Piano ballads of Western music—from timeless hits to the latest songs

The tones born from the piano—a percussion instrument and a string instrument—overflow with a charm that captivates the hearts of us Japanese and won’t let go.

When we think of popular music where the piano takes center stage—playing a bubbly melody when we’re happy and a tune that gently accompanies our hearts when we’re feeling down—it has to be ballads.

In this article, we bring together timeless masterpieces of piano-centered Western ballads, spanning from classic favorites to the latest hits, resonating across generations.

Enjoy a richly varied selection that transcends genres—not only classic piano-and-voice ballads, but also rock ballads, jazz, pop, and more.

Playlist

Piano ballads of Western music—from timeless hits to the latest songs
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Stay With MeSam Smith		Sam Smith's representative heartbreak song
2	Piano ManBilly Joel		Billy Joel's piano masterpiece
3	When I Was Your ManBruno Mars		A piano ballad by Bruno Mars about lingering feelings after a breakup
4	HeroMariah Carey		Mariah Carey's signature song "Hero"
5	Goodbye My LoverJames Blunt		Brandt’s bathroom recording piano piece
6	Because Of YouKelly Clarkson		A song about Kelly Clarkson’s relationship with her father
7	HelloAdele		Adele’s world-famous hit song “Hello”
8	If I Ain’t Got YouAlicia Keys		Alicia Keys' signature song(s)
9	Skinny LoveBirdy		Birdy covers a Bon Iver song on piano
10	drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigo		Explanation of Olivia Rodrigo’s hit songs
11	Yesterday Once MoreCarpenters		Carpenters' classic piano ballad
12	YOUR SONGElton John		Elton John’s signature song “Your Song”
13	The ScientistColdplay		Coldplay's piano ballad
14	Don’t Know WhyNorah Jones		Norah Jones's signature song wins multiple awards
15	All of MeJohn Legend		John Legend's signature song All of Me
16	AngelsRobbie Williams		Robbie Williams’s smash hit song “Angels”
17	HappyLeona Lewis		Leona Lewis’s song seeking happiness
18	Let It BeThe Beatles		Perfect for piano practice: a classic Beatles song
19	November RainGuns N’ Roses		Guns N’ Roses’ smash-hit rock ballad
20	Now You’re Not HereSwing Out Sister		Theme song by Swing Out Sister
21	RunLeona Lewis		Cover of a ballad song by Leona Lewis
22	HurtChristina Aguilera		Christina’s song of sad bereavement
23	The WordsChristina Perri		A gentle piano piece about Perry’s love
24	Sign of the TimesHarry Styles		Harry Styles' mature solo singing
25	Lost In Your EyesDebbie Gibson		Debbie Gibson’s 1989 hit song
26	Almost Is Never Enough ft. Nathan SykesAriana Grande		Ariana and Nathan's romantic song
27	Nothing Without LoveNate Ruess		Nate Ruess solo debut single 2015
28	Momma SongBenson Boone		A moving ballad that sings of love for one’s mother
29	Higher LoveJames Vincent McMorrow		James covers a song by Steve Winwood
30	Fallin’Alicia Keys		Introduction to Alicia Keys' debut single
31	Save The Best For LastVanessa Williams		Elegant Love Song
32	Someone Like YouAdele		Adele 2011 grand piano piece
33	Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)Phil Collins		Phil Collins 1984 power ballad
34	DrowningBackstreet Boys		A soothing ballad by BSB
35	LifelineAlicia Keys		Alicia Keys' healing anthem of encouragement
36	GoneBebe Rexha		Bebe Rexha 2014 release song
37	Through The RainMariah Carey		Mariah Carey's ballad
38	MadNe-Yo		A beautiful piano piece that touches Ne-Yo’s heart
39	Ordinary DayVanessa Carlton		Vanessa’s piano-and-vocal song
40	Looks Like We Made ItBarry Manilow		Barry Manilow 1977 track
41	EverytimeBritney Spears		Britney’s apology song
42	Please Don’t Stop The RainJames Morrison		James Morrison's piano ballad
43	UnfaithfulRihanna		Rihanna's bewitching vocals are captivating
44	Blade Of GrassLady Gaga		Lady Gaga’s moving classic ballad
45	StillThe Communards		A classic ballad by Commodores
46	CondolenceBenjamin Clementine		A piano melody piece unique to Clémentine
47	Inside Your HeavenCarrie Underwood		Carrie Underwood 2005 release song
48	Jar of HeartsChristina Perri		Christina’s worldwide hit song
49	NightingaleDemi Lovato		Demi Lovato's ballad song
50	ClownEmeli Sandé		The soul-cleansing songs of Emeli Sandé
51	Waiting Outside The LinesGreyson Chance		Greyson Chance released in 2010
52	AgainJanet Jackson		Janet Jackson's award-nominated songs
53	Hidden AwayJosh Groban		Josh Groban's soothing piano piece
54	I’ll Be ThereMariah Carey		Mariah covers a Jackson 5 song
55	StayRihanna ft. Mikky Ekko		Rihanna and sampled songs
56	That’s My GoalShayne Ward		Shayne Ward debuts with his winning song
57	Could’ve BeenTiffany		Tiffany’s 1987 hit song
58	CornerstoneBenjamin Clementine		Benjamin Clementine shines in a collaboration with Gorillaz
59	The RoseBette Midler		Bette Midler's 1980s hit song
60	HaloBeyoncé		Beyoncé’s 2009 classic, with a memorable piano
61	And So It GoesBilly Joel		Billy Joel's 1990 hit song
62	Don’t Forget About MeCLOVES		The mysterious and nostalgic songs of Cloves
63	This Year’s LoveDavid Gray		David Gray's soothing piano piece
64	Candle In The WindElton John		Marilyn Monroe memorial song
65	I BelieveFantasia		Fantasia's debut song is a big hit
66	What a Good Woman DoesJoy Williams		Joy Williams, Grammy Award-winning singer
67	Just A KissLady Antebellum		Lady Antebellum’s romantic love song
68	Fall For YouLeela James		Leela James 2014 fifth album track
69	Elastic Heart (Piano Version)Sia		A global hit with Sia’s ballad
70	Right Here WaitingRichard Marx		Richard Marx's love song for his beloved wife