10 Rock Ballad Compilation Albums for All Ballad Lovers Out There

I love rock ballads…please don’t tell me you were actually surprised to read that….!?

I’ve told the story before but it all started with Def Leppard’s “Love Bites” and it developed into one huge obsession with power ballads and we got to the point where I can actually list rock ballad compilation albums without even blinking… It’s just my thing, I guess. I have accumulated a number of ballad compilation albums (digitally and physically) and I decided to share some of those releases which I find the most appealing and worthy of possessing. Some of the following I don’t actually own because they are merely impossible to find BUT it’s easy to re-create them if you already own the band’s discography. Ultimately, my list can also give you some ideas or make you check out some of those bands’ beautiful ballad songs (I recommend all).

I would like to finish by saying that it’s high time Def Leppard released a ballad album! (please please please)

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Gary Moore – Ballads & Blues 1982–1994

I just had to kick things off with this absolute masterpiece and the album that introduced me to and made me a fan of Gary Moore. Where do I even begin? “Still Got the Blues (For You)”, “Always Gonna Love You”, “Story of the Blues”, “Midnight Blues” and so on – those are just some of the precious soul-crushing and world-spinning soulful romantic pieces you can find on that album. Every time I talk about compilation albums, I start the discussion with this one. On top of it all, Ballads & Blues 1982-1994 contains three unreleased ballads which are definitely a worthy addition to Gary’s classics.

Harem Scarem – Ballads

Maybe you didn’t expect to see this totally underrated band on my list but you know that I’m always rooting for the less-known but highly deserving rock bands out there. The Canadian hard rockers Harem Scarem won me with the astonishing ballad “Honestly” which of course is on this compilation album and of course became the reason why I put this album here…This Japanese release was out in 1999 and it also contained a couple of unreleased before surprises in it, in addition to the well-known classics.

Thunder – Ballads

This rock jewel is one of my favorite ballad compilations of all time and that’s mainly because it’s by Thunder – one of those hard rock bands which have a very very special place in my hard. The ballad compilation album was released in 2003 and nowadays it seems like it’s impossible to find it but I haven’t given up just yet. “Love Walked In”, “Until My Dying Day”, “A Better Man” and many more gems from Thunder’s classic and not-so-classic days of rock can be heard on that CD.

Whitesnake – Best Ballads…

The masters of hard rock, Whitesnake, lead by none other than the man whose voice can send you to heaven, David Coverdale released a couple of (unofficial) ballad compilation albums from Russia, Ukraine, UK and other European countries. Ultimately, timeless rock classics like “Don’t Fade Away”, “Is This Love”, “Love Ain’t No Stranger” and of course my favorite Whitesnake song, “Looking for Love” are on all of them. Don’t hesitate to get it if you come across it. So far, I’ve seen those releases only on Ebay, unfortunately.

Scorpions – Gold Ballads

“Gold Ballads” by Scorpions was released in 1984 in Europe only. The 5-song compilation features Scorpions’ best romantic tunes, including the timeless “Still Loving You” and “Holiday”. I should mention that in 2003, they released a new ballad CD, simply titled “Ballads” (only in Singapore, though as they have a massive fanbase there) which is another worthy piece.

Eric Clapton – Ballads

This compilation was released in 2003 in Japan only but that doesn’t mean we can’t get our hands on it (especially if you are a die-hard fan like me). The breathtaking compilation features some of Clapton’s most outstanding, tear-jerking ballads, including “Tears in Heaven”, “Miss You”, “Old Love” and “Layla” ( of course ). It’s one of my favorite ballad albums of all time and it’s such a pity that I don’t have it in my CD collection (yet).

Toto – Best Ballads

Toto are the kings of ballads and I’m thankful that we had this awesome release, where all of their beautiful, soul-touching masterpieces gathered together. The compilation features some of my favorite melodic rock ballads of all time, including “I’ll Be Over You”, “Mama”, “Rosanna” and the saddest song in history, “I Won’t Hold You Back”. “Best Ballads” was originally released in 1995 and it contains 17 songs. In 2003, they released “Love Songs” – yet another worthy record full of love and heartbreak.

Nazareth – the Ballad Album

The 10 song CD titled “The Ballad Album” by Nazareth was released in 1985 only in Germany. This golden piece of music features some of Nazareth (and some of the greatest of all time) rock ballads, including “Love Hurts”, “Dream On”, “Where Are You Now”, “Games” and more. I love playing this compilation, it’s so atmospheric.

REO Speedwagon – The Ballads

In 1999, REO Speedwagon released a ballad compilation album with a long list of their previous, well-known classics and a couple of surprises which unfortunately couldn’t make that big of a fuss back then. It was a ballad that got me into REO Speedwagon. Yes, of course I’m talking about that special song, “I Can’t Fight This Feeling” which is undoubtedly one of the most instantly recognizable melodic rock song out there and of course, the favorite ballad of all the softies out there. In addition to their beloved hit, “The Ballads” features “Keep On Loving You”, “Take It on The Run” and “Here with Me”.

