100 Greatest Melodic Rock Songs

Top 100 Melodic Rock Songs

Melodic Rock came into prominence in the glam 80s. The AOR scene is often associated with melodic rock bands. This article brings to light a comprehensive list of the best melodic rock songs.

While the AOR scene started to find the light in the late 70s, it was the dawn of the 80s that sprung a plethora of pathways for stadium acts. Melodic rock is often used as an umbrella term to describe melodically structured rock songs in various rock genres. With technological breakthroughs, the sound of rock bands evolved in a new direction in the 80s. New studio recording techniques emerged in the 80s adding new dimension to sound.

How Melodic Rock Came into Prominence

Album Oriented Rock which sprung forth from the progressive scene in the 70s became an excessively popular format in the 80s and 90s. FM radio stations promoted album tracks of rock bands and solo artists in a big way. The sophisticated and polished rock sounds that emerged in the early 80s contributed significantly towards the popularity of AOR formats.

Many rock bands in the 80s added aesthetic value to melody through musical interplay.

The melodic aspect in rock songs in the 80s and 90s was resurrected to dizzy heights propelled by sublime guitar solos in songs. Acoustic guitar intros in songs became hugely popular with hair metal bands. A number of rock bands incorporated melodic rock in their musical styles and helped shape new rock genres.

Melodic Rock and its associated Formats

Melodic rock is often associated with formats such as rock ballads, soft rock, slow rock, classic rock and power ballads. Aside from playing singles, radio stations also started promoting longer tracks from rock albums thereby contributing towards increased album sales of bands rather than just compilation album sales. Melodic rock songs are associated with passion and nostalgia, and it all makes perfect sense when you get down to listening to your favourite tracks.

Many rock bands in the 80s and 90s gained prominence because of airplay on radio stations. Also, music television stations, MTV in particular helped bands reach a new level, thanks to their various segments featuring classic rock and melodic rock. Aside from bands in the US and UK, a large number of bands from Europe emerged bringing a new sound in melodic rock. The power metal genre drew heavily from melodic rock weaving an ethereal sound.

While melodic rock has been prevalent since the emergence of rock, it was the 80s that generically brought about the true essence and meaning of the format. Melodic rock songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s have inspired a new breed of musicians. Melodic rock can only get bigger and find a larger audience in the years ahead. Long live melodic rock!

The space below showcases an epic list of Melodic rock songs

100 Greatest Melodic Rock Songs

  1. Dust In The Wind- Kansas
  2. I’ll Be There for You- Bon Jovi
  3. Africa- Toto
  4. Here I Go Again- Whitesnake
  5. This Could Be The Night- Loverboy
  6. Don’t Stop Believing- Journey
  7. Future World- Helloween
  8. Waiting For Love- Alias
  9. I’ll Be Over You- Toto
  10. More Than A Feeling- Boston
  11. Turn Up The Radio- Autograph
  12. Little Lies- Fleetwood Mac
  13. When The Heart Rules The Mind- GTR
  14. Alone- Heart
  15. Dreamer- Europe
  16. Soldier of Fortune- Deep Purple
  17. Sister Christian- Night Ranger
  18. Hysteria- Def Leppard
  19. Talk To Me- Stevie Nicks
  20. Forever- Kiss
  21. Love Hurts- Nazareth
  22. Babe- Styx
  23. Innocent Days- Giant
  24. Keep On Loving You- REO Speedwagon
  25. Silent Lucidity- Queensryche
  26. Waiting For A Girl Like You- Foreigner
  27. The Flame- Cheap Trick
  28. Too High To Fly- Dokken
  29. Is This Love- Whitesnake
  30. Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)
  31. I Love You- Saigon Kick
  32. Every Rose Has It’s Thorn- Poison
  33. Goodbye To Romance- Ozzy Osbourne
  34. Temple of The King- Rainbow
  35. Carrie- Europe
  36. All By Myself- Eric Carmen
  37. I Remember You- Skid Row
  38. Love Song- Tesla
  39. I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing- Aerosmith
  40. Born To Lose-UFO
  41. Without you- Badfinger
  42. Heaven- Warrant
  43. She’s Gone- Steelheart
  44. I Believe In You- Y&T
  45. Love Of A Lifetime- Firehouse
  46. Silence Is Broken- Damn Yankees
  47. Always Gonna Love You- Gary Moore
  48. Still Loving You- Scorpions
  49. Never Say Goodbye- Bon Jovi
  50. Still In Love With You- Thin Lizzy
  51. Second Chance- 38 Special
  52. July Morning- Uriah Heep
  53. Iris- Goo Goo Dolls
  54. When I See You Smile- Bad English
  55. Miles Away- Winger
  56. When I’m With You- Sheriff
  57. Love Bites- Def Leppard
  58. Can’t Stop Loving You- Van Halen
  59. Fly To The Angels- Slaughter
  60. Faithfully- Journey
  61. I’ll Never let you Go (Angel Eyes)- Steelheart
  62. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes- Asia
  63. It’s a Heartache- Bonnie Tyler
  64. When I Look Into Your Eyes- Firehouse
  65. Sweet Child O’ Mine- Guns N’ Roses
  66. Hazard- Richard Marx
  67. Endless Rain- X Japan
  68. November Rain- Guns N’ Roses
  69. When The Children Cry- White Lion
  70. Can’t Fight This Feeling- REO Speedwagon
  71. Poison- Alice Cooper
  72. Ready For Love- Bad Company
  73. Dream On- Aerosmith
  74. Close My Eyes Forever- Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne
  75. Farewell To You- White Lion
  76. Still Got The Blues- Gary Moore
  77. I Live My Life For You- Firehouse
  78. The Price- Twisted Sister
  79. I Want To Know What Love Is- Foreigner
  80. High Enough- Damn Yankees
  81. Angie- The Rolling Stones
  82. Feel Like Making Love- Bad Company
  83. Mere Than Words- Extreme
  84. 18 and Life- Skid Row
  85. Save Your Love- Great White
  86. I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)- Meat Loaf
  87. Angelia- Richard Marx
  88. Don’t Close Your Eyes- Kix
  89. Come Sail Away- Styx
  90. Love Walks In- Van Halen
  91. Angel Eyes- Jeff Healey Band
  92. Home Sweet Home- Motley Crue
  93. Patience- Guns N’ Roses
  94. Rainbow Eyes- Rainbow
  95. Wish You Were Here- Pink Floyd
  96. You And Me- Lifehouse
  97. Saigon Kick- Love Is On The Way
  98. Beth- Kiss
  99. Only Women Bleed- Alice Cooper
  100. Honestly- Stryper

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