You guys are making awesome suggestions. Anything outside of Hard Rock (which I may do a Part 2), I'm going to do in other genres like Classic Rock, Alt/Grunge, etc. Keep an eye out for them. :)
Nice, here are some (in no real order) that I'd add: - House of Broken Love - Great White - In a Darkened Room - Skid Row - Hysteria - Def Leppard - Estranged - Gn'R (honestly they have loads that could be on here) - Fly to the Angels - Slaughter - Forever Free - WASP - Janie's Got a Gun - Aeorosmith - I saw Red - Warrant - Forever - Kiss - Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi
"Don't close your eyes" played a large role in keeping me from taking my own life at 21. I was in a very bad place and that song came on the radio at the perfect time.
MSG "Anytime" and Scorps "Still Loving You" will get me in the feels every time just on the intros alone. Such powerful chords. Awesome vid, as usual. I share these with my 17 yo, he's learning to play and LOVES 70's-80's hard rock & metal
Queensryche's song Bridge off the Promised Land album will damn near make you cry. It's an incredibly personal song written by Chris Degarmo and is argueably the most gut wrenching song I've ever listened to.
The music on that is so not sad that it cancels some of the lyrical content. This is a "you fucked up, deal with it" song. The songs that get me are Lady Jane and Out of Mind
"I'll See You In My Dreams" by Giant is probably the most gut-wrenching power ballad for me. Anyway, I'm a huge Kix fan (being from Maryland, that's almost unavoidable) so seeing them on the list was great.
Number one for me is definitely “I Remember You”. Sebastian’s vocals just scream desperation and it gets me every single time I hear it. Second would be “Love Bites”, and then third is “Still Loving You”. Buts it’s tough because there are just so many great ones!
Kix are *extremely* underrated. Forget literal "hits", they had SO many good songs! I listen to them all the time and can't get enough. (They broke up in 1996 but reformed in 2003 with a new bassist.) Real musical geniuses. Heck, all these bands had tons of great songs. There's a lot of gems. Anyways, nice video. Take care, and God bless!
One song that always gets me is "Something to Believe In" by Poison. I struggle to cry sometimes, so when I need to let it out, that's the song I go to usually. Something about praying to God when things don't go right gets to me. The second verse is also about Bret Michaels' best friend and bodyguard who died alone on Christmas Eve in 1999, which is just a gut punch when you think about it.
Nice one Mike. Here's a rough top 10: Scorpions - Still Loving You Def Leppard - Bringing On The Heartbreak Great White - Maybe Someday Firehouse - Don't Walk Away Kiss - I Still Love You Skid Row - Wasted Time Deep Purple - When A Blind Man Cries Cinderella - Nobody's Fool Dokken - Heaven Sent Motorhead - Love Me Forever
I wouldn't consider _Heaven Sent_ a ballad. But it does contain some of George Lynch's very best lead guitar. That phrasing, that tone, the vibrato, that clarity where every note rings like a belll... simply awesome!
that "when the children cry" solo is still one of my favorite solos...such an emotional set of notes put together...excellent list man,I know all of these very well,we grew up at basically the same time at the same tender age
Some of the most comforting words in time of trouble: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27
Close My Eyes Forever still crushes me. I have always been a huge hockey fan and the Flyers goalie Pelle Lindbergh was a huge influence on me. He was tragically killed in a car accident and this song was used on a tribute DVD for him.
"Tear Down the Walls" by Kix is equally haunting. Man, great job giving them their due... Thier album Blow My Fuse is a masterpiece of 90's rock. Kix & the group Love Hate were my favorite groups back-in-the-day.
I enjoyed that. Nice list. I might add Saigon Kick - Love is on the Way Mr. Big - Just Take My Heart Kiss - Forever Damn Yankees - High Enough Night Ranger - Sister Christian Cinderella - Nobody's Fool Bad English - When I See You Smile Van Halen - Love Walks In Lots of great ballads in the 80s.
Love Song by Tesla is my all time favorite ballad. The classical intro by Frank Hanon is timeless and the solo has so much emotion and feelings behind it. I could listen to the song nonstop and it never fails to draw me in.
I'm sure many of us have been where you at mentally, Mike. I randomly get in that mood every so often for whatever reason and I've built a fairly lengthy playlist for those times. Most of the songs you've chosen in this video are on my playlist, but here are my Top 8 songs that weren't on your list, in no specific order: Saigon Kick - Love is on the Way XYZ - When I Find Love Vandenberg - Burning Heart Tesla - Love Song LA Guns - Crystal Eyes Whitesnake - Sailing Ships Mr. Big - Just Take My Heart Enuff Z'Nuff - Fly High Michelle
Great list. I'd add Life goes on by poison, blind faith by warrant, wasted time by skid row, standing alone by Tyketto. Heck too many great ballads to list. Theres dozens of them from that era.
Those are all great tunes. I was a HUGE fan of Life Goes On, especially. Unfortunately, this was around the time when bands were starting to shoehorn extra power ballads on their albums and these tunes ultimately ended up feeling like second stringers. It's bittersweet to me, because as much as I love these songs, I also clearly remember feeling like the end was near for this era of metal.
Great choice for #1. Can't wait for the Alternative version. I LOVE the "X" music from '95 -'05..."107.7 The X" was our station in B'ham. Here are a few of my favs: Ozzy Osbourne - Goodbye To Romance Krokus - Screaming In The Night Poison - I Won't Forget You Motley Crue - Without You Scorpions - No One Like You Night Ranger - When You Close Your Eyes Queensryche - Another Rainy Night (Without You) Whitesnake - Crying In The Rain Judas Priest - Fever Slaughter - Fly To The Angels GnR - Patience Def Leppard - Love Bites
8 ballads that shook me to my core back in the day... "For Shame" -- Kix "Mama I'm Coming Home" -- Ozzy Osbourne "All That I Bleed" -- Savatage "Bother" -- Stone Sour "Something To Believe In" -- Poison "Driftaway" -- Motley Crue "Heartbreak Station" -- Cinderella "Before The Dawn" -- Judas Priest
Some great tunes in there. I'm going to chuck in 'In a Darkened Room' (Skid Row), 'I Still Think About You' (Danger Danger) and 'Fly High Michelle' (Enuff Z'Nuff).
