[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)
Make It With YouBread
A masterpiece of soft rock that wraps the feelings of two people in love in a sweet, gentle sound.
This gem of a ballad from the American band Bread portrays a vow of love: pursuing dreams together and building a future side by side.
David Gates’s warm vocals resonate tenderly, as if whispering in a lover’s ear.
Released in August 1970, it reached No.
1 on the U.
S.
Billboard chart and secured its place as one of Bread’s signature songs.
It has been covered by many artists, including Aretha Franklin and Earth, Wind & Fire.
A heartwarming love song perfect for listening while cuddling with your partner or thinking of someone dear.
Without YouBadfinger
“Without You” is a song that has etched its name in music history as an immortal ballad.
Originally created by Badfinger and later covered by numerous artists, the song is imbued with a poignant longing for lost love.
Its wistful melodic lines vividly convey the depth and rich expressiveness of the 1970s music scene in which it was born.
The version covered by Harry Nilsson in 1971 was selected by Rolling Stone as one of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” and its universality and heartfelt melody continue to be loved by many even today.
Unfading Melodies: A Collection of Classic 1970s Western Ballads (31–40)
Killing Me Softly With His SongRoberta Flack
A classic by American singer Roberta Flack.
It beautifully captures the feeling of a voice that seeps deep into the listener’s heart.
It won three awards at the 1973 Grammys, including Record of the Year, and spent five consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the U.
S.
singles chart.
Featured in the film “Play Misty for Me,” it captivated music fans around the world.
It remains a beloved song for moments when you want your heart to be gently moved, or to accompany quiet time spent with someone special.
Without YouHarry Nilsson
In December 1971, American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson, known for his sweet yet aching vocals, released a ballad that portrays the pain and sense of loss after a breakup.
Beginning with gently played piano and building into a sweeping orchestration, the arrangement beautifully heightens the song’s poignancy.
Originally written by the British rock band Badfinger, this rendition won the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and became a worldwide hit, spending four consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the U.
S.
Billboard Hot 100.
It remains a classic that deeply resonates with anyone who has lost someone dear.
I Need to Be in LoveCarpenters
A heart-stirring ballad by the Carpenters that sings of yearning for eternal love while confronting the harshness of reality.
It stands apart from purely sweet love songs, capturing delicate emotions swaying between ideal and reality, beautifully conveyed through crystalline vocals.
Released as a single from the May 1976 album “A Kind of Hush,” it topped the U.
S.
Easy Listening chart.
In 1995, it was chosen as the ending theme for the Japanese TV drama “Miseinen,” drawing renewed attention.
It’s a gem of a melody that gently accompanies quiet nights spent in contemplation or moments of reflecting on memories with someone dear.
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest WordElton John
This gem of a piano ballad, poignantly detailing the pain of parting, is a work released in 1976 by the British artist Elton John.
As a relationship nears its end, it delicately portrays the question “What must I do to be loved?” alongside the inner struggle of being unable to voice an apology.
Unusually, Elton John first created the melody and part of the lyrics, after which Bernie Taupin completed the song.
It reached No.
6 on the U.
S.
Billboard chart, was included on the album Blue Moves, and, in 2002, topped the UK charts through a collaboration with Blue.
Its quiet yet urgent melody and profound emotional expression will surely resonate when you seek to soothe the pain of heartbreak or are contemplating a farewell with someone dear.
LongerDan Fogelberg
Born under the starry sky on the island of Maui, Hawaii, this majestic love song has captivated many hearts as one of the signature works of American powerhouse singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg.
With poetic lyrics that compare eternal love to the beauty of nature, gentle acoustic guitar arpeggios, and the warm tone of the flugelhorn, it beautifully conveys a romantic worldview.
Released in December 1979 and included on the album Phoenix, the song reached No.
2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1980.
It was later used in Japan in 1987 as the commercial song for the Nissan Gloria, and has been beloved by many ever since.
Now a wedding-music staple, it’s an ideal choice for creating memories with someone special.
For anyone seeking solace in a clear, pure voice and a beautiful melody, this is a timeless, radiant gem of a ballad that continues to shine across generations.