If you’ve been around for a hot minute, you’re probably all too familiar with at least a few of the following four greatest rock ballads of all time. However, younger fans of rock music may not be entirely familiar. Let’s have a music history lesson on how to write a real tear-jerker with the electric guitar, shall we? Just keep in mind that this particular list is not exhaustive by any means.
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1. “Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones put out quite a few stoic ballads through the years. However, the 1971 song “Wild Horses” is probably the most memorable of the bunch. This standout track on Sticky Fingers has a country rock feel to it. And few song choruses can get a whole room to sing along quite like the chorus from “Wild Horses”. For any young fan getting into the Stones, this song is essential listening.
2. “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd
This is one of the greatest rock ballads of all time and also one of Pink Floyd’s greatest songs in their discography. “Wish You Were Here” was released as the title track of their 1975 album of the same name and is considered a heartfelt tribute to the band’s former beloved frontman, Syd Barrett. Young fans of prog-rock and folk absolutely need to listen to this one, as well as the whole of the album it’s on.
3. “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak
Chris Isaak is a little bit underrated in the sense that many younger fans of rockabilly may not be entirely familiar with him. However, they should; Chris Isaak recorded one of the greatest rock ballads of all time. “Wicked Game” was released in 1989 and is a country rock standard today.
Fun fact: This song is a sleeper hit. “Wicked Game” didn’t get much attention when it was first released, but famed Atlanta radio station music director Lee Chestnut fell in love with the song after hearing it in the David Lynch film Wild At Heart in 1990. As a result, he began broadcasting the tune, and it became a Top 10 hit in the US.
4. “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix
We couldn’t leave this classic from our list of the greatest rock ballads ever. Jimi Hendrix is best known as one of the most legendary shredders of all time, but he also had a softer and more precise side. “Little Wing” was released in 1967 and is one of the guitar god’s most tender and melodic songs of his career.
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