Dude I was born in 68 which made me a kid in the 70's and a teenager in the 80's. When I was in high school the glam metal scene was HUGE. Every song you played is like part of my life's sound track. One song that I think should have made the list was Motley Crue Home Sweet Home. That has got it ALL. Or maybe some Dokken Alone Again. But none of your choices were wrong, just 8 is too short a list when talking about the best ballads. Still Loving You from the Scorps is also at the top of the food chain (which is what I am working on right now, Mathias's parts)
You explain things very well, Mike. I love how you pinpoint certain techniques to drive the point home. After recently going through a bad period, I listened to "Falling to Pieces" by Velvet Revolver, on repeat. What finally helped is my rescue squad: my Fender Strat and Godin Acoustic. I'm getting a sign made to honor them and will hang it on the wall above them.
This group of tunes falls right into my butter zone perfectly. This is how I learned how to play guitar and I believe an obvious choice was left out. Alone Again by Dokken. It is the quintessential 80s metal power ballad. Emadd9 is even the key! 🤘🏻
Wow! Great picks Mike. I was born in '79 and you /nailed/ it, so many of these songs were a big part of my childhood. Miles Away, Winds of Change, Don't Close Your Eyes, Heaven, and When the Children Cry (tho I'd have to pick Wait, esp with it's outrageous/melodic Vito solo which is a top 20 fave solo of all time for me) would be in my top hard rock ballads with no question. I'd need a tune by Def Leppard (prob Hysteria), and perhaps Bon Jovi (I'll be there for you is prob my most nostalgic), though these two bands have less in common with the others. I was so happy to see you throw in the Kix song (underrated is a good descriptor), and accordingly i'd also have to add Giant's I'll see you in my dreams. (Dan Huff -- so great)
The one that always hit me that hardest was Wasted Time from Skid Row's Slave to the Grind. The most powerful closing track in Metal. Along those same lines of feeling was Dokken's Alone Again, and Crue's Time For Change.
Love your list, excellent selections! "When the Children Cry" makes me too sad to listen to anymore. "Heaven" akways puts a lump in my throat. And Kix is underrated for sure.
Absolutely best list ever! Being from near Hagerstown and 63 years young I grew up near Kix (originally The Shooze, then The Generators). The band was truly underrated. Brian Forsythe and Ronnie Younkins just complimented each other's style. Brian with AC DC style and Ronnie with Bluesy style worked well and Steve's vocals are just a good fit to both styles. Yes I sadly went to their final show in Columbia Maryland in September.
1. I Remember you:Skid row 2. I still think about you: DangerDanger 3. Last train: Cinderella 4. Love is on the way:Saigon kick 5. All that I need: White Lion 6.Return to serenity:Testament 7.Something to believe in:Poison 8.Real Love: Slaughter. Not necessarily in order. Thank you for making this video, we feel melancholy sometimes and need sort of sound track for that moment.
Great list but I'd definitely add these songs: Hold On To My Heart (W.A.S.P.), Silent Lucidity (Queensrÿche), and Something to Believe In (Poison) - especially the latter always tears me up...
Shocked Skid Row ‘I remember you’ wasn’t mentioned. To me that’s the pinnacle of that genre or it’s time. Opening lyrics and riff are masterful. Chorus vocal amazing and the solo with its fade out harmonic! Ending is powerful and sometimes shakes me out of the sadness. Like you I’ve made terrible mistakes and never learn. Sad songs help get emotions out and sooth me with booze. Red wine after a couple of beers is good. Avoid spirits. I therapy too and hope Mike gets some. I have started collecting vintage Star Wars again and t-shirts after my recent split. Bought some guitars too. Made some rubbish RUclips videos too so watch me attempt to play guitar to cheer yourself up and have a hood laugh at Andy! Great video too and maybe do another like it 😊
@@TheArtofGuitaroops 🤦♂️😂I thought I must have missed you mention it as it is too good to forget. Can you do a tutorial on I Remember You? Hopefully we can see you play on one of those big RUclips guitar stars videos soon. Thanks mate
Vito Bratta is so criminally underappreciated. Also, 1000000 thanks for not mentioning November Rain. Need Firehouse - When I Look Into Your Eyes and Love of a Lifetime in there though.
Everyone made such a big deal about that Suzanne Vega song "My Name Is Luka", saying it was such a wake up call for child abuse. I think if they ever heard the White Lion song "Broken Home", they would throw her record away. 🙂 Vito was a phenomenal player.
Thanks Mike for sharing songs that meant a lot to you back then. Here's mine (not all "gut wrenching", but meaningful to me in various ways): Is This Love - Whitesnake To Be With You - Mr Big Heaven - Warrant Mama, I’m coming Home - Ozzy Osbourne Silent Lucidity - Queensryche High Enough - Damn Yankees Sister Christian - Night Ranger Can’t Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon Alone - Heart Patience - Guns N Roses Angel - Aerosmith Love Bites - Def Leppard Winds of Change - Scorpions Waiting for a Girl Like You - Foreigner The Flame - Cheap Trick When I See You Smile - Bad English Dream Come True - Frozen Ghost Love Song - Tesla Something to believe in - Poison Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue Bringing On The Heartbreak - Def Leppard 18 & life - Skid Row (it's a ballad to me)
Dude you described "being in that space" perfectly. I fell in love with a lot of 80's/90's ballads when I was a preteen and obviously didn't have the life experience to entirely relate to the lyrics of those songs but they still brought me to that "space" like you described.
Skid Row punched out 3 unbelievable monster power ballads of the one album - In a darkened room , Wasted time and Quicksand Jesus of Slave to the grind . Thunder had a classic also with A better man and Scorpions - Always somewhere
This takes me back to my middle school years when I was first getting into music. I had a lot of "first-time" moments to both Def Leppard's "Hysteria" and Skid Row's "I Remember You."
