PLEASE NOTE: This is not a review of the "Love Ballads" album. These are love ballads generally speaking that the given author likes and recommends.
There are many great love songs out there. It’s hard to pick just a few. However, I feel the 1980s made some of the best music. This decade generated rock genres like AOR(anthem rock, stadium rock and corporate rock), hard rock, and pop rock. It was fixated on love ballads(and power ballads). These songs carried so much emotion, meaning, and power. I don’t want to bore you with too much information about each band. So I have provided a little background on each band and their song. You may also look them up online if you would like to know more about them. You can find some of their music videos on the Youtube website as well. Now onto my list:
- The Search is Over by Survivor
Survivor is an American rock band from Chicago. They formed in 1978. Some of their greatest hits include 1982’s Eye of the Tiger(theme song for the movie, "Rocky III"), 1985’s Burning Heart(theme song for the movie, "Rocky IV"), The Search is Over(1985), High On You(1984), and I Can’t Hold Back(1984). Various band lineups were created over the years. However, Jimi Jamison is my favorite lead singer of the group.
Why do I like The Search is Over?
The song speaks to me on many different levels. How many times have we taken people for granted? Many times we do not realize what is right in front of us. We are too busy looking for love elsewhere but it’s been with us all along. The song is about a guy who is friends with a girl. He has known her for a long time but only sees her as a friend. In the meanwhile, he’s too busy looking for love in other places. Finally, he comes to the realization that she’s the "one." She’s his destiny. Fate is staring right back at him in the face. The most memorable lyrics are, "I can hear you whisper, the search is over. Love was right before my eyes." Jimi’s vibrant vocals add to this amazing song. I think everyone can relate to this song in one way or another. Therefore, making it a timeless hit.
- Open Arms by Journey
Journey is an American rock band from San Francisco. They formed in 1973. They released some unforgettable hits like Don’t Stop Believin’(1981), Faithfully(1983), and Open Arms(1982). They also experienced several different band lineups throughout the years. Steve Perry’s voice has definitely won my heart.
Why do I like Open Arms?
This is the "King" of all love songs. Steve’s passionate voice is what drove this song to the top of the charts. You just can’t help falling in love with this song over and over again. The song is about a guy who gets a second chance at "love." For whatever reason, it doesn’t work out the first time. So the second chance is like a "miracle." He will do whatever it takes to make it work the second time around. We all know the saying, "you don’t know what you have till it’s gone." So just hold onto what’s good in your life because you never know when you may lose it. The most touching lyrics are, "Lying beside you, here in the dark, feeling your heart beat with mine . Softly you whisper, you’re so sincere, how could our love be so blind. We sailed on together, we drifted apart, and here you are by my side."
- Can’t Fight This Feeling by Reo Speedwagon
Reo Speedwagon is an American rock band which formed in 1967. Some of their classic hits include Keep On Loving You(1980), Take It on the Run(1981), Wheels are Turnin’(1984), and Can’t Fight This Feeling(1985).
Why do I like Can’t Fight This Feeling?
This is a sweet song. It’s about a friendship which grows stronger over time. A guy is friends with a girl. But he likes her more than just a friend. He is afraid to tell her how he feels because he doesn’t know what her reaction will be. The thought of her liking him doesn’t even cross his mind. So he keeps his feelings to himself. But he just can’t hold it in any longer so he eventually confesses to her. Hence, you just can’t fight what’s real. The sweetest lyrics are, "My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you. I’ve been running round in circles in my mind. And it always seems that I’m following you, girl. Cause you take me to the places that alone I’d never find."
- I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner
Foreigner is a British-American rock band. They formed in 1976. Some of their hits include Feels Like the First Time(1977), Cold as Ice(1977), Waiting for a Girl Like You(1981), and I Want to Know What Love Is(1984).
Why do I like I Want to Know What Love Is?
This is a song about moving on. This song is about a guy who has been badly hurt when it comes to love. He is tired of all the games and can’t go through the pain again. Many thoughts are racing through his mind but one question goes unanswered. He wants to know what love is. He wants to make sure it is real this time around. I feel love is a hard emotion to define in words. It can mean so many different things and can be expressed in an endless number of ways. The most loving lyrics are, "I want to know what love is. I want you to show me. I want to feel what love is. I know you can show me."
I hope you have enjoyed reading my review. Keep listening and hope you find your true "love" song.