I Want To Know What Love Is - Foreigner

[TheTecknician]

For those who weren't born or don't remember and those that do, it's an incredible forty years since this song reached Number 1 in the UK. A bit of a classic really. I'm not at all keen on power ballads by and large but IWTKWLI really hits home.

I also like Feel Like Makin' Love by Bad Company and All I Need by Beth Nielsen Chapman.

Any other power ballad favourites?

Ooh. Just remembered.

Who's crying now by Journey. Absolute banger!

It’s an 80s banger for sure!!

But I actually think this live version from 2016 at the Royal Albert Hall is better than the original, it’s just a beautiful composition!
And just listen to the range and power of Anne Wilson’s voice at 2m 45s, remember she was 66 years old at this performance…. phenomenal and much under rated singer imo.
Listen with headphones and turn it up

I lost my virginity to that song!! In a room above a pub.
Pure class me… 🤣

I listened to If You Don't Know Me by Now by Simply Red this morning and entered 1980's nirvana for a few minutes.

Then finished with Money's too Tight to Mention aahh it was a nice slice of 80's music

Still loving you by the Scorpions as mentioned by a few other people, fabulous song. I was an 80's rock chick so there are a good few power ballads that I like but this is one of the best

Silver Springs Fleetwood Mac has a special place in my heart. 💖

Another one making a playlist for the car!

China in Your Hand - T’Pau
Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler
Against All Odds - Phil Collins

Drive by The Cars
Wishing Well by Free
Is this love by Whitesnake
Jane by Jefferson Airplane

Omg I love Don't Fear the Reaper

Missing You by John Waite. Obviously a very popular song but I thought it was rather dull. I never liked it and its success surprised me (still does). However I'll say nothing more because I'm likely to be a minority, at least on this thread!

Goodbye To Love by The Carpenters. Is this a PB? Great song and very much of their style but breaks out into two stunning fuzz guitar solos, which was quite out of character for the Carpenters MOR leaning hitherto.

Goodbye to love is such a great song.

Also Superstar by the carpenters but not really a power ballad.

Yeeeeeaaahhh!!! 💜

Addicted to Love - Robert Palmer

What a great thread. I am playing 'Mix Tape Bingo' as I read through these suggestions - can't pick a favourite but fell in (first) love to Air Supply and had my heart broken to Chicago. So many memories of happy times, thank you @TheTecknician.

These are all fantastic songs, but to add to the list.....

Crazy aerosmith
Just like Jesse James cher
Broken wings minster mister
Missing you John Waite
Wind of change scorpion
China in your hand t'pau

That's my background music sorted for tomorrow 🙂

@Chardonnay Which pub was it please? I might try my luck.

And 2 disco_y songs as I have eclectic taste to say the least

Just be good to me by S.O. S Band..the opening is glorious

Dont stop the music by Yardborough & People. Bloody fab opening again!

I've always loved Missing You - I remember racing to tape it off the radio and desperately trying to find out who it was by so I could buy it. Couldn't just Google the lyrics (or ask Mumsnet) in those days!

Other favourites - Never Say Goodbye, Bon Jovi and Since You've Been Gone by Rainbow. Rocktastic? Not alf

Please don't go or if you leave me now by Chicago. Not sure of the title. 'If you leave me now you'll take away the very heart of me. Ooh baby please don't go.

Alone by Heart (already mentioned I see)

A bit earlier than the 80s as I’m very old, but pretty much anything by Scott Walker, especially “If you go away”. Originally by Jacques Brel, and covered by many, but Scott’s version is sublime.

Isn't that the one with the (misheard) lyric
"If you leave me now, you take a piece of meat with you"

Derek and the Dominoes - Layla
Def Leppard - When Love and Hate Collide (as per pp) but also Love Bites and Hysteria
Paul Weller - Sunflower
Joe Cocker - Feels Like Forever
Cyndi Lauper - I Drove All Night
Roy Orbison - She's A Mystery To Me
Janis Joplin - Piece of My Heart
Amy Winehouse - Valerie
Dire Straits - Romeo and Juliet
Hawkmoon 269 - U2
The Moody Blues - Nights in White Satin
The Moody Blues - Question
Bruce Springsteen - I Wish I Were Blind
Chris Rea - Windy Town
. . .and on and on and on. This is just a tiny selection.

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - Journey
Home Sweet Home - Mötley Crüe

Leave a light on for me probably fits the power ballad definition. Great song. I heard it recently and was only thinking it doesn't get much air play.