There’s a lot to love about a good 1980s power ballad. Who wouldn’t love a classic combination of rock tunes and vulnerable lyrics? I think the following power ballads from 1983, in particular, have really stood the test of time. Let’s take a look, shall we?
“Total Eclipse Of The Heart” by Bonnie Tyler
Few songs from 1983 are as well-aged and still well-loved as this entry on our list of power ballads. “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” by Bonnie Tyler is a power pop masterpiece that made it to the Top 10 globally, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the year it was released. Though Tyler would never score quite as big a hit again in the US, “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” is quite the song to be known for.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Faithfully” by Journey
This entry was a shoo-in on our list of the best power ballads from 1983. Classic Rock even called “Faithfully” by Journey the greatest power ballad ever produced. That’s some high praise, and it’s definitely well-deserved. The soft rock gem was a big hit back in 1983, and apparently, it was written in less than half an hour by Jonathan Cain. “Faithfully” peaked at No. 12 on the Hot 100 and did similarly well in Canada.
“Straight From The Heart” by Bryan Adams
Few songs, in my opinion, quite literally sound like the 1980s the way that “Straight From The Heart” by Bryan Adams does. This power ballad with a soft rock edge was technically recorded before Adams dropped his version in 1983. He originally wrote the song for Ian Lloyd in 1980. However, it was Adams’ recorded version that really made it big. “Straight From The Heart” peaked at No. 10 on the Hot 100 and topped the Canada Adult Contemporary chart in 1983.
“Making Love Out Of Nothing At All” by Air Supply
Now this is a power ballad. In fact, I think “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All” by Air Supply might just be the finest out of all power ballads to be released in 1983. Though, that’s purely personal opinion. This song was quite a big hit for the band, peaking at No. 2 on the Hot 100. Funnily enough, the song that kept this track from the No. 1 spot was “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”, which we mentioned earlier.
Photo by David Redfern/Redferns
More The List
-
(Original Caption) A singer called Joni. Joni Mitchell, Canadian singer-songwriter, United Kingdom, 1968. The guitar-pickin' gal is Joni Mitchell, a long blonde haired Canadian folk singer. Pictured last night outside the Revolution club, Joni is here (until 1st October) for radio, television and concert appearances. Apart from concert appearances, 25 year old Joni will be heard on "Top Gear" on Radio One and "The Monday Show" on BBC 1. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) -
English rock band the Beatles arrive at London Airport from the USA, with their manager Brian Epstein (1934 – 1967, in coach doorway), 2nd September 1965. From left to right, John Lennon (1940 – 1980), George Harrison (1943 – 2001), Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. (Photo by George Stroud/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
George Jones, who released several country songs about whiskey -
Elvis Presley and Scotty Moore (left) performing on The Milton Berle Show at NBC's Hollywood studio, Los Angeles, California, 5th June 1956. Presley performed 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You' and 'Hound Dog'. Press reaction to his performance was largely negative with his gyrating movements during 'Hound Dog' proving particularly controversial. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) -
Singer and musician Merle Haggard performs at the Poplar Creek Music Theater, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, August 16, 1983. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls at event, New York, 1990s. (Photo by Steve Eichner/Getty Images) -
Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images -
Pop group The Byrds (l to r): Chris Hillman; Dave Crosby; Mike Clark; Jim McGuinn; and Gene Clark. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)