If you’ve been around for a hot minute, you’re probably all too familiar with at least a few of the following four greatest rock ballads of all time. However, younger fans of rock music may not be entirely familiar. Let’s have a music history lesson on how to write a real tear-jerker with the electric guitar, shall we? Just keep in mind that this particular list is not exhaustive by any means.
1. “Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones put out quite a few stoic ballads through the years. However, the 1971 song “Wild Horses” is probably the most memorable of the bunch. This standout track on Sticky Fingers has a country rock feel to it. And few song choruses can get a whole room to sing along quite like the chorus from “Wild Horses”. For any young fan getting into the Stones, this song is essential listening.
Videos by American Songwriter
2. “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd
This is one of the greatest rock ballads of all time and also one of Pink Floyd’s greatest songs in their discography. “Wish You Were Here” was released as the title track of their 1975 album of the same name and is considered a heartfelt tribute to the band’s former beloved frontman, Syd Barrett. Young fans of prog-rock and folk absolutely need to listen to this one, as well as the whole of the album it’s on.
3. “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak
Chris Isaak is a little bit underrated in the sense that many younger fans of rockabilly may not be entirely familiar with him. However, they should; Chris Isaak recorded one of the greatest rock ballads of all time. “Wicked Game” was released in 1989 and is a country rock standard today.
Fun fact: This song is a sleeper hit. “Wicked Game” didn’t get much attention when it was first released, but famed Atlanta radio station music director Lee Chestnut fell in love with the song after hearing it in the David Lynch film Wild At Heart in 1990. As a result, he began broadcasting the tune, and it became a Top 10 hit in the US.
4. “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix
We couldn’t leave this classic from our list of the greatest rock ballads ever. Jimi Hendrix is best known as one of the most legendary shredders of all time, but he also had a softer and more precise side. “Little Wing” was released in 1967 and is one of the guitar god’s most tender and melodic songs of his career.
Photo by Mrs J Sharratt/Shutterstock
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
More The List
-
Photo by Mirrorpix via Getty Images -
NAZARETH / Die schottische Rockband NAZARETH, 70er Jahre. Musik, Band, Rock, 70er. (Photo by kpa/United Archives via Getty Images) -
Vancouver-based. Chilliwack – from left; Brain MacLeod; Ab Bryant; Skip Layton; Bill Henderson and Jamie Bowers – were described as taking rock 'n' roll where it's goig back in the San Francisco rock explosion of 1967. but they fizzled because they didn't tour to push record sales. They aren't making that mistake again. -
Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb, Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees in New York City, New York (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage) -
Rock music legend Janis Joplin performs at the free Woodstock Music and Art Fair. The festival took place on Max Yasgur's dairy farm, which he rented to event organizers for $75,000. About 450,000 people attended the three day concert, which turned into chaos due to the crowds, heavy rains, and traffic jams. It is nonetheless romantically remembered as a symbol of the liberal spirit of the hippie generation. (Photo by Henry Diltz/Corbis via Getty Images) -
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – AUGUST 30: Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates performs in concert at Etess Arena on August 30, 2019 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Donald Kravitz/Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES – MAY 1999: (EDITORS NOTE: THIS IMAGE WAS CREATED USING COLOR INFRARED FILM) American rock band Smash Mouth (L – R) drummer Kevin Coleman, vocalist Steven Harwell, guitarist Greg Camp and bassist Paul De Lisle pose for a May 1999 portrait in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bob Berg/Getty Images) -
Left to right: Doug Clifford, Tom Fogerty, John Fogerty and Stu Cook of American rock group, Creedence Clearwater Revival, in New York City, 1970. (Photo by PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)