Various – The Very Best of Power Rock Ballads [3CD Box Set]

I’m finishing my list with a compilation treasure I found years ago, titled “The Very Best of Power Ballads”. There are hundreds of similar compilations, featuring identical, evergreen hits but If I have to recommend a worthy assortment of rock ballads, it has to be this one. “The Very Best of Power Ballads” was released in 2005 as a 3CD box set with a total of 50 mind-blowing songs. You have all the classics – Foreigner’s “I Want To Know What Love Is”, Queen’s “We are the Champions”, Chicago’s “Hard to Say I’m Sorry”, etc. Not only that but you also get to enjoy Jefferson Airplane, Whitesnake, John Waite, Cher, REO Speedwagon, The Rolling Stones and many more.

References:
P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers.
The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.
Cheers~

5 Songs I Wish I Could Listen Again For The First Time

Recently, I asked my buddies on Twitter a very intriguing question:

Plenty of my followers and dear rock friends from all over the world responded with various, personally relevant and undoubtedly breathtaking tracks, such as Led Zeppelin‘s “Stairway to Heaven”, Pink Floyd‘s “Comfortably Numb”, AC/DC‘s “Highway to Hell” and more. I was so happy to see that many people sharing their stories, feelings and reasons why they would give anything to experience hearing their favorite song for the first time again.

Of course, way before asking my followers, I thought about my personal choices. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, actually. A song you wish to hear for the very first time and experience that “love at first listen” all over again is not necessarily the same as a “favorite” track, though. We all have hundreds and thousands of songs we LOVE but do you actually remember how you felt or what kind of emotions were flying around the air the first team you heard each and one of them? I don’t think so. Just like me, probably most of you guys can remember the first encounters of only a few songs – those special, world-shattering songs that challenged your entire existence and brought so many mind and body reactions, even…The following five masterpieces are such songs for me – song so captivating that make me wish I could go back in time and recall those beautiful first moments with them…the moments that took my breath away and made me think, “oh, that’s a song I will love and listen till the day I die”. I hope you enjoy my list! Feel free to share your thoughts here or on Twitter!

Derek & The Dominos – Layla (1970)

I have never felt a connection so instant and so strong as the one I had when I first heard those opening riffs. I didn’t know about the long and painful story behind the song and of course, that famous love triangle but I could feel that there’s just so much going on…”Layla” is not just your regular romantic tune; it’s a 7-minute long epic ballad that features two highly impressive parts – a speedy blues-oriented assemble, followed by a gentler piano and side guitar instrumental. I was young but I could truly understand why “Layla” is referred to as one of the most important songs rock songs of the ‘70s and Eric Clapton’s most outstanding work. For me, it all started with “Layla”; I needed to hear it just once to know that Eric Clapton will become a huge part of my life…Years later, I cannot even imagine my life without his music.

Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Still…You Turn Me On (1973)

My progressive rock journey started with ELP and in particular the song “Still…You Turn Me On”. I will always remember how immensely captivated I was by the bizarre, but gorgeous instrumentation, stunning lyrics and of course, Greg Lake’s vocals that just sent me to another dimension. I felt so attracted to this song; my body, my mind instantly reacted and by the time I knew it, I was already listening to their entire discography. ELP opened a new chapter of my life and for that I will always love them.

Boston – More Than A Feeling (1976)

“More Than a Feeling” is probably the main reason why Boston and their debut record became one of the most popular rock acts of the late 70s. Each and every second of this song was designed to instantaneously crawl under your skin, inject its blessing and leave you in a state of trance. I wasn’t an exception. This song was never just an opening track to a classic rock record from many many years ago. “More Than A Feeling” turned into my ultimate relaxation outlet and a way for me to experience sweet comfort right from the very second I heard those guitars. I guess Brad Delp’s killer vocals, relentlessly playing with your senses were another reason why this song grabbed me right form the beginning.

Def Leppard – Love Bites (1987)

One of my biggest musical obsessions is hard rock power ballads from the ’80s. Everyone who follows my blog and Twitter knows how passionate I am about the gentler, mellower side of rock music. It all had to start from somewhere, right? Well, for me it started with Def Leppard‘s only one #1 hit single, the most stunning rock ballad of all time – “Love Bites”. The moment I heard that passionate, thrilling, so sensual song I knew two things: 1) I will become a huge Def Leppard fan and I need to listen to every piece of music they released; 2) Power ballads would become my favorite kind of rock songs and I gotta find out more. The fact that I knew these things right after the first listen speaks volumes. Joe Elliott‘s vocals crawled under my skin and the rest is history. Interestingly, every time I play “Love Bites”, it feels like the first time…

Scorpions – Send Me an Angel (1990)

There are rock ballads and then there’s Scorpions’ “Send Me an Angel” – a song that brings tears to my eyes every time I play it. I remember my first moments with this track back in the day very distinctively because the sincere, so powerful and expressive vocal delivery of Klaus Meine left me speechless. I played that song over and over till I finally learned the lyrics by heart. I couldn’t interpret the words but I just knew how honest they were. I had the chance to witness the song materialize on stage during their 50th anniversary tour and I will never forget that magical experience…

References:

P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers.
The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.
Cheers~

TOP 10 BEST (POWER) BALLAD(S) Of The ’80s: READERS’ CHOICE

1980s rock ballads? Now that’s one hell of a topic, isn’t it! Where do we even begin talking? There is just so much to say, so many names to mention, so many breath-taking songs to sing!

