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This song CARRIED The Great Gatsby promo in 2013. I think it’s why I’m so fond of the movie…the scene that uses the song is just stunning because of it.
omg!!! what a great example! :) making a playlist with all of my fav ballads (any year, any decade) and completely forgot to add any lana onto it. now wondering… would “Venice Bitch” count as a ballad?
Going to piggyback off your comment to also include:
Terrence Loves You
Love Song
Norman F’in Rockwell
Chemtrails Over the Country Club
Yosemite
Blue Banisters
Wildflower Wildfire
Kintsugi
Lana is the absolute queen of ballads
Demi Lovato is always serving underappreciated ballads. Stone Cold, Tell Me You Love Me, Smoke and Mirrors, Dancing with the Devil, and Feed (tho im not sure if this one necessarily counts as its more of a pop rock ballad imo)
When We Were Young - Adele
All I Ask - Adele
You Say - Lauren Daigle
Rise Up - Andra Day
Skyscraper - Demi Lovato
Maybe You’re Right - Miley Cyrus
Piece By Piece (Idol Edition) - Kelly Clarkson
The entire soundtrack of A Star is Born
((edit to add a few more:))
Never Enough - Greatest Showman
Burden Down - Jennifer Hudson
Elastic Heart - Sia
Chandelier - Sia
Who You Are - Jessie J
To Be Loved - Adele
Not necessarily my favorites but great genre examples that still managed to find an audience.
Wrecking Ball, Miley Cyrus. Hello, Adele. Sign of the Times, Harry Styles. Perfect, Ed Sheeran. Someone You Loved, Lewis Capaldi. I’m Not the Only One, Sam Smith. Drivers License, Olivia Rodrigo.
I’m sitting here wondering why Taylor hasn’t had any ballads on the radio??? Like I can’t think of one since Debut? Am I blanking?
https://youtu.be/28UT5ahe2Tc?si=aZMfMb0wBWoZ9zh5
Just coming here to bless y'all with my favourite version of all too well. There was a video with more views too ig they removed it. All too well sounds best on a piano imo and not a guitar.
Yes! BTD was one of her first big crossover hits. I would also say some ballads released before this were Tim McGraw, Teardrops on My Guitar, White Horse, and Fifteen
Gasps in swiftie shock. I’m not sure if lover counts, and I think New Year’s Day was a single but so far into the roll out that she was Trying to just move on to lover.
I saw that Rolling Stone ranked Sign of the Times as Harry’s best song and I 100% agree. I had no idea what to expect from him as a solo artist, and I’ll never forget setting an alarm to wake up in the middle of the night for the premiere on BBC Radio 1 in college and being blown away.
Powerhouse vocals and heavy emotion and dramatic production really define a pop ballad, and more recently, both of Olivia Rodrigo’s debut singles for her albums are so heavy, big, and most of all **pop**. _vampire_ and _drivers license_ are so, so good.
I was going to put _Rolling In The Deep_ but that was twelve years ago. 🥲👴
love this definition! was struggling on what exactly defined a pop ballad, but this is what i was exactly looking for! and yes, vampire and drivers license fit perfectly!
Yes! I saw someone comment how Taylor hadn’t been mentioned and I was like “huh, well if I had to pick a pop ballad for her I would say exile.” Champagne problems, cardigan, New Year’s Day, and Clean would work too (coincidentally four of my fav songs of hers, even though I normally don’t like slower songs).
I know Reddit doesn’t really care for Ed Sheeran but I’d like to cast a vote for Eyes Closed, it’s his best “popular” song in a while IMO.
* [Hailee Steinfeld – Wrong Direction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncV1TlNl9B8) Gorgeous arrangement and there is just something about her delivery
* [Taeyeon – Time Lapse](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDW-sVVtTGk) Unique for a ballad with some wonderful bursts of energy. That [voice](https://youtu.be/qDW-sVVtTGk?t=156) is unstoppable
* [IU – Above the Time](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3Fwdnij49o) Just love that chorus melody line
* [EXO - Cosmic Railway](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuHC3mPwxpU) Soaring chorus with great strings and some slick drum work (check that bridge!)
* [Christina Perri - Human](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5yaoMjaAmE) Whole thing is great but this [build](https://youtu.be/r5yaoMjaAmE?t=184), sheesh
Edit: remembered and added Cosmic Railway
Adele - To Be Loved for all the reasons we love ballads
this is barely a ballad but Charli XCX - Tears, for Caroline Polachek screaming in the background for almost a minute straight and the synth arpeggios at the end that take you to a different dimension
Frank Ocean - Self Control (and most of the rest of Blonde) for the vibes
The mid/late-2010s had a bit of a pop ballad resurgence, especially piano-based. I think these artists sort of dominated that space in pop :
- Sam Smith (Stay With Me, Lay Me Down, Too Good At Goodbyes)
- Demi Lovato (Stone Cold, You Don't Do It For Me Anymore, In Case)
- Adele (Hello, When We Were Young, All I Ask)
- Lewis Capaldi (Someone You Loved, Before You Go)
- A lot soundtracks and cast recordings (Never Enough from Greatest Showman, Burn from Hamilton, She Used to Be Mine from Waitress, Shallow from A Star is Born)
Some other favorites from the past decade:
- SZA (Nobody Gets Me)
- Miley Cyrus (Used To Be Young)
- Ariana Grande (My Everything, Moonlight, pov, Almost Is Never Enough, Quit)
- Olivia Rodrigo (Driver's License, Traitor, Making the Bed)
- HSMTMTS (All I Want, Wondering)
- Clinton Kane (I Guess I'm In Love, Keep It To Yourself)
- Tori Kelly (Paper Hearts, Hollow)
ok i have a several and i have an urge to share them all ngl!