Hey Mike, when i was a teenager and reallly started liking some glam bands, i used to say the same thing. "My sister just bought a new album and plays it all the times so i just started liking Poison" lol
Maybe it's because I was so young when I first heard it, but "Beth" by Kiss would top my list. I don't remember a lot of my childhood, but hearing it takes me back to 8 years old, during the brief period I lived in Florida, and all of my friends hanging out at one of their houses and them playing Kiss - Alive II (the first hard rock I had ever heard at that point) on repeat pretty much the entire summer. And then the floodgates of memories come rushing it... Having to take either band or orchestra in elementary school, and learning to play cello because all the cool kids had signed up for band before I had a chance to, and cello was all that was left. Funny how a song can do that to you, even when you were really too young to really understand it when you discovered it. The rest of my list would probably line up with yours, more-or-less.
Yess I've been hoping for a video featuring your acoustic, it sounds amazing! ❤ love all of these choices and the honourable mentions, the ones I didn't know I heard through you and your videos/ livestreams. Love The Room clip there haha. When you said misery loves company my brain instantly went to Soul Asylums song Misery, it has that very lyric :-) One song that gets me, particularly the intro is W.A.S.P. - Forever Free - it's when he sustains the vocals on the 'leaving you' . I'm listening to it as I write this and I have serious goosebumps. I would love a Grunge version of this list, and a video on what it takes to make a hard rock ballad would Kix ass, hehe, see what I did there? 🙂
Not sure how “The Price” from Twisted Sister never makes any lists for ballads. Great guitar lick. Great guitar solo. Great chorus that gets you. It’s my #1 ballad.
I was lucky enough to be a teenager in early 90s. So I could enjoy 70 80 90s hard rock & metal as well as alternative, grunge and punk rock, even of 90s. I'm pretty sure that 70-90s were golden days for hard rock music even though there were variations, so called genres. Some of my favorite power ballads other than your list are : Wasted Time (Skid Row), Mama don't you cry (Steelheart), Paradise (Tesla), Tonight (Ozzy)
I’m 51 now , and heavy rock ballads are still my all time favorite category of music, Motley Crue - Home Sweet Home started my LOvE of the sound & feels of the genre … well done list Sir 🎶
Those last three honorable mentions, "Miles Away", ""Have You ever Needed Someone So Bad", and " Never Say Goodbye", hit me hard alot. When I hear "Heaven" by Warrant, it takes me back to when I had childhood cancer and was going by Transport from children's Hospital to OSU for Radiation treatments...Heaven was always on it seemed,it was sort of my them song for moving forward yet looking back at the same time. Me and My Brother grew up listening to everything Rock or "Metal"...he went in '86 to The Long Cold Winter tour Cinderella opening for David Lee Roth...still angry at gim for that. He got to see these bands in their prime, then year's later, I'm playing them on the guitar. Life is Strange that's for sure.
Vito Bratta is a monster his playing in White Lion was superior it’s a shame he’s so underrated..I also love the solo’s in Save all your love by Great White..This list brings back so many of my greatest memories..Thanks for the trip down memory lane
This video was very nostalgic for me I love watching your videos it makes me proud to be a musician. I used to listen to these songs all the time growing up and everybody would pick on me telling me that the 80s music was out of style but that's what I loved and that's what I grew up with and there was always something that was very dear to me and now I'm a local musician here in my hometown and when I think about the things you say when you and your band would go perform live I can't help but relate to a lot of those situations anyways just saying I love your channel you're doing a good thing for and I'm always looking forward to your videos My list of great 80's rock ballads 8. Silent lucidity queensryche 7. I saw red warrant 6. Spell I'm under winger 5. Giving yourself away ratt 4. Don't close your eyes kix 3. Heart break station Cinderella 2. You're all I need white lion 1. Tears of fire keel
I think "New Jersey" from Bon Jovi is the ultimate hard-rock ballad album: the combo of Wild is the Wind, I'll Be There for You, Living in Sin and Stick to your Guns is unbeatable!
I know they get a lot of hate (or maybe non-love) but I've been a huge fan of Winger since the first I saw them on MTV and Miles Away is exceptional in this vein. I was in my early 20's at the time so I'd been through a few and Kip nailed it. Still takes me back to the days even though I've been married 30 years now.
Great video. "Sometimes She Cries" by Warrant is superior to "Heaven" imo. "Don't Close Your Eyes" is an awesome song! "Estranged" by GnR and "18 & Life" by Skid Row are also top tier. Also Little Caesar's "In Your Arms" is class.
All good songs. From your description it sounds like you’re a few years younger than me. These songs were all such a big part of my youth. I’d add to the list heartbreak station by Cinderella (such a powerful song for me), slaughter’s fly to the angels, steelheart I’ll never let you go, and of course GnR’s Patience.
motley crues song "your all i need" is really tugging at me right now, it always gets overlooked cause its on the same album as girls girls girls, and wild side
I have been revisiting a lot of rock ballads from the 80s and 90s recently as well. I’m going to be playing a few at my gig tonight including “Heaven”, so I landed on this video at the perfect time! Thanks, Mike.
Wow did you nail this one...I think I'm emotional as we speak.Im 52 now and was around 20 or so when all of those came out.At least 4 will always have special meanings.I danced with my future wife at prom to Ozzy and Lita.The House of Pain is a modern take on Cats In the Cradle.A true biopic of my father.Its like you looked into my past bro...great work🎉🎉🎉
Don't think it's good enough to qualify as heart-wrenching but I had the honor of running sound at a close friend's wedding a couple years back and they were also heavy metal people so the bride wanted to walk down the aisle to "Love of a Lifetime" by Firehouse. Glad to see White Lion on here. Pride is an outstanding album, and I like that in the age of Power ballads that song didn't follow the trend and stayed mellow. Kix is a great choice too, that album is fantastic and the song is so powerful. My #1 would be "I Remember You". For my money it's the best power ballad of all time. I would have added "Sometimes She Cries" by Warrant, and "Alone Again" by Dokken too. Edit: also "I'll See You In My Dreams" by Giant. Amd thanks for the good word about Adrenalize-era Def Leppard. It's their poppiest album but there's a lot of good stuff.
Check out W.A.S.Ps ballad "Hold on to my heart" that song will tear you up. Super sad in my opinion. I think you will enjoy it if you haven't heard it! Great job though by the way! Keep up the good work! And all of you in the comments section God bless you all!