That softer, much gentler side of rock turned into an essential component of pretty much every record, released in the ‘80s. All hard rock acts jumped on that well-established bandwagon which would certainly take them on a journey to success and fan recognition. Labels demanded it too – if you wanted to hit it big in the ‘80s, you just had to write a killer ballad! Hard rock aside, blues, pop and even heavy metal musicians were also participants of the phenomenon. Don’t get me wrong, ballads have always been important and they will continue to be, however, the amount of ballads, as well as their importance and wall-to-wall presence was way heavier than it is now, for example. Artists were simply putting more effort and emphasis on crafting that perfect soul-soothing sound which I think turned into one of the reasons why we love ‘80s rock music so much!

The formula for (power) ballads was perfected by the mid-80s. Around that time, some of the staples of the flow were released. From Whitesnake to Def Leppard, from Cinderella to Scorpions – all of these great bands left a great number of strong, unforgettable ballads with an everlasting impact. These classic ballads of the ‘80s are still relevant and loved by every music enthusiast around the world. With this in mind, along with my immense adoration for ballads, I decided to ask my readers and followers on which song do they think is the greatest (power) rock ballad of the ‘80s. For about one month, everyone was able to vote and participate in the poll. The results are in and we can now enjoy this exceptional playlist, you guys created! Also, this might be a good chance for us to get in touch with our emotional side! Let’s listen…

Click Here to See the Results:
[POLL] VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE ’80S (Power) BALLAD(S)

10.Skid Row – I Remember You

Skid Row’s 1989 debut spawned an incredible ballad, titled “I Remember You”. This gorgeous tune, written by Rachel Bolan and Dave “the Snake” Sabo, turned into one of Skid Row’s most instantly recognizable and beloved songs of all time. No surprises there! With Sebastian Bach’s near-perfect vocal delivery and that haunting melody, the tune was destined for success. There’s no self-respecting rock fan out there that doesn’t know what follows after “Woke up to the sound of pouring rain…”

Interestingly, the song played a huge part in American popular culture in the year of 1990 – “I Remember You” came to be the most essential component of every prom dance, creating special memories in the hearts of millions.

9. Cheap Trick – The Flame

The highlight of Cheap Trick’s 1988 album “Lap of Luxury” is most certainly the emotional ballad, “The Flame”. The ballad was written by British songwriters Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham and it was first offered to another artist, before Cheap Trick cashed in. “The Flame” is probably one of the most widely-known and profitable rock ballads of all time. Achievements like topping the charts in the USA, Australia and Canada is merely the start of its long legacy. Most importantly, “The Flame” became the life vest of Cheap Trick as they were struggling to stay afloat after the commercial failure of their previous album.

“The band was very skeptical about performing this song live, because we only liked to perform songs written by us. However, a young man from, oh, I don’t know, somewhere, confirmed to us after a show in Florida about a week after the song was released that the song was great and, get this, would be a #1 single. As we joked about the guy’s prediction, we later realized whoa! This guy was right. I thank him for that,” said vocalist Robin Zander.

(quote retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flame_(Cheap_Trick_song) )

[’80s Rock Album Focus] CHEAP TRICK – LAP OF LUXURY

8. Mötley Crüe – Home Sweet Home

According to some sources, the power ballad “Home Sweet Home” by Mötley Crüe is arguably one of the first of its kind. Nevertheless, the iconic tune held tons of personal relevance to the band and they had to fight with all they got for it to be included in their 1985 album “Theatre of Pain”. Mötley Crüe got the big “no” but still bet everything they had on the song, even funded the music video with their own money. Despite never making it that big commercially, “Home Sweet Home” turned into Mötley Crüe’s signature concert finishing track. Moreover, the iconic music video, featuring pre-concert and stage performing scenes is notable for being one of the most requested MVs on MTV back in the day.

“Bands didn’t have a power ballad and MTV as a vehicle to have a hit. That just wasn’t the way it was. After ‘Home Sweet Home’, every band had the one ballad that came as their second or third single….I think the reason we did it was because it was so anti-Mötley Crüe and it was funny, because it threw us into the mainstream….

Trust me, none of us had the foresight to see that,” said Nikki Sixx for In The Studio: The Stories Behind History’s Greatest Rock Bands.

(quote retrieved from http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3725 )

7. Journey – Faithfully

SONY DSC

Journey’s 1983 album, “Frontiers” has tons of brilliant surprises inside and “Faithfully” is certainly one of the highlights. The power ballad, written by Jonathan Cain and portraying the hardships and endless struggles of being married while constantly on the road, became one of Journey’s most beloved and respected songs of all time. Not only that but “Faithfully” ended up conquering charts and influencing a generation of artists, including Bryan Adams whose hit single “Heaven” was inspired by “Faithfully”.

The “on the road” music video created quite the fuss as well and was one of the first of a long line of similar-concept videos, adopted by bands like Genesis, Motley Crue and Bon Jovi. Journey started making music videos with the release of “Frontiers” even though they truly disliked it. Nevertheless, thanks to that iconic music video and the exposure on MTV, along with of course the great attributes of the song, “Faithfully” was immortalized.

