Popular Western Ballad Songs Ranking [2025]

It Must Have Been LoveRoxette43rank/position

Roxette – It Must Have Been Love (Official Music Video)

Roxette’s “It Must Have Been Love” is a ballad that quietly reflects on a love that has ended.

Marie Fredriksson’s crystal-clear vocals are captivating, carrying a depth that resonates with the heart.

Roxette broke out from Sweden, and this 1987 song, featured in the film Pretty Woman, became a beloved hit around the world.

This piece captures the pain of heartbreak with a beautiful melody; listening again, you may discover new nuances in its heartfelt lyrics.

It’s truly a quintessential ’80s ballad—once you hear it, you’ll understand why it’s considered a classic!

Right Here WaitingRichard Marx44rank/position

Richard Marx – Right Here Waiting (Official Music Video)

This is a masterpiece that stands as a pinnacle of 80s ballads, woven from a sweetly aching vocal and a piano tone that resonates deep in the heart.

The lyrics, which sing of the sorrow of longing for a lover far away, struck a chord with many and became a worldwide smash.

Released in June 1989 as a single from Richard Marx’s second album, “Repeat Offender,” it reached No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in many countries, including Australia and Canada.

It’s the perfect song not only for those in a long-distance relationship, but also for anyone who wants to reaffirm their feelings for someone special.

Because Of YouKelly Clarkson45rank/position

Kelly Clarkson – Because Of You (Official HD Video)

This song captivates with a beautiful melody that resonates in the heart and lyrics that stir the soul.

Centered on themes of family conflict and past pain, Kelly Clarkson’s powerful vocals are deeply moving.

Released in August 2005, it reached No.

7 on the U.

S.

Billboard Hot 100 and became a major hit across Europe.

It appears on the album Breakaway and won a BMI Pop Award and an MTV Video Music Award.

Clarkson began writing it at age 16, drawing from her personal experiences.

It’s recommended for times when you want to heal emotional wounds or need the courage to overcome challenges.

LoverTaylor Swift46rank/position

Taylor Swift – Lover (Official Music Video)

This is a ballad released in 2019.

Taylor Swift’s vocals riding over reverb-soaked drums create a somewhat mysterious, pleasant feeling in this track.

Amid the EDM and electro boom, it has a distinctly real, organic touch, and it’s precisely that kind of song that carries a special kind of power.

Like A StarCorinne Bailey Rae47rank/position

Corinne Bailey Rae – Like A Star (New Version)

For a theme like this, you could say it’s one of the songs that would inevitably be chosen.

It’s a signature track by Corinne Bailey Rae, who has a diverse background that includes church hymns, performing as part of a rock band, and appearances at jazz clubs, and who enjoys worldwide popularity for her gentle vocal tone and organic sound.

As her memorable debut single and the opening track of her 2006 album “Corinne Bailey Rae,” this song is a true classic, with a soothing vocal delivery and the soft resonance of her own acoustic guitar that feel wonderfully comforting.

On a summer night under the stars, be sure to listen to it—or try singing it yourself with just voice and guitar.

HappyLeona Lewis48rank/position

Leona Lewis – Happy

“Happy,” sung by Leona Lewis, who debuted from the UK talent show The X Factor, is a song about a woman seeking happiness.

Released in 2009, it reached No.

2 on the UK Singles Chart and was a hit in other European countries as well.

Compared to the powerful performance that brings the chorus’s rhythm to the forefront, the first verse features a gentle, piano-centered arrangement.

The pre-chorus showcases beautifully arpeggiated piano.

It’s a track where you can enjoy a variety of piano tones across each section!

Let It BeThe Beatles49rank/position

Let It Be (Remastered 2009)

The last single the Beatles released while they were still active, “Let It Be.” Its melody, which seems to reflect Paul McCartney’s inner heart, moves me every time I listen.

The lyrics, simple yet profoundly relatable, have remained in the hearts of many people across generations.

Released on March 6, 1970, this song is still cherished and passed down as a heartwarming ballad.

It’s also known as an easy piece for beginners to play on the piano, and Paul’s piano accompaniment can be called a soul-stirring masterpiece.

Its beautiful melody and message resonate in our hearts across time.