Great List!! All of them, cut right through the soul!! Not going to mention the ones you listed, just adding some from my perosnal life. I Remember You - Skid Row This holds a special place for a special person that just gutted me when I was in my teens. Still resonates with me today Without You - Motley Crue Two Steps Behind you - Def Leppard (I'm glad you mentioned "Have you ever needed someone so bad" ) Objects in the Rearview Mirror - Meat Loaf For those that really want to go to a Dark Place "I know its over" - The Smiths (This may or may not fit into this list, but it will take you to a dark place)
As a 90 child i have to say soul asylum runaway train, because my best friend lost his order sister to suicide and she was only 14 yo. This song gets me in tears every time.
Great lists everyone. So many perfect tunes. My hat in the ring: Poison - Something To Believe in Guns N Roses - Patience Scorpions - Send Me An Angel Judas Priest - Before The Dawn Skid Row - Wasted Time Ugly Kid Joe's version of Cats in the Cradle Sven Gali - love Don't Live Here Anymore Twisted Sister - The Price And one of my most favorite bands, Savatage - When The Crowds Are Gone.
I read an interview years ago. On the "Don't Close Your Eyes" that "keyboard" is actually a guitar synth piano patch he played. If I remember correctly.
Mike, remember that as a talented creative soul, you are an antenna that is subject to picking up "signals" out of the atmosphere, randomly, of varying emotional intent. Just like any great artist. Roll with it, buddy. You inspire so many of us. Just like every great artist. Great content today, and you presented it in a way that doesn't make us want to revoke your man card 😊
Pretty good list 🤘🤘 however one of my favorite ballads is from WASP, hold on to my heart. Blackie is a legend. There are a few others that could have made this list too. But good choices. I'm 48 so i grew up with all these songs. Cinderella was and is my favorite band from the 80s. Cause they ain't the typical 80s band. Tom keifer is so underrated
Here are my top 8 8. Bang Tango- A Thousand Goodbyes 7. L.A. Guns- It's Over Now 6. Kix- Tear Down The Walls 5. Dokken- Walk Away 4. Skid Row- Breakin Down 3. Tesla- What You Give 2. Warrant- Stronger Now 1. Firehouse- Love Of A Lifetime
Not a full list, but a few additions Walk Away - Dokken Fly To The Angels - Slaughter Don't Turn Away - Whitesnake I'll Never Let You Go - Steelheart Til Death Do Us Part - White Lion All of them being perfect songs
You guys are making awesome suggestions. Anything outside of Hard Rock (which I may do a Part 2), I'm going to do in other genres like Classic Rock, Alt/Grunge, etc. Keep an eye out for them. :)
Just got done watching this video. Two thumbs up for Kix and LA Guns songs!
Alt/Grunge sounds great
Check out “Shame in You” by Alice In Chains. It hits hard
Oo awesome. Seriously looking forward to all of these! 🤘🏻🔥
If I may make a suggestion, Mayonnaise by Smashing Pumpkins. It sounds like a stupid name for a song, but it's such a good tune.
"18 and Life" very powerful song, powerful vocals and great solo too!!!
Extremely heart wrenching from beginning to end.
The solo in 18 and life...... Oh my lord it's so good and fuckin powerful
GREAT example. Sebastian Bach is incredible in this tune.
Nice, here are some (in no real order) that I'd add:
- House of Broken Love - Great White
- In a Darkened Room - Skid Row
- Hysteria - Def Leppard
- Estranged - Gn'R (honestly they have loads that could be on here)
- Fly to the Angels - Slaughter
- Forever Free - WASP
- Janie's Got a Gun - Aeorosmith
- I saw Red - Warrant
- Forever - Kiss
- Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi
Forever free, so haunting
I saw red is my favorite from that list, brutal.
Recently at an open mic and a guy did I Saw Red acoustically... extremely moving.
@@Daniel189HLL Yeah , I checked it out. Not really feeling it.
"Don't close your eyes" played a large role in keeping me from taking my own life at 21. I was in a very bad place and that song came on the radio at the perfect time.
MSG "Anytime" and Scorps "Still Loving You" will get me in the feels every time just on the intros alone. Such powerful chords. Awesome vid, as usual. I share these with my 17 yo, he's learning to play and LOVES 70's-80's hard rock & metal
MSG "Anytime"....that's a great deep cut man!👌🏻
Queensryche's song Bridge off the Promised Land album will damn near make you cry. It's an incredibly personal song written by Chris Degarmo and is argueably the most gut wrenching song I've ever listened to.
Great call.Nobody ever mentions that song.
For me it's Silent Lucidity.
Very underrated song
The music on that is so not sad that it cancels some of the lyrical content. This is a "you fucked up, deal with it" song. The songs that get me are Lady Jane and Out of Mind
Nothing like an epic power ballad from the 80’s. Great list, and I’m really glad you included House of Pain and Ballad of Jayne.
"I'll See You In My Dreams" by Giant is probably the most gut-wrenching power ballad for me.
Anyway, I'm a huge Kix fan (being from Maryland, that's almost unavoidable) so seeing them on the list was great.
Yeah , I checked it out. Not feeling it.
Number one for me is definitely “I Remember You”. Sebastian’s vocals just scream desperation and it gets me every single time I hear it. Second would be “Love Bites”, and then third is “Still Loving You”. Buts it’s tough because there are just so many great ones!
Kix are *extremely* underrated. Forget literal "hits", they had SO many good songs! I listen to them all the time and can't get enough. (They broke up in 1996 but reformed in 2003 with a new bassist.) Real musical geniuses.
Heck, all these bands had tons of great songs. There's a lot of gems.
Anyways, nice video. Take care, and God bless!
A friend of mine knows the Kix guitarist. We went to his house, and smoked some grade A+++! I didn't even pull mine out...
Midnight Dynamite is one of the greatest rock records of all time.
I🎉almost forgot about Skid Row I remember you,Sebastian Bachs voice just rips my heart out!💘💘💘
Saigon Kick's Love Is On The Way did it for me. I haven't thought of that tune in over 25 years and it just crept into my heart again recently.
