15 Hard Rock Ballads To Make Out To In Your Parent's Basement In The 80s

Driving home the other night, a song came on the radio that inspired today's blog.  These are the songs that you probably act like you don't like, but deep down you know you love them.  There are tons of them from the 1980s, so I brainstormed a bit and came up with my favorites.  I had a blast putting this playlist together for you.  Please add your favorites below in the comments section.  :)  Bret


1.  Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
Perfection.  I remember the first day of my sophomore year in high school.  Something happened over that summer, because there was a major takeover in the way people dressed that first day.  Appetite For Destruction t-shirts with ripped-up blue jeans tucked into knee-high moccasin boots.  It was like a revolution and GNR was taking over the world.
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2.  Skid Row - I Remember You
Singer Sebastian Bach was only 20 years old when this song came out on Skid Row's debut album.  I don't even know how Bach hits some of those high notes, but every time I hear this song it makes my vocal chords feel like they're going to bleed.  Bach was fired from the band after accepting an offer for Skid Row to open for Kiss.  Apparently the other band members felt they were too big to be opening for anyone else (including Kiss), and got rid of Bach.  Be sure to catch Skid Row on tour with opening bands U2 and Led Zepellin.  Hee hee.
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3.  Bad English - When I See You Smile
Bad English was a short-lived band made up of 2 members of Journey and 2 members of The Babys, including singer John Waite.
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4.  Survivor - The Search Is Over
Chicago's Survivor is mostly known for their mega hit Eye Of The Tiger.  This was their token ballad and it is pretty grand.
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5.  Warrant - Heaven
Hair metal classic.  Did you know that singer Jani Lane's real name is John Kennedy Oswald?  WTF.
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6.  Poison - Every Rose Has It's Thorn
Of course this is on the list.
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7.  White Lion - When The Children Cry
I wonder how many people have cried while listening to this song.  If you've ever wondered why the singer has a bit of an accent, it's because he's Danish.
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8.  Cheap Trick - The Flame
Wow.  Those are some vocal chops.  If there ever was a more perfect song to hold up your lighter (or cell phone, or fake lighter app on an iphone screen), this would be it.
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9.  Journey - Open Arms
Steve Perry.  What a voice.  I actually went out and looked for this album on vinyl today, after realizing that it's not in my collection.  No luck.  Tomorrow.
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10. John Waite - Missing You
John Waite from Bad English (see #3 above).  Rad.
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11. REO Speedwagon - Keep On Loving You
Singer Kevin Cronin should have won an Oscar for his performance in this video.  Just check out his intense method acting in the opening scene.
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12. Aerosmith - Angel
Great song.  Co-written by songwriter Desmond Child, who also helped create Livin' On A Prayer (Bon Jovi), I Hate Myself For Loving You (Joan Jett), Poison (Alice Cooper), Crazy & Dude Looks Like A Lady (Aerosmith), the classics Livin' La Vida Loca & She Bangs (Ricky Martin) and plenty of other songs you've heard.
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13. Def Leppard - Hysteria
This brings back some memories.  My older brother Carl used to play this song all the time back when it came out. I recently found a copy on vinyl.
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14. Motley Crue - Home Sweet Home
Classic 80s ballad.  This song was recently featured in the movie Hot Tub Time Machine.
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15. The Cult - Edie (Ciao Baby)
So great.  I still have my original Sonic Temple t-shirt.
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