Ballad Songs by Male Western Artists: Popular Song Rankings [2026]

I’ll Be There For YouBon Jovi43rank/position

Bon Jovi – I’ll Be There For You

Skin-tight skinny pants, sexy flashes of skin, and long, curly blond hair—this is a slow-tempo rock number by Bon Jovi, the band that set the world ablaze and left behind countless classic songs.

Though it’s a slow-tempo rock ballad, the tight drumming and the ultra-cool, distorted electric guitar are quintessentially their sound, making it a track whose beauty never fades no matter when you listen.

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Murakami Shinpei

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These DaysBon Jovi44rank/position

Bon Jovi – These Days

Bon Jovi is a rock band from New Jersey, USA.

They are so popular that their total sales are said to be 120 million records.

This song also served as the title track of their sixth album.

It reached No.

1 on the UK Singles Chart and also topped Japan’s Oricon chart.

End Of The RoadBoyz II Men45rank/position

Boyz II Men – End Of The Road

Speaking of Boyz II Men, they’re a male vocal group from Philadelphia, USA, that enjoys immense popularity in Japan as well.

Their songs, woven from overwhelming vocal prowess and exceptional harmonies, are the kind that people of all generations have heard at least once.

Among them, their signature track “End of the Road,” released in 1992, set a record by topping the U.S.

charts for 13 consecutive weeks.

It’s no exaggeration to say the song encapsulates everything that makes them renowned masters of the ballad form—its wonderful melody and vocals create a warm, moving experience.

As an aside, that 13-week record was broken later the same year by Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” which just goes to show how incredibly high the level of competition was.

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KOH-1

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On Bended KneeBoyz II Men46rank/position

Boyz II Men – On Bended Knee

“On Bended Knee” is a song released in 1994 by the American R&B group Boyz II Men.

The song expresses the feelings of a man who longs to reconcile with his lover.

After their breakup, he reflects on his actions and, as the title suggests, pleads on bended knee for her to come back—an earnest and heartfelt portrayal.

What beautifully elevates this straightforward emotion is the vocal harmony.

Boyz II Men were especially renowned for their exquisite choral work.

Pay special attention to the chorus, where the harmonies are at their most beautiful.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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Water Runs DryBoyz II Men47rank/position

Boyz II Men – Water Runs Dry

Boyz II Men, a group that has gained worldwide popularity with their overwhelming choral performances.

Even those not well-versed in R&B are likely familiar with them.

They produced numerous classic songs from the 1980s through the 1990s, and among them, the ballad that especially suits the sea is “Water Runs Dry.” As you can see from the music video, it’s a work inspired by the ocean, crafted into a unique kind of R&B that blends a refreshing feel with a sense of depth.

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Ryo

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No Matter WhatBoyzone48rank/position

Boyzone – No Matter What

Originally written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman for the 1996 musical “Whistle Down the Wind.” It was covered by the Irish boy band Boyzone and became the biggest hit single of 1998 in the UK.

JACKIE BROWNBrent Faiyaz49rank/position

Brent Faiyaz – JACKIE BROWN [Official Video]

With a soul-stirring voice and lyrics rich with insight, Brent Faiyaz breathes fresh air into the R&B scene.

Featured on his second album, Wasteland, released in July 2022, this track is a gem of a ballad that portrays a heart wavering between love and success.

By contrasting his current partner with a past lover, he compellingly questions his own lifestyle and choices.

Inspired by the film Jackie Brown, the song vividly showcases the depth of Faiyaz’s musicality.

It’s the perfect listen for nights when you want to surrender yourself to a voice that resonates with the heart.