So I was sitting around with some buddies last night, and we were burning Cd's of some random songs. And while I was perusing through my collection of actual Cd's, I stumbled upon a burned copy of the compilation called Monster Ballads.Now I am almost positive that most of you have heard some sort of advertisement for these kick-a$$ Cd's. They usually come on TV in infomercial form and they are awesome. So after rocking out to a few of them last night, I decided to make an official list of my top 5 Monster Ballads of all time. Now I understand that I am not old enough to have been in my adolescent years when these classic songs came out, but for some reason I still listened to them while I was in my youth. So just cut me some slack, alright?
5. Can't Fight This Feeling -- REO Speedwagon
Here is the ultimate tribute song to the dreaded "friend zone." Guys you know what I'm talkin about. However, this song is actually somewhat incomplete because we never find out what happens to the dude who is professing his love to his so called long time "friend." We don't know if he gets the girl and they live happily ever after with lots and lots of babies, or if the friendship is ruined forever. Uhhhhhhhh for the record, the friendship usually gets ruined forever. But this song at least gives hope to all of those guys who dream about one day not being "just a good friend" or "one of my best friends." I think we've heard all the lines, right guys?
4. When I'm With You -- Sheriff
There isn't too much to say about this song. All of these ballads seem to have the same elements to them. They also have pretty much the same type of lyrics too. But this song is above the rest and resting at #4 because it was featured in the movie Joe Dirt. It kicks into high gear in the movie at the part where Brandy is riding up to the boys on her horse. It's simply the greatest part of the movie. So that is why the Sheriff classic sits at #4 on my list. Good memories.
3. When I See You Smile -- Bad English
This song has special meaning to me. If you kept track of the number of times I have listened to each of these ballads over the years, this song would be at the top of the list. Everything else would be a distant second. This song was actually "the song" for a buddy of mine and his girl back in the day, so needless to say I heard it a lot that summer. Come to think of it, I lived with him that entire summer. That should give you a better idea of how much I heard it. Part of the classic-ness of this song, is how simple the message is. There is no tricky poetic lines to sort thru. There are no ulterior motives with this songs. It's just perfect. It's surely going to make a girl smile when she hears this song.
2. More Than Words -- Extreme
Oddly enough, this is probably the least "extreme" song of the Top 5. This is the song that every dude has tried to learn to play on the guitar ever since the song came out. Every man wants to be able to sit down and bust this out with little effort. It's like the first song we'll try to learn when we pick up a guitar. I know, cuz that was what I did. I am still working it out actually, and may never quite learn it. But still, I imagine guys will be trying to play this one for their special girl for a long long time to come. As opposed to some of the other songs on this list, this one is very soft and mellow, so it's got that going for it. If your lady isn't in the mood for rockin drum solos and blaring guitar riffs, this is the song for you. This song is also most likely the first song people think of when you mention rock ballads.
1. More Than Words Can Say -- Alias
For some strange reason, I cant find this song to buy on CD or I-Tunes anymore. Weird. You would think since it is the number one rock ballad in all the land, that it would be widely available. But to the contrary, the rarity of it adds to it's position of being number one. Every girl loves to hear that she is needed by her man. This tune puts those words in song form so that guys don't always have to say it. You cannot beat convenience like that.
So there you have them. The top five monster ballads in all the land. Feel free to comment on any songs you would like to add to the list. See you all next time, I am going to bed.