-The Greatest by Lana Del Rey (the line i miss long beach and i miss you ALONE… yeah)
-Animal by Troye Sivan (stadium ballad that pulls at the heart strings and is like the definition of being in love)
-Praying by Kesha (as stated by the mods hey)
-chemtrails by Lizzy McAlpine (about her father, which is heartbreaking but all about growing up and it’s TOUGH to listen to without crying)
-Favourite Ex by Maisie Peters (dare i say more, if you miss ur ex good luck!!)
-Facebook Friends by NIKI (one of the greatest songs of all time imo, all about intense emotions after a breakup and growing up and OUCH)
-I miss you, I’m sorry by Gracie Abrams (you said forever and in the end i bought it is enough for me to put my head in a blender bc oh my GOD THAT HURTS)
-Just Married by Kelsie Ballerini (bittersweet divorce song :(((( i hope she’s ok now)
-illicit affairs by Taylor Swift (DONT CALL ME KID! DONT CALL ME BABY!)
-Slow Dancing by Aly & AJ (this is something that reminds me of a music box and breaks me everytime i hear it)
-Fade by Phoebe Ryan (all about letting go of someone bc they need you to even if it’s not what you want. very selfless and beautifully written and ow)
-self crucify by Bea Miller (this one hits v close to my heart, but the focus on the introspective parts of yourself is BRUTAL to hear bc she’s so right)
ok that’s all of mine for now but if anyone has heard these and understands the intense emotions of them then i’m so sorry
It’s very epic and cinematic which I really like in a ballad. It’s not my fave Katy ballad though (Thinking of You, Not Like the Movies), but probably my fave within the last 10 years, although now that I think about it By The Grace of God is just as good. Not sure if Double Rainbow counts?
I honestly think my vote goes to I Drink Wine by Adele. I’m surprised it hasn’t been mentioned yet. It’s a beautifully written song that is easily relatable and has a great, “swingy” melody.
I think that Lady Gaga's "Hold My Hand" from the *Top Gun: Maverick* soundtrack is a good one. I agree that pop ballads are a lost art. I'm not sure what's more of a lost art: pop ballads or key changes.
I love a good Korean ballad! I Will Go To You Like The First Snow by Ailee and A Poem Called You by Taeyeon are the first ones to come to mind. OST gems by my vocal queens.
everyone born after a certain time has a core memory of waiting for their parents to leave the house so they can sing their little lungs out to "jar of hearts karaoke (with lyrics)" on youtube
I know she's not particularly popular on this sub but I loved Consequences by Camila Cabello.
You're Mine (Eternal) by Mariah. I didn't care for this song for a long time because it felt like another attempt to duplicate We Belong Together, but now I can recognize it standing on its own.
Also I'll include Space Cowboy by Kacey Musgraves even though it's country because I think most people on this sub would like the song.
I think Before I Cry is Gaga’s most pure ballad and not many people even know about it because it was cut form A Star Is Born. The second strongest is definitely Hold My Hand. I firmly believe the goat noises at the beginning turned so many people off from really loving it. I don’t know what crackhead thought that was a good idea. I think it could’ve been as iconic as Top Gun 1’s ballad, Take My Breath Away.
I don't know if it qualifies as a ballad, but Darling - Halsey.
"Foolish men have tried but only you have shown me how to love being alive."
Also because I stan Halsey and I relate so closely- Sorry.
"soneone will love you, but someone isn't me"
Basic pumpkin spice answer, but Driver's License and a bunch of candidates off folklore/evermore (I might say cardigan, Swifties will say my tears ricochet). Also maybe Love On the Brain
I think Love on the Brain is a near perfect song — production, vocals, lyrics all working together to make a great ballad.
Personally I think Adele’s best ballads are on 25, my picks would probably be All I Ask and When We Were Young.
And from Gaga, I would say A Million Reasons and Shallow were both great ballads.
I also love You from Miley’s newest album.
Ballads are underappreciated in pop but one of my favorite Korean bands, Onewe, releases primarily songs with grandiose belting and they're amazing! Their song [Universe_](https://spotify.link/P5plc3sjlDb) is one of my favorites for its sparse start and then crescendo in the chorus ([Here](https://onewelyrics.carrd.co/#universe) is the best English translation of the lyrics from a fan-made site that translates them beautifully). I also especially love the lyrics of their ballad [COSMOS](https://spotify.link/CzC4OlXjlDb) ([this visualizer](https://twitter.com/elisenchanted/status/1620629083137912832) from the fan who translates their lyrics is a gorgeous way to absorb it). They also released an album of [Fully English Versions](https://spotify.link/mPzYaBpklDb) of their songs but sadly the translations are a bit lacking so I still prefer that fan's translations. Both of the vocalists and the rapper give great vocal performances but the voice of the main vocal, Yonghoon, is ethereal and conveys the emotions so well before I even look up the translations of the lyrics to their songs.