6. Def Leppard – Bringin’ On the Heartbreak

Arguably, the finest moment of Def Leppard’s sophomore 1981 album “High ‘N’ Dry” has to be the ballad, “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak”. With this song, not only did they set the standard for power ballads, but challenged the perception that these types of songs could only be performed by female artists, such as Bonnie Tyler for instance. Initially titled “A Certain Heartache”, the track, produced by A-class producer Robert “Mutt” Lange, was quickly picked up by the recently launched MTV station where the music video received a heavy rotation and led to the revival of album sales. 2 million copies later, it was more than safe to say that Leppard were the next big and worthy thing on the horizon.

In 1984, “High ‘N’ Dry” was re-issued, featuring a remixed version of “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak”. This time, the song finally made it to the charts, peaking at a top70 position. The song got a brand new music video as well! Check it out!

[’80s Rock Album Focus] Def Leppard – High ‘n’ Dry

5. Cinderella – Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)

Right in the middle of our top10 (power) ballad song playlist, we have Cinderella‘s “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)” which surprisingly is not in the top3, despite its immense popularity. Written by singer-songwriter and co-founder of Cinderella, Tom Keifer and released as a single from their second album “Long Cold Winter” (1988), “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)” remains the band’s highest charting single and most successful track of all time. The emotional and highly intense power ballad got a beautiful MV, filmed nearby Mono Lake in California. MTV did justice to it by playing it every couple of minutes on a daily basis (which was totally fine by everyone).

Tom Keifer is an outstanding vocalist and if you question this statement, you most probably haven’t listened to this song yet. This gorgeous human being wrote the most sincere and soul-crushing rock ballad of all time and if it was up to me, it would’ve been in an even higher position.

The Story of CINDERELLA’s – Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)

4. Dokken – Alone Again

Written by vocalist Don Dokken and bass guitarist Jeff Pilson, the power ballad “Alone Again” was released as a single from Dokken’s 1984 album “Tooth and Nail”. After a highly unsuccessful debut album, it was do or die for Dokken. The label barely agreed to give them a second chance but thank God they did, otherwise brilliant songs such as “Alone Again” would’ve remained on a paper, rotting somewhere under a pile of music notebooks. The track didn’t really hit it that big in terms of chart success, which in my books makes it one of the greatest unappreciated power ballads of the ‘80s ever!

Interestingly, Don Dokken wrote the words of “Alone Again” in the ‘70s when he was barely 25 years old. We can’t but be thankful that the song resurfaced in mid-80s and ended up being an irreplaceable component of “Tooth and Nail”.

The Story of DOKKEN’s Breathtaking Ballad “Alone Again”

3. Scorpions – Still Loving You

Not surprised to see Scorpions’ “Still Loving You” in a top 3 position on our rock ballad playlist. The 1984 album, “Love at First String” defined their career like no other album did, spawning immortal hit singles like “Rock You like a Hurricane” and of course, “Still Loving You”. The European rockers made quite the statement on the US charts, hitting a top 10 position with the album and a top 70 position with the song. The French gave it the #1, though!
“Still Loving You” is one of the most emotional rock ballads of all time, telling us a story about a broken romance and longing for a second chance.

“…It’s a story about a love affair where they recognized it may be over, but let’s try again. It’s the old story; always the old story. I mean, what can we use? We can’t reinvent the wheel. What we always do, is say something which has already been said many times, in our own way,” said Scorpions guitarist Rudolf Schenker.

(quote retrieved from http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3158)

2. Whitesnake – Is This Love

Whitesnake’s “Is This Love” comes at number two with just a couple of votes behind the number one. When we talk about universal appeal and strength of impact, no other ballad had it as big as this one. Everyone knows it, everyone sings it and is everyone’s favorite Whitesnake song. Written by vocalist David Coverdale and guitarist John Sykes, the idea for “Is This Love” was initially born after they were asked to come up with some good material for a new Tina Turner song.

Whitesnake‘s enormous 1987 album gave birth to a number of hit singles but no other song can actually compete with the legacy of this mind-blowing tune. Just like in our little playlist, “Is This Love” peaked at #2 in the US singles chart. The song, of course, got the music video makeover where Coverdale’s then-girlfriend Tawny Kitaen could be seen, along with a band, playing on a misty stage. Coverdale is the only Whitesnake member to be featured on the video. Now is not the time to explain why, though! Enjoy the classic!

5 Great Whitesnake Ballads That Taught Us What Love Is…

1. Def Leppard – Love Bites

Number 1 on our ‘80s hard rock ballad playlist is Def Leppard’s “Love Bites”. Coincidentally, this track is also Def Leppard’s only #1 hit so far!

The year is 1987 and the album is “Hysteria” – do I have to say more? It turned out to be the perfect marriage between pop and hard rock that can easily be felt as we go from one song to another. To make the sound of “Hysteria” so unique and essential, producer Mutt Lange went above and beyond by using a variety of technology, vocal and sound layering and adopting numerous other effects to give the tracks a “stadium rock vibe” and “extra solid sound” that pierce your heart and gives you chills the moment you play them.

Joe Elliott’s gentle but rather extreme vocal delivery techniques crate a beautiful tension which I believe is the reason why “Love Bites” grabbed the attention of so many people. Moreover, the simple, yet painfully truthful lyrics made it universally relatable.

Interestingly, producer Mutt Lange was the one who brought the song to the band. Initially it was a country-style ballad that eventually got the Def Leppard hard rock treatment and turned into this gorgeous power ballad.

