100 Greatest Rock Love Songs
Love has always been a popular theme in songwriting. Since rock music came into being, varied sentiments of love have been aesthetically crafted through lyrics of songs in the genre. Rock songs about love have been popular in every decade. A number of musicians in the rock genre have been inspired to write love songs. Lyrics are an artist’s interpretation conveyed either in a simple-lucid manner or in a rather complexly intellectual way. Over the decades a number of rock love songs have seen light. Rock ballads, soft rock, slow rock, acoustic songs, acoustic rock ballads, and power ballads are often associated with romanticism that has emotionally emphasized the language of love.
Rock Love Songs: The Various Decades
The 60s got the ball rolling for rock music. New subgenres in rock have emerged since the hippy-happy days, and we are testimony to the fact that love songs have been an integral part of the evolution. Infusing lyrical balladry with music is an art few possess. Musicians and songwriters in the rock genre have contributed immensely towards ballad rock. Listeners get emotional when they listen to love songs because sentiments conveyed through the lyrics and music draw parallel with life experiences. Classic rock songs have appealed to audiences globally, and the craze for songs from the classic era has not diminished. Personal life experiences about love have been woven into songs aesthetically by artists in various music genres. The sentimental and emotional aspects in rock love songs have appealed to listeners globally. Every decade showcased its brand of rock songs about love. The acoustic folk ballads in the 60s and 70s paved a new direction for rock love songs.
Ballads in Rock
The sound of rock ballads has evolved over the years. While rock ballads with a folksy-bluesy ruled in the 60s and 70s… in the 80s it was high octane power ballads and acoustic rock ballads that added fresh new perspective to balladry in music. Since the 80s the power ballad craze has risen to another level. Even though numerous extreme genres have emerged in the realms of rock, the craze for ballads in every subgenre of rock is monumental. Instrumentation and lyrical structure in rock songs about love vary in accordance with personal experiences of musicians/songwriters. Compositional structure in ballads differs in accordance with influences and creative instinct.
Over the years compilations of rock love songs have become excessively popular. Box sets of rock ballads from various decades are popular with music aficionados. The characteristic slow tempo that builds up in rock love songs adds unique identity and charm to composition and lyrical structure. Songs from the classic rock era have become rock anthems that have influenced and inspired the new generation of bands and artists. Balladry in music will remain eternal. There’s a lot we will witness in the realms of rock in the days ahead.
The list below is a detailed showcase of the best rock love songs from various decades.
100 Greatest Rock Love Songs
- Lay Lady Lay- Bob Dylan (1969)
- Imagine- John Lennon (1971)
- More Than Words- Extreme (1990)
- In My Life- The Beatles (1965)
- Sweet Thing- Van Morrison (1968)
- Wild Horses- Rolling Stones (1971)
- I Remember You- Skid Row (1989)
- With Or Without You- U2 (1987)
- Love of My Life- Queen (1975)
- Is This Love- Whitesnake (1987)
- Up Where We Belong- Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes (1982)
- Beth- Kiss (1976)
- I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing- Aerosmith (1998)
- True Love Waits- Radiohead (2001)
- Love Is On The Way- Saigon Kick (1992)
- Can’t Fight This Feeling- REO Speedwagon (1984)
- Here Without You- 3 Doors Down (2002)
- Iris- Goo Goo Dolls (1998)
- When I See You Smile- Bad English (1989)
- Carrie- Europe (1986)
- I Believe In You- Stryper (1988)
- I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)- Meat Loaf (1993)
- When It’s Love- Van Halen (1988)
- Heaven- Bryan Adams (1985)
- I Want To Know What Love Is- Foreigner (1984)
- You Make Loving Fun- Fleetwood Mac (1977)
- Faithfully- Journey (1983)
- Sorry- Buckcherry (2005)
- The Flame- Cheap Trick (1988)
- Love of My Life- Queen (1975)
- Miles Away- Winger (1990)
- Still Loving You- Scorpions (1984)
- Everlong- Foo Fighters (1997)
- Love Bites- Def Leppard (1987)
- Every Rose Has it’s Thorn- Poison (1988)
- Nights In White Satin- The Moody Blues (2002)
- Wonderful Tonight- Eric Clapton (1975)
- Close My Eyes Forever- Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne (1988)
- Waiting For A Girl Like You- Foreigner (1981)
- Two Steps Behind- Def Leppard (1993)
- The Reason- Hoobastank (2003)
- I’ll Be There For You- Bon Jovi (1989)
- Lady- Styx (1973)
- Crazy On You- Heart (1976)
- To Be With You- Mr. Big (1991)
- Thank You- Led Zeppelin (1969)
- Something- The Beatles (1969)
- Babe- Styx (1979)
- Love of A Lifetime- Firehouse (1991)
- More Than Words Can Say- Alias (1990)
- I Won’t Hold You Back- Toto (1982)
- Right Here Waiting- Richard Marx (1989)
- I’ll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes)- Steelheart (1990)
- Don’t Know What You Got (Til It’s Gone)- Cinderella (1988)
- Silent Lucidity- Queensryche (1990)
- Love Hurts- Nazareth (1975)
- When I Look Into Your Eyes- Firehouse (1992)
- Where You Goin’ Now- Damn Yankees (1992)
- (Everything I Do) I Do It For You- Bryan Adams (1991)
- Angie- Rolling Stones (1973)
- Drive- The Cars (1884)
- Heaven In Your Eyes- Loverboy (1986)
- November Rain- Guns N’ Roses (1992)
- Broken Wings- Mr. Mister (1985)
- Love IS Only A Feeling- The Darkness (2003)
- Soldier of Fortune- Deep Purple (1974)
- Angel- Aerosmith (1987)
- Open Arms- Journey (1982)
- Still Got The Blues- Gary Moore (1990)
- Love Song- Tesla (1989)
- Without You- Badfinger (1970)
- Harden My Heart- Quarterflash (1981)
- Sister Christian- Night Ranger (1983)
- Bed Of Roses- Bon Jovi (1992)
- Mama, I’m Coming Home- Ozzy Osbourne (1991)
- Patience- Guns N’ Roses (1988)
- When I’m With You- Sheriff (1982)
- I Live My Life For You- Firehouse (1995)
- Heaven- Warrant (1989)
- Amanda- Boston (1986)
- Fall To Pieces- Velvet Revolver (2004)
- Almost Paradise- Mike Reno and Ann Wilson (1984)
- Anytime- McAuley Schenker Group (1989)
- You’re The Inspiration- Chicago (1984)
- The Scientist- Coldplay (2002)
- Honestly- Stryper (1986)
- Only Women Bleed- Poison (1975)
- I Want To Know What Love Is- Foreigner (1984)
- Always- Bon Jovi (1996)
- Angel Eyes- Jeff Healey Band (1988)
- Can’t Stop Loving You- Van Halen (1995)
- By Starlight- Smashing Pumpkins (1995)
- All By Myself- Eric Carmen (1976)
- Dream On- Aerosmith (1973)
- Alone- Heart (1987)
- What Love Can Be- Kingdome Come (1988)
- Fly To The Angels- Slaughter (1990)
- Don’t Close Your Eyes- Kix (1988)
- Never Tear Us Apart- INXS (1987)
- I Don’t Want To Live Without You- Sleeze Beez (1992)