One song that always gets me is "Something to Believe In" by Poison. I struggle to cry sometimes, so when I need to let it out, that's the song I go to usually. Something about praying to God when things don't go right gets to me. The second verse is also about Bret Michaels' best friend and bodyguard who died alone on Christmas Eve in 1999, which is just a gut punch when you think about it.
I came here to suggest this one.
Song came out late 1980s.
That's a great song.
One of my favorites has always been Headed For a Heartbreak by Winger. Great composition from all the instruments and a kickass solo by Reb
The Ballad of Jayne is a killer pick - nice job. That one always gets me in the feels too
Nice one Mike. Here's a rough top 10:
Scorpions - Still Loving You
Def Leppard - Bringing On The Heartbreak
Great White - Maybe Someday
Firehouse - Don't Walk Away
Kiss - I Still Love You
Skid Row - Wasted Time
Deep Purple - When A Blind Man Cries
Cinderella - Nobody's Fool
Dokken - Heaven Sent
Motorhead - Love Me Forever
I wouldn't consider _Heaven Sent_ a ballad. But it does contain some of George Lynch's very best lead guitar. That phrasing, that tone, the vibrato, that clarity where every note rings like a belll... simply awesome!
@@MrClassicmetal Definitely my favorite on his list. And now that reminds me of Krokus: "Our Love", another brilliant gem.
I hope you get through this period without too much grief. Stay strong brother.
that "when the children cry" solo is still one of my favorite solos...such an emotional set of notes put together...excellent list man,I know all of these very well,we grew up at basically the same time at the same tender age
Some of the most comforting words in time of trouble: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27
"Wasting Love" by Iron Maiden is one of my top power ballads. Great lyrics, great solo, and it even uses that famed Emadd9 chord!
Might make my heavy metal ballads list.
Goodbye by Night Ranger is a great melancholy ballad with a great solo
I SAW RED by Warrant is one of top 80's ballads to me as far a gut wrenching especially. The bridge in that tune is just killer.
House of Pain and Don’t Close Your Eyes are so killer! I remember growing up watching those videos back when MTV actually played music .
Miles Away hit me when I moved to another state 2 weeks before high school started.
Close My Eyes Forever still crushes me. I have always been a huge hockey fan and the Flyers goalie Pelle Lindbergh was a huge influence on me. He was tragically killed in a car accident and this song was used on a tribute DVD for him.
Showing my age, used to go see KIX back in their early club days! Great live band!!!
Dude, my 1st rock concert was Whitesnake(w/Vai), and Kix opened up. Changed my life!
"Tear Down the Walls" by Kix is equally haunting. Man, great job giving them their due... Thier album Blow My Fuse is a masterpiece of 90's rock. Kix & the group Love Hate were my favorite groups back-in-the-day.
Walking Away for me is there best ballad and the first song by Kix
What about the overplayed “don’t close your eyes” ….i fell for that song hook line and sinker on first hearing .its still in my phone
Ha …I replied before he got to this song lol …I wondered why it wasn’t mentioned before ones mentioned here
Blow My Fuse came out in 1988.
@@mikeb.7183YES! That song is an incredible ballad
I enjoyed that. Nice list. I might add
Saigon Kick - Love is on the Way
Mr. Big - Just Take My Heart
Kiss - Forever
Damn Yankees - High Enough
Night Ranger - Sister Christian
Cinderella - Nobody's Fool
Bad English - When I See You Smile
Van Halen - Love Walks In
Lots of great ballads in the 80s.
Love Song by Tesla is my all time favorite ballad. The classical intro by Frank Hanon is timeless and the solo has so much emotion and feelings behind it. I could listen to the song nonstop and it never fails to draw me in.
Love that song. Epic solo.
I had that Kix song on a VHS musicvideo collection tape. Yes, this was a thing back then 🙂 Loved Blow My Fuse, still do.
I'm sure many of us have been where you at mentally, Mike. I randomly get in that mood every so often for whatever reason and I've built a fairly lengthy playlist for those times. Most of the songs you've chosen in this video are on my playlist, but here are my Top 8 songs that weren't on your list, in no specific order:
Saigon Kick - Love is on the Way
XYZ - When I Find Love
Vandenberg - Burning Heart
Tesla - Love Song
LA Guns - Crystal Eyes
Whitesnake - Sailing Ships
Mr. Big - Just Take My Heart
Enuff Z'Nuff - Fly High Michelle
(not necessarily all rock)
Extreme - Hole Hearted
Huey Lewis & News - I Never Walk Alone
Tesla - Hang Tough
Lillian Axe - Mercy
Great list. I'd add Life goes on by poison, blind faith by warrant, wasted time by skid row, standing alone by Tyketto. Heck too many great ballads to list. Theres dozens of them from that era.
Damn! I forgot about Wasted Time. One of the best high notes of all time.
@@TheArtofGuitar how about CC's solo in life goes on? You can feel the pain in that solo.
Those are all great tunes. I was a HUGE fan of Life Goes On, especially. Unfortunately, this was around the time when bands were starting to shoehorn extra power ballads on their albums and these tunes ultimately ended up feeling like second stringers. It's bittersweet to me, because as much as I love these songs, I also clearly remember feeling like the end was near for this era of metal.
Tyketto's "Forever Young" is a perfect song.
Great choice for #1. Can't wait for the Alternative version. I LOVE the "X" music from '95 -'05..."107.7 The X" was our station in B'ham.
Here are a few of my favs:
Ozzy Osbourne - Goodbye To Romance
Krokus - Screaming In The Night
Poison - I Won't Forget You
Motley Crue - Without You
Scorpions - No One Like You
Night Ranger - When You Close Your Eyes
Queensryche - Another Rainy Night (Without You)
Whitesnake - Crying In The Rain
Judas Priest - Fever
Slaughter - Fly To The Angels
GnR - Patience
Def Leppard - Love Bites
8 ballads that shook me to my core back in the day...
"For Shame" -- Kix
"Mama I'm Coming Home" -- Ozzy Osbourne
"All That I Bleed" -- Savatage
"Bother" -- Stone Sour
"Something To Believe In" -- Poison
"Driftaway" -- Motley Crue
"Heartbreak Station" -- Cinderella
"Before The Dawn" -- Judas Priest
Heartbreak Station is fantastic, and I agree with Mana I’m Coming Home
motley 94 is so good
Some great tunes in there. I'm going to chuck in 'In a Darkened Room' (Skid Row), 'I Still Think About You' (Danger Danger) and 'Fly High Michelle' (Enuff Z'Nuff).