“It was just a standard rock ballad but it had something else going for it. Lyrically, it kind of painted a picture, and in a song you always want to do that, paint a picture. ‘On a dark desert highway,’ the first line of ‘Hotel California,’ great song, it just paints an image for you straight off the bat and that’s the sign of a really good song. It takes you right there. ‘Love Bites’ did that as well,” said Joe Elliott.

(quote retrieved from http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=5114)

[The Greatest Rock Albums of the 80s] Def Leppard – HYSTERIA

References:

P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers.
The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.
Cheers~

The Sexiest Rock Mixtape You Will Ever Listen To

Things are about to get pretty hot in here!

Nothing wrong with being a little suggestive and naughty from time to time! Rock&Roll has always been fun and sexy, after all! Many rock tunes are regarded as too provocative, getting out of hand and even a little bit sexist, but we have to understand that making love has always been and will always be an inseparable part of music.

I’ve always been somehow drawn to this direct, quite voluptuous side of rock&roll because let’s face it – it’s what makes things so much more interesting. I have created this playlist of 20 classic rock songs that are pretty spicy but definitely worth listening to. Whether its rhythm, lyrics or the overall atmosphere, each of these songs is about to make you sweat, I guarantee it! Also, if you and your significant other are in a good mood, this playlist can be a suitable companion for your special night.

I would also like to thank my Twitter friends who also participated in the creation of this playlist! You guys are awesome (you know who you are)!

Feel like making love?

The Doors – Light My Fire (1966)

Rolling Stones – Brown Sugar (1971)

Led Zeppelin – Whole Lotta Love (1969)

AC/DC – The Jack (1976)

Bad Company – Feel Like Making Love (1975)

Montrose – Rock Candy (1973)

Def Leppard – Pour Some Sugar on Me (1987)

Scorpions – Rock You Like a Hurricane (1984)

Thunder – Dirty Love (1990)

Danger Danger – Naughty Naughty (1989)

Guns ‘N’ Roses – Rocket Queen (1987)

Winger – Seventeen (1988)

Kix – Midnight Dynamite (1985)

Great White – Baby’s on Fire (1989)

Firehouse – Hold Your Fire (1992)

38 Special – Rockin’ Into the Night (1980)

Aerosmith – Love in an Elevator (1994)

Def Leppard – All Night (1999)

Kiss – Uh! All Night (1985)

Van Halen – Hot For Teacher (1984)

Lynch Mob – Tangled in the Web (1992)

P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers.
The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.

Cheers~

’90S ROCK BLAST: SCORPIONS – CRAZY WORLD

CRAZY WORLD

Released: November 6, 1990
Genre: Hard Rock/Heavy Metal
Duration: 52:53
Label: Vertigo (Europe), Mercury (US)
Producer(s): Keith Olsen, Scorpions
Singles: “Tease Me Please Me”, “Don’t Believe Her”, “Wind Of Change”, “Send Me an Angel”
Certified: 2xPlatinum (RIAA)

OVERVIEW

“Crazy World” is the phenomenal 1990 comeback record of the German rockers Scorpions which proved that even though the 80s were gone, 100% pure hard solid rock wasn’t! With a new but quite famous producer on board – Keith Olsen (who worked with rock acts such as Whitesnake, Foreigner, Santana, Heart, Journey and many more), heavier sound, outstanding guitar solos and greater, much deeper lyrical work, “Crazy World” is often referred to as Scorpions’ finest work so far. We cannot deny the impact of the album and its rightful place in the history of rock music. With immortal rockers, such as the gentle but empowering “Send Me an Angel” and arguably their most memorable classic “Wind of Change”, this album sends you on quite the fascinating journey!

Overall, the record is very catchy, soothing, and ear-pleasing – that is if you are into hard rock/heavy metal music, of course. The opening track, “Tease Me Please Me”, is an excellent injection of good old loud rock&roll, perfect for any wild night out. Other hot rockers include “Don’t Believe Her” and “Kicks After Six” – tracks that are not necessarily making a huge statement but are as equally enjoyable as any other tune on the record. The fantastic blend between alleviating harmonies and profound lyrics can be found in the two power-ballads “Send Me an Angel” and “Wind of Change”. Without doubt, those two mark probably the band’s finest point of their career as creative musicians and artists. Eye-opening and overwhelming lyrics, celebrating hope and new beginnings, accompanied by clean guitar work is the formula that turned those two emotional songs into the absolute turning point of Scorpions’ career. If you guys are wondering, “Wind of Change” is dedicated to the end of the Cold War which makes the song even more special.

Good hard rock never gets old! “Crazy World” is a classic and shame on you if you don’t have it in your record collection! Check out the songs and celebrate Scorpions’ outstanding musicianship with me!

Tracklist:

“Tease Me Please Me”
“Don’t Believe Her”
“To Be With You in Heaven”
“Wind of Change”
“Restless Nights”
“Lust or Love”
“Kicks After Six”
“Hit Between the Eyes”
“Money and Fame”
“Crazy World”
“Send Me an Angel”

Tease Me Please Me

Don’t Believe Her

Wind Of Change

Send Me An Angel

References:

“Crazy World” Official Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_World_(Scorpions_album)

P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers.
The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.

