Ballads...Love 'em or Hate 'em?

[Charger]

So there is one thing that has been pretty much a constant for most heavy metal bands out there and that is to have that one compulsory ballad or slow mellow song per album.

What do you think about them?

Are they just a neccessary evil to get through in order to get to the next good song?

Is is an automatic skip?

Or do you like 'em?

Which bands have done the best ballads? What are your favourite ballads?

Let the discussions begin!

[Charger]

Me personally I'm not a big fan of ballads.

For most times it's just a skip-a-doo when one comes...More often than not they are cheesy or bland or lackluster or all of the above.

But there are few bands that do awesome ballads though.

[Vyn]

I pretty much agree with your thoughts - if a song is well crafted and is best presented as a ballad, then it usually comes out pretty well. But so many hard rock/metal bands seem to think they have to "get serious" and produce one, that most of them suck. Because the drive to create is backwards in those cases.

[Zzzptm]

My favorite metal ballad:

The lyrics are a total send up and the instrumental arrangement is 100% paint-by-numbers. When bands go ballad-y, I think of this track and compare. Some actually pull it off, most were just taking orders from record label execs.

"Joey... Joey, get me some tissue!"

 

[Charger]

That is a good one! But I think it's more of a tongue in cheek type of a song though than a "serious" ballad. Atleast that's the way I always thought of it.

[Zzzptm]

That is a good one! But I think it's more of a tongue in cheek type of a song though than a "serious" ballad. Atleast that's the way I always thought of it.

100% a tongue in cheek thing. I love it even more for that!

[Charger]

So what are your favourite ballads?

Let's get a top 10 list going!

I'm gonna have to think about this for a bit but someone else can start it off if someone so pleases.

[Zzzptm]

Number one on my list is El Paso by Marty Robbins. It's a true ballad, not a bunch of hair metallers being told to use acoustic guitars. It's a real story and has stood the test of time. Gorgeous song.

And, given that since the 1950s, "ballad" has meant less a narrative set to music and more a sentimental love story of some sort, I'll go forth in that vein. But if we need to pick metal/power ballads, I'll be somewhat at a loss.

No ranking yet, but tossing out sentimental love songs that resonate with me... The Leader of the Pack (The Shangri-Las) ; Me and Mrs. Jones (Billy Paul) ; Stairway to Heaven (The O'Jays) ; You Got Your Hooks in Me (The O'Jays) ; Don't Leave Me This Way (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes / also Thelma Houston) ; Rainbow Eyes (Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow feat. Ronnie James Dio) ; I Ain't No Nice Guy (Motorhead, and not sentimental love, but still a powerful ballad)

Had to think for the last two, but the rest came very easily to me, and there is much more in the soul and early rock catalog that I find sentimental without being sappy.

And now I recall Todd Rundgren (solo and with Utopia) had some great ballad tunes that weren't sappy at all - Just One Victory, Cold Morning Light, Hello It's Me, I Will Wait, More Light, Rock Love, The Very Last Time

Cat Stevens' Oh Very Young always gets me right in the tear ducts. Beautiful song.

Seal's Kiss From a Rose is another beautifully-crafted ballad.

Oh - absolutely can't forget Gordon Lightfoot's The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. I cry more for that one as an adult knowing the full story of the fathers, brothers, and husbands lost in that tragedy. They were loved, and so it is truly a love song.

Got a number of Bollywood ballads that always do their job of getting me to tear up - Kal Ho Naa Ho, Hamesha Tumko Chaha, Aaya Tere Dar Par, Bole Chudiya, Maar Dala, Mai Yahan To Wahan, Tera Chehra... They may be off the table for this list, but I can't pass over them.

Wind of Change by The Scorpions now comes to mind. I actually whistled that tune as I took a boat cruise along the Moskva, down towards Gorki Park.

I Wish It Would Rain by The Temptations ; Walk on By by Isaac Hayes ; Bernadette by The Four Tops ; Then Came You by The Spinners with Dionne Warwick... my soul list goes on...

For rock, Badfinger had a number of good, well-done ballads: Day After Day, Without You, Baby Blue

Bob Seger's Night Moves is a true gem of songwriting.

Ron Wood's vocal delivery on The Faces' Ooh La La just makes that song so magical.

Not a huge fan of Maggie May, but it's a damn sight better than any old hair metal ballad out there.

Janis Joplin was fantastic with Cry Baby, A Woman Left Lonely, My Baby, Me and Bobby McGee, Trust Me, and Get It While You Can - wonderful delivery from a life that ended too soon.

[Vyn]

Agree with a lot of what you mentioned - although I despise Bernadette. One of the few songs I will actively try and turn off if I have anyway to do so. Also, I have zero knowledge or experience with anything from India. Night Moves was where Seger reached his pinnacle of songwriting and delivery - he had a lot of hits afterwards, but nothing ever approached that song again.

