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	HeroMariah Carey		Mariah Carey's signature song "Hero"
4	Goodbye My LoverJames Blunt		Brandt’s bathroom recording piano piece
5	When I Was Your ManBruno Mars		A piano ballad by Bruno Mars about lingering feelings after a breakup
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	Skinny LoveBirdy		Birdy covers a Bon Iver song on piano
9	Yesterday Once MoreCarpenters		Carpenters' classic piano ballad
10	If I Ain’t Got YouAlicia Keys		Alicia Keys' signature song(s)
11	YOUR SONGElton John		Elton John’s signature song “Your Song”
12	All of MeJohn Legend		John Legend's signature song All of Me
13	AngelsRobbie Williams		Robbie Williams’s smash hit song “Angels”
14	Don’t Know WhyNorah Jones		Norah Jones's signature song wins multiple awards
15	drivers licenseOlivia Rodrigo		Explanation of Olivia Rodrigo’s hit songs
16	The ScientistColdplay		Coldplay's piano ballad
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	The WordsChristina Perri		A gentle piano piece about Perry’s love
23	Sign of the TimesHarry Styles		Harry Styles' mature solo singing
24	HurtChristina Aguilera		Christina’s song of sad bereavement
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	GoneBebe Rexha		Bebe Rexha 2014 release song
30	Higher LoveJames Vincent McMorrow		James covers a song by Steve Winwood
31	Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)Phil Collins		Phil Collins 1984 power ballad
32	Looks Like We Made ItBarry Manilow		Barry Manilow 1977 track
33	Please Don’t Stop The RainJames Morrison		James Morrison's piano ballad
34	Through The RainMariah Carey		Mariah Carey's ballad
35	MadNe-Yo		A beautiful piano piece that touches Ne-Yo’s heart
36	Ordinary DayVanessa Carlton		Vanessa’s piano-and-vocal song
37	Someone Like YouAdele		Adele 2011 grand piano piece
38	LifelineAlicia Keys		Alicia Keys' healing anthem of encouragement
39	Fallin’Alicia Keys		Introduction to Alicia Keys' debut single
40	EverytimeBritney Spears		Britney’s apology song
41	Save The Best For LastVanessa Williams		Elegant Love Song
42	UnfaithfulRihanna		Rihanna's bewitching vocals are captivating
43	DrowningBackstreet Boys		A soothing ballad by BSB
44	CondolenceBenjamin Clementine		A piano melody piece unique to Clémentine
45	NightingaleDemi Lovato		Demi Lovato's ballad song
46	Waiting Outside The LinesGreyson Chance		Greyson Chance released in 2010
47	Hidden AwayJosh Groban		Josh Groban's soothing piano piece
48	That’s My GoalShayne Ward		Shayne Ward debuts with his winning song
49	StillThe Communards		A classic ballad by Commodores
50	CornerstoneBenjamin Clementine		Benjamin Clementine shines in a collaboration with Gorillaz
51	This Year’s LoveDavid Gray		David Gray's soothing piano piece
52	I BelieveFantasia		Fantasia's debut song is a big hit
53	What a Good Woman DoesJoy Williams		Joy Williams, Grammy Award-winning singer
54	Blade Of GrassLady Gaga		Lady Gaga’s moving classic ballad
55	Right Here WaitingRichard Marx		Richard Marx's love song for his beloved wife
56	The RoseBette Midler		Bette Midler's 1980s hit song
57	Inside Your HeavenCarrie Underwood		Carrie Underwood 2005 release song
58	Jar of HeartsChristina Perri		Christina’s worldwide hit song
59	ClownEmeli Sandé		The soul-cleansing songs of Emeli Sandé
60	AgainJanet Jackson		Janet Jackson's award-nominated songs
61	I’ll Be ThereMariah Carey		Mariah covers a Jackson 5 song
62	StayRihanna ft. Mikky Ekko		Rihanna and sampled songs
63	Could’ve BeenTiffany		Tiffany’s 1987 hit song
64	HaloBeyoncé		Beyoncé’s 2009 classic, with a memorable piano
65	And So It GoesBilly Joel		Billy Joel's 1990 hit song
66	Don’t Forget About MeCLOVES		The mysterious and nostalgic songs of Cloves
67	Candle In The WindElton John		Marilyn Monroe memorial song
68	Just A KissLady Antebellum		Lady Antebellum’s romantic love song
69	Fall For YouLeela James		Leela James 2014 fifth album track
70	Elastic Heart (Piano Version)Sia		A global hit with Sia’s ballad