Cheers~

The Story of Scorpions’ Beautiful Ballad “SEND ME AN ANGEL”

I have always enjoyed Scorpions’ ballads and have always considered them as one of the biggest masters of ballad songs in rock. Klaus Meine has such a beautiful voice and somehow he always manages to play with my emotional state with every word he sings. It’s hard to point out a specific (ballad) song of Scorpions I consider as my favorite, however I saw them live this summer in Bulgaria and their performance of “Send me an Angel” just blew me away. Maybe it was the people singing together, the lights, the whole atmosphere and the gorgeous song itself, of course, but I felt so touched and became too emotional all of a sudden (even dropped a tear or two). To me, this moment was the highlight of the night and the moment I realized that this song would make its own special place in my heart.

One of the reasons why “Send me an Angel” affects me and so many other fans around the world so much is the sincere and powerful vocal delivery of Klaus. I mean, just listen to the song – his voice is so passionate, expressive and honest. Definitely one of the greatest rock singers!

– “Send me an Angel” was recorded for their 11^th studio album – “Crazy World”, released in 1990. It was written by Klaus Meine and composed by Rudolf Schenker.

– “Send me an Angel” and “Winds of Change” became the two signature tracks from “Crazy World” and two of the biggest hits of Scorpions.

– The track reached #44 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. (I mean, really?) However, in Europe, it got to much higher chart positions – #2 in Belgium, #3 in Poland, #4 in Denmark, etc.

– The lyrics of “Send me an Angel” may be a bit difficult to interpret, mainly because the words are quite cosmic and biblical – I feel like the whole song is a prayer to a much higher power and the words of a person who hopes for the dark days to be over. On one side, I believe this song as an appeal to God, to send the protagonist an angel to guide him through the darkness and shadows. Growing up, we face a lot of challenges and make a lot of wrong choices. The singer is asking for help. “The land of the morning star” is basically Lucifer’s land, a.k.a hell (isn’t it?). The song is full of biblical references and it makes it so hard for us to find the true meaning, however, I still think that it’s a song that tells us to believe in ourselves, and always hear the voices from deep inside that can help us overcome the dark times and find the right path in life.

Acoustic Performance of “Send me an Angel”

“Send me an Angel” Lyrics

The wise man said just walk this way
To the dawn of the light
The wind will blow into your face
As the years pass you by

Hear this voice from deep inside
It’s the call of your heart
Close your eyes and you will find
The passage out of the dark

Here I am
Will you send me an angel?
Here I am
In the land of the morning star

The wise man said just find your place
In the eye of the storm
Seek the roses along the way
Just beware of the thorns

Here I am
Will you send me an angel?
Here I am
In the land of the morning star

The wise man said just raise your hand
And reach out for the spell
Find the door to the promised land
Just believe in yourself

Hear this voice from deep inside
It’s the call of your heart
Close your eyes and you will find
The way out of the dark

[4x]
Here I am
Will you send me an angel?
Here I am
In the land of the morning star

References:

“Send me an Angel” Official Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Send_Me_an_Angel_(Scorpions_song)
P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers.
Cheers~
The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.

10 Classic Rock Songs about Missing Someone [PART 2]

Based on the success of the previous publication, I decided to prepare a part 2 of “10 Classic Rock Songs about Missing Someone” playlist. Apparently, the theme of missing someone special in your life and experiencing those emotions through songs is one of the most popular and preferred themes among listeners. I do hope the second set of songs I’ve gathered give you what you are looking for. Listen, enjoy and don’t be sad – life is full of hope and the time for holding someone you love once again or meeting a new love, might come sooner than you think…

Listen to PART 1 –
10 Classic Rock Songs about Missing Someone [PART 1]

Guns N’ Roses – Patience

Shed a tear ’cause I’m missin’ you
I’m still alright to smile
Girl, I think about you every day now
Was a time when I wasn’t sure
But you set my mind at ease
There is no doubt
You’re in my heart now

Eric Clapton – Tears in Heaven

I must be strong
And carry on
‘Cause I know I don’t belong
Here in heaven
Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?

Scorpions – Lonely Nights

Since you’re gone
There is an empty space
Since you’re gone
The world is not the same
I go back to the places we’ve been
It feels like you’re still there
I live all those moments again
Wishing you were here

Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time

Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick,
And think of you
Caught up in circles confusion –
Is nothing new
Flashback – warm nights –
Almost left behind
Suitcases of memories,
Time after…

Bon Jovi – Always

It’s been raining since you left me
Now I’m drowning in the flood
You see I’ve always been a fighter
But without you I give up

Now I can’t sing a love song
Like the way it’s meant to be
Well, I guess I’m not that good anymore
But, baby, that’s just me…

Bryan Adams – When You’re Gone

I’ve been wandering around the house all night
wondering what the hell to do
I’m trying to concentrate but all i can think of is you
well the phone don’t ring cuz my friends ain’t home
I’m tired of being all alone
got the TV on cuz the radio’s playing songs that remind me
of you…

Carole King – So Far Away

So far away
Doesn’t anybody stay in one place anymore
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
Doesn’t help to know you’re just time away
Long ago I reached for you and there you stood
Holding you again could only do me good
Oh, how I wish I could
But you’re so far away…

