1. "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day
   "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith
2. "Wind of Change" by The Scorpions
   "Ordinary World" by Duran Duran

"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith was written for the "Armageddon" soundtrack in 1998. While the song hints toward desperation for love, it also has a true romance undertone throughout.

1. "With or Without You" by U2
   "You're All I Need" by Motley Crue
2. "Every Breath You Take" by The Police
   "Promises in the Dark" by Pat Benatar

Though many note the power of this song (especially when Puffy sampled it on "I'll Be Missing You"), when you read through the lyrics, it can be a little creepy. It covers everything from love to obsession.

1. "Anybody Listening" by Queensryche
   "Up Where We Belong" by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
2. "Candle in the Wind" by Elton John
   "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera

Though Elton John may be one of the few who can rock out on a piano, his ballads are what everyone really looks for. He released "Candle in the Wind" in 1973, and it remains one of his most popular songs.

1. "November Rain" by Guns N' Roses
   "Beth" by KISS
2. "Romeo and Juliet" by Dire Straits
   "Hey You" by Pink Floyd

While Guns N' Roses has a few memorable ballads, it's difficult to deny that "November Rain" as one of the most powerful ballads of the early 1990s. The band had such powerful anti-establishment songs that this ballad shocked audiences (who loved it).

1. "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith
   "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd
2. "Piano Man" by Billy Joel
   "Drive" by The Cars

In a song about pain and loss, we see Pink Floyd give one of the most unexpected ballads a band could produce. This is one of those songs that people often listen to when they want to reminisce about a lost friend or loved one.

1. "Fly High" by Whitesnake
   "To Be Alive" by Def Leppard
2. "Angel" by Aerosmith
   "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi

While Aerosmith has given us nearly 50 years worth of music, there are certain songs that we will never forget from them. "Angel" is at the top of the list of their all-time greatest ballads.

1. "Something"
   "Hey Jude"
2. "In My Life"
   "Let It Be"

Telling bands to "slow it down" to attract more audiences was a common thing in the 1960s. The Beatles were the type of band that liked to explore music in every way, so they actually have quite a few ballads that are popular.

1. "Something to Believe In" by Poison
   "Home Sweet Home" by Motley Crue
2. "This Ain't A Love Song" by Bon Jovi
   "The Show Must Go On" by Queen

Brett Michaels noted that this was one of the most difficult songs he ever wrote because it is about the death of his friend and bodyguard, Kimo. Upon hearing about his friend's death, he locked himself in a room and wrote this song.

1. "These Dreams" by Heart
   "Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley
2. "You're The Inspiration" by Chicago
   "Can't Fight This Feeling" by REO Speedwagon

Even REO Speedwagon had a ballad (or two) that hit the charts. This one follows '80s teen dramas pretty nicely, as it's about a man who has fallen in love with a friend and can't help but tell her.

1. "When I See You Smile" by Bad English
   "Without You" by Motley Crue
2. "Heaven" by Bryan Adams
   "Only The Lonely" by The Motels

"When I See You Smile" is a cross between a love song and a song of appreciation. It's all about gaining confidence through love and understanding while it still delivers the jams that Bad English is known for.

1. "Listen To Your Heart" by Roxette
   "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.
2. "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain
   "To Be With You" by Mr. Big

Though R.E.M. is most well known for its innovative alternative style of the 1990s, the band was actually formed in 1980 and had sounds that most people weren't familiar with at the time. In the 1980s, they were placed in the pop music category, even though their songs were faster and a little more difficult to dance to.

1. "Heaven" by Warrant
   "18 and Life" by Skid Row
2. "Love Bites" by Def Leppard
   "Home Sweet Home" by Motley Crue

Motley Crue is notorious for being one of the dirtiest bands to ever go on tour. However, their song lyrics speak to a generation of lower-income rebels who have to fight to survive. That is why "Home Sweet Home" was such a shock to their fans. It's intense but in a different way from the rest of their music.

1. "Every Rose Has It's Thorn" by Poison
   "Patience" by Guns 'N' Roses
2. "Silent Lucidity" by Queensryche
   "Never Say Goodbye" by Bon Jovi

If you're looking for song lyrics that are pure poetry, you will find it in "Silent Lucidity" (1990). Though the song is about lucid dreaming, listeners who have experienced loss and grief apply the lyrics to the fact that the dead never leave, so long as we remember them.

1. "Sister Christian" by Night Ranger
   "Without You" by Motley Crue
2. "Main Street" by Bob Segar
   "Still Lovin' You" by The Scorpions

Not all rock ballads have to be about love or loss or death. As a matter of fact, "Sister Christian" was about the lead singer's sister growing up too fast. The song ended up being the band's biggest hit.

1. "Is This Love" by Whitesnake
   "Imagine" by John Lennon
2. "Only The Lonely" by The Motels
   "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" by Bob Dylan

You may have heard "Only The Lonely" by The Motels in several different movies. However, The Motels are the type of band that worked hard before their stardom, mostly covering the Los Angeles music scene.

1. "Something to Believe In"
   "Good Love"
2. "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"
   "Life Goes On"

Poison has an exceptional and unique sound to their music. They sample from blues, country and rock all at the same time. It wasn't necessarily a new concept, but for some reason, this band brings these three sounds together in a way that audiences can hear them distinctly and seamlessly all at the same time.

1. "Without You" by Bad Finger
   "Tangerine" by Led Zeppelin
2. "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
   "American Pie" by Don McLean

Led Zeppelin wasn't necessarily known for its simple songs or simple music. This ballad is rather basic when boiled down to the lyrics. However, the method in which it was sung as well as the 12-string guitar play brings it up to Zep level.

