33 Best Power Ballads Of All Time

Power ballads are songs that reach through the speaker to touch your soul. Typically, the musical effects are a combination of instruments and a booming voice that commands attention. The singers that can pull out these deeply emotional songs are immensely talented and deserve recognition.

If you’re in the mood to feel, get your tissues ready. We’ve got a list here of the best power ballads, in no specific order.

1. Vision of Love – Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey - Vision Of Love

When Mariah Carey burst on the scene with this song, the world knew they had struck gold. Not only did it showcase her compelling voice, but it solidified her path to stardom. A song like that was the best way to kick off a decade, given it came out in 1990. “Vision Of Love” was her first in a long string of hits.

Next: The best R&B artists of all time (our complete list)

2. The Power of Love – Céline Dion

Céline Dion - The Power Of Love (Official Remastered HD Video)

The first few words are Céline Dion only. When the music starts kicking in, so do the feels. She already has us in her vocal grasp, then she is here to deliver a love note of overwhelming proportions to her mate. No matter what happens, no matter where they are headed, the two are bound together. 

Next: Greatest woman singers in music history

3. My Heart Will Go On – Céline Dion

My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from "Titanic")

If you were alive and old enough to have memories, this song is likely etched in your brain. The leading selection for Titanic‘s soundtrack, “My Heart Will Go On,” went beyond the big screen and set up camp on the radio for years to come. Being attached to a heartbreaking love story probably helped.

Next: Ultimate list of the best movie/film soundtracks ever

4. Frozen – Madonna

Madonna - Frozen (Official Video) [HD]

Madonna had been through a wide range of styles before she got to “Frozen.” That might have something to do with why it took society by storm. The lyrics touch on a feeling many can relate to about loving someone who has grown distant or cold. Her pleas go on deaf ears.

5. The Power of Good-bye – Madonna

Madonna - The Power Of Good-Bye (Official Video)

The beats on this song were something no one had ever heard. Madonna may have “The Power Of Goodbye,” but she also has the power to create a masterpiece, which is this song. Here, she sings about the point in a relationship when there’s nothing left to do but walk away.

Next: Ultimate list of the best ’80s female singers

6. Hello – Adele

Adele - Hello (Official Music Video)

“Hello” is the first word you hear and that’s all you need to be invested in the story that is about to befall your ears. What Adele expresses in this song is regret for letting things get so distant. She’s reached out to make amends but this person has moved on and won’t engage.

Next: The top 2000s female singers (our full list)

7. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (Official Video Remastered)

Often rated as the best song of all time, due to the multitude of fantastic elements, “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a treasure. When it came out in the 70s, the anthem took the world by storm. There has never been anything like it since. Freddie Mercury takes the listener on a rollercoaster from beginning to end.

Next: Ultimate list of the best ’80s male singers

8. Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler

Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart (Turn Around) (Official Video)

Talk about ripping a heart directly from the chest. That’s what Bonnie Tyler does here through her words of hurt. Anyone who has been through a rough breakup can relate to being completely obsessed with someone and then no longer feeling anything. It sucks, and the raw emotion is evident.

9. Kiss From a Rose – Seal

While the Batman movie this song came out with wasn’t a favorite, this song was. Seal’s voice captured millions with the gut-wrenching visual of a rose being placed in the snow atop a grave. After debuting, this hit was a mainstay on the charts for what seemed like years.

Next: Greatest love songs ever recorded list (our picks)

10. The Edge of Glory – Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga - The Edge Of Glory

Not enough songs relay that feeling of being on top of the world. The ones that do certainly don’t get the message across the way Lady Gaga does. When everything is going right, having someone to stand on that edge with you is the cherry on top. It’s exactly the kind of situation that makes you want to shout from the rooftops.

11. Purple Rain – Prince

When everything feels like it’s falling apart and all you have is the person you love, you might be experiencing what Prince is talking about in his song. Suddenly, there’s loss and desperation to have it back again. Going through it is like walking through “Purple Rain.”

12. Perfect – Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran - Perfect (Official Music Video)

Hearing Ed Sheeran belt it out for the love of his life is satisfying. Finding someone you love so much that you want to build an entire life with them is something most hope to experience, but not everyone gets the pleasure of having it. Also, who wouldn’t want someone to reassure them that they are perfect, no matter what?

13. Un-Break My Heart – Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton - Un-Break My Heart (Official HD Video)

In the video, Toni Braxton’s boyfriend got in a motorcycle accident and didn’t survive. That’s when the song starts and the whole video is about her dealing with loss. Of course, this can also apply to a regular breakup. No matter how a relationship ends, it hurts.

Next: Top female R&B artists in the genre’s history

14. Once Upon a Dream – Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey - Once Upon A Dream (Official Audio)

“Once Upon A Dream” is almost as old as Disney. However, when Lana Del Rey added her voice to the song for the movie Maleficent, it took on a whole new life. The spin on the movie helped provide support for the new take on the old classic. Her sound is more haunting with a slice of hope, just like how the character’s story is portrayed.

Next: The best songs from films & movies of all time

15. Viva Forever – Spice Girls

Spice Girls - Viva Forever (Official Music Video)

The Spice Girls were so beloved by the world because each member had her own style and sound. With five unique personalities, most young girls saw a version of themselves represented in this group. “Viva Forever” was basically a goodbye to the fans, though we may not have known it then, and an expression of love.

16. Chandelier – Sia

Sia - Chandelier (Official Video)

Turning a dark period in your life into something helpful is no easy task, but that’s exactly what Sia did. “Chandelier” is about her problem with addiction and the emotions she had going through it. She’s singing her heart out through the symbolism of the experience, and you can feel her struggle.

