Bon Jovi

Essential Power Ballads, Vol. 6

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Another five emotional rock ballads are being served up to you this week, with more coming next Tuesday!

Bon Jovi– “Never Say Goodbye”

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A power ballad list would never be complete without New Jersey’s favorite prom song (it even references the prom) from Bon Jovi’s breakthrough record, Slippery When Wet. The song’s musical structure is emotionally gripping, and its lyrics pine for days gone by, youthful hijinx, and the retention of those memories. This is one of those songs that makes me miss when Bon Jovi was great, as well as those relatively carefree days of my own youth.  Continue reading →

Essential Power Ballads, Vol. 5

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Volume 5 of this continuing series on the tear-jerking rock songs you need in your life is here!

Aerosmith– “Angel”

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Kicking off with a cascade of sound from the legendary Joe Perry’s guitar and Joey Kramer on the drums, this huge hit from Aerosmith’s 1987 album Permanent Vacation features impassioned vocals from frontman Steven Tyler, and an all-around emotional sonic landscape that you’d expect from any great power ballad. Seriously, you’re going to want to listen to the opening of the song over and over again. The 80’s rock music scene was obsessed with keyboards, and in this song, the band used the instrument to synthesize violin music.  Continue reading →

Essential Power Ballads, Vol. 2

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If you’ve read my first guide to Essential Power Ballads, I hope you enjoyed it! Welcome to Volume 2!

KISS- “Forever”

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A sappy gem from the Unmasked era, and co-written by Michael Bolton, “Forever” showcases a sincere Paul Stanley making a promise of eternity to his love. Stanley doesn’t have a great voice, but his passion makes up for that in spades, at least for this song.  It turns out that the band that brought us such family-friendly hits as “Let’s Put The X In Sex”, “Love Gun” and “Lick It Up” has a soft side after all. Continue reading →

Essential Power Ballads, Vol. 1

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Since I love 80’s music, and since I’m also a huge sap, I have decided to start a series for like-minded readers of The No Seatbelt Blog. Welcome to my guide to essential power ballads! Each volume will feature five tearjerkers that are loaded with lyrics of love and heartbreak, loud choruses and louder guitars. If you’re a fan of those songs from the 80’s (and a few stragglers from the first couple years of the 90’s) that made you pull out your lighter (or cell phone, nowadays) and sway while you sing along at the top of your lungs, take a trip down memory lane with me. Volume 1 of Essential Power Ballads begins now… Continue reading →