group) - Never Ending Nightmare


99. House OF Lords- Remember My Name


100. Britny Fox- Save The Weak

The above mentioned power ballads and acoustic rock ballads are some of the best from the 80s and 90. There were many monster hits that did not make it to this list. Picking just 100 was a painstakingly difficult task. Feel free to mention songs by bands or artists you feel should have been included. This list is not the end, it’s just the beginning, help it grow. Here’s hoping the lost days of melodic ballads make a comeback! Cheers! Spread the Music!

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