Journey – Wheel in the Sky

Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’
I don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow
Wheel in the sky keeps on turnin’
I’ve been trying to make it home
Got to make it before too long
I can’t take this very much longer
I’m stranded in the sleet and rain
Don’t think I’m ever gonna make it home again
The mornin’ sun is risin’
It’s kissing the day

The Byrds – Here Without You

Daytime just makes me feel lonely
At night I can only dream about you
Girl you’re on my mind nearly all of the time
It’s so hard being here without you
Words in my head keep repeating things that you said
Wen I was with you
And I wonder is it true do you feel the same way too
It’s so hard being here without you, being here without you…

+Bonus Track:
Tenacious D – Dude, I Totally Miss You

Dude, i totally miss you
The things we did together
Where have you gone?
Totally miss the honesty
And special times, and honestly
I totally miss the fu**ed up thing ya do…

Scorpions Rocked As Hard As Ever On Their 50th Anniversary Tour Concert in Sofia, Bulgaria

What a life, what a career… I cannot believe those guys have been rocking for 50 years! In honor of their 50^th anniversary, Scorpions went on a grandiose one of a kind world tour that begun last year and will end this December. They performed all over Asia, South America, North America and of course, Europe. On the 17^th of July, it was time for Bulgaria to celebrate the long and productive career of those rock legends and welcome them on the stage of Arena Armeets in the capital – Sofia. The news about them including Bulgaria in their world tour came as no surprise, as the band is quite fond of the country and Bulgarian people have a very special relationship with Scorpions. Fun fact, Scorpions is actually one of the bands drawing the hugest crowds at their concerts among all the other rock bands that come to perform in Bulgaria. This time, around 15,000 people came to listen and rock with their favorite band, for probably the last time.

I was extremely excited and have been looking forward to this event since the day I bought my ticket in March. The anticipation and the idea of seeing them perform live for the first time in my life, kept me alive for my entire spring semester abroad – I simply couldn’t wait to come back to my home country and attend their concert. Finally, the day came! The whole experience took me a couple of days since I don’t live in the capital, however it was totally worth it! I was so happy to see people of all ages and all generations coming together, all wearing rock band T-shirts, smiling and ready to rock! This is the kind of atmosphere I really thrive in! Anyhow, huge kudos to the team who organized the event and made sure that given the current events, the security was at its finest and we could all enjoy ourselves, without worrying. I was very impressed by how easy and fast we were able to safely get inside and find our seats and by how smooth and distressful, 15 000 people managed to get out of the arena when the concert finished! There were no unpleasant scenes or people who wanted to darken the bright moment. Once again, it was all thought of brilliantly.

Now, let’s talk about the concert itself and the great Scorpions! With no “warm up” bands, no further dues and not much talk, Scorpions came out on the stage and rocked as hard as ever, right from the beginning with “Going Out With a Bang”. Needless to say, the crowd went wild! Klaus Meine, the frontman, then greeted the fans in Bulgarian. He said “Добър вечер, София! Как сте?“, which means “Good evening, Sofia! How are you?” Of course, the crowd went absolutely wild after this respectful gesture of the band! After that, we went on memory lane with Scorpions and listened to the superb performance of some of their greatest hits from the 70s and 80s, such as “Make it Real” and “The Zoo”. I was mostly touched by their gentle, yet empowering performance of “Send Me an Angel”. I felt like at that point, the soul of each and every person of the audience was filled with so much warmth, hope and happiness that the whole arena became one huge bright star, shining on that dark night sky. One more thing I would like to point out was the fantastic, out-of-this-world drum playing of Mikkey Dee from Motorhead. His violent drum beats, which by the way made the whole arena shake as if there was a crazy earthquake, left us completely speechless. I am glad there were so many young people and even children among the audience so that they could truly feel and appreciate the precision and skills needed to become a drummer. Not many people actually realize or have the chance to hear a storm like the one we witnessed yesterday, in the face of Mikkey! After that, the band went on with “Blackout”, “No One Like You” and “Big City Nights”.

The concert ended with the timeless classics “Still Loving You” and “Rock You Like a Hurricane”, which was actually quite predictable and we were totally ready for the splash! I honestly had the time of my life! I do hope I have the chance to see them again! Their spirit, attitude and dedication inspired me and I can only wish to achieve as much as they did and be as awesome as they are at that age! Thank you, Scorpions!

Check out some photos from the event!

The arena from the outside

2. Me (because of course I would put on a Def Leppard T-shirt, regardless of the band whose concert I was about to see)

3. When we got inside, there was this merchandise shop, where you could buy T-shirts and other things, such as drinks and food.

4. We found our seats! I cannot really stand up for such a long time so I decided to buy tickets for the seating areas. It was maybe a bit far but I still loved it and the view from above was just perfect! As you can see the arena was a bit empty since it was still quite early.

5. However, soon after, everyone started coming!

6. The concert begun…

7. And after one hour and a half of heavy rocking and rolling, it’s over… 😦

Thank you, Scorpions!

That’s me with a Scorpions headband I bought at the concert!

P.S. All the photos are mine. Please be kind and make sure that you don’t just save and use them without my permission! Rock on!

