[Timeless Melodies] A Collection of Classic 70s Western Ballad Masterpieces
The 1970s Western music scene—often called the golden age of rock—was a time when countless classic songs were born, with not only bands but also many singer-songwriters who left their mark on music history making their debuts.
Ballads, the theme of this piece, are no exception.
There are so many timeless ballads from the ’70s Western music catalog that it’s impossible to introduce them all.
In this article, we’ve compiled representative ’70s Western music ballads that even younger music fans have likely heard at least once.
And of course, for those who spent their youth in that era, you’ll find a lineup of songs so nostalgic they might bring you to tears.
Enjoy!
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[Timeless Melodies] A Collection of Classic 70s Western Ballads (1–10)
Love of My LifeQueen
A gem of a ballad that sings of eternal love and the ache of farewell.
Its earnest wish to reclaim a lost love resounds alongside an elegant melody.
The lyrical vocals, woven with the gentle timbre of the piano, have long captivated music fans worldwide as a facet symbolizing Queen’s musical versatility.
Featured on the album A Night at the Opera, this piece has been beloved since its 1975 release as a staple that creates a sense of unity with audiences on the live stage.
During the 1981 South American tour, the massive crowd sing-alongs became a sensation, and it was portrayed memorably in the film Bohemian Rhapsody.
This is a song to listen to when you want to be close to the feelings for someone dear and convey love from the heart.
Dream OnAerosmith
Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” included on their 1973 debut album.
Although it didn’t make a big splash on the charts at the time, its 1975 re-release achieved the remarkable feat of reaching the U.
S.
Top 10.
With Steven Tyler’s heartfelt vocals woven together with a plaintive piano-driven melody, the song stands as a quintessential classic rock ballad.
It’s also fresh in our memories that in 2023 it surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.
A song that lingers in everyone’s heart, its timeless appeal continues to be loved across generations.
All By MyselfEric Carmen
This is a power ballad that portrays a universal theme of loneliness with grand orchestration and deep emotional expression.
Based on Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.
2, its melody brilliantly conveys the shifting emotions from the innocence of youth to the loneliness and poignancy of the present.
Released in 1975 as Eric Carmen’s solo debut, the song reached No.
2 on the U.
S.
charts and became a major hit with over one million copies sold.
It was memorably used in the film Bridget Jones’s Diary and was also featured in a 1991 commercial for the Toyota Soarer.
Highly recommended for those who want to experience the joys and solitude of love, as well as the subtle depths of life’s emotions.
[Timeless Melodies] A Collection of Classic 70s Western Ballads (11–20)
Nobody Does It BetterCarly Simon
“Nobody Does It Better” is a 1977 smash hit performed by Carly Simon, also famous as the theme song for the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.
Composed by Marvin Hamlisch with lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, this sumptuous ballad shines even brighter through Carly Simon’s vocals.
Celebrating love, the song’s delicate yet dramatic allure has captured hearts across generations.
In the United States, it sold over a million copies within just a year of its release, a testament to its immense popularity.
Among the many classics that defined the 1970s, “Nobody Does It Better” stands out as a truly exceptional gem.
Close to YouCarpenters
Released in the 1970s and still etched deeply in our hearts, the Carpenters’ “(They Long to Be) Close to You”—known in Japan as “Harukanaru Kage”—is a cover of a song by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
With Karen’s crystalline vocals and Richard’s delicate arrangement, it was presented to the world as a masterpiece ballad.
It topped the Billboard charts and achieved great success, including winning a Grammy in 1971.
Karen’s voice conveys the wistfulness and fragility of yearning for a lover, carried by a warm melody that soothes the listener.
Loved by many and still often heard today, it feels fresh even as it evokes nostalgia.
Its gentle melodic line and relaxed tempo are wonderfully comforting.
I’ll Be AroundTHE SPINNERS
A gem of a ballad that sings of a bittersweet breakup and the wish to meet again.
Its delicate expressions of love and beautiful melody line stir the heart.
Norman Harris’s striking guitar riff and Bobby Smith’s deeply emotive vocals create an exquisite harmony.
Released by the Spinners in July 1972, the song became a major hit—No.
1 on the R&B chart and No.
3 on the U.
S.
pop chart—and still shines today as one of their signature tracks.
It’s a timeless classic with universal appeal that anyone who has experienced love or the pain of parting can relate to.
Perfect for moments when you want to heal a broken heart or feel your love for someone special more deeply.
HonestyBilly Joel
Billy Joel’s “Honesty” is a standout ballad from his 1978 album “52nd Street.” With piano and lyrics that resonated with the era, the song shines with particular emotional depth.
While addressing the theme of sincerity, it portrays the pain of the gap between the purity love seeks and the reality we face, carried by a lyrical melody that captivated listeners.
Showcasing Joel’s remarkable expressive power, the track has influenced many later generations.
It’s an enduring classic that makes you reflect on honesty every time you listen.