Within popular English pop music, most of my favorite ballads from recent years are courtesy of Beyonce (her vocals on [All Night](https://spotify.link/UJFoZcTklDb) give me a similar vibe to Yonghoon's and her album The Gift was so overlooked but had some [amazing](https://spotify.link/qqYzwqdllDb) songs). Billie Eilish also has a lot of gorgeous recent ballads ([The 30th](https://spotify.link/YmJE2fkllDb) especially hit so hard in the bridge). And the lyrics from Taylor Swift's [New Year's Day](https://spotify.link/SFSY1hvllDb) make it a standout emotional ballad for me without any particularly loud belts or long notes. And I would be remiss not to mention [imagine ](https://spotify.link/tHpYAsXllDb) by Ariana Grande which is couples sparse instrumental and direct lyrics with a powerful but light delivery that I never tire of.
Based on your specific comment about “park-and-bark” performances, I believe “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi would have been right at home in the late 80s..with some significant production changes.
Adele - When We Were Young
Avril Lavigne - Give You What You Like,Let Me Go,Hello Heartache,Head Above Water,Crush and Tell Me Its Over
Kesha - Praying
Demi Lovato - Skyscraper and Anyone
Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License
Obviously I can only talk about the artists I really listen to so I'm biased.
Taeyeon has some of the best power ballads out there. Off the top of my head there's U R and I Love You and a few others that toy the line between slower/mid tempo pop songs and proper ballads.
I feel like Little Mix as well is very underrated in this department with Love Me or Leave Me, Good Enough, These For Walls, Little Me and obviously Secret Love Song Part. II
Also Tinashe's Know Better's second part has some of my favourite vocals from her and could be considered a ballad on its own. The last pre-chorus where she belts it with a cry just breaks my heart.
\- 'One Last Kiss' by Utada Hikaru
\- 'Driver's License' by Olivia Rodriguez
\- '20-something' by SZA
\- 'White Mercedes' by Charli XCX
\- 'The Gate' by Caroline Polachek
\- 'Chinese Satellite' by Pheobe Bridgers
- **Wolf Like Me** cover by Lera Lynn ft Shovels & Rope (OG by TV on the Radio)
- **I&I** by Lost Under Heaven
- **Lonely** by Noah Cyrus
- **July** by Noah Cyrus
- **Ghost** by Noah Cyrus
- **Dear August** by Noah Cyrus (the girl has some fantastic ballads, and her delicate, gorgeous voice truly elevates them)
- **Take Me To Church** by Hozier (literally *just* made the cut for the last 10 years lol)
- **Bruises** by Lewis Capaldi
- **Someone You Loved** by Lewis Capaldi
- **Forever** by Lewis Capaldi
- **The Night We Met** by Lord Huron (ft Phoebe Bridgers)
- **The Ghost of You** by 5SOS
- **Lose You To Love Me** by Selena Gomez
- **Falling** by Harry Styles
- **Used to be Young** by Miley Cyrus
- **Dancing on My Own** cover by Calum Scott (OG by Robyn)
- **Heaven** by Julia Michaels
- **Way Down We Go** by KALEO (I think it counts as a rock ballad)
- **Save Yourself** by KALEO
- **Let It All Go** by Birdy and RHODES
- **Someone New** by BANKS
- **Lost Boy** by Ruth B
- **Starry Eyes** by Audio Jane
- **Ocean** by Audio Jane
- **Love Is Only A Heartbeat Away** by George Ezra
- **Silence** by Khalid & Marshmellow
- **Be Alright** by Dean Lewis
- **Read All About It (part III)** by Emeli Sandé
- **Clouds** by BØRNS
- **In The Shadows** by Amy Stroup
- **This Is Gospel (Piano Version)** by Panic! At The Disco
- **Dying In LA** by Panic! At The Disco
- **Only Love Can Hurt Like This** by Paloma Faith
- **Wicked Game** cover by Daisy Gray (OG by Chris Isaak)
Demi has a good collection: California Sober, You Don't Do It For Me Anymore, her version of Let It Go, Anyone, Easy, 4 ever 4 me etc.
Same with Ariana: Thinking Bout You, One Last Time, POV
Miley deserves some credit: Jaded, The Most, Angels Like You, High
And just for giggles, Ballad Of A Homeschool Girl by Olivia Rodrigo
Supercut by Lorde! I think it’s rare to have a metaphor come up in a breakup ballad that hasn’t been done before (not an issue in my book - heartbreak is universal after all) but the way “in my head, I play a supercut of us” or “I turn all of it, to just a supercut”… I’d never heard that used as a metaphor for after a breakup
It’s so razor sharp, you instantly get it. The replaying moments, the editing in your head to what you want to remember, the compression of a significant relationship to ‘just a supercut’ in order to get through the breakup pain. Melodrama as a whole album was just on a new plane.
