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
- Dust In The Wind- Kansas
- I’ll Be There for You- Bon Jovi
- Africa- Toto
- Here I Go Again- Whitesnake
- This Could Be The Night- Loverboy
- Don’t Stop Believing- Journey
- Future World- Helloween
- Waiting For Love- Alias
- I’ll Be Over You- Toto
- More Than A Feeling- Boston
- Turn Up The Radio- Autograph
- Little Lies- Fleetwood Mac
- When The Heart Rules The Mind- GTR
- Alone- Heart
- Dreamer- Europe
- Soldier of Fortune- Deep Purple
- Sister Christian- Night Ranger
- Hysteria- Def Leppard
- Talk To Me- Stevie Nicks
- Forever- Kiss
- Love Hurts- Nazareth
- Babe- Styx
- Innocent Days- Giant
- Keep On Loving You- REO Speedwagon
- Silent Lucidity- Queensryche
- Waiting For A Girl Like You- Foreigner
- The Flame- Cheap Trick
- Too High To Fly- Dokken
- Is This Love- Whitesnake
- Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)
- I Love You- Saigon Kick
- Every Rose Has It’s Thorn- Poison
- Goodbye To Romance- Ozzy Osbourne
- Temple of The King- Rainbow
- Carrie- Europe
- All By Myself- Eric Carmen
- I Remember You- Skid Row
- Love Song- Tesla
- I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing- Aerosmith
- Born To Lose-UFO
- Without you- Badfinger
- Heaven- Warrant
- She’s Gone- Steelheart
- I Believe In You- Y&T
- Love Of A Lifetime- Firehouse
- Silence Is Broken- Damn Yankees
- Always Gonna Love You- Gary Moore
- Still Loving You- Scorpions
- Never Say Goodbye- Bon Jovi
- Still In Love With You- Thin Lizzy
- Second Chance- 38 Special
- July Morning- Uriah Heep
- Iris- Goo Goo Dolls
- When I See You Smile- Bad English
- Miles Away- Winger
- When I’m With You- Sheriff
- Love Bites- Def Leppard
- Can’t Stop Loving You- Van Halen
- Fly To The Angels- Slaughter
- Faithfully- Journey
- I’ll Never let you Go (Angel Eyes)- Steelheart
- The Smile Has Left Your Eyes- Asia
- It’s a Heartache- Bonnie Tyler
- When I Look Into Your Eyes- Firehouse
- Sweet Child O’ Mine- Guns N’ Roses
- Hazard- Richard Marx
- Endless Rain- X Japan
- November Rain- Guns N’ Roses
- When The Children Cry- White Lion
- Can’t Fight This Feeling- REO Speedwagon
- Poison- Alice Cooper
- Ready For Love- Bad Company
- Dream On- Aerosmith
- Close My Eyes Forever- Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne
- Farewell To You- White Lion
- Still Got The Blues- Gary Moore
- I Live My Life For You- Firehouse
- The Price- Twisted Sister
- I Want To Know What Love Is- Foreigner
- High Enough- Damn Yankees
- Angie- The Rolling Stones
- Feel Like Making Love- Bad Company
- Mere Than Words- Extreme
- 18 and Life- Skid Row
- Save Your Love- Great White
- I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)- Meat Loaf
- Angelia- Richard Marx
- Don’t Close Your Eyes- Kix
- Come Sail Away- Styx
- Love Walks In- Van Halen
- Angel Eyes- Jeff Healey Band
- Home Sweet Home- Motley Crue
- Patience- Guns N’ Roses
- Rainbow Eyes- Rainbow
- Wish You Were Here- Pink Floyd
- You And Me- Lifehouse
- Saigon Kick- Love Is On The Way
- Beth- Kiss
- Only Women Bleed- Alice Cooper
- Honestly- Stryper