23 Comments
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Katy Anne's avatar

Elton John is known for ballads.. but he didn’t become super successful until he was paired with a writer because his writing wasn’t working. I doubt anyone would say that he is a lesser artist because of this. Yet female artists need to do it all or they aren’t truly talented

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Leslie's avatar

If Good Look Babe is a balled so is Karma

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Roxane's avatar

Clapping and cheering at this ranking! Mine (today but it changes all the time)

1. Fleetwood Mac - Songbird (it's weddings, it's funeral - if I ever get married to my partner it's this song. When - in Sunday 1994's Doomsday style - I spiral and panick that he might die, that's the funeral song

2. Jacques Brel - Ne Me Quitte Pas

3. Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares to You

4. Elton John - Sorry Seems to the Hardest Word

6. Britney Spears - Everytime (so glad this song made your list! I didn't have cable TV growing up and I have such vivid memories of watching MTV at my cousins' growing up and the music video being on. Lives were changed)

Special mentions: Amy Winehouse - Back to Black; Kelly Clarkson- Because of you;

Frankie Goes to Hollywood -the Power of Love

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Edith Ferrufino's avatar

My jaw was on the floor when you said Selena Quintanilla, that song made me weep when I was 10. And still!

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Don's avatar

The one that got away

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Arnav Manocha's avatar

I would say we can’t be friends might be the best pop ballad from this decade so far

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🍃David🍂's avatar

Beautiful by Christina Aguilera is by far one of the best pop ballad and I will say one of the best songs in the last 20 years. It is perfect in every way.

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Madeline Rubicam's avatar

she’s suchhh an underrated ballads artist to me

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Chas's avatar

A seasoned veteran of putting out boring ballads sent meeeeeeee

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Lauren's avatar

I feel like Back To December was the last time Taylor really tried to send a real ballad to radio. And while it won’t live in pop infamy the way her other hits do, it still slaps. I wonder if her tune will change at all now that she’s a) more comfortable in her vocals and b) will be writing about things that she will feel more comfortable with the GP knowing.

You are right! There is something to be said about a perfect for radio ballad (this includes power ballads idc). With that being said:

1) I will always love you

2) Total Eclipse of a heart

3) hopelessly devoted to you

4) it’s all coming back to me now (beats out my heart will go on!!)

5) someone like you

Sorry to men youll never outdo a diva. And time after time is a GREAT choice. Makes my top 10. Video Games is an insane song and is so fresh over 10 year later, but I don’t think of it as a standard ballad. Maybe it’s my power ballad bias keeping me from rocking with you.

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alexandriaroswick's avatar

The climb literally transcends generations! Every god damn person knows/loves this song and it only gets better and more profound with each passing year, as you said! There’s always gonna be another fucking mountain !!! Also the mention of dreaming of you AND everytime….. diabolical. I had no idea I’d be sobbing listening to this ranking 😭🫶🏻

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Sarah Walker's avatar

this is such an incredible episode and i get an amazing new playlist as well??? a treat!!!

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Laura's avatar

Hopelessly devoted to the lizard <3

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Irene's avatar

Yes! Time after time being number one makes me so happy. I’m not sure if that song would be one of the go tos on this topic for everyone but it is such a great ballad and great pop song period. Cyndi Lauper’s delivery makes it so special as well. Another great ballad that I associate with this song for unknown reasons is Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor.

The Climb did surprise me at first as it’s not what I would think of but I really respect it. It’s kind of amazing that a song on the Hannah Montana movie soundtrack had such a huge impact simply because it resonated with so many people. It was so powerful that it overrode the public urge to hate a song because its target audience was young girls. Personally, a song that came to mind for me with similar themes is Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. I am totally biased on this because it’s a song that I’ve LOVED since childhood.

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Deanna's avatar

The Climb beating out I Will Always Love You for this list is so funny but SO TRUE. Songs rarely make me cry but The Climb always gets me a bit teary-eyed

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Amelia Di Donato's avatar

heaven by dj sammy the candlelight remix 😅😂

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Amelia Di Donato's avatar

also chasing pavements - adele, nirvana - sam smith, praying - kesha !!!

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Lucía Navarro's avatar

Have you listened to Nilüfer Yanya? I really loved her last album, I'm curious if it's your vibe or not!!

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Madeline Rubicam's avatar

I def need to check that out!!!

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