6 Power Ballads From the 1980s That Remain Slow Bangers

Nothing takes you back to the 1980s quite like a cheesy power ballad. We can almost smell the hairspray just thinking about it. Why don’t we honor those slow bangers with a list of six of the best power ballads from the 1980s?

1. “Never Say Goodbye” by Bon Jovi

“Never Say Goodbye” was one of a few hits from Bon Jovi’s 1986 breakthrough record, Slippery When Wet. It’s quite a memorable little power ballad, and it wasn’t even released as a single. Still, it became quite popular with the band’s glam-rock-loving fans, and it was a go-to for proms in the years that followed.

2. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison

We’d be bold enough to say “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” is one of the most well-known power ballads from the 1980s. It’s a pretty solid heartbreaker from Bret Michaels, and it quickly hit the top of the Hot 100 chart in 1988. Michaels said the song was inspired by a phone call with a girlfriend at the time, where he could hear a man’s voice in the background.

3. “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue

“Home Sweet Home” was a hit in 1985, and one could say it gave “permission” to rock bands that followed to not be afraid to pen a more tender tune. Power ballads were more or less around before 1985, but few had become as popular as this Motley Crue track. It changed the game, without a doubt.

4. “Sister Christian” by Night Ranger

Some would say this power ballad from Night Ranger is a bit underrated. We would agree. The 1983 track “Sister Christian” features all the glittering elements of a solid power ballad. The piano intro, the airy drums, the earworm chorus, and that stellar guitar solo… When coupled with the blearily-lit music video, it’s the perfect example of a 1980s power ballad.

5. “What It Takes” by Aerosmith

“Angel” is another great power ballad from Aerosmith, among countless others. However, “What It Takes” is just on another level. This 1989 track has a certain edge to it but doesn’t entirely depart from its emotional ballad energy. The songwriting is excellent, as is the production of this track.

6. “Hysteria” by Def Leppard

This title track from Def Leppard’s 1987 hit record is a masterclass in yearning. You can really feel the emotion in this song, which one wouldn’t necessarily expect from a glam metal band. On a musical level, the guitars and top-notch production of this song are incomparable.

Photo by Lisa Lake

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