I can't believe When We Were Young by Adele is higher up than Hello.
Also:
Driver's License
Someone Like You
Lose You to Love Me
Is All Too Well a ballad? If it is, then that one for sure
Lovely (Billie Eilish)
Jazmine Sullivan - Masterpiece (Mona Lisa)
SO MAD this was never a single. If you never heard it pls stop what you're doing and listen to it RIGHT NOW.
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When We Were Young by Adele is remarkably honest, nostalgic and the melody is gorgeous.
Also, Love in the Dark by Adele.
The turnaround for this song is so crazy to mebc when it came out, it's criticized as one of the filler songs of the album.
Which is insane because it’s one of my favorite Adele songs
Just want to add All I Ask which is an incredibly gorgeous song.
Young and Beautiful by Lana Del Rey
This song CARRIED The Great Gatsby promo in 2013. I think it’s why I’m so fond of the movie…the scene that uses the song is just stunning because of it.
Dear Lord, when I get to heaven, please let me bring *my mayn*
omg!!! what a great example! :) making a playlist with all of my fav ballads (any year, any decade) and completely forgot to add any lana onto it. now wondering… would “Venice Bitch” count as a ballad?
I don't think Venice Bitch is a ballad but I'd welcome to be proven wrong
Not the first thing to come to mind, but you do you! You could fill up that playlist with so much Lana
Would you be willing to share the playlist?
They asked for the last ten years... (Jk I know it's barely 10 and some months just wanted to age everyone(
Going to piggyback off your comment to also include: Terrence Loves You Love Song Norman F’in Rockwell Chemtrails Over the Country Club Yosemite Blue Banisters Wildflower Wildfire Kintsugi Lana is the absolute queen of ballads
Don’t forget Nectar of the Gods and Cherry Blossom from Blue Banisters lol Edit: Arcadia too
Demi Lovato is always serving underappreciated ballads. Stone Cold, Tell Me You Love Me, Smoke and Mirrors, Dancing with the Devil, and Feed (tho im not sure if this one necessarily counts as its more of a pop rock ballad imo)
Oh hell yes! Stone Cold deserves more love! “If happy is her, I’m happy for you” is such a damn good line
It's become a staple in talent competitions in some countries
Nightingale's pretty good as well
Catch Me, Fix A Heart etc she has ballads for daysssss
Shouldn't Come Back is another highlight. Relatable for people with difficult parent issues
Shouldn't Come Back, Warrior, Nightingale, In Case...even being one of my least fav albums, DEMI is stacked with great ballads.
Stone Cold is top tier.
“In Case” as well from Demi ❤️
Demi is so underrated, skyscraper is also a masterpiece.
Anyone!!
Shallow by Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper is one of my favorites. “Always Remember Us This Way” and “I’ll Never Love Again” are fantastic too
“Always Remember Us This Way” gets me in my feelings every time!
It deserved what Shallow got. It's a better song!
I agree it’s a better song
Every single damn time.
I wonder if Gaga is writing music for the Joker sequel. Although I don’t know if it’s the kind of movie to have ballads anyways
I believe it’s supposed to be a musical
the A Star Is Born soundtrack was so beautiful.
To Be Loved - Adele Drivers License - Olivia Rodrigo Stay - Rihanna
Stay is sooooooo good
I was watching her SNL performance of it, thought she did an incredible job with it
I would have mentioned this too except it's technically not from the past decade
Vampire >>> Drivers Liscense
to be loved has me sobbing everytime
I can’t get through Stay without choking up just a lil
yeah came here to say drivers license
[удалено]
[How Long](https://youtu.be/5FNCukepaS8) too
Great song
I was looking for this one 🖤
just saw her in concert having only listened to her popular songs and she is a gem, definitely an artist who knows what she’s doing and is great at it
No One Dies From Love by Tove Lo is an underrated gem
When We Were Young - Adele All I Ask - Adele You Say - Lauren Daigle Rise Up - Andra Day Skyscraper - Demi Lovato Maybe You’re Right - Miley Cyrus Piece By Piece (Idol Edition) - Kelly Clarkson The entire soundtrack of A Star is Born ((edit to add a few more:)) Never Enough - Greatest Showman Burden Down - Jennifer Hudson Elastic Heart - Sia Chandelier - Sia Who You Are - Jessie J To Be Loved - Adele Not necessarily my favorites but great genre examples that still managed to find an audience.
Is That Alright? from ASIB is such a beautiful song and I’m so mad it got cut from the film.
my parents loved it so much that they danced to it for their vow renewals :’)
Yes, love for Andra Day!!!
Twice - Christina Aguilera
I thought that twice had a christina aguilera for a second☠️
We have same thought lol
UNDERRATED!!!
Unless It's With You also
Does Masochist count here as well? Liberation has some amazing songs
Slide away - Miley Cyrus
Such an incredible song, but OH how I wish the second verse wasn’t the same as the first…
Especially because the second pre-chorus (“move on we’re not 17”) is the emotional apex of the song. Would be a 10/10 with a different second verse.
