Nothing but classics! A nostalgic collection of ’80s Western ballads

Speaking of Western music from the ’80s, it was the heyday of MTV, with countless flashy music videos airing on TV.

There were innumerable global hits that we enjoyed with the same familiarity as domestic hit songs in Japan.

For those who spent their youth in the ’80s, chances are that a beloved classic from Western music is playing somewhere in the pages of your memories.

In this article, we’ve gathered masterpieces that focus specifically on “ballads” from ’80s Western music.

The ’80s catalog is far too deep to cover exhaustively, but please enjoy a wide range of ballad classics—from straightforward ballads to medium-tempo ballads and power ballads by rock bands.

Playlist

Nothing but classics! A nostalgic collection of ’80s Western ballads
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Every Breath You TakeThe Police		A hit song by The Police has held the number-one spot for eight consecutive weeks.
2	Time After TimeCyndi Lauper		Cyndi Lauper’s classic song “Time After Time”
3	Open ArmsJourney		The famous song from the movie “Umizaru,” Journey’s “Open Arms.”
4	Right Here WaitingRichard Marx		A classic hit from the ’80s that sings about the feelings of a long-distance romance.
5	Take My Breath AwayBerlin		Top Gun theme song, a smash-hit classic
6	AloneHeart		Heart's classic song 'Alone' is moving.
7	Purple RainPrince		Prince's classic song 'Purple Rain'
8	With Or Without YouU2		U2’s signature song, a love song that hit No. 1 in the US
9	HeavenBryan Adams		The hit song “Heaven” by a Canadian singer tops the Billboard chart.
10	Saving All My Love for YouWhitney Houston		Whitney’s classic hit, an adulterous love song
11	PatienceGuns N’ Roses		Guns N’ Roses’ classic song “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
12	Missing YouJohn Waite		A heartfelt ballad that sings of the pain of a broken heart
13	Never Say GoodbyeBon Jovi		Bon Jovi's classic, a love confession song
14	Is This LoveWhitesnake		A classic by Whitesnake, expressing the turmoil of love.
15	Waiting for a Girl Like YouForeigner		A heart-stirring song born from meeting the woman of destiny
16	True ColorsCyndi Lauper		Cyndi Lauper’s classic anthem that cheers you on in life
17	Never Tear Us ApartINXS		The band INXS’s famous song is moving.
18	One More NightPhil Collins		Phil Collins's wistful night ballad
19	Still Loving YouScorpions		A poignant power ballad that sings of love’s revival
20	In Your EyesPeter Gabriel		Peter Gabriel’s masterpiece, a song of profound love
21	One More TryGeorge Michael		George Michael’s classic song with lyrics that resonate with the heart
22	I Want To Know What Love IsForeigner		Foreigner’s classic, a song of love and hope
23	Sweet LoveAnita Baker		Anita Baker’s classic song “Sweet Love”
24	TrueSpandau Ballet		Spandau Ballet’s classic “True” is a masterpiece.
25	You’re The InspirationCHICAGO		“You’re the Inspiration” is a classic love song.
26	Careless WhisperGeorge Michael		George Michael's hit song, a classic about heartbreak
27	Crazy for YouMadonna		Madonna’s classic hit “Crazy for You,” the theme song for the film
28	Total Eclipse of the HeartBonnie Tyler		Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler...
29	Can’t Fight This FeelingREO Speed Wagon		An iconic power ballad from the 80s
30	I Remember YouSkid Row		Get your energy back with a power ballad
31	Eternal flameThe Bangles		The allure of the 80s classic “Eternal Flame”
32	I Just Called to Say I Love YouStevie Wonder		Stevie’s movie theme song is a smash hit.
33	Sister ChristianNight Ranger		An iconic ballad from the ’80s that resonates with youthful memories
34	Can We Spend Some TimeSURFACE		A classic by Surface that resonates with bittersweet love
35	The FlameCheap Trick		80s ballads: timeless masterpieces of heartbreak and love
36	DriveThe Cars		A sad farewell ballad with an impressive synth
37	Right and a Wrong WayKeith Sweat		Keith Sweat’s classic love song
38	Against All OddsPhil Collins		Phil Collins’s classic song “Against All Odds”
39	Every Rose Has It’s ThornPoison		An iconic 80s hair metal track, the pain of a broken heart
40	Endless LoveLionel Richie, Diana Ross		The duet classic “Endless Love” is a big hit.
41	Here and NowLuther Vandross		Luther Vandross’s classic love song
42	You Are My LadyFreddie Jackson		A heart-touching R&B ballad from 1985, a timeless masterpiece
43	Holding Back the YearsSimply Red		Simply Red's classic, the melody of youth
44	We BelongPat Benatar		A classic song that portrays the bonds of love, the strength to overcome adversity
45	TrulyLionel Richie		Timeless songs that heal the heart and sing of eternal love
46	Uptown GirlBilly Joel		A love story between a young worker and an upper-class woman