Top Hair Band Ballads & Glam Rock Love Songs

Last Updated: June 12, 2023 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and wedding DJ)

I compiled a list of the best hair band power ballads for weddings to get people on the dance floor.  For purposes of my list, I will combine glam-rock and pop-metal artists on the list.

Many hair band ballads are power ballads – a slow, emotional song that gradually builds to a strong finale.

Top Glam Rock Love Songs for Weddings

1. “Faithfully” by Journey
2. “Heaven” by Warrant
3. “I’ll Be There For You” by Bon Jovi
4. “The Search Is Over” by Survivor
5. “Love Of A Lifetime” by Firehouse

Top Hair Band Slow Songs List

38 Special – Second Chance
Released in 1988 on the album Rock & Roll Strategy

Lyrics to Sing:

When love makes this sound babe
A heart needs a second chance
Don’t put me down babe
Can’t you see I love you

Aerosmith – Angel
Released in 1987 on the album Permanent Vacation

(See a list of Aerosmith’s biggest hits)

Lyrics to Sing:

You’re the reason I live
You’re the reason I die
You’re the reason I give

Alcatrazz – Suffer Me
Released in 1983 on the album No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll

Lyrics to Sing:

I touched you
You felt my heart
Then I was born the second son
Oh how you suffer me

Alias – I Need You Now (More Than Words Can Say)
Released in 1990 on the album Alias

Lyrics to Sing:

I’ve got to find a way
I need you now
Before I lose my mind

Alice Cooper – Only My Heart Talkin’
Released in 1989 on the album Trash

Lyrics to Sing:

Every time I take it to the edge
Every time I’m so afraid
Don’t you know I cry my eyes out, babe

Next, read the greatest 1980s love songs.

Bad English – When I See You Smile
Released in 1989 on the album Bad English

Lyrics to Sing:

Baby there’s nothing
In this world that could ever do
What a touch of your hand can do

Black ‘N Blue – I’ll Be There For You
Released in 1986 on the album Nasty Nasty

Lyrics to Sing:

If you get lost down a dark, lonely road
I’ll play on your side
You can count on me, just say the word and I’ll
Be there for you

Blue Murder – Out Of Love
Released in 1989 on the album Blue Murder

Lyrics to Sing:

You used to say love would never die
But you were wrong and I’ve just died inside
I’m outta love again

Bon Jovi – I’ll Be There For You
Released in 1988 on the album New Jersey

(See popular Bon Jovi ballads for engaged couples)

Lyrics to Sing:

I’ll be there for you
These five words I swear to you
When you breathe, I wanna be the air for you

Bon Jovi – Never Say Goodbye
Released in 1986 on the album Slippery When Wet

Lyrics to Sing:

Never say goodbye
You and me and my old friends
Hoping it would never end

Bon Jovi – Wanted Dead or Alive
Released in 1986 on the album Slippery When Wet

Lyrics to Sing:

I’m a cowboy
On a steel horse I ride
I’m wanted dead or alive
Wanted dead or alive

Boston – Amanda
Released in 1986 on the album Third Stage

Lyrics to Sing:

I’m gonna say it like a man
And make you understand, Amanda
I love you

Britny Fox – Dream On
Released in 1989 on the album Boys in Heat

Lyrics to Sing:

Dream on, oh, dream on.
Wish upon a star and dream on.

Cheap Trick – The Flame
Released in 1988 on the album Lap of Luxury

Lyrics to Sing:

Whenever you need someone
To lay your heart and head upon
Remember, after the fire, after all the rain
I will be the flame

Cinderella – Don’t Know What You Got (Til It’s Gone)
Released in 1988 on the album Long Cold Winter

Lyrics to Sing:

Don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone
Don’t know what it is I did so wrong
Now I know what I got
Just this song

Cinderella – Nobody’s Fool
Released in 1986 on the album Night Songs

Lyrics to Sing:

And with that dime I bought your love
But now I’ve changed my mind
I’m not your fool

Damn Yankees – High Enough
Released in 1990 on the album Damn Yankees

Lyrics to Sing:

Can you take me high enough
To fly me over (fly me over)
Yesterday?

Danger Danger – I Still Think About You
Released in 1991 on the album Screw It!

Lyrics to Sing:

Just as sure as a cold wind blows
I still think about you
Do you think about me?

