Best Ballad

[RJhog]

I was listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd's first album today when "Free Bird" came on. The melody of this song is so beautiful. I also think the guitar solo/jam at the end of the song is totally kick-ass! I started thinking to myself, what other rock ballad can compare to this? The only one I can think of is Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven". Again, a very nice melody followed by a great guitar solo to close. I vote for "Free Bird" (however, I do think these two are very close). I wonder what everyone else thinks or if there is another ballad that could be better than these two????

[Gordon Williams]

I have always thought that if you ever polled 100, or 1000, or even 1 million, classic rock fans...on what the greatest song of all time is...that "Stairway" would win hands down, and "Free Bird" would be way up on the list, as well. Neither is my own personal choice for greatest song (ballad or not) of all time...but I'm just sayin...

Anyway, I personally dont think of either song as an actual ballad, simply because of how hard and fast the songs rock during the ending sections.

So my choice for top ballad (and I know a lot of people will think I'm crazy)...but for me, its "Wanted: Dead Or Alive" by Bon Jovi. Followed closely by McCartneys "Yesterday"...which may just be the worlds most recognized pop song of all time.

[Jon]

Queen's "Love Of my Life" and Lillian Axe's "The Needle And Your Pain", Extreme's "More Than Words" (yes, it was overplayed, but I still dig it) and Beatles "Hey Jude" (but is THAT a ballad?).

And I agree with Gordon about "Free Bird" and "Stairway.." not really being ballads since they do rock out at the end or middle or whatever. "Bohemian Rhapsody" starts off like a ballad as well, but wouldn't call it a ballad.

[Scott]

I think songs that fit the structure of Stairway and FreeBird would also include Come Sail Away, Highway Song, Bringin' on the Hearache. But my favorite would be Closer to the Heart. But I have to agree there not really ballads.

So here are my top "ballads"...

REO Speedwagon: Can't fight this feeling
Sherriff: When I'm with You
Firehouse: Love of a Lifetime
Cheap Trick: The Flame
Boston: Amanda
Journey: Of the many I would pick Faithfully and I'll be allright without you
Bryan Adams: Heaven, Best was yet to come
Lake: Time Bomb
Meat Loaf: Heaven Can Wait
Night Ranger: Goodbye
REM: Everybody Hurts
Scorpions: Wind of Change


And one personal favorite that may or may not belong in this thread:

Earth Wind and Fire: After the love is gone

[Gordon Williams]

Ahh, the Scorps tune you have listed is truly a great song as well!! It smells like freedom!!

[Jon]

Climax Blues Band, "I Love You" and Deep Purple, "Never A Word".

[Jon]

And how can I forget Foreigner, "I Want To Know What Love Is"?

[THE GREEK]

beth ---KISS

[Niels]

Voices - Cheap Trick

[Glenn Marcoux]

I'm almost ashamed to admit it because it was soooo overplayed and is THE stereotypical ballad, but whenever Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" comes on the radio I turn that sucker up full blast!!

[Scandal2000]

Alice Cooper-I Never Cry

[Scott]

Speaking of Alice, I love 'How ya gonna see me now' off From the Inside, great ballad....

[Glenn Marcoux]

Only Women Bleed isn't too bad either.