Dude I was born in 68 which made me a kid in the 70's and a teenager in the 80's. When I was in high school the glam metal scene was HUGE. Every song you played is like part of my life's sound track. One song that I think should have made the list was Motley Crue Home Sweet Home. That has got it ALL. Or maybe some Dokken Alone Again. But none of your choices were wrong, just 8 is too short a list when talking about the best ballads. Still Loving You from the Scorps is also at the top of the food chain (which is what I am working on right now, Mathias's parts)
You explain things very well, Mike. I love how you pinpoint certain techniques to drive the point home. After recently going through a bad period, I listened to "Falling to Pieces" by Velvet Revolver, on repeat. What finally helped is my rescue squad: my Fender Strat and Godin Acoustic. I'm getting a sign made to honor them and will hang it on the wall above them.
Summerland by Kings X. Great tune, beautiful solo... And a guitar sound for the ages
“I’ll See You in My Dreams” by Giant
This group of tunes falls right into my butter zone perfectly. This is how I learned how to play guitar and I believe an obvious choice was left out. Alone Again by Dokken. It is the quintessential 80s metal power ballad. Emadd9 is even the key! 🤘🏻
You nailed them all and I was waiting for "The Ballad of Jayne" "House of Pain" was a killer too. Thanks I still listen to these really often!!
Wow! Great picks Mike. I was born in '79 and you /nailed/ it, so many of these songs were a big part of my childhood. Miles Away, Winds of Change, Don't Close Your Eyes, Heaven, and When the Children Cry (tho I'd have to pick Wait, esp with it's outrageous/melodic Vito solo which is a top 20 fave solo of all time for me) would be in my top hard rock ballads with no question. I'd need a tune by Def Leppard (prob Hysteria), and perhaps Bon Jovi (I'll be there for you is prob my most nostalgic), though these two bands have less in common with the others. I was so happy to see you throw in the Kix song (underrated is a good descriptor), and accordingly i'd also have to add Giant's I'll see you in my dreams. (Dan Huff -- so great)
The one that always hit me that hardest was Wasted Time from Skid Row's Slave to the Grind. The most powerful closing track in Metal. Along those same lines of feeling was Dokken's Alone Again, and Crue's Time For Change.
I still love "House Of Broken Love" by Great White.
Love your list, excellent selections! "When the Children Cry" makes me too sad to listen to anymore. "Heaven" akways puts a lump in my throat. And Kix is underrated for sure.
Absolutely best list ever! Being from near Hagerstown and 63 years young I grew up near Kix (originally The Shooze, then The Generators). The band was truly underrated. Brian Forsythe and Ronnie Younkins just complimented each other's style. Brian with AC DC style and Ronnie with Bluesy style worked well and Steve's vocals are just a good fit to both styles. Yes I sadly went to their final show in Columbia Maryland in September.
1. I Remember you:Skid row
2. I still think about you: DangerDanger
3. Last train: Cinderella
4. Love is on the way:Saigon kick
5. All that I need: White Lion
6.Return to serenity:Testament
7.Something to believe in:Poison
8.Real Love: Slaughter.
Not necessarily in order.
Thank you for making this video, we feel melancholy sometimes and need sort of sound track for that moment.
Last train...absolutely.
Beautiful list❤! In addition to your list : "Open Arms" by Journey and "We've Got Tonight" by Bob Seger still kick me in the feels 🥰
Sleeze Beez is my favorite underrated band, and they did a cover of Journey's "Faithfully" in 2011.
MSG's Anytime always hits me in the feels...
Great list but I'd definitely add these songs: Hold On To My Heart (W.A.S.P.), Silent Lucidity (Queensrÿche), and Something to Believe In (Poison) - especially the latter always tears me up...
Something to Believe in is great!
Hold on to my heart is perfect, sung so well too.
Shocked Skid Row ‘I remember you’ wasn’t mentioned. To me that’s the pinnacle of that genre or it’s time.
Opening lyrics and riff are masterful. Chorus vocal amazing and the solo with its fade out harmonic! Ending is powerful and sometimes shakes me out of the sadness.
Like you I’ve made terrible mistakes and never learn. Sad songs help get emotions out and sooth me with booze. Red wine after a couple of beers is good. Avoid spirits. I therapy too and hope Mike gets some.
I have started collecting vintage Star Wars again and t-shirts after my recent split. Bought some guitars too. Made some rubbish RUclips videos too so watch me attempt to play guitar to cheer yourself up and have a hood laugh at Andy!
Great video too and maybe do another like it 😊
I mention that in the video.
@@TheArtofGuitaroops 🤦♂️😂I thought I must have missed you mention it as it is too good to forget. Can you do a tutorial on I Remember You?
Hopefully we can see you play on one of those big RUclips guitar stars videos soon.
Thanks mate
Vito Bratta is so criminally underappreciated. Also, 1000000 thanks for not mentioning November Rain. Need Firehouse - When I Look Into Your Eyes and Love of a Lifetime in there though.
Everyone made such a big deal about that Suzanne Vega song "My Name Is Luka", saying it was such a wake up call for child abuse. I think if they ever heard the White Lion song "Broken Home", they would throw her record away. 🙂 Vito was a phenomenal player.
Thanks Mike for sharing songs that meant a lot to you back then.
Here's mine (not all "gut wrenching", but meaningful to me in various ways):
Is This Love - Whitesnake
To Be With You - Mr Big
Heaven - Warrant
Mama, I’m coming Home - Ozzy Osbourne
Silent Lucidity - Queensryche
High Enough - Damn Yankees
Sister Christian - Night Ranger
Can’t Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
Alone - Heart
Patience - Guns N Roses
Angel - Aerosmith
Love Bites - Def Leppard
Winds of Change - Scorpions
Waiting for a Girl Like You - Foreigner
The Flame - Cheap Trick
When I See You Smile - Bad English
Dream Come True - Frozen Ghost
Love Song - Tesla
Something to believe in - Poison
Home Sweet Home - Motley Crue
Bringing On The Heartbreak - Def Leppard
18 & life - Skid Row (it's a ballad to me)
Great list. Kix is a way underrated band
Cheap Trick-The Flame
Dokken- Alone again
Rock without ballads its just like Mike without a guitar.
