Popular Western Ballad Songs Ranking [2025]

Crazy for YouMadonna50rank/position

Madonna – Crazy For You (Official Video)

Madonna’s “Crazy for You” can be called a masterpiece that vividly captures the fresh emotions of adolescence.

At the time, she was better known for pop dance numbers, and the fact that she took on a ballad for the first time made waves.

The gentle yet profound emotional expression showcased in this song revealed a new side of Madonna to the world and marked a point that proved the breadth of her musical range.

The pure feeling of wanting to surrender to love without thinking about the future continues to move many fans even today.

You’re the InspirationCHICAGO51rank/position

Chicago – You’re the Inspiration (Official Music Video)

Chicago, the rock band known to all, delivers a gem of a ballad tenderly wrapped in everlasting love and gratitude.

Its refreshing piano tones and warmly resonant melody line stir emotions that bring a lump to your throat.

Released in October 1984 and reaching No.

3 on the U.

S.

Billboard chart the following January, this major hit appears on the album Chicago 17.

It gracefully weaves deep feelings and appreciation for a loved one, celebrating the wonder of fateful love.

Perfect for making life’s important moments even more memorable, it’s a popular choice for special occasions—such as a first dance at a wedding.

Your SongElton John52rank/position

Your Song

Set to the refined resonance of the piano, the lyrics about pure love sink deep into the heart—what a moving ballad.

It gently wraps you in that fluttering feeling, like falling in love for the first time.

It’s hard to believe this was a work by Elton John at age 22; his mature vocals and performance are striking.

Released in October 1970, this number became a turning point in Elton’s career and has continued to be cherished worldwide.

The anecdote that John Lennon praised it also speaks to its appeal.

It’s the perfect song for expressing your feelings to someone special—at weddings, anniversaries, and more.

Listen to it with the one you love, and it’s sure to become a beautiful memory.

Close to YouCarpenters53rank/position

Carpenters – Close to you

Released in the 1970s and still etched deeply in our hearts, the Carpenters’ “(They Long to Be) Close to You”—known in Japan as “Harukanaru Kage”—is a cover of a song by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

With Karen’s crystalline vocals and Richard’s delicate arrangement, it was presented to the world as a masterpiece ballad.

It topped the Billboard charts and achieved great success, including winning a Grammy in 1971.

Karen’s voice conveys the wistfulness and fragility of yearning for a lover, carried by a warm melody that soothes the listener.

Loved by many and still often heard today, it feels fresh even as it evokes nostalgia.

Its gentle melodic line and relaxed tempo are wonderfully comforting.

OceanLady Antebellum54rank/position

Lady Antebellum – Ocean

A song by the American country music group Lady A that likens a lover to a vast ocean, expressing the desire to swim within it and stay together forever.

It opens with a beautiful piano melody, followed by Hillary Scott’s lovely vocals.

Throughout the track, the echo effect conjures vivid images of swimming in a majestic sea.

The melody resonates deep in the chest, and the harmony woven by the male chorus that enters partway through and Scott’s voice is moving, evoking a tender, aching feeling of love for one’s partner.

All of MeJohn Legend55rank/position

John Legend – All of Me (Official Video)

A heartfelt love anthem is powerfully sung by American singer-songwriter John Legend.

This piece is a piano ballad he dedicated to his fiancée (now his wife), expressing unconditional love that embraces every part of the other person.

Released as a single in August 2013, it was included on the album Love in the Future, which came out in September of the same year.

In May 2014, it reached No.

1 on the U.

S.

charts.

Known for its deep emotional expression and outstanding piano performance, it has become a popular wedding standard.

It’s a recommended song for anyone looking to deepen their bond with a loved one.

Sign of the TimesHarry Styles56rank/position

Harry Styles – Sign of the Times (Official Video)

This is a solo track by Harry Styles, a member of One Direction.

The song is striking for his pure, crystal-clear vocals laid over powerful drums.

It’s a chill track you’ll want to listen to with your eyes closed, and despite being one of the UK’s top idols, it showcases his musical depth—a captivating, powerful ballad brimming with his charm.