Definition
A slow, emotional rock or metal song that typically builds from a quiet, intimate verse to a dramatic, heavily orchestrated chorus, often featuring soaring vocals and guitar solos. Power ballads became synonymous with 1980s rock radio.
Example Usage
Every hair metal band had to release at least one power ballad for their album—it was basically a requirement.
Origin
Term popularized in the 1980s to describe the ballad-heavy output of rock and metal bands seeking crossover radio play and emotional resonance.
Fun Fact
Many power ballads, despite their emotional content, were often written as cynical attempts to achieve radio rotation and commercial success rather than genuine artistic expression.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
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