He’d just be Mike from The-Art.
Perfectly said!
Meh. Tell it to Sabbath.
@@rapid13Sabbath had Sabra Cadbra.
Or, a shoe maker without a toilet seat. 🙄🥴🥴🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Come to think of it Dokken have a lot of great ballad type songs... In My Dreams, Alone Again, Heaven Sent, Walk Away, Jaded Heart etc
Dude you described "being in that space" perfectly. I fell in love with a lot of 80's/90's ballads when I was a preteen and obviously didn't have the life experience to entirely relate to the lyrics of those songs but they still brought me to that "space" like you described.
Thanks for the video, sir. I needed it. Hope you get through the rough times, sooner rather than later.
Skid Row punched out 3 unbelievable monster power ballads of the one album - In a darkened room , Wasted time and Quicksand Jesus of Slave to the grind .
Thunder had a classic also with A better man and Scorpions - Always somewhere
This takes me back to my middle school years when I was first getting into music. I had a lot of "first-time" moments to both Def Leppard's "Hysteria" and Skid Row's "I Remember You."
The Cinderella and L.A.Guns tunes make my cry EVERY time.
Like Celine's My Heart Will Go On.Loss sucks SO bad.😭
Hey Mike, when i was a teenager and reallly started liking some glam bands, i used to say the same thing. "My sister just bought a new album and plays it all the times so i just started liking Poison" lol
Maybe it's because I was so young when I first heard it, but "Beth" by Kiss would top my list. I don't remember a lot of my childhood, but hearing it takes me back to 8 years old, during the brief period I lived in Florida, and all of my friends hanging out at one of their houses and them playing Kiss - Alive II (the first hard rock I had ever heard at that point) on repeat pretty much the entire summer. And then the floodgates of memories come rushing it... Having to take either band or orchestra in elementary school, and learning to play cello because all the cool kids had signed up for band before I had a chance to, and cello was all that was left. Funny how a song can do that to you, even when you were really too young to really understand it when you discovered it. The rest of my list would probably line up with yours, more-or-less.
That’ll probably make my classic rock list.
I was expecting "Silent Lucidity" to be on there somewhere.
Yess I've been hoping for a video featuring your acoustic, it sounds amazing! ❤ love all of these choices and the honourable mentions, the ones I didn't know I heard through you and your videos/ livestreams. Love The Room clip there haha. When you said misery loves company my brain instantly went to Soul Asylums song Misery, it has that very lyric :-)
One song that gets me, particularly the intro is W.A.S.P. - Forever Free - it's when he sustains the vocals on the 'leaving you' . I'm listening to it as I write this and I have serious goosebumps.
I would love a Grunge version of this list, and a video on what it takes to make a hard rock ballad would Kix ass, hehe, see what I did there? 🙂
Lillian Axe had a killer song called "Misery Loves Company". Excellent vocals.
Not sure how “The Price” from Twisted Sister never makes any lists for ballads. Great guitar lick. Great guitar solo. Great chorus that gets you. It’s my #1 ballad.
Best song Twisted Sister ever did.
I was lucky enough to be a teenager in early 90s. So I could enjoy 70 80 90s hard rock & metal as well as alternative, grunge and punk rock, even of 90s. I'm pretty sure that 70-90s were golden days for hard rock music even though there were variations, so called genres. Some of my favorite power ballads other than your list are : Wasted Time (Skid Row), Mama don't you cry (Steelheart), Paradise (Tesla), Tonight (Ozzy)
Taking me back to my teen years man. I had to catch the countdown every day and then Headbanger's Ball on Saturday played it all too. Good times.
Love your choices and especially your monologue. You seem like a genuine dude.
I’m 51 now , and heavy rock ballads are still my all time favorite category of music, Motley Crue - Home Sweet Home started my LOvE of the sound & feels of the genre … well done list Sir 🎶
I turn 51 in 3 weeks. It's depressing. But I've seen most of the bands on this list live.... in the late 80's.
Those last three honorable mentions, "Miles Away", ""Have You ever Needed Someone So Bad", and " Never Say Goodbye", hit me hard alot. When I hear "Heaven" by Warrant, it takes me back to when I had childhood cancer and was going by Transport from children's Hospital to OSU for Radiation treatments...Heaven was always on it seemed,it was sort of my them song for moving forward yet looking back at the same time. Me and My Brother grew up listening to everything Rock or "Metal"...he went in '86 to The Long Cold Winter tour Cinderella opening for David Lee Roth...still angry at gim for that. He got to see these bands in their prime, then year's later, I'm playing them on the guitar. Life is Strange that's for sure.
Man this list is spot on for me except for close your eyes... its ok just never hit like the rest. Great video as always!
Vito Bratta is a monster his playing in White Lion was superior it’s a shame he’s so underrated..I also love the solo’s in Save all your love by Great White..This list brings back so many of my greatest memories..Thanks for the trip down memory lane
This video was very nostalgic for me I love watching your videos it makes me proud to be a musician.
I used to listen to these songs all the time growing up and everybody would pick on me telling me that the 80s music was out of style but that's what I loved and that's what I grew up with and there was always something that was very dear to me and now I'm a local musician here in my hometown and when I think about the things you say when you and your band would go perform live I can't help but relate to a lot of those situations anyways just saying I love your channel you're doing a good thing for and I'm always looking forward to your videos
My list of great 80's rock ballads
8. Silent lucidity queensryche
7. I saw red warrant
6. Spell I'm under winger
5. Giving yourself away ratt
4. Don't close your eyes kix
3. Heart break station Cinderella
2. You're all I need white lion
1. Tears of fire keel
Sorry to hear you’re going through it. You’re a good guy Mike, hang in there.
I think "New Jersey" from Bon Jovi is the ultimate hard-rock ballad album: the combo of Wild is the Wind, I'll Be There for You, Living in Sin and Stick to your Guns is unbeatable!
