What is soft rock? Masterpieces with captivating, soothing melodies

Just the Way You AreBilly Joel

Billy Joel – Just the Way You Are (Official Audio)

Singer-songwriter Billy Joel from New York.

Isn’t it the ultimate love song that tells you, “You don’t have to make witty conversation, and you don’t need to wear trendy clothes.

You’re most wonderful just the way you are”? The anecdote that the melody came to him in a dream is romantic, too.

This track is a single from the classic 1977 album The Stranger, and at first it was nearly left off because it didn’t seem to fit the album.

However, it went on to earn two Grammys in 1979.

The sound of the warm Fender Rhodes blending with the sweet saxophone gently colors the time you spend with someone special.

I Go CrazyPaul Davis

I go crazy – Paul Davis (1977)

Paul Davis, who demonstrated his talent across a wide range of genres from blue-eyed soul to country.

This piece is known as a quintessential soft-rock ballad that represents his career.

Unable to sever his lingering attachment to a former lover, his yearning swells to a maddening intensity in unguarded moments—those bittersweet emotions are woven through his gentle vocals and mellow melodies.

Released in June 1977 as a single from the acclaimed album “Singer of Songs: Teller of Tales,” the track set a then-record by remaining on the U.

S.

charts for 40 consecutive weeks.

On nights when you want to sit quietly and drift into contemplation, why not surrender yourself to its sentimental tune?

Someday ManPaul Williams

Someday Man

Songwriter Paul Williams, who provided exquisite melodies for the Carpenters and Three Dog Night.

He also found success in film music, but he left behind works that are perfect as an introduction to soft rock.

One such classic graces the title of his debut album, Someday Man.

The song portrays a protagonist who wishes to “be a somebody someday,” yet can’t quite take the first step.

That slight bittersweet theme, sung over Roger Nichols’s light, breezy arrangement, creates a memorable sense of imbalance.

The piece was originally performed by The Monkees in 1969 and was included in Paul Williams’s own debut the following year, in 1970.

It’s the perfect song to listen to on a leisurely afternoon while lost in thought.

Glory of LovePeter Cetera

peter cetera – glory of love (Video Official) HD

It’s a power ballad with a grand sonic scale that hits you right in the heart.

Written by Peter Cetera, known as the face of the rock band Chicago, it paints a romantic world where he vows eternity and protects his loved one like a knight shining in the night sky.

His captivating high-pitched vocals combined with the dramatic melody deeply move anyone who listens.

Released in June 1986, the song was used as the theme for the blockbuster film The Karate Kid Part II.

It’s also included on his solo album Solitude/Solitaire, and in August of the same year it topped the U.

S.

singles chart for two consecutive weeks.

It’s a quintessential ’80s soft-rock classic you’ll want to play when you’re taking on a challenge or reaffirming your feelings for someone special.

A Horse With No NameAmerica

America – A Horse With No Name (Official Audio)

A song released in 1971 by the band America, which was formed in the UK by the sons of American servicemen.

It was written by lead singer Dewey Bunnell when he was 19, inspired by the desert landscapes of Santa Barbara County, California, where his father was stationed.

In this song, he plays a six-string acoustic guitar.

AfricaTOTO

Toto – Africa (Official HD Video)

Toto is a band that brought together members with proven skills as studio musicians.

With a sound that blends a variety of genres around a rock core, they continue to captivate many fans.

This piece is a track from the 1982 masterpiece “TOTO IV,” which reached the top of the charts in February 1983.

It grandly sings of the songwriter’s longing for the African continent, and in recent years it was also used in the drama “Stranger Things.” Perhaps it is precisely because it portrays a place never actually visited that its mysterious imagery is so compelling.

The lyrical world, where awe for majestic nature intersects with the earnest feeling of not wanting to part from a loved one, is truly breathtaking.

It’s the perfect song for when you want to bask in a grand, expansive mood.

Another Day In ParadisePhil Collins

Phil Collins – Another Day In Paradise (Official Music Video)

A song released in 1989 by Phil Collins.

It sings about the consequences of ignoring people who are poor or homeless.

The track won both a Grammy Award and a Brit Award, and it was covered in 2001 by R&B singer Brandy.