A classic medium-tempo ballad in Western music
Medium ballads—with passionate vocals and a comfortable tempo—are a particularly popular category among Japanese listeners.
There are many classic medium ballads in Western music as well.
This time, we’ve selected some especially recommended masterpieces of medium ballads from Western music.
Great medium-tempo ballad songs in Western music (1–10)
I Don’t Want To Miss A ThingAerosmith
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.
Fast CarTracy Chapman
“Fast Car,” included on American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman’s debut album Tracy Chapman.
Released in 1988, the song’s poignant acoustic guitar melody and her deep, soulful vocals capture the listener and won’t let go.
It tells the story of a protagonist who dreams of escaping a life of poverty.
They pin their hopes for freedom on a “fast car,” but their partner falls into decline, and the dream slips further away.
The raw lyrics, where hope and despair intersect, are truly moving.
In fact, the song became a worldwide hit after her performance at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert in June 1988.
When you’re yearning to change your circumstances, listening to it may quietly give you courage through the protagonist’s journey.
OneU2
U2 is a rock band from Ireland that has never undergone a lineup change since their debut and holds the astonishing record of 22 Grammy Awards.
This work is a single cut from their 1991 masterpiece Achtung Baby, a soul-stirring ballad that became the catalyst for the band to overcome a crisis of breaking up.
Rather than simply singing “let’s become one,” its lyrics portray both the difficulty and the preciousness of acknowledging each other’s differences, resonating deeply with listeners.
The universality of its message is evident from the huge success of the 2006 collaboration version with Mary J.
Blige.
It’s a song that quietly stays by your side when you’re struggling with relationships or reflecting on the bonds you share with someone important.
It was also featured in the film The Family Man.
My Heart Will Go OnCéline Dion
This is the iconic song by Canadian singer Céline Dion that became a worldwide hit as the theme for the 1997 film Titanic.
The work portrays a timeless, profound love in which a beloved person lives on forever in one’s heart, no matter how far apart they may be.
Céline’s powerful, soul-stirring vocals dramatize the protagonist’s poignant yet unwavering feelings, making your heart swell every time you listen.
Also included on the album Let’s Talk About Love, the song made history, winning four awards at the 1999 Grammy Awards.
It’s a moving number that’s perfect for immersing yourself in a grand love story.
November RainGuns N’ Roses
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.
I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston
Whitney Houston, a great singer who etched her name in music history, hails from the United States.
Her immensely famous signature ballad is actually a cover of a song originally released in 1974 by country singer Dolly Parton.
The piece portrays a bittersweet yet profound love, choosing to step away for the future of a beloved.
Released in November 1992, it became a worldwide sensation as the theme song for the film The Bodyguard.
Its 14 consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the U.
S.
charts is now the stuff of legend.
Whitney’s overwhelming vocal prowess elevates what could be a simple heartbreak song into a grand tale that vows eternal love—one that deeply resonates with anyone standing at a crossroads in life.
Bed of RosesBon Jovi
This is a power ballad by Bon Jovi, an American rock band that evolved their sound from 1980s glam metal to a more mature hard rock style.
Released as a single in January 1993 from the acclaimed 1992 album Keep the Faith, it reached No.
10 on the U.
S.
charts.
It opens with a gentle piano melody, and Jon Bon Jovi’s emotionally rich high tenor resonates achingly in the heart.
The song expresses steadfast, selfless love: a vow to shoulder any pain to bring the utmost comfort to a beloved.
A long, passionate guitar solo is another highlight, sweeping you into the song’s dramatic world.
It’s a gem best savored on a quiet night when you’re thinking of someone dear.