Don't Hate Me Because I'm A Power Ballad

Anonymous commented on last week's post:

"And what about the power ballad? Guilty pleasure or waste of time?"

I've never liked the term "guilty pleasure" when referring to music. I'd like to think that if I like something it's because there's something there to like, unlike say "Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks. Though, if you happen to like "Seasons In The Sun," then you must have found some redeeming qualities. No guilt, I say.

But the "power ballad," like heavy metal, seems to get no respect. Believe me, I understand. Sometimes.

I'd opt for a Hot Vicks enema over listening to "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" by Poison every time. But not every power ballad is as crappy as that stupid crappy piece of crapola.

Not sure why this comes to mind, as the original song is neither a power ballad nor heavy metal, but I know many who needed John Wesley Harding's acoustic take on Madonna's "Like A Prayer" to finally admit, "Hey that's a really great song."




I can't help but think if John Hiatt covered Steve Perry's "Oh Sherrie," that song would suddenly be in hot rotation for a lot of us. Irony rules, I guess.

What about this? Tolerance is non-existent in my life when it comes to Christina Aguilera, but it's mostly because of her melismatics. (And partly because of everything else.)

 Is this better?

Anonymous also mentioned Cheap Trick. He asked, "Why was 'The Flame' their biggest hit?"

I'd like to save Cheap Trick for another Burning Love? post, but I too am baffled by the success of "The Flame." Not necessarily because I hate the song, though I don't like it very much. I just don't think that particular song comes close to representing the best of what Cheap Trick has to offer. So my issue is not with the "power ballad," but with the people who made "The Flame" a bigger success than "Mandocello." Who are you? Show yourself!

I happen to like the next song. It's "Unbelieveable" by America's favorite punching bag, Def Leppard.  Again, this is not about whether or not this song is as worthy as Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" or "Sir Paul's "For No One." (What is?) I just wonder occasionally...or maybe more than occasionally...why this particular "sound" is such a mighty turn-off.

I will give you this--the cheap drum machine and chintz 'n' glitz production are not the wisest of sonic decisions. But, strip it of its gloss, come down a bit on the bombast and that melody on the chorus rivals many of our favorite, well-respected tunes. Couldn't you hear Adam and Chris of Fountains Of Wayne harmonizing and absolutely killing this tune?

 I feel no guilt.

If you're still with me, tell me:

Fave power ballad?

Why you'd rather have a Hot Vicks enema than listen to Journey?

That said, I think this is one, hook-filled monster of a song, Yamaha DX7 notwithstanding.

(Guilty pleasure?)