Top 85 Hair Band Ballads & Power Ballads For Lovers

Last Updated: June 20, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell (Editor of My Wedding Songs and wedding DJ)

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We compiled a list of the best hair band power ballads for weddings to get people on the dance floor.  For purposes of our list, we will combine glam-rock and pop-metal artists on our list.  Many Hair Band ballads can be characterized as power ballads – a slow, emotional song that gradually builds to a strong finale.

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

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.

 
hair band ballads of the 80s and 90s

What is 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. 

Top 5 Hair Band Power Ballads for Wedding Receptions:

  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 Ballads List

38 Special – Second Chance
1988, Rock & Roll Strategy

song on Amazon

Aerosmith – Angel
1987, Permanent Vacation

song on Amazon

Alcatrazz – Suffer Me
1983, No Parole from Rock ‘n’ Roll

song on Amazon

Alias – I Need You Now (More Than Words Can Say)
1990, Alias

song on Amazon

Alice Cooper – Only My Heart Talkin’
1989, Trash

song on Amazon

 

Bad English – When I See You Smile
1989, Bad English

song on Amazon

Black ‘N Blue – I’ll Be There For You
1986, Nasty Nasty

song on Amazon

Blue Murder – Out Of Love
1989, Blue Murder

song on Amazon

Bon Jovi – I’ll Be There For You
1988, New Jersey

song on Amazon

Bon Jovi – Never Say Goodbye
1986, Slippery When Wet

song on Amazon

 

Bon Jovi – Wanted Dead or Alive
1986, Slippery When Wet

song on Amazon

Boston – Amanda
1986, Third Stage

song on Amazon

Britny Fox – Dream On
1989, Boys in Heat

song on Amazon

Cheap Trick – The Flame
1988, Lap of Luxury

song on Amazon

Cinderella – Don’t Know What You Got (Til It’s Gone)
1988, Long Cold Winter

song on Amazon

 

Cinderella – Nobody’s Fool
1986, Night Songs

song on Amazon

Damn Yankees – High Enough
1990, Damn Yankees

song on Amazon

Danger Danger – I Still Think About You
1991, Screw It!

song on Amazon

Def Leppard – Love Bites
1987, Hysteria

song on Amazon

Def Leppard – Two Steps Behind
1992, Adrenalize

song on Amazon

 

Def Leppard – When Love And Hate Collide
1995, When Love and Hate Collide

song on Amazon

Dokken – Alone Again
1984, Tooth and Nail

song on Amazon

Enuff Z’nuff – Fly High Michelle
1989, Enuff Z’nuff

song on Amazon

Europe – Carrie
1986, The Final Countdown

song on Amazon

Extreme – More Than Words
1990, Extreme II: Pornograffitti

song on Amazon

 

Faster Pussycat – House Of Pain
1989, Wake Me When It’s Over

song on Amazon

Firehouse – Love Of A Lifetime
1990, FireHouse

song on Amazon

Firehouse – When I Look Into Your Eyes
1992, Hold Your Fire

song on Amazon

Foreigner – I Want To Know What Love Is
1984, Agent Provocateur

song on Amazon

Giant – I’ll See You In My Dreams
1989, Last of the Runaways

song on Amazon

 

Great White – The Angel Song
1989, …Twice Shy

song on Amazon

Guns N’ Roses – November Rain
1991, Use Your Illusion I

song on Amazon

Guns N’ Roses – Patience
1989, G N’ R Lies

song on Amazon

Hanoi Rocks – Don’t You Ever Leave Me
1984, Two Steps from the Move

song on Amazon

Heart – Alone
1987, Bad Animals

song on Amazon

 

Heart – These Dreams
1986, Heart

song on Amazon

John Waite – Missing You
1984, No Brakes

song on Amazon

Journey – Faithfully
1983, Frontiers

song on Amazon

Journey – Open Arms
1981, Escape

song on Amazon

Keel – Because The Night
1986, The Final Frontier

song on Amazon

 

Kingdom Come – What Love Can Be
1988, Kingdom Come

song on Amazon

Kiss – Beth
1976, Destroyer

song on Amazon

Kiss – Forever
1989, Hot in the Shade

song on Amazon

Kix – Don’t Close Your Eyes
1988, Blow My Fuse

song on Amazon

Krokus – Screaming In The Night
1983, Headhunter

song on Amazon

 