1. "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS
   "Arrested By You" by Rupert Hines
2. "Angel" by Aerosmith
   "Love of a Lifetime" by Firehouse

Though Firehouse was considered a hard rock band in the early 1990s, they did produce a couple of very intense ballads that flipped genres and undoubtedly revealed the band's true talent.

1. "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2
   "One" by U2
2. "Layla" by Eric Clapton
   "Tears In Heaven" by Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton is a well-known rocker in many circles. His work throughout the years has made him an icon in the rock world. However, when his son tragically died, he penned "Tears In Heaven" to help him cope with the grief.

1. "More Than Words" by Extreme
   "Iris" by Goo Goo Dolls
2. "More Than Words Can Say" by Alias
   "Forever Young" by Alphaville

The Goo Goo Dolls began as a punk band. When their music went mainstream, they actually lost quite a few fans. The song "Iris" was created for the movie "City of Angels" (1998), making the band skyrocket into popularity.

1. "I'll Stand By You"
   "The Flame"
2. "Tiny Dancer"
   "Edge of Seventeen"

Not all love songs have to be about first loves or the perfect, most unattainable person. As a matter of fact, they can simply be about the seamstress for the band. "Tiny Dancer" was written about Elton John's writing partner Bernie Taupin's girlfriend at the time, and the song became a huge hit.

1. "Faithfully"
   "Wheel In The Sky"
2. "Separate Ways"
   "Open Arms"

While Journey is often considered one of the best rock bands of all time, they do have quite a few ballads under their belt. Journey's ballads are mostly love songs or songs about love on the rocks.

1. "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin
   "The Flame" by Cheap Trick
2. "Heaven" by Bryan Adams
   "I'll Stand By You" by Pretenders

Any fan of the movie "Top Gun" (1986) knows this song like the back of their hand. It's a true love song that has been given a lot of attention lately, as the second installment of the "Top Gun" series is set to be released in 2020.

1. "Love Song" by The Cure
   "This Ain't A Love Song" by Bon Jovi
2. "Love Song" by Tesla
   "Still Loving You" by The Scorpions

Tesla's "Love Song" is not a remake of "Love Song" by The Cure. As a matter of fact, this song is about overcoming love and moving on. It's less about falling in love and more about how to get over the fact that your love has ended.

1. "Feels Like the First Time"
   "Say You Will"
2. "I Want To Know What Love Is"
   "That Was Yesterday"

Foreigner was a rock band that might be considered a little soft for the 1980s, but the music was approachable, and they had several jams that people followed religiously. However, this ballad truly showed their range.

1. "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" by Cinderella
   "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" by Warrant
2. "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" by Skid Row
   "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" by Tesla

Cinderella sings "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" in a way that changes the band's entire persona for just a few minutes. The song talks about the loss of love and the terrible regret that follows.

1. "Always" by Bon Jovi
   "Runaway Train" by Soul Asylum
2. "No Rain" by Blind Melon
   "Iris" by Goo Goo Dolls

In one of the most memorable music videos ever made, Soul Asylum including images of missing persons (especially younger ones) throughout the intense visuals of children being stolen and running away.

1. "Love Hurts" by Nazareth
   "Tangerine" by Led Zeppelin
2. "I'll Be There For You" by Bon Jovi
   "You're The Inspiration" by Chicago

The 1976 ballad "Love Hurts" by Nazareth doesn't pull any punches. It blatantly destroys the concept of love and how people always talk about how great that concept is. This song gives us the hard truth.

1. "Life Goes On" by Poison
   "I Won't Forget You" by Poison
2. "18 and Life" by Skid Row
   "I Remember You" by Skid Row

Sebastian Bach (lead singer of Skid Row) has a unique voice, and when the band's ballads are played, that voice comes through in an even more unique way. He hits notes no one thought he could hit, and he sings of heartache like no other '80s rocker could.

1. "Lightning Crashes" by Live
   "Disarm" by The Smashing Pumpkins
2. "I Just Died In Your Arms" by Cutting Crew
   "Ashes to Ashes" by Faith No More

In the 1990s, music changed quite a bit. However, alternative rock emerged and gave us songs we could jam to and cry to all at the same time. Live was one of those bands that gave us multiple songs that were radio-friendly while being revolutionary at the same time.

1. "Devil Inside"
   "Never Tear Us Apart"
2. "Mystify"
   "Baby Don't Cry"

Though many love songs talk about how falling in love isn't always easy, "Never Tear Us Apart" was all about what happens when you find someone and instantly know that you are going to spend the rest of your life with them.

1. "More Than a Feeling" by Boston
   "Tears In Heaven" by Eric Clapton
2. "Alone" by Heart
   "Miss You In a Heartbeat" by Def Leppard

Def Leppard was incredibly popular in the 1980s, and their fame came at a young age (some members weren't even old enough to sign their own contracts when the band formed in 1977). They blew up in popularity with the "Hysteria" album that was released in 1987.

1. "Nothing Else Matters"
   "Unforgiven"
2. "Enter Sandman"
   "One"

"Unforgiven" by Metallica has both a clear surface message as well as underlying hints into the lead singer's life. The song is about being held back as a child, and that loss of freedom seeping into adulthood.

1. "Angie"
   "Ruby Tuesday"
2. "As Tears Go By"
   "Wild Horses"

Though The Rolling Stones have quite a few ballads under their belt (with a five-decade career, it's expected), "Wild Horses" seems to be the one people always go back to. It has been remade by several artists over the years.

1. "This Ain't A Love Song"
   "Always"
2. "Living In Sin"
   "Never Say Goodbye"

Though Bon Jovi is considered an '80s rocker, he has more ballads than the rest of the big metal bands put together. His lyrics focus on everything from star-crossed love to heartache in full.