I'd toss Beyond the Realms of Death from Judas Priest in there - I saw Charger indicate he doesn't consider it a ballad, and I can see his reasoning, but for some reason I always have. I guess it is such a different feel from the opener on Stained Class that it pushes me to think that way about it.

For me, ballads should have a timeless quality tied to their narrative structures, evocative lyrics, and emotive melodies. Here's a list of my top ten ballads, regardless of genre. Each captures something eternal about the human experience, making them enduring classics:


1. "Whispering Pines" - The Band (1969)
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Extra-Bonus Why?, Since it is Number One: I consider this the quintessential ballad due to its emotive storytelling, haunting melodies, and evocative instrumental accompaniment. The song is primarily sung by Richard Manuel, whose plaintive vocals bring a tangible sense of melancholy and longing to the lyrics.

Lyrically, "Whispering Pines" explores themes of loneliness, yearning, and the passage of time. The pines themselves serve as both literal and metaphorical witnesses to the human condition, imbuing the song with a sense of timeless nature — the trees have been around for years and will continue to be, long after individual human plights have been resolved. This gives the song a layer of existential contemplation that is relatable across generations.

Musically, the song has a lush arrangement. The piano lines provide a haunting backdrop, while the other instruments and vocals fill in the emotional texture of the song. The Band was known for its ability to blend rock, folk, and country into a cohesive and distinctive sound, and "Whispering Pines" exemplifies this with its eclectic mix of styles. The song doesn't adhere strictly to a traditional verse-chorus structure, which gives it a free-flowing, almost ethereal quality.

The greatness of this ballad lies in its complexity and depth; it's a song that I can return to time and again, each time finding something new to appreciate. Whether it's the nuanced performances, the layered lyrical themes, or the atmospheric musical arrangement, "Whispering Pines" captures a mood and a moment in a way that continues to resonate with me, making it a truly timeless piece, and my number one ballad.


2. "Unchained Melody" - The Righteous Brothers (1965)
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Why?: The soulful vocal delivery and the emotive lyrics about yearning make it an evergreen choice for romantic moments.


3. "He Stopped Loving Her Today" - George Jones (1980)
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Why?: This country ballad delves into the depths of love and loss, capturing human emotion so raw that it continues to resonate with people today.


4. "Stairway to Heaven" - Led Zeppelin (1971)
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Why?: With its poetic lyrics and gradual crescendo from acoustic to electric instrumentation, this rock ballad taps into universal themes of quest and transcendence.


5. "Billie Jean" - Michael Jackson (1982)
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Why?: Although not a traditional ballad, its compelling storyline and unforgettable groove make it a ballad of sorts, dealing with themes of reputation and doubt that are ever pertinent.


6. "Hallelujah" - Leonard Cohen (1984)
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Why?: Mixing religious allegory with real human experience, its haunting melody and deeply introspective lyrics make it pertinent across various contexts and genres.


7. "Strange Mercy" - St. Vincent (2011)
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Why?: A "modern" classic that combines indie rock and electronic elements, its themes of identity and human frailty will likely continue to resonate for years to come.


8. "The Sound of Silence" - Simon & Garfunkel (1965)
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Why?: With its commentary on communication and isolation, it's a contemplative ballad that remains relevant in an ever-connected yet emotionally distanced society.


9. "The Night We Met" - Lord Huron (2015)
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Why?: With its ethereal melody and deeply nostalgic lyrics, it speaks to the idea of love lost and the desire to turn back time.


10. "Purple Rain" - Prince (1984)
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Why?: This rock and R&B crossover combines searing guitar work with vulnerable lyrics, cementing its place as a quintessential ballad about the end of a relationship. I have never been a Prince fan, but greatness is greatness. Frankly, I'm not a fan of most of the artists in my top ten list, but those specific songs, whether it was the lyric, the arrangement, the production, the time and place I first heard it, or a combination thereof set them apart.

[KiloDeltaCharlie]

I'll have to think about this.

I do think Always on My Mind by Elvis could make the list even though I'm not a fan of his work.

[Zzzptm]

Suspicious Minds by Elvis is one I gotta put on my list, crowded though it is. Also Love Me Tender.

[Thelemech]

I am somewhat conflicted when it comes to ballads as I usually hate them but once awhile I really like some of them

I really like Forever by KISS and I love Mama I'm Coming Home by Ozzy
Also Jethro Tull has some great ballads
And also The Beatles and The Rolling Stones have some great ones 👌

[Vyn]

I am somewhat conflicted when it comes to ballads as I usually hate them but once awhile I really like some of them

This describes my relationship with ye olde ballad. I mean, there's an entire genre dedicated to rock ballads, ye insufferable "power ballad", that for the most part are insipid attempts by rock bands at gaining fans of the female persuasion.