L.A. Guns – Ballad Of Jayne
1989, Cocked & Loaded

song on Amazon

Lita Ford & Ozzy Osbourne – Close My Eyes Forever
1988, Lita

song on Amazon

Loverboy – Heaven In Your Eyes
1986, Top Gun

song on Amazon

Metallica – Nothing Else Matters
1991, Metallica

song on Amazon

Michael Schenker Group (MSG) – Anytime
1989, Save Yourself

song on Amazon

 

Motley Crue – Home Sweet Home
1981, Too Fast for Love

song on Amazon

Mr. Big – To Be With You
1991, Lean into It

song on Amazon

Nelson – Only Time Will Tell
1990, After the Rain

song on Amazon

Night Ranger – Sister Christian
1983, Midnight Madness

song on Amazon

Ozzy Osbourne – Mama I’m Coming Home
1992, Mama, I’m Coming Home

song on Amazon

 

Poison – Every Rose Has It’s Thorn

song on Amazon

Poison – Something To Believe In
1990, Flesh & Blood

song on Amazon

Queensryche – Silent Lucidity
1990, Empire

song on Amazon

Ratt – Givin’ Yourself Away
1990, Detonator

song on Amazon

REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You
1980, Hi Infidelity

song on Amazon

 

Saigon Kick – Love Is On The Way

song on Amazon

Scorpions – Still Loving You
1984, Love at First Sting

song on Amazon

Scorpions – Wind Of Change
1990, Crazy World

song on Amazon

Sheriff – When I’m With You
1983, Sheriff

song on Amazon

Skid Row – I Remember You
1989, Skid Row

song on Amazon

 

Slaughter – Fly To the Angels
1990, Stick It to Ya

song on Amazon

Steelheart – I’ll Never Let You Go
1990, Steelheart

song on Amazon

Stryper – Honestly
1986, To Hell with the Devil

song on Amazon

Styx – Babe
1979, Cornerstone

song on Amazon

Survivor – The Search Is Over
1984, Vital Signs

song on Amazon

 

Tesla – Love Song
1989, The Great Radio Controversy

song on Amazon

Thunder – Love Walked In
1990, Backstreet Symphony

song on Amazon

Trixter – One In A Million
1990, Trixter

song on Amazon

Twisted Sister – The Price
1984, Stay Hungry

song on Amazon

Van Halen – Love Walks In
1986, 5150

song on Amazon

 

Vixen – Cryin’
1988, Vixen

song on Amazon

W.A.S.P. – Hold On To My Heart
1992, The Crimson Idol

song on Amazon

Warrant – Heaven
1989, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich

song on Amazon

Warrant – I Saw Red
1990, Cherry Pie

song on Amazon

White Lion – When The Children Cry
1987, Pride

song on Amazon

 

Whitesnake – Here I Go Again
1982, Saints & Sinners

song on Amazon

Whitesnake – Is This Love
1987, Whitesnake

song on Amazon

Winger – Headed For A Heartbreak
1988, Winger

song on Amazon

Winger – Miles Away
1990, In the Heart of the Young

song on Amazon

Y&T – I Believe In You
1981, Earthshaker

song on Amazon

Similar song lists for further reading:

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About Matthew Campbell

Wedding Music Expert

Meet Matthew (Matt) Campbell, the passionate wedding DJ and music expert behind My Wedding Songs. With years of experience in the industry and a keen ear for the latest trends, Matt knows just what it takes to create the perfect soundtrack for your special day. From classic love ballads to upbeat party anthems, his articles are jam-packed with insider tips and top recommendations that will have you and your guests on your feet all night long.

But Matt isn’t just a music aficionado – he’s also an active member of wedding planning and DJ communities online, sharing his expertise and learning from other professionals along the way. When he’s not helping couples plan their dream weddings, you can find Matt exploring new destinations with his wife or sipping his favorite beer. Whatever your musical tastes or wedding style, Matt is your go-to resource for creating an unforgettable celebration. Read Full Bio.

5 Comments

  1. SO many these songs not appropriate for a wedding. Good songs..only not at all appropriate. Sorry.

    1. Hi Robert. I would agree that not all are appropriate for weddings. I got carried away when selecting my favorites. The couple and the DJ need to decide on their favorites and what to play at the wedding.

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