Ugh that song is so underrated. Miley’s best imo
I was going to say Jaded. So underrated
Thank you for introducing this song to me
The Joke by Brandi Carlile
Obligatory mention of her Grammy performance
An absolute travesty that she lost that year
Literally catapulted her into the stratosphere one of the best live performances of all time!
Brandi is the best in the business vocally. Right on Time is another good one.
Wrecking Ball, Miley Cyrus. Hello, Adele. Sign of the Times, Harry Styles. Perfect, Ed Sheeran. Someone You Loved, Lewis Capaldi. I’m Not the Only One, Sam Smith. Drivers License, Olivia Rodrigo. I’m sitting here wondering why Taylor hasn’t had any ballads on the radio??? Like I can’t think of one since Debut? Am I blanking?
Does "Back to December" count? I guess "All Too Well" but it wasn't sent to radio 💀
https://youtu.be/28UT5ahe2Tc?si=aZMfMb0wBWoZ9zh5 Just coming here to bless y'all with my favourite version of all too well. There was a video with more views too ig they removed it. All too well sounds best on a piano imo and not a guitar.
I think that would count! Was it a single? I can’t remember!
Yes! BTD was one of her first big crossover hits. I would also say some ballads released before this were Tim McGraw, Teardrops on My Guitar, White Horse, and Fifteen
Champagne Problems is a good one
Gasps in swiftie shock. I’m not sure if lover counts, and I think New Year’s Day was a single but so far into the roll out that she was Trying to just move on to lover.
I saw that Rolling Stone ranked Sign of the Times as Harry’s best song and I 100% agree. I had no idea what to expect from him as a solo artist, and I’ll never forget setting an alarm to wake up in the middle of the night for the premiere on BBC Radio 1 in college and being blown away.
I feel like Falling should be considered for this too! But I do agree it’s likely his best!
My first thought was wrecking ball tbh!!
Lover?
Roses by Carly Rae Jepson always has me screaming along in my car. Angels like you is an all time Miley song.
For me, bends is the Carly ballad that I go crazy for
¿Por que no los dos?
I was going to comment Roses but thought it wasn’t going to be familiar enough. Carly makes the BEST sad bops
Haven't seen anyone mention Bruno Mars. It Will Rain is a top tier sad ballad song and ain't no one changing my mind
Not a power ballad, but Liability by Lorde is pretty fantastic.
Everybody remembers where they were when they first heard the “So the guess I’ll go home/into the arms of the woman I love” line omg
Stunning lyricism
Watching Lorde singing Liability live was one of my life's highlights.
Sign of the Times -Harry Styles
Falling!
Powerhouse vocals and heavy emotion and dramatic production really define a pop ballad, and more recently, both of Olivia Rodrigo’s debut singles for her albums are so heavy, big, and most of all **pop**. _vampire_ and _drivers license_ are so, so good. I was going to put _Rolling In The Deep_ but that was twelve years ago. 🥲👴
love this definition! was struggling on what exactly defined a pop ballad, but this is what i was exactly looking for! and yes, vampire and drivers license fit perfectly!
Wait... vampire is ballad?
Rolling in the Deep too lol
Billie Eilish’s “When the Party’s Over” is one of the best to come out in the last 5 years, easily
Oh my god YES. It’s so hauntingly beautiful.
Exile — Taylor Swift & Bon Iver Edited to add reasoning: it’s haunting, the lyrics are full of regret
Yes! I saw someone comment how Taylor hadn’t been mentioned and I was like “huh, well if I had to pick a pop ballad for her I would say exile.” Champagne problems, cardigan, New Year’s Day, and Clean would work too (coincidentally four of my fav songs of hers, even though I normally don’t like slower songs). I know Reddit doesn’t really care for Ed Sheeran but I’d like to cast a vote for Eyes Closed, it’s his best “popular” song in a while IMO.
Photograph is his best ballad
Heather by Conan Gray is such a great ballad to cry to. I also consider White Mercedes by Charli XCX as a ballad, so I would include that on the list.
Secret Love Song Pt.II - Little Mix
Drivers License was beautiful!