17. Elastic Heart – Sia

Sia - Elastic Heart feat. Shia LaBeouf & Maddie Ziegler (Official Video)

The video for this song helps illustrate for the viewer what a struggle Sia went through when she was younger. She has to fight through everything to come out the victor of her own mental health. It’s a process, and this song is one that many people can connect with.  

18. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Remastered 2014)

Sometimes, you just have to break free from what’s going on and forge a path back to personal safety. Elton John belts out this tune about living a life for yourself, not for others. Using the familiar theme of a yellow brick road, the song is immediately catchy. It’s still a popular selection decades later.

19. Don’t Let Go – En Vogue

En Vogue - Don't Let Go (Love) (Official Music Video)

In the Set It Off soundtrack, “Don’t Let Go” has a dangerous background. The movie is about a group of female bank robbers. Ultimately, three of the four ladies die due to their criminal activities. The one character to make it was in love with the cop coming after them. She would never have let go and En Vogue captures that.

20. Battlefield – Jordan Sparks

Jordin Sparks - Battlefield

Anyone who has ever been in a relationship knows exactly where Jordan Sparks is coming from. One day, everything is going exactly right, and the next, something has gotten in the way. Sometimes, the smallest things create drama where it’s not wanted. Pettiness is annoying, and she is pleading to the heavens, “Why?”

21. Only Girl (In The World) – Rihanna

Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World)

Rihanna’s work could easily be the anthem for every lady in a relationship. No woman wants to feel like she’s not the most important thing in her partner’s life. This could probably work for either sex, but this seems to hit home for women especially. It’s comforting to be treated like there is no comparison.

22. All of Me – John Legend

John Legend - All of Me (Official Video)

Dedicating a massive hit to your wife and making her the focal point in the video isn’t something you see every day. But that’s exactly what John Legend did with “All Of Me,” a love ballad about how he looks at their relationship. It’s kind of funny when you realize he almost broke up with Chrissy Teigen, but she wouldn’t let him. It was love.

Next: The ultimate list of love songs for boyfriends

23. Wrecking Ball – Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball (Official Video)

No one can forget the image of Miley Cyrus on an actual wrecking ball. Nor can anyone forget her singing her heart out to the camera, directly. It was raw. She was broken and longing for a relationship that was once everything. 

24. Someone Like You – Adele

Adele - Someone Like You (Official Music Video)

Ever end things with someone and live with regret? Adele is getting in touch with an ex who has moved on. She realizes, seemingly too late, that this was someone too special to let go of. It’s clearly been a while, but she needed to get these thoughts off her chest. Breaking up isn’t always final on both sides.

Next: Breakup anthems (top breakup songs ever)

25. It Will Rain – Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars - It Will Rain (Official Music Video)

Despite the somber-sounding music, the lyrics paint a different picture. Bruno Mars is telling the story about someone he loves so much that there’s just no point to anything if they break up. “Just like the clouds, My eyes will do the same if you walk away, Every day, it’ll rain,” pretty much sums it up. 

26. Wildest Dreams – Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift - Wildest Dreams

Being in love is the best feeling in the world. It’s also the worst when it doesn’t work out. Sometimes, you enter a relationship knowing it will be short-lived. Taylor Swift knows it’s too good to be true, she just wants to make sure she left an impression.

27. Jar of Hearts – Christina Perri

christina perri - jar of hearts [official music video]

Breakups are often the most difficult experience that anyone can go through. That process can have you see the person you loved in a whole new light. The worst can come out and that can leave you feeling half alive. However, it can also make you stronger, which is what you hear from Christina Perri.

28. Dreaming of You – Selena

Selena - Dreaming Of You (Official Music Video)

Having a crush on someone is exciting. When that crush goes on long enough, that person can easily become all you think about. Selena puts that beautifully while she’s going through aspects of life, wondering if the person she loves is doing the same thing. It’s cute and the end is how everyone wants their crush to play out.

29. Street Symphony – Monica

Monica - Street Symphony

Monica’s partner has been up to shenanigans, illegal ones. There’s over a minute of musical build-up before she starts her lyrical monologue to the one who is overstepping. By the time words hit, you know she’s hurting. Monica is afraid something bad is going to happen. She wants him to stop before it’s too late.

30. Water Under the Bridge – Adele

Adele - Water Under the Bridge

A common situation in relationships that aren’t going too well is when someone starts drifting. Adele sounds like she’s trying to reach out to her partner, and he’s just not being responsive. He had made some great claims about how he felt and drifted into flakiness.

31. Trumpets – Jason Derulo

Jason Derulo - Trumpets [Official HD Music Video]

Imagery from Jason Derulo about what he sees and hears when he is around his girlfriend is priceless. The thought that the person you love has all this going on whenever he thinks or sees you is heartwarming. This song is relationship goals. 

32. I Miss You – Blink-182

blink-182 - I Miss You (Official Video)

“I Miss You” is a stark departure from Blink-182’s usual sound. It’s from the perspective of a young man who is vulnerable in a new relationship. This person is someone he’s clearly obsessed with, even though he believes it’s going to fail.

33. It Must Have Been Love – Roxette

Roxette - It Must Have Been Love (Official Music Video)

Sometimes, relationships are so intensely hot and passionate that they burn out. That’s the vibe you get from Roxette. It was so good, but the chaos of life gets distracting. Before you know it, it’s over, and you don’t know why. 

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