Popular Western Ballad Songs Ranking [2025]

I Don’t Want To Miss A ThingAerosmith8rank/position

Aerosmith – I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Official HD Video)

A song by the American rock band Aerosmith that continues to captivate fans around the world with an emotional vocal performance and grand orchestration that epitomize the rock ballad.

Released as the theme song for the 1998 film Armageddon, it became a global hit and earned the band their first No.

1 on the U.

S.

singles chart, holding the top spot for four consecutive weeks.

The song portrays a pure and passionate desire to not miss a single moment spent with a loved one.

Its expression of deep affection resonates not only with lovers’ stories but also with the love a parent feels for a child.

The universal message of love, sung over a sweeping melody, has a timeless power that always stirs the heart.

It’s a classic that feels perfect for time spent with someone special.

Open ArmsJourney9rank/position

Journey – Open Arms (Official Video – 1982)

Journey, the legendary band that defined an era in the ’80s.

They’ve produced many timeless songs, but among them, “Open Arms” stands out as a bittersweet yet heartwarming ballad that has earned widespread acclaim.

Steve Perry’s crystalline vocals and the song’s warm melody have touched countless listeners, winning enduring love not only in the United States but also in Japan.

Since its 1982 release, it has garnered glowing praise, even taking the top spot on VH1’s “25 Greatest Power Ballads,” a testament to its undeniable quality.

If you’re looking to dive into rock ballads, be sure to give it a listen.

November RainGuns N’ Roses10rank/position

Guns N’ Roses – November Rain

A song by the globally popular rock band Guns N’ Roses, who released numerous hit numbers from the late 1980s onward.

Featured on the album Use Your Illusion I, the track reached No.

3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The fusion of Axl Rose’s piano and majestic strings creates a classical, awe‑inspiring atmosphere.

Slash’s guitar solo, unfolding within this nearly nine-minute epic, is truly moving.

Exploring the universal themes of love and loss, its dramatic music video—where joy and sorrow intersect—surpassed 2 billion views in February 2023.

It’s a grand medium-tempo ballad whose fragile, bittersweet portrayal of changing love slowly seeps into the heart during the chilly, nostalgic season.

PhotographEd Sheeran11rank/position

Ed Sheeran – Photograph (Official Music Video)

There’s a timeless song that accompanies those sentimental moments when you look back on summer memories alongside your photos.

It’s a track by Ed Sheeran, the globally renowned singer-songwriter from the UK.

Featured on the acclaimed album ‘×,’ which won British Album of the Year at the 2015 BRIT Awards, this folk-pop ballad was released as a single.

Centered on a long-distance relationship, it portrays a couple reaffirming their love through photographs.

The message—that even apart, hearts remain close—gently seeps in, carried by his soft vocals and acoustic sound.

The music video, which uses real home videos from his childhood, deepens the song’s warm yet bittersweet atmosphere and is truly moving.

As summer comes to an end, why not listen to it while thinking of someone special?

Every Breath You TakeThe Police12rank/position

The Police – Every Breath You Take (Official Music Video)

The Police are a British band that rose to prominence in the late 1970s with their innovative musical style that blended rock with reggae elements.

This work is their signature song, released in May 1983.

In Japan, it’s frequently heard in commercials, so many people may recognize the melody.

At first glance, it seems like a romantic love song, but the lyrics depict a slightly unsettling side—intense obsession with and surveillance of a lover.

This imbalance between the sweet melody and stalker-like lyrics becomes a compelling charm that captivates listeners.

Featured on the classic album Synchronicity, the song spent eight consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the U.

S.

charts.

It is a masterpiece ballad that is not merely beautiful, but one that delves into the depths of human psychology.

A Thousand YearsChristina Perri13rank/position

Christina Perri – A Thousand Years [Official Music Video]

The moving ballad that sings of eternal love continues to capture the hearts of many as Christina Perri’s signature work.

The beautiful melodies and profound lyrics crafted by the American singer were beloved worldwide as part of the soundtrack for The Twilight Saga.

Since its release in October 2011, it has also become a popular wedding standard, and its popularity shows no signs of fading, with over 2.

5 billion views on YouTube.

It’s a highly recommended song for moments when you want to feel the bond with someone you love or be soothed by a voice that truly resonates.

Someone You LovedLewis Capaldi14rank/position

Lewis Capaldi – Someone You Loved

Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi captivates many with his powerful vocals and emotive expression.

He began playing guitar at age nine and started his musical journey by performing regularly in local pubs.

After his debut in 2017, he brought a fresh breeze to the music scene with his unique style that blends pop with blue-eyed soul.

Influenced by artists like Adele and Joe Cocker, his commanding voice and delicate emotional delivery have won the hearts of music fans around the world.

In 2019, he reached No.

1 on the U.

S.

Billboard Hot 100, and his album “Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent,” released the same year, held the No.

1 spot in the UK for five consecutive weeks.

In 2020, he won a Brit Award and was also nominated for a Grammy.

He is an artist highly recommended for listeners seeking deeply moving music.