Check out some of my picks and you may rethink that.
I know they get a lot of hate (or maybe non-love) but I've been a huge fan of Winger since the first I saw them on MTV and Miles Away is exceptional in this vein. I was in my early 20's at the time so I'd been through a few and Kip nailed it. Still takes me back to the days even though I've been married 30 years now.
They are very underrated and beyond talented. Tons of hidden gems.
Great video. "Sometimes She Cries" by Warrant is superior to "Heaven" imo. "Don't Close Your Eyes" is an awesome song! "Estranged" by GnR and "18 & Life" by Skid Row are also top tier. Also Little Caesar's "In Your Arms" is class.
All good songs. From your description it sounds like you’re a few years younger than me. These songs were all such a big part of my youth. I’d add to the list heartbreak station by Cinderella (such a powerful song for me), slaughter’s fly to the angels, steelheart I’ll never let you go, and of course GnR’s Patience.
motley crues song "your all i need" is really tugging at me right now, it always gets overlooked cause its on the same album as girls girls girls, and wild side
I have been revisiting a lot of rock ballads from the 80s and 90s recently as well. I’m going to be playing a few at my gig tonight including “Heaven”, so I landed on this video at the perfect time! Thanks, Mike.
Wow did you nail this one...I think I'm emotional as we speak.Im 52 now and was around 20 or so when all of those came out.At least 4 will always have special meanings.I danced with my future wife at prom to Ozzy and Lita.The House of Pain is a modern take on Cats In the Cradle.A true biopic of my father.Its like you looked into my past bro...great work🎉🎉🎉
Any love for Carrie by Europe? Loved that back in the day.
Don't think it's good enough to qualify as heart-wrenching but I had the honor of running sound at a close friend's wedding a couple years back and they were also heavy metal people so the bride wanted to walk down the aisle to "Love of a Lifetime" by Firehouse.
Glad to see White Lion on here. Pride is an outstanding album, and I like that in the age of Power ballads that song didn't follow the trend and stayed mellow.
Kix is a great choice too, that album is fantastic and the song is so powerful.
My #1 would be "I Remember You". For my money it's the best power ballad of all time.
I would have added "Sometimes She Cries" by Warrant, and "Alone Again" by Dokken too.
Edit: also "I'll See You In My Dreams" by Giant.
Amd thanks for the good word about Adrenalize-era Def Leppard. It's their poppiest album but there's a lot of good stuff.
Nailed it with Cinderella. Love that solo, especially that bend at the end. Gets me every time.
When the children cry....Thank you for reminding me one of my fav teenage song which I had forgotten.
Check out W.A.S.Ps ballad "Hold on to my heart" that song will tear you up. Super sad in my opinion. I think you will enjoy it if you haven't heard it! Great job though by the way! Keep up the good work! And all of you in the comments section God bless you all!
✨😇Thank you James, and to you as well.
God bless us ALL!✨🎶✨🙏✨🎶✨
Great List!! All of them, cut right through the soul!! Not going to mention the ones you listed, just adding some from my perosnal life.
I Remember You - Skid Row This holds a special place for a special person that just gutted me when I was in my teens. Still resonates with me today
Without You - Motley Crue
Two Steps Behind you - Def Leppard (I'm glad you mentioned "Have you ever needed someone so bad" )
Objects in the Rearview Mirror - Meat Loaf
For those that really want to go to a Dark Place "I know its over" - The Smiths (This may or may not fit into this list, but it will take you to a dark place)
As a 90 child i have to say soul asylum runaway train, because my best friend lost his order sister to suicide and she was only 14 yo. This song gets me in tears every time.
Kix and Ratt was my first concert.
Great lists everyone.
So many perfect tunes.
My hat in the ring:
Poison - Something To Believe in
Guns N Roses - Patience
Scorpions - Send Me An Angel
Judas Priest - Before The Dawn
Skid Row - Wasted Time
Ugly Kid Joe's version of Cats in the Cradle
Sven Gali - love Don't Live Here Anymore
Twisted Sister - The Price
And one of my most favorite bands,
Savatage - When The Crowds Are Gone.
I read an interview years ago. On the "Don't Close Your Eyes" that "keyboard" is actually a guitar synth piano patch he played. If I remember correctly.
No idea, but I think the live album version had some cool piano at the end. Donnie Purnell is a genius.
Finally someone likes these ballads. I’m from the 80s era and these are so cool. Always love them. First song I learned was ballad of Jayne.
Mike, remember that as a talented creative soul, you are an antenna that is subject to picking up "signals" out of the atmosphere, randomly, of varying emotional intent. Just like any great artist. Roll with it, buddy. You inspire so many of us. Just like every great artist. Great content today, and you presented it in a way that doesn't make us want to revoke your man card 😊
Thank you Mike, a video about ballads is just what the world needed. Well made video, as well as extremely thought provoking! You rule!!! 🤘🤘
You nailed my power ballad playlist 😂. These are in my regular rotation. Defined my teen years 🤘🏼
Always by Jovi is a good one. Video makes it better. Not too keen on Richie’s choice of tone for his solo.
Pretty good list 🤘🤘 however one of my favorite ballads is from WASP, hold on to my heart. Blackie is a legend. There are a few others that could have made this list too. But good choices. I'm 48 so i grew up with all these songs. Cinderella was and is my favorite band from the 80s. Cause they ain't the typical 80s band. Tom keifer is so underrated
Here are my top 8
8. Bang Tango- A Thousand Goodbyes
7. L.A. Guns- It's Over Now
6. Kix- Tear Down The Walls
5. Dokken- Walk Away
4. Skid Row- Breakin Down
3. Tesla- What You Give
2. Warrant- Stronger Now
1. Firehouse- Love Of A Lifetime
Nice guitar switch at 1:45.
I'm a bit older, so, "Winds of March" from Journey's Infinity album is one of my favorite sob songs.
Not a full list, but a few additions
Walk Away - Dokken
Fly To The Angels - Slaughter
Don't Turn Away - Whitesnake
I'll Never Let You Go - Steelheart
Til Death Do Us Part - White Lion
All of them being perfect songs