The Late Movies: Power Ballads

While the days of truly great power ballads (and truly great hair in music videos) have passed, there is always time to sit back and reflect on the glory of a tough-as-nails metal musicians going soft for just one song. Here, we’ve rounded up a bunch of our favorites, but sure to tell us which songs melt your heart in the comments.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

Poison’s only number-one hit was released in 1988 and was written by Bret Michaels.

To Be With You

Mr. Big’s hit song charted in more than 20 countries. It was written by band member Eric Martin years before he joined the supergroup.

(I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight

Released in 1986, this tune from Cutting Crew has been featured in several films, including 2010’s Hot Tub Time Machine.

I Want to Know What Love Is

The song, by British group Foreigner, features backing vocals from the New Jersey Mass Choir, who later released their own similar-sounding version of the song.

Don’t Know What You Got (Til It’s Gone)

Arguably the most popular song by Cinderella, “Don’t Know What You Got (Til It’s Gone)” was released on the heavy metal band’s second album.

Sweet Child o’ Mine

In addition to featuring sweet Axl Rose hair in the video, “Sweet Child o’ Mine” also features one of the greatest guitar solos of all time (according to Guitar World).

I Remember You

Sebastian Bach claims this was the number-one prom song of 1990. We’re inclined to believe that.

Heaven

Released in 1989, this power ballad put glam metal band Warrant on the map.

I’ll Be There For You

The close-ups of Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora in this video are gratuitous. And great! The song took the number-one spot on the Billboard charts in ‘88.

Is This Love

Rumor has it that this Whitesnake song was originally intended for Tina Turner. Wouldn’t that have been an interesting rendition?