Def Leppard – Love Bites
Released in 1987 on the album Hysteria

Lyrics to Sing:

Love bites, love bleeds
It’s bringin’ me to my knees
Love lives, love dies

Def Leppard – Two Steps Behind
Released in 1992 on the album Adrenalize

Lyrics to Sing:

Wherever you go
And I’ll be there to remind you
That it only takes a minute of your precious time
To turn around

Def Leppard – When Love And Hate Collide
Released in 1995 on the album When Love and Hate Collide

Lyrics to Sing:

Without you
Can’t stop the hurt inside
When love and hate collide

Dokken – Alone Again
Released in 1984 on the album Tooth and Nail

Lyrics to Sing:

But I couldn’t find the words
Now the tears, they fall like rain
I’m alone again without you

Enuff Z’nuff – Fly High Michelle
Released in 1989 on the album Enuff Z’nuff

Lyrics to Sing:

I didn’t know you’d hit the ground
Why d’you have to give it up?
(Fly high Michelle)

Europe – Carrie
Released in 1986 on the album The Final Countdown

Lyrics to Sing:

Can’t you see it in my eyes?
That this might be our last goodbye
Carrie

Extreme – More Than Words
Released in 1990 on the album Extreme II: Pornograffitti

Lyrics to Sing:

What would you say
If I took those words away?
Then you couldn’t make things new
Just by saying “I love you”

Faster Pussycat – House Of Pain
Released in 1989 on the album Wake Me When It’s Over

Lyrics to Sing:

I didn’t write these pages
And my script’s been rearranged.
No, there’s no one home
In my house of pain

Firehouse – Love Of A Lifetime
Released in 1990 on the album FireHouse

Lyrics to Sing:

I finally found the love of a lifetime
A love to last my whole life through
I finally found the love of a lifetime
Forever in my heart

Firehouse – When I Look Into Your Eyes
Released in 1992 on the album Hold Your Fire

Lyrics to Sing:

I can see how much I love you and it makes me realize
When I look into your eyes
I see all my dreams come true

Foreigner – I Want To Know What Love Is
Released in 1984 on the album Agent Provocateur

Lyrics to Sing:

I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me

Giant – I’ll See You In My Dreams
Released in 1989 on the album Last of the Runaways

Lyrics to Sing:

You keep comin’ back for more
I’ll see you in my dreams
There we’ll be safe tonight

Great White – The Angel Song
Released in 1989 on the album …Twice Shy

Lyrics to Sing:

Fly lonely angel
High above these streets of fire
Fly lonely angel
Far away from mad desire

Guns N’ Roses – November Rain
Released in 1991 on the album Use Your Illusion I

Lyrics to Sing:

And we both know hearts can change
And it’s hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain

Guns N’ Roses – Patience
Released in 1989 on the album G N’ R Lies

Lyrics to Sing:

Said “woman take it slow, and it’ll work itself out fine”
All we need is just a little patience

Hanoi Rocks – Don’t You Ever Leave Me
Released in 1984 on the album Two Steps from the Move

Lyrics to Sing:

Don’t you ever leave me now
Don’t you ever leave me baby
If you leave me you will kill me now

Heart – Alone
Released in 1987 on the album Bad Animals

(See popular Heart songs list)

Lyrics to Sing:

I never really cared until I met you
And now it chills me to the bone
How do I get you alone

Heart – These Dreams
Released in 1986 on the album Heart

Lyrics to Sing:

These dreams go on when I close my eyes
Every second of the night I live another life

John Waite – Missing You
Released in 1984 on the album No Brakes

Lyrics to Sing:

I ain’t missing you at all
Since you’ve been gone away
I ain’t missing you
No matter
What my friends say

Journey – Faithfully
Released in 1983 on the album Frontiers

(List to a Journey wedding playlist)

Lyrics to Sing:

And lovin’ a music man ain’t always what it’s supposed to be
Oh, girl, you stand by me
I’m forever yours
Faithfully

Journey – Open Arms
Released in 1981 on the album Escape

Lyrics to Sing:

So here I am
With open arms
Hoping you’ll see
What your love means to me

Keel – Because The Night
Released in 1986 on the album The Final Frontier

Lyrics to Sing:

Because the night belongs to lovers
Because the night belongs to us

Kingdom Come – What Love Can Be
Released in 1988 on the album Kingdom Come

Lyrics to Sing:

And now that I know what love can be
All that I want is you with me
That’s all I want

Kiss – Beth
Released in 1976 on the album Destroyer

(See popular Kiss songs list)

Lyrics to Sing:

Beth, I hear you calling
But I can’t come home right now
Me and the boys are playing

Kiss – Forever
Released in 1989 on the album Hot in the Shade

Lyrics to Sing:

It’s forever, this time I know, and there’s no doubt in my mind
Forever, until my life is through, girl, I’ll be loving you forever

Kix – Don’t Close Your Eyes
Released in 1988 on the album Blow My Fuse

Lyrics to Sing:

I’ll make everything all right
Wake up – Don’t go to sleep
I pray the lord your soul to keep
Don’t close your eyes

Check out the biggest 80s hits for dancing.

