Popular Western Ballad Songs Ranking [2025]

I Remember YouSkid Row92rank/position

Skid Row – I Remember You (Official Music Video)

A five-piece rock band that made a striking debut in the late phase of the LA metal movement, which peaked in the 1980s, Skid Row quickly became a popular act.

This single, cut from their debut album “Skid Row,” is a beautiful ballad that highlights the commanding presence of then-vocalist Sebastian Bach.

The fusion of aggressive, metal-tinged guitar sounds with a dramatic melody showcases the band’s musical depth beyond sheer intensity.

It’s a classic, standard rock ballad that reaffirms the enduring power of the genre.

Right and a Wrong WayKeith Sweat93rank/position

Right and a Wrong Way

A classic overflowing with a silky allure and smooth vocals.

Released in 1987, this Keith Sweat track embodies the essence of R&B.

Its lyrics explore the complexities of love and the delicate balance within relationships, resonating deeply with listeners.

With a message for young lovers, the song teaches that true love is born from mutual understanding and respect.

Keith Sweat’s emotive vocals draw close to the listener’s heart, beautifully expressing universal themes of love.

Listening to this song, you can almost feel the emotions of young people wrestling with romance.

With a melody and lyrics that sink into the soul, it’s a track that lets you fully savor the charm of ’80s ballads.

Home Sweet HomeMötley Crüe94rank/position

Mötley Crüe – Home Sweet Home (Official Music Video)

Motley Crüe, the rock band that has led the stadium rock genre with their flashy visuals and performances.

Their 1985 release Home Sweet Home is a power ballad that reflects on their hometown.

The song opens with the piano played by the band’s drummer, Tommy Lee, and then Vince Neil’s vocals gently come in over it.

The rest of the band joins, creating a track where you can enjoy a beautiful melody and a powerful band sound characteristic of a power ballad.

ghostinAriana Grande95rank/position

Ariana Grande – ghostin (Official Audio)

It’s a dreamy track, with Ariana Grande’s vocals wrapped in the fluffy, floating timbre of a synthesizer.

The song’s content is about her ex-boyfriend who has passed away, and it matches this mood perfectly.

The lyrics are quite heavy, but it has the finest gravitas as a ballad.

Sister ChristianNight Ranger96rank/position

Night Ranger – Sister Christian (Official Music Video)

A classic 80s ballad that soaks into the heart with a sense of nostalgia.

Drummer Kelly Keagy wove the lyrics with thoughts of his own sister, portraying a young person’s journey of growth and self-discovery.

Released by Night Ranger in 1983, the song appears on the album Midnight Madness and became a major hit, reaching No.

1 in Canada and No.

5 on the U.

S.

Billboard Hot 100.

It also gained wide support through inclusion on film soundtracks.

It’s a track that makes you feel the love for someone special—perfect to listen to alongside memories of your youth.

Nobody KnowsP!nk97rank/position

P!NK – Nobody Knows

Singer-songwriter P!nk, who has been close to music since childhood under her father’s influence, captivates fans with her smoky singing voice.

“Nobody Knows,” a single cut from her fourth album, I’m Not Dead, is deeply moving with its soulful vocals that use edge voice and its powerful dynamics.

The lyrics portray a true self that no one understands—something many who struggle to show their vulnerability might strongly relate to.

It’s a bluesy, comfortable ballad you’ll want to keep listening to.

AlwaysAtlantic Starr98rank/position

Atlantic Starr Always 1987

“Always” is a ballad with romantic lyrics about eternal love—loving each other forever—set to a sweet melody.

Released as a single from Atlantic Starr’s 1987 album “All in the Name of Love,” this track became a global hit, reaching number one on the Billboard charts.