Piano ballads of Western music—from timeless hits to the latest songs

Skinny LoveBirdy

Birdy – Skinny Love (Official Music Video)

“Skinny Love” is originally a song by the American band Bon Iver, and Birdy covered it in 2011, making it her first hit.

While the original is performed on acoustic guitar, Birdy’s version is played on piano.

The sound of the grand piano, which doesn’t resonate excessively, somehow feels sorrowful.

The recording technique even captures the sound of the pedal in motion, giving it a raw quality that makes you feel as if you’re listening to the song up close.

Yesterday Once MoreCarpenters

The Carpenters – Yesterday Once More (INCLUDES LYRICS)

When it comes to quintessential piano ballads of the 1970s, the Carpenters’ “Yesterday Once More” surely comes to mind.

Released as a single in 1973, it reached No.

2 on the charts in both the U.

S.

and the U.

K.

, and it remains very popular in Japan as well.

Richard Carpenter’s piano, which supports Karen Carpenter’s distinctive vocals, provides a wonderful accompaniment—calm and understated, yet full of love.

Many of you have probably heard it before, but why not give it another listen with a special focus on the piano?

If I Ain’t Got YouAlicia Keys

Alicia Keys – If I Ain’t Got You (Official HD Video)

“If I Ain’t Got You” is a song by R&B singer Alicia Keys and one of her signature hits worldwide.

The album it appears on, The Diary of Alicia Keys, won the Grammy Award for Best Album.

Alicia’s piano playing is powerful yet delicate, mirroring qualities found in her voice.

The intro’s piano consists of a simple repeating phrase, which makes it very memorable and catchy.

Don’t Know WhyNorah Jones

Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why

The song that cemented the popularity of jazz singer Norah Jones is “Don’t Know Why.” Released in 2002, it won three categories at the 2003 Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

The piano melody you hear in the intro and interlude is played in octaves, making it very striking.

The phrases inserted throughout the song are stylish as well, showcasing Norah Jones’s refined sensibility.

YOUR SONGElton John

Elton John – Your Song (Top Of The Pops 1971)

One of the quintessential Western piano ballads, “Your Song.” Elton John’s signature piece, “Your Song,” was a massive hit that reached the top 10 on both the UK and US charts.

The piano phrase in the intro is incredibly famous.

The calmly played piano tone is beautiful, and the piano licks woven between the vocals add rich color to the song.

Elton John’s piano has a sound that seems to reflect his gentle yet powerful character—be sure to give it a listen!

The ScientistColdplay

Coldplay – The Scientist (Official 4K Video)

“The Scientist” is a song by the British rock band Coldplay.

It was released as a single from their 2002 album “A Rush of Blood to the Head.

” The album as a whole makes prominent use of piano, and “The Scientist” is a ballad that features an upright piano.

The muted, warm tone characteristic of an upright piano suits the song well and resonates gently, doesn’t it?

drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo – drivers license (Official Video)

‘drivers license,’ sung by Olivia Rodrigo, a singer-songwriter from California, is a hit that debuted at No.

1 on both the U.

S.

and U.

K.

singles charts.

Even as the chord sounds change, the piano keeps playing the same single note, creating a steady, understated sense of forward motion.

You might also feel that reducing the number of notes played simultaneously makes the chorus feel more expansive.

She was one of the most talked-about artists of 2021, so be sure to give it a listen!