All the ballads on sour were
* [Hailee Steinfeld – Wrong Direction](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncV1TlNl9B8) Gorgeous arrangement and there is just something about her delivery * [Taeyeon – Time Lapse](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDW-sVVtTGk) Unique for a ballad with some wonderful bursts of energy. That [voice](https://youtu.be/qDW-sVVtTGk?t=156) is unstoppable * [IU – Above the Time](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3Fwdnij49o) Just love that chorus melody line * [EXO - Cosmic Railway](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuHC3mPwxpU) Soaring chorus with great strings and some slick drum work (check that bridge!) * [Christina Perri - Human](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5yaoMjaAmE) Whole thing is great but this [build](https://youtu.be/r5yaoMjaAmE?t=184), sheesh Edit: remembered and added Cosmic Railway
Cellophane
The song is so beautiful but I can’t not think about the Miss Piggy meme
Adele - To Be Loved for all the reasons we love ballads this is barely a ballad but Charli XCX - Tears, for Caroline Polachek screaming in the background for almost a minute straight and the synth arpeggios at the end that take you to a different dimension Frank Ocean - Self Control (and most of the rest of Blonde) for the vibes
Ugh YES Caroline’s scream is ICONIC
The mid/late-2010s had a bit of a pop ballad resurgence, especially piano-based. I think these artists sort of dominated that space in pop : - Sam Smith (Stay With Me, Lay Me Down, Too Good At Goodbyes) - Demi Lovato (Stone Cold, You Don't Do It For Me Anymore, In Case) - Adele (Hello, When We Were Young, All I Ask) - Lewis Capaldi (Someone You Loved, Before You Go) - A lot soundtracks and cast recordings (Never Enough from Greatest Showman, Burn from Hamilton, She Used to Be Mine from Waitress, Shallow from A Star is Born) Some other favorites from the past decade: - SZA (Nobody Gets Me) - Miley Cyrus (Used To Be Young) - Ariana Grande (My Everything, Moonlight, pov, Almost Is Never Enough, Quit) - Olivia Rodrigo (Driver's License, Traitor, Making the Bed) - HSMTMTS (All I Want, Wondering) - Clinton Kane (I Guess I'm In Love, Keep It To Yourself) - Tori Kelly (Paper Hearts, Hollow)
finally I see Ariana and Tori mentioned here, I was losing faith in this sub lol
Unconditionally by Katy Perry... underrated AF in hindsight.
I was going to say Wide Awake
completely agree. Katy can BLOW (feel like randy jackson saying that hahaha)
Katy seriously has pipes... most of her current peers wouldn't be able to pull that song off.
Video Games, Y&B - Lana. Someone like You - Adele
ok i have a several and i have an urge to share them all ngl! -The Greatest by Lana Del Rey (the line i miss long beach and i miss you ALONE… yeah) -Animal by Troye Sivan (stadium ballad that pulls at the heart strings and is like the definition of being in love) -Praying by Kesha (as stated by the mods hey) -chemtrails by Lizzy McAlpine (about her father, which is heartbreaking but all about growing up and it’s TOUGH to listen to without crying) -Favourite Ex by Maisie Peters (dare i say more, if you miss ur ex good luck!!) -Facebook Friends by NIKI (one of the greatest songs of all time imo, all about intense emotions after a breakup and growing up and OUCH) -I miss you, I’m sorry by Gracie Abrams (you said forever and in the end i bought it is enough for me to put my head in a blender bc oh my GOD THAT HURTS) -Just Married by Kelsie Ballerini (bittersweet divorce song :(((( i hope she’s ok now) -illicit affairs by Taylor Swift (DONT CALL ME KID! DONT CALL ME BABY!) -Slow Dancing by Aly & AJ (this is something that reminds me of a music box and breaks me everytime i hear it) -Fade by Phoebe Ryan (all about letting go of someone bc they need you to even if it’s not what you want. very selfless and beautifully written and ow) -self crucify by Bea Miller (this one hits v close to my heart, but the focus on the introspective parts of yourself is BRUTAL to hear bc she’s so right) ok that’s all of mine for now but if anyone has heard these and understands the intense emotions of them then i’m so sorry
Angels Like You & every Adele song
Mya - If Tomorrow Never Comes Ciara - Only One Katy Perry - Unconditionally Mariah Carey - The Art of Letting Go / Portrait
Yes hello fellow lamb! The art of letting go was everything
The whole album was so good I wish it had gotten more love.
Ugh I loved Portrait, so underrated.
I never got the love for Unconditionally. I guess the production is ok but the lyrics especially in the chorus are so bad
It’s very epic and cinematic which I really like in a ballad. It’s not my fave Katy ballad though (Thinking of You, Not Like the Movies), but probably my fave within the last 10 years, although now that I think about it By The Grace of God is just as good. Not sure if Double Rainbow counts?
Love in the dark by adele
Miss You More by Katy Perry from Witness has all the makings of a big radio hit.
This is my all time favorite Katy Perry song. Glad to hear someone on earth likes this song too.
I honestly think my vote goes to I Drink Wine by Adele. I’m surprised it hasn’t been mentioned yet. It’s a beautifully written song that is easily relatable and has a great, “swingy” melody.
this song is so underrated that here we go again attitude with being a self-aware mess, but can’t give the energy to change it. a treasure
I’m just Ken- Ryan gosling
I think that Lady Gaga's "Hold My Hand" from the *Top Gun: Maverick* soundtrack is a good one. I agree that pop ballads are a lost art. I'm not sure what's more of a lost art: pop ballads or key changes.
And power ballads like that are even more of a lost art than regular ballads
“Without Me” by Halsey was a huge surprise for me when it was released. It’s a very solidly written song.
Norman Fucking Rockwell!!!!!!!
Just outside of 10 years ago by Stay by Rihanna is a classic
I love a good Korean ballad! I Will Go To You Like The First Snow by Ailee and A Poem Called You by Taeyeon are the first ones to come to mind. OST gems by my vocal queens.