There's also a bunch of songs that otherwise seem like ballads that I don't think of as such. "Emma" by Hot Hot Hot Chocolate, or "Wish You Were Here" by Pinkus Floydus, or even "Poison" by Alicester Cooperville that I like.

But the ones I like, I like lol. Heck, one of them I listed above - that song from Leonard Cohen, I don't even like, but I like the introspective mood it always instills in me. Perhaps I'm drain bamaged!

[Charger]

My list will feature only metal and rock bands as those are the ones I know best. I do enjoy some Melanie C's ballads as well...


1. Savatage - Believe
To me this is the ULTIMATE ballad. Jon's voice is made for these kinds of sad songs as he's got tons of emotion. The piano and Criss' guitars just amp up the feeling factor to 11.
This is how to make a GOOD...no....strike that...an EXCELLENT ballad!

2. Rainbow - Catch The Rainbow (Live)
Another quintessential ballad. However this song truly came to life during the live preformances with some added "umph" if you will. Ronnie's vocals especially on the live versions from 1977 are nothing short of amazing and Ritchie's guitar was at it's finest at that point.

3. Deep Purple - When A Blind Man Cries (Live)
This is yet again another song that only truly came alive when preformed live. The version on Live At The Olympia is mind blowingly emotional. Steve's guitar work and Jon's organs make this song. The album version lacks something...

4. DIO - As Long As It's Not About Love
Ronnie didn't like doing many ballads. And I've always given him high respect for that. Too many bands did ballads just for the sake of doing ballads (Metallica anyone??!?!) which usually tend to be either bad or horrible. But Ronnie kind of stayed away from those...in fact the DIO band only recorded two songs that can be considered ballads, This Was Your Life and this one. I do like 'em both but this one takes the lead as it is more of a complete song with very powerful and emotional instrumentals...and Ronnie's voice is just filled with emotion here. A Great song.

5. Iced Earth - When The Eagle Cries
This is hands down one of the saddest songs ever written about the horrible terrorist attacks of 9/11. Tim "Ripper" Owens delivers a staggeringly emotional preformance and Jon's guitar work is sublime. It's hard not to cry when listening to this song.

6.. Judas Priest - Close To You
Priest is another band that didn't do too many out right ballads. Vyn and I talked about Beyond The Realms Of Death on another thread...I can't really bring myself to call it a ballad. They however did do 2 ballads on Demolition and they are both surprisingly good...Close To You is very classic ballad but it also doesn't really feel forced. Tim's voice is also one that can carry a ton of emotion and this one sure works as well.

7. Megadeth - Promises
When I was doing my Megadeth collection for my car I didn't expect to put any ballads on it as Megadeth's ballads too tend to be bit cheesy and lackluster (A Tout Le Mond anyone???) but when I listened to The World Needs A Hero again this song truly stood out. Sure it's about as classical as a ballad can be but it just kind of works and Dave's vocal preformance on it is very good as well.

8. Blaze Bayley - Meant To Be
Blaze has one those voices that carries a huuuuuge ammount of emotion and he makes every bit of it count on this song from the suberb Tenth Dimension album. This is both musically and vocally suberb song...and one that I never EVER skip.

9. Savatage - Alone You Breathe
Another one from Savatage! This time with Zak Stevens on vocals who also has an exeptionally emotional voice. This song was written shortly after Criss Oliva passed away and it just oozes heartache. This also reuses some of the lyrics from Believe which make perfect sense in a lot of ways. This is an over 7 minute song but it just works. And it's a great tribute to one of the greatest guitar players of our time.

10. Black Sabbath - Over And Over
Sabbath kind of went over the top with the ballads on TE and NSD and they were all absolutely HORRIBLE...cheesy, silly, lackluster and had ZERO emotion. It was clear that the band was totally out of ideas and any kind of driving force. So it was understandable that they didn't do any ballads on Heaven And Hell...eventhough Lonely Is The Word is an exeptionally sad song about loneliness it isn't musically really a ballad. But Over And Over was more of ballad and Ronnie again shows how much emotion his voice can carry and Tony's guitar wails like there's no tomorrow.
This was actually a pretty close call with Solitude which is also a very solid ballad and one of the only ballads that actually work with Ozzy's voice...mainly because he uses it quite differently. But in the end Over And Over took the lead.


80s was a horrible time for ballads which is quite evident in the list here as well with only one song and even that's from 81. The cheese factor was MASSIVE in the 80s and power ballads became the rule of the game. Most of them being atrocious. Whitesnake, Bon Jovi, Guns & Roses....yuck beyond YUCK. Can't stand them.


I could add that Alice Cooper had some good ballads as well...but some not so good ones too.

I agree 100% with Thel on the topic...most ballads suck but every now and then there does come a gem....but rarely.

[Zzzptm]

^ I could sign on to that list, really well-curated.