Krokus – Screaming In The Night
Released in 1983 on the album Headhunter

Lyrics to Sing:

Screaming in the night,
Fighting for my life, I’d die for you

L.A. Guns – Ballad Of Jayne
Released in 1989 on the album Cocked & Loaded

Lyrics to Sing:

Everybody dreams of angels
No one would ever know
How much I love you so

Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne – Close My Eyes Forever
Released in 1988 on the album Lita

Lyrics to Sing:

If I close my eyes forever
Will it all remain unchanged?
If I close my eyes forever
Will it all remain the same?

Loverboy – Heaven In Your Eyes
Released in 1986 on the album Top Gun

Lyrics to Sing:

It took some time to find the light
But now I realize
I can see the heaven in your eyes

Metallica – Nothing Else Matters
Released in 1991 on the album Metallica

(See popular Metallica songs list)

Lyrics to Sing:

Every day for us something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters

Michael Schenker Group (MSG) – Anytime
Released in 1989 on the album Save Yourself

Lyrics to Sing:

Anytime anytime you want me
Anytime anytime you’re lonely
You just have to call, ‘cos you know I’ll be there

Motley Crue – Home Sweet Home
Released in 1981 on the album Too Fast for Love

Lyrics to Sing:

I’m on my way
Home sweet home
Tonight, tonight

Mr. Big – To Be With You
Released in 1991 on the album Lean into It

Lyrics to Sing:

Deep inside I hope you feel it too (feel it too)
Waited on a line of greens and blues (waited on a line)
Yeah, just to be the next to be with you

Nelson – Only Time Will Tell
Released in 1990 on the album After the Rain

Lyrics to Sing:

If you’re gonna stand beside me through both heaven and hell
I want to know that you’re behind me
Only time will tell

Night Ranger – Sister Christian
Released in 1983 on the album Midnight Madness

Lyrics to Sing:

Motoring
What’s your price for flight?
In finding Mister Right
You’ll be alright tonight

Ozzy Osbourne – Mama I’m Coming Home
Released in 1992 on the album Mama, I’m Coming Home

Lyrics to Sing:

I could be right, I could be wrong
It hurts so bad, it’s been so long
Mama, I’m coming home

Poison – Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Released in 1988 on the album Open Up and Say… Ahh!

Lyrics to Sing:

Every rose has its thorn
Just like every night has its dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song

Poison – Something To Believe In
Released in 1990 on the album Flesh & Blood

Lyrics to Sing:

Cause I never meant the things I did”
And give me something to believe in
If there’s a Lord above

Queensryche – Silent Lucidity
Released in 1990 on the album Empire

Lyrics to Sing:

(I) am gonna help you see it through
(I) will protect you in the night
(I) am smiling next to you, in silent lucidity

Ratt – Givin’ Yourself Away
Released in 1990 on the album Detonator

Lyrics to Sing:

It’s written in the tears on your face
I see through the part that you play
Your givin’ yourself away

REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You
Released in 1980 on the album Hi Infidelity

(See popular REO Speedwagon songs list)

Lyrics to Sing:

And I’m gonna keep on lovin’ you
‘Cause it’s the only thing I want to do
I don’t want to sleep, I just want to keep on lovin’ you

Saigon Kick – Love Is On The Way
Released in 1992 on the album The Lizard

Lyrics to Sing:

Love is on the way
I can see it in your eyes
Let’s give it one more try tonight baby

Scorpions – Still Loving You
Released in 1984 on the album Love at First Sting

Lyrics to Sing:

Love, our love
Shouldn’t be thrown away
I will be there

Scorpions – Wind Of Change
Released in 1990 on the album Crazy World

Lyrics to Sing:

On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away (dream away)
In the wind of change

Sheriff – When I’m With You
Released in 1983 on the album Sheriff

Lyrics to Sing:

Baby ooh I get chills when I’m with you oh
O baby my world stands still when I’m with you

Skid Row – I Remember You
Released in 1989 on the album Skid Row

Lyrics to Sing:

And through the sleepless nights, through every endless day
I’d wanna hear you say, I remember you

Slaughter – Fly To the Angels
Released in 1990 on the album Stick It to Ya

Lyrics to Sing:

Fly to the angels
Heaven awaits your heart
And flowers bloom in your name

Steelheart – I’ll Never Let You Go
Released in 1990 on the album Steelheart

Lyrics to Sing:

