THE Balad

 

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This post was an idea that had been floating around for quite some time. I originally thought about writing an editorial, but the topic doesn't really lend itself to that. Basically, many of the big bands, if not all, have at least one ballad - THE Ballad - that would eventually become one of their iconic songs, if not their most iconic. I'm talking about rock bands, who were generally known for a different kind of sound, but for whom a slower song (not necessarily a love song) became a massive hit that would end up defining them at some point. The most extreme case is Extreme (I've been wanting to say this for ages!!!), who, being a heavy band usually categorized as funk metal, had their biggest hit with "More Than Words," a ballad with heavenly melodies and harmonies. I remember once on the radio that the DJs admitted they didn't count the number of calls requesting "More Than Words" when compiling the weekly Top 20 list, because Extreme wouldn't have left the charts in five years… Well, there are other cases where it's not their top song, but it became quite representative, and it's eagerly anticipated and sung along to at every concert (before with lighters, now with a constellation of cell phones). As I said, they aren't necessarily love songs, and they don't necessarily follow the strict ballad format, since many have more explosive endings, or are slow but dark songs in the case of grunge bands, for example. I omitted quintessential ballad singers like Elton John or Billy Joel (or ex-Beatles) for obvious reasons. And except for one case, I also omitted 80s hair metal because it was a formula to have your kick-ass power ballad, and I think that's a bit of a cheat. This isn't a list of the best ballads in history in the strictest sense, but rather of THE ballad that was a smash hit for huge bands that are usually more upbeat and powerful...

 

And yes, it includes both English and Spanish-language bands. Except for the first and last (which gives this list its title), the others are in no particular order:

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Link to THE Balad playlist in Spotify

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More Than Words – Extreme

Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd

Angie – The Rolling Stones

La Chispa Adecuada – Héroes del Silencio

Behind Blue Eyes – The Who

Mama, I’m Coming Home – Ozzy Osbourne

Tears In Heaven – Eric Clapton

Luz De Día – Enanitos Verdes

Lay, Lady, Lay – Bob Dylan

Siguiendo La Luna – Fabulosos Cadillacs

Every Breath you Take – The Police

With Or Without You – U2

Hey Jude – The Beatles

Nothing Else Matters – Metallica

Dream On – Aerosmith

No Surprises – Radiohead

Te Quiero – Hombres G

Waterloo Sunset – The Kinks

Stairway To Heaven – Led Zeppelin

Hijo De La Luna - Mecano

Walking After You – Foo Fighters

Silent Lucidity – Queensrÿche

The Crystal Ship – The Doors

You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker

Mi Caramelo – Bersuit Vergarabat

God Only Knows – The Beach Boys

Long As I Can See The Light – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Samba Pa Ti – Santana

Maldita Dulzura – Vetusta Morla

Linger – The Cranberries

Perfect Day – Lou Reed

Heaven Beside You – Alice In Chains

Love – Zoe

Thirty-Three – Smashing Pumpkins

Time – Alan Parson’s Project

Wake Me Up When September Ends – Green Day

Déjate Caer – Los Tres

I Never Cry – Alice Cooper

Never Tear Us Apart – INXS

Under The Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Vivo – Fobia

Something – The Beatles

To The End – Blur

Somebody – Depeche Mode

La Célula Que Explota – Caifanes

Something In The Way – Nirvana

Love Of My Life – Queen

Bolero Falaz – Aterciopelados

New Kid In Town – Eagles

Stop Crying Your Heart Out – Oasis

Eres – Café Tacuba

Changes – Black Sabbath

Té Para Tres – Soda Stereo

Wild Horses – The Rolling Stones

Yellow Ledbetter – Pearl Jam

Still Loving You – Scorpions

Kumbala – La Maldita Vecindad

Yesterday – The Beatles

Home Sweet Home – Mötley Crüe

Creep – Stone temple Pilots

Life On Mars? – David Bowie

November Rain – Guns N’ Roses

La Balada - Cuca

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By Corvan

May/5th/2026