[Western Music] The World of Power Ballads: A Collection of Must-Listen Gems to Start With
Have you ever heard the term “power ballad”? It refers to songs in the ballad style that incorporate emotional guitar solos and solid, heavy drums, often featuring rich backing vocals, beautiful strings, and piano.
In fact, they’ve been around since the 1970s.
For those who know the golden age of Western music in the 1980s, the term is familiar, but many younger music fans may not know it well.
Even bands from heavier genres of the time, like heavy metal and hard rock, usually had at least one classic power ballad on their albums.
This time, we’ll be introducing some of the greatest power ballads in Western music!
- A collection of popular Western rock ballads: a roundup of moving, tear-jerking masterpieces.
- A Collection of Heart-Touching Western Ballads — From Classics to the Newest Hits
- I Want to Be Healed from the Heart: Recommended Western Ballads Sung by Female Vocalists
- [Latest Hits & Hall of Fame Classics] Recommended Popular Western Ballads
- Hidden gems of Western ballad songs. Recommended popular tracks.
- Western music I want to listen to leisurely on the weekend. World classics and popular songs.
- Popular Western Ballad Songs Ranking [2025]
- [2025 Edition] Tearjerkers! A Compilation of Recommended Latest Western Music Ballads
- A Collection of Classic 80s Western Ballads with Male Vocals
- 1980s: Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Classic and Hit Songs
- Emotional Western classics you’ll want to sing at karaoke: the world’s most moving songs
- Ranking of Tear-Jerking Western Songs [2025]
- [2025] A roundup of recommended popular ballads sung by male Western artists
[Western Music] The World of Power Ballads: A Curated Collection of Must-Listen Gems (1–10)
FaithfullyJourney
Journey is a rock band whose piercing high notes from Steve Perry feel so good.
Their “Faithfully” is a power ballad where Neal Schon’s soaring guitar tone sets your heart ablaze.
The keyboard phrases also add extra weight and richness to the track.
Journey has other power ballads like “Open Arms” and “Send Her My Love,” so be sure to check them out!
Is This LoveWhitesnake
The first power ballad love song that comes to mind is “Is This Love.” This song by Whitesnake, a rock band formed in England, is most captivating for its beautiful melody that even resonates with the spirit of Japanese kayōkyoku.
The guitar features emotional playing that uses long sustained tones to great effect—it’s electrifying.
It’s a very singable Western rock ballad that I highly recommend, so give it a try at karaoke with your coworkers or school friends!
You’re the InspirationCHICAGO
Chicago, who are primarily active in Los Angeles, deliver with “You’re the Inspiration,” a track rich with lush harmonies that are deeply satisfying to hear.
The overall key is high, and the layered chorus floating even above that range gives it an exhilarating feel.
The understated backing performance does a great job of subtly spotlighting the vocals.
There’s no flashy guitar solo, but it’s a highly energizing power ballad I can wholeheartedly recommend!
[Western Music] The world of power ballads: A collection of must-hear gems (11–20)
AloneHeart
Heart is a rock band led by sisters Ann Wilson on vocals and Nancy Wilson on guitar.
Their song “Alone” is a highly recommended power ballad, with irresistible powerful vocals and harmonies and a searing guitar solo.
The chorus, which takes full advantage of a high female vocal range, is so energizing it makes you want to thrust your fist in the air as you listen.
Also, the deeply echoed drums—so characteristic of hard rock from that era—are a must-hear!
OneU2
U2 is a rock band from Ireland that has never undergone a lineup change since their debut and holds the astonishing record of 22 Grammy Awards.
This work is a single cut from their 1991 masterpiece Achtung Baby, a soul-stirring ballad that became the catalyst for the band to overcome a crisis of breaking up.
Rather than simply singing “let’s become one,” its lyrics portray both the difficulty and the preciousness of acknowledging each other’s differences, resonating deeply with listeners.
The universality of its message is evident from the huge success of the 2006 collaboration version with Mary J.
Blige.
It’s a song that quietly stays by your side when you’re struggling with relationships or reflecting on the bonds you share with someone important.
It was also featured in the film The Family Man.
If We Hold On TogetherDiana Ross
A gentle yet powerful singing voice that resonates deep in the heart—this is a signature ballad by American singer Diana Ross.
The song celebrates universal love and bonds, declaring that with mutual trust, any hardship can be overcome.
Its poetic worldview, reminiscent of a passage from the Bible, portrays an unwavering conviction.
Released in November 1988 as the theme song for the animated film The Land Before Time, it was later included on the acclaimed album The Force Behind the Power.
In Japan, it was featured in the TV drama “Omoi de ni Kawaru Made” and famously held the No.
1 spot on the international chart for 12 consecutive weeks—a fact many of you may already know.
It’s a classic you’ll want to hear when you wish to be reminded of someone dear.
(Everything I Do) I Do It For YouBryan Adams
Bryan Adams is a singer-songwriter from Canada.
His 1991 release “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” is a power ballad known for its strong vocals and rich harmonies.
It starts with a quiet piano accompaniment, so at first it seems like an ordinary ballad, but the band sound comes in partway through and the song builds more and more—that’s the key point.
The arrangement that ends with an emotional guitar solo is really cool, too!