The 80s was filled with interesting music; acts ranging from U2 to Madonna filled the airwaves. Hollywood borrowed many ballads for their blockbuster movies, local radio stations played ‘power ballads,’ and rock bands began to write and record ballads for their lives shows because it brought the women to the concerts. What do we consider the ‘Best Ballads of the 80s?’
“With or Without You” U2
“Faithfully” Journey
(“Everything I Do) I do For You” Bryan Adams
“Promises in the Dark” Pat Benatar
“Free Falling” Tom Petty
“Keep on Loving You” REO Speedwagon
“Here I Go Again” Whitesnake
“I Want to Know What Love Is” Foreigner
“The Rose” Bette Midler
“Take My Breath Away” Berlin
Observations: With a few exceptions, nearly all these performers are still rocking today. U2, Pat Benatar, REO and Foreigner are still touring, while Berlin and Whitesnake are much less popular. Sadly, the bestselling artist who couldn’t have been hotter was Tom Petty, whom we lost a few months ago.
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