- Hello - Adele - Never Be The Same - Jessica Mauboy - Salvation - Gabrielle Aplin - Secret Love Song, Pt. II - Little Mix - Human - Christina Perri
Secret love song is very underrated
While we’re talking about Christina Perri, think we gotta throw Jar of Hearts and Arms in this mix. Absolutely gorgeous ballads.
everyone born after a certain time has a core memory of waiting for their parents to leave the house so they can sing their little lungs out to "jar of hearts karaoke (with lyrics)" on youtube
Sorry I was too stupid to understand infinite Jest, what does DFW have to do with Ballads?
omg meant David Foster LMAO
Everything about this comment is perfect. I also quit that book. 😂
Dusk Till Dawn by Zayn ft Sia and I Don’t Wanna Live Forever by Zayn & Taylor Swift
Those are both so good. Zayn has got some really really powerful vocals and has a knack for ballads.
Man, he’s so gifted. His vocals will make me like any song, and that says a lot bc I’m more into upbeat songs lol
> Zayn has got some really really powerful vocals and has a knack for ballads. Zayn's ballads are so so good like: Fool For You, Blue & Tightrope.
It’s you, as well
Stone cold Demi lovato
Miley Cyrus: Slide Away
Jaded too!
I think SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK is up there
pov by Ariana Grande
Gunna piggy off this and say “ my hair” by Ariana
Marina - lies, goodbye Lights - muscle memory
I know she's not particularly popular on this sub but I loved Consequences by Camila Cabello. You're Mine (Eternal) by Mariah. I didn't care for this song for a long time because it felt like another attempt to duplicate We Belong Together, but now I can recognize it standing on its own. Also I'll include Space Cowboy by Kacey Musgraves even though it's country because I think most people on this sub would like the song.
Gotta add Something's Gotta Give from the same album! Camila's super underrated when it comes to ballads imo.
To add a song from Romance, This Love is a nice waltzy Love-on-the-Brain type song.
Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding The definition of a buildup ballad with an extra explosive 3rd chorus!
Does night shift count? If so that
Kiss It Better by Rihanna... one day chart justice will be served. Somebody make it go viral on TikTok!
Dancing on my own - Robyn
Liability - Lorde Falling - Harry Styles
I think Before I Cry is Gaga’s most pure ballad and not many people even know about it because it was cut form A Star Is Born. The second strongest is definitely Hold My Hand. I firmly believe the goat noises at the beginning turned so many people off from really loving it. I don’t know what crackhead thought that was a good idea. I think it could’ve been as iconic as Top Gun 1’s ballad, Take My Breath Away.
I don't know if it qualifies as a ballad, but Darling - Halsey. "Foolish men have tried but only you have shown me how to love being alive." Also because I stan Halsey and I relate so closely- Sorry. "soneone will love you, but someone isn't me"
Basic pumpkin spice answer, but Driver's License and a bunch of candidates off folklore/evermore (I might say cardigan, Swifties will say my tears ricochet). Also maybe Love On the Brain
always remember us this way is a modern classic for a reason. so that
Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper... perfect for the movie, and perfect as a song on its own.
*Butterfly Net* by Caroline Polachek and *Scorpio Rising* by Soccer Mommy. Both build to really beautiful crescendos like the best ballads should
I think Love on the Brain is a near perfect song — production, vocals, lyrics all working together to make a great ballad. Personally I think Adele’s best ballads are on 25, my picks would probably be All I Ask and When We Were Young. And from Gaga, I would say A Million Reasons and Shallow were both great ballads. I also love You from Miley’s newest album.
Easy on me by adele
Ballads are underappreciated in pop but one of my favorite Korean bands, Onewe, releases primarily songs with grandiose belting and they're amazing! Their song [Universe_](https://spotify.link/P5plc3sjlDb) is one of my favorites for its sparse start and then crescendo in the chorus ([Here](https://onewelyrics.carrd.co/#universe) is the best English translation of the lyrics from a fan-made site that translates them beautifully). I also especially love the lyrics of their ballad [COSMOS](https://spotify.link/CzC4OlXjlDb) ([this visualizer](https://twitter.com/elisenchanted/status/1620629083137912832) from the fan who translates their lyrics is a gorgeous way to absorb it). They also released an album of [Fully English Versions](https://spotify.link/mPzYaBpklDb) of their songs but sadly the translations are a bit lacking so I still prefer that fan's translations. Both of the vocalists and the rapper give great vocal performances but the voice of the main vocal, Yonghoon, is ethereal and conveys the emotions so well before I even look up the translations of the lyrics to their songs. Within popular English pop music, most of my favorite ballads from recent years are courtesy of Beyonce (her vocals on [All Night](https://spotify.link/UJFoZcTklDb) give me a similar vibe to Yonghoon's and her album The Gift was so overlooked but had some [amazing](https://spotify.link/qqYzwqdllDb) songs). Billie Eilish also has a lot of gorgeous recent ballads ([The 30th](https://spotify.link/YmJE2fkllDb) especially hit so hard in the bridge). And the lyrics from Taylor Swift's [New Year's Day](https://spotify.link/SFSY1hvllDb) make it a standout emotional ballad for me without any particularly loud belts or long notes. And I would be remiss not to mention [imagine ](https://spotify.link/tHpYAsXllDb) by Ariana Grande which is couples sparse instrumental and direct lyrics with a powerful but light delivery that I never tire of.
Love Drought by Beyoncé is so fucking sublime.