You’re the only one for me
You’re all I need
And I’ll never, never let you go

Stryper – Honestly
Released in 1986 on the album To Hell with the Devil

Lyrics to Sing:

I’m a friend who always will be true
And I love you can’t you see
That I can say I love you honestly

Styx – Babe
Released in 1979 on the album Cornerstone

Lyrics to Sing:

Giving me the courage
And the strength I need
Please believe that it’s true
Babe, I love you

Survivor – The Search Is Over
Released in 1984 on the album Vital Signs

Lyrics to Sing:

Then I touched your hand
I could hear you whisper
The search is over
Love was right before my eyes

Tesla – Love Song
Released in 1989 on the album The Great Radio Controversy

Lyrics to Sing:

Love is knockin’ outside your door
Waitin’ for you is this love made just for two
Keep an open heart and you’ll find love again, I know

Thunder – Love Walked In
Released in 1990 on the album Backstreet Symphony

Lyrics to Sing:

That’s when love walked in through my door
That familiar feeling I had once before
love walked in through my door
And it felt so strange

Trixter – One In A Million
Released in 1990 on the album Trixter

Lyrics to Sing:

And I’ll never find love again
Like the kind you give
Like the kind you send
‘Cause you’re one in a million

Twisted Sister – The Price
Released in 1984 on the album Stay Hungry

Lyrics to Sing:

Oh it’s the price we gotta pay
And all the games we gotta play
Makes me wonder if it’s worth it to carry on

Van Halen – Love Walks In
Released in 1986 on the album 5150

(See popular Van Halen songs list)

Lyrics to Sing:

So when you sense a change
Nothing feels the same
All your dreams are strange
Love comes walkin’ in

Vixen – Cryin’
Released in 1988 on the album Vixen

Lyrics to Sing:

‘Cause I opened my eyes
And I won’t be cryin’, cryin’
‘Cause those days are gone, gone

W.A.S.P. – Hold On To My Heart
Released in 1992 on the album The Crimson Idol

Lyrics to Sing:

Hold on to my heart, to my heart, to me
And oh no, don’t let me go cause all I am

Warrant – Heaven
Released in 1989 on the album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich

Lyrics to Sing:

Heaven isn’t too far away
Closer to it every day
No matter what your friends say
I know it’s gonna find a way

Warrant – I Saw Red
Released in 1990 on the album Cherry Pie

Lyrics to Sing:

Then I saw red
When I opened up the door
I saw red
My heart just spilled onto the floor

White Lion – When The Children Cry
Released in 1987 on the album Pride

Lyrics to Sing:

When the children cry let them know we tried
‘Cause when the children sing then the new world begins

Whitesnake – Here I Go Again
Released in 1992 on the album Saints & Sinners

Lyrics to Sing:

Here I go again on my own
Going down the only road I’ve ever known
Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone

Getting married, See the greatest rock music for weddings.

Whitesnake – Is This Love
Released in 1987 on the album Whitesnake

Lyrics to Sing:

Is this love that I’m feeling?
Is this the love that I’ve been searching for?
Is this love or am I dreaming?
This must be love

Winger – Headed For A Heartbreak
Released in 1988 on the album Winger

Lyrics to Sing:

So don’t be waiting for love
‘Cause I’ll be waitin’ to ramble on
Headed for a heartbreak

Winger – Miles Away
Released in 1990 on the album In the Heart of the Young

Lyrics to Sing:

Nothin’ left of what we had,
Just when I needed you most
You were miles away

Y&T – I Believe In You
Released in 1981 on the album Earthshaker

Lyrics to Sing:

I believe in you, believe in you baby
I believe in you, I believe in you

FAQs

What makes a hair band?

Hair bands were popular in the 1980s to early ’90s. Hair bands were rock bands of their own genre called glam rock, hair metal, and pop-metal. Hair bands produced rock, hard rock, and heavy metal styles of music. Hair bands were characterized by their long hair, flashy clothing, and heavy makeup. 

Webster’s dictionary describes a ballad as a slow romantic or sentimental song. Some ballads can be more difficult to dance to as the song builds and then falls several times.  Enjoy our list of the best hair band songs.

History of glam rock?

Beginning glam rock bands in the early 1980s included Def Leppard, Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot, and Motley Crue. The second half of the 1980s featured bands like Bon Jovi, Motley Crue’s continued success, Guns ‘N’ Roses, and Van Halen. Hairbands continued to be successful in the early 1990s with W.A.S.P. and Slaughter.

With the creation of grunge rock with bands like Nirvana, teens turned their focus away from glam rock to more popular grunge music.

About Matthew Campbell