[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 (21–30)
I Just Wanna StopGino Vannelli
Gino Vannelli is one of the singers who best represents the soft rock and AOR scene.
With a musical style that incorporates elements of jazz and classical, he continues to be loved by many fans today.
Among his works, this poignant ballad is especially recommended.
Its sweet yet powerful vocals convey the heartbreaking desire to put an end to a relationship with a loved one.
Released as a single in August 1978 and included on the classic album Brother to Brother, it reached No.
4 on the U.
S.
charts and became a global hit, also featuring in the Brazilian TV drama Pai Herói.
The sound is marked by a memorable, mellow saxophone.
If you want to sink into a sentimental melody, be sure to give it a listen.
I Go CrazyPaul Davis
Paul Davis, who demonstrated his talent across a wide range of genres from blue-eyed soul to country.
This piece is known as a quintessential soft-rock ballad that represents his career.
Unable to sever his lingering attachment to a former lover, his yearning swells to a maddening intensity in unguarded moments—those bittersweet emotions are woven through his gentle vocals and mellow melodies.
Released in June 1977 as a single from the acclaimed album “Singer of Songs: Teller of Tales,” the track set a then-record by remaining on the U.
S.
charts for 40 consecutive weeks.
On nights when you want to sit quietly and drift into contemplation, why not surrender yourself to its sentimental tune?
Someday ManPaul Williams
Songwriter Paul Williams, who provided exquisite melodies for the Carpenters and Three Dog Night.
He also found success in film music, but he left behind works that are perfect as an introduction to soft rock.
One such classic graces the title of his debut album, Someday Man.
The song portrays a protagonist who wishes to “be a somebody someday,” yet can’t quite take the first step.
That slight bittersweet theme, sung over Roger Nichols’s light, breezy arrangement, creates a memorable sense of imbalance.
The piece was originally performed by The Monkees in 1969 and was included in Paul Williams’s own debut the following year, in 1970.
It’s the perfect song to listen to on a leisurely afternoon while lost in thought.
Just the Way You AreBilly Joel
Singer-songwriter Billy Joel from New York.
Isn’t it the ultimate love song that tells you, “You don’t have to make witty conversation, and you don’t need to wear trendy clothes.
You’re most wonderful just the way you are”? The anecdote that the melody came to him in a dream is romantic, too.
This track is a single from the classic 1977 album The Stranger, and at first it was nearly left off because it didn’t seem to fit the album.
However, it went on to earn two Grammys in 1979.
The sound of the warm Fender Rhodes blending with the sweet saxophone gently colors the time you spend with someone special.
I’m Not In Love10cc
While outwardly insisting “it’s not like I’m in love,” the song paints the aching feelings of a man who has in fact fallen deeply in love, set against a dreamlike melody.
Released in 1975 by the British rock band 10cc, it topped the UK Singles Chart and reached No.
2 in the US.
It’s said that Eric Stewart drew inspiration from a conversation with his wife.
Featured in the film Guardians of the Galaxy, the track resonates with anyone who can’t suppress their feelings for someone special.
A gem of a ballad that stirs the heart—perfect for listening alone on a quiet night.
If You Leave Me NowCHICAGO
A gem of a love ballad that sings of a sweet yet heartrending farewell.
Dialing back the brass sound synonymous with Chicago, it features a warm, memorable blend of acoustic guitar and strings.
It gently wraps feelings of anxiety and regret over losing someone precious, the desire to hold on, and the inability to let go, in a delicate melody.
Released in July 1976, it topped the charts in countries around the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom, and won two categories at the 1977 Grammy Awards.
Timelessly beloved—featured, for example, on the soundtrack of the video game Grand Theft Auto V—it continues to soothe the hearts of many music fans as a song that stays close in times of parting or romantic turmoil.
The Air That I BreathThe Hollies
A gem of a ballad wrapped in deep love and contentment was released to the world by the British band The Hollies in January 1974.
Its message—brimming with the happiness of needing no sleep, light, or sound, only the presence of a loved one—has moved countless listeners.
Composed by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, the song became a major hit, reaching No.
2 in the UK and No.
6 in the US.
A 40-piece orchestra delivers a grand sound that blends beautifully with Allan Clarke’s emotive vocals.
It’s the perfect track for moments when you feel unconditional love and gratitude for someone dear, or when you want to spend calm, cherished time with someone special.