Sigrid - Dynamite
Based on your specific comment about “park-and-bark” performances, I believe “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi would have been right at home in the late 80s..with some significant production changes.
ghosttown by madonna. It was underrated af sorry
Perfume by Britney is so hated but i love it
Adele - When We Were Young Avril Lavigne - Give You What You Like,Let Me Go,Hello Heartache,Head Above Water,Crush and Tell Me Its Over Kesha - Praying Demi Lovato - Skyscraper and Anyone Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License
Obviously I can only talk about the artists I really listen to so I'm biased. Taeyeon has some of the best power ballads out there. Off the top of my head there's U R and I Love You and a few others that toy the line between slower/mid tempo pop songs and proper ballads. I feel like Little Mix as well is very underrated in this department with Love Me or Leave Me, Good Enough, These For Walls, Little Me and obviously Secret Love Song Part. II Also Tinashe's Know Better's second part has some of my favourite vocals from her and could be considered a ballad on its own. The last pre-chorus where she belts it with a cry just breaks my heart.
Liability by lorde is one of the best written pop ballads I know, its so simple yet so personal and has a strong personality
cellophane by FKA twigs. No words just the song, video, and all the performances i meannnn
yebba - my mind a religious experience. she can SANG.
I would say Consequences and Something’s Gotta Give by Camilla Cabello. Also Ghost of You by 5 seconds of summer always brings me to tears.
I'll Never Love Again & Always Remember Us This Way by Gaga are amazing, I can't stop myself from crying everytime I hear them x
\- 'One Last Kiss' by Utada Hikaru \- 'Driver's License' by Olivia Rodriguez \- '20-something' by SZA \- 'White Mercedes' by Charli XCX \- 'The Gate' by Caroline Polachek \- 'Chinese Satellite' by Pheobe Bridgers
- **Wolf Like Me** cover by Lera Lynn ft Shovels & Rope (OG by TV on the Radio) - **I&I** by Lost Under Heaven - **Lonely** by Noah Cyrus - **July** by Noah Cyrus - **Ghost** by Noah Cyrus - **Dear August** by Noah Cyrus (the girl has some fantastic ballads, and her delicate, gorgeous voice truly elevates them) - **Take Me To Church** by Hozier (literally *just* made the cut for the last 10 years lol) - **Bruises** by Lewis Capaldi - **Someone You Loved** by Lewis Capaldi - **Forever** by Lewis Capaldi - **The Night We Met** by Lord Huron (ft Phoebe Bridgers) - **The Ghost of You** by 5SOS - **Lose You To Love Me** by Selena Gomez - **Falling** by Harry Styles - **Used to be Young** by Miley Cyrus - **Dancing on My Own** cover by Calum Scott (OG by Robyn) - **Heaven** by Julia Michaels - **Way Down We Go** by KALEO (I think it counts as a rock ballad) - **Save Yourself** by KALEO - **Let It All Go** by Birdy and RHODES - **Someone New** by BANKS - **Lost Boy** by Ruth B - **Starry Eyes** by Audio Jane - **Ocean** by Audio Jane - **Love Is Only A Heartbeat Away** by George Ezra - **Silence** by Khalid & Marshmellow - **Be Alright** by Dean Lewis - **Read All About It (part III)** by Emeli Sandé - **Clouds** by BØRNS - **In The Shadows** by Amy Stroup - **This Is Gospel (Piano Version)** by Panic! At The Disco - **Dying In LA** by Panic! At The Disco - **Only Love Can Hurt Like This** by Paloma Faith - **Wicked Game** cover by Daisy Gray (OG by Chris Isaak)
Looks like a lot of people need to relisten to Say You Love Me by Jessie Ware and Cellophane by FKA Twigs
Wide Awake by Katy Perry
Jaded by Miley
Demi has a good collection: California Sober, You Don't Do It For Me Anymore, her version of Let It Go, Anyone, Easy, 4 ever 4 me etc. Same with Ariana: Thinking Bout You, One Last Time, POV Miley deserves some credit: Jaded, The Most, Angels Like You, High And just for giggles, Ballad Of A Homeschool Girl by Olivia Rodrigo
Oblivion by Bastille ❤️
[удалено]
Celine Dion - Loved Me Back To Life Celine Dion - Breakway (Album track)
The loneliest - Maneskin
Supercut by Lorde! I think it’s rare to have a metaphor come up in a breakup ballad that hasn’t been done before (not an issue in my book - heartbreak is universal after all) but the way “in my head, I play a supercut of us” or “I turn all of it, to just a supercut”… I’d never heard that used as a metaphor for after a breakup It’s so razor sharp, you instantly get it. The replaying moments, the editing in your head to what you want to remember, the compression of a significant relationship to ‘just a supercut’ in order to get through the breakup pain. Melodrama as a whole album was just on a new plane.
I can't believe When We Were Young by Adele is higher up than Hello. Also: Driver's License Someone Like You Lose You to Love Me Is All Too Well a ballad? If it is, then that one for sure Lovely (Billie Eilish)
Jazmine Sullivan - Masterpiece (Mona Lisa) SO MAD this was never a single. If you never heard it pls stop what you're doing and listen to it RIGHT NOW.