It’s the start of yet another week of midterms (how is this still going on?), and now fall is actually upon us. So take a break from your readings, curl up with a fleece blanket and a warm mug of cider, and kick back with some of your favorite wild-haired fellas. Sure, the 80’s weren’t the best decade for hair and fashion and – let’s be real – maybe not for music, either. But sometimes, a corny power ballad and some soft rock just hits the spot.
Warrant – “Heaven”
Ah, Warrant. The glam metal guys who brought you the euphemistic classic “Cherry Pie” get sentimental in this 1989 power ballad. Of course, the jamming chorus and quintessentially 80s riffs would be nothing without the legendary Jani Lane’s immortal bandana and blonde mane combo. Talk about a man with great hair.
Poison – “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”
You can’t talk about 80s power ballads without talking about this one. It’s slow and sweet, and Bret Michaels gives it a little country twang.
Bon Jovi – “I’ll Be There for You”
I saw Bon Jovi live at the Verizon Center a couple years ago, and while was a great show, I might have liked to see them in their late 80s prime, earrings and bangs and everything. This one starts out nice and slow and swells into a passionate belt. It’s definitely a retro teen romance soundtrack kind of song.
Def Leppard – “Love Bites”
If you’re feeling moderately angsty and want to slowly nod and throw your hair side to side, this is a good one (if you can get past how many times you’ve probably heard the title). It’s got some R&B ballad vibes, but definitely still works.
Mötley Crüe – “Home Sweet Home”
“Home Sweet Home” is so quintessentially 80s. With no better adjective to adequately describe it, I must concede and say that the chorus has a very “epic” sound.
Cinderella – “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)
My boss actually told me to look into Cinderella (hey Rhett), and I’m kinda into it. This one’s a pretty solid rock ballad, and I’m definitely feeling the hoarse and raspy singing.
Guns N’ Roses – “Patience”
Okay, so for Guns N’ Roses I had to do slightly more searching to get past some of the obvious choices like “November Rain,” which were technically released in the early 90s. “Patience” is certainly different from most of the other songs on this list. It’s much more sentimental and doesn’t have much of an 80s rock element at all, except maybe Axl Rose’s gravelly ad libbing near the end.
(Low key I’m probably going as Axl Rose for Halloween)
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