10 Classic Rock Songs about Missing Someone

Missing someone can be the worst feeling in the world – life becomes so difficult when there’s someone out there who cannot be with you right now for one reason or another. Missing someone is basically your heart telling you that you truly love this person and wish you could be together at this moment and forever… It is just so painful to have someone in your heart but not have them in your arms! Being is such state can trigger overwhelming feelings of sadness and emotional stress and can affect pretty much every aspect of your life. Needless to say, not being able to physically and emotionally connect with the person you feel you should be with can be mentally agonizing. However, sometimes out of suffering and unimaginable pain, the most beautiful and touching works of art have emerged. A lot of people choose to overcome their agony by writing a poem, drawing a picture or…making a song.

These days, I’ve been thinking a lot about a certain someone who, sadly, I cannot see or be with at this moment. I’m not going to tell you my life story, but the point is that my heart is reaching for someone who is just not here to reach back…and it hurts like hell…But what can we do in such situation? We smile and act like nothing’s wrong – but only we, ourselves know what our hearts truly long and cry for…

Loneliness, broken heart, physical or any kind of distance between two people has been a popular song theme for as long as we can remember. Sometimes, those songs that explore the matter of missing someone can be a very good way to overcome the pain, obtain some strength or just realize your true feelings towards another person… Since this is a blog dedicated to classic rock music, I thought about preparing a little playlist that deals with the topic of how missing someone special has been portrayed in some of the most beautiful rock songs from a few decades ago.
I think that the majority of people may be familiar with the awful feeling of wanting to be with someone who is so far away. I apologize if the following songs bring some sadness or other painful emotions or memories to you, however I thought that something positive might come out of it…After all, life goes on and things change. Songs are a good way to remind ourselves of the long and scary road we once walked…
Regardless, I hope you guys enjoy the songs…It’s a personal selection and deep feelings aside – they are awesome classics!

Listen to PART 2 –

10 Classic Rock Songs about Missing Someone [PART 2]

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

John Waite – Missing You (1984)

You don’t know
How desperate I’ve become
And it looks like I’m losing this fight
In your world
I have no meaning
Though I’m trying hard
to understand
And it’s my heart that’s breaking
Down this long distance line tonight

Scorpions – Still Loving You (1984)

The things that killed our love
Your pride has built a wall, so strong
That I can’t get through
Is there really no chance
To start once again
I’m loving you

Journey – Faithfully (1983)

And being apart
Ain’t easy on this love affair
Two strangers learn to fall in love again
I get the joy of rediscovering you
Oh, girl, you stand by me
I’m forever yours
Faithfully

Electric Light Orchestra – Turn to Stone (1977)

The dancing shadows on the wall THE TWO-STEP IN THE HALL
are all I see since you’ve been gone TURNING TURNING TURNING
Through all I sit here and I wait I TURN TO STONE I TURN TO STONE
You will return again some day TO MY BLUE WORLD

The Rolling Stones – Miss You (1978)

Well, I’ve been haunted in my sleep
You’ve been staring in my dreams
Lord I miss you.
I’ve been waiting in the hall
Been waiting on your cal…

Aerosmith – I don’t Wanna Miss a Thing (1998)

‘Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I’d still miss you, baby
And I don’t wanna miss a thing…

Kiss – Beth (1976)

You say you feel so empty
That our house just ain’t a home
And I’m always somewhere else
And you’re always there alone

Def Leppard – Miss You in a Heartbeat (1992)

I believe, that there’s something deep inside
That shouldn’t be from time to time.
I sure found out, thought love was such a crime
The more you care, the more you fall
No need to worry, no need to turn away
‘Cause it don’t matter, anyway …

Steve Perry – Missing You (1994)

Still I remember
Things I never meant
Memories surround me
Won’t let me forget
I was so wrong
The secret’s not worth keeping
I had no faith
That you would still believe

+BONUS track ~

Eric Clapton – Miss You (1986)

You know I’ve come this far without you;
It won’t be too hard to be alone.
I’ve got choices all around me,
So I won’t be spending too much time at home.
Girl, I’m gonna miss you.
I’m gonna miss you, baby.
I can’t forgive you,
Still I’m gonna miss you, baby.

Credits:

Lyrics, retrieved from http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics

P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers.
The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.
Cheers~

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Gary Moore – Ballads & Blues 1982–1994

Harem Scarem – Ballads

Thunder – Ballads

Whitesnake – Best Ballads…

Scorpions – Gold Ballads

Eric Clapton – Ballads

Toto – Best Ballads

Nazareth – the Ballad Album

REO Speedwagon – The Ballads

Various – The Very Best of Power Rock Ballads [3CD Box Set]

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Derek & The Dominos – Layla (1970)

Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Still…You Turn Me On (1973)

Boston – More Than A Feeling (1976)

Def Leppard – Love Bites (1987)

Scorpions – Send Me an Angel (1990)

References:

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10.Skid Row – I Remember You

9. Cheap Trick – The Flame

(quote retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flame_(Cheap_Trick_song) )

8. Mötley Crüe – Home Sweet Home

(quote retrieved from http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3725 )

7. Journey – Faithfully

6. Def Leppard – Bringin’ On the Heartbreak

5. Cinderella – Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)

4. Dokken – Alone Again

3. Scorpions – Still Loving You

(quote retrieved from http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=3158)

2. Whitesnake – Is This Love

1. Def Leppard – Love Bites

(quote retrieved from http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=5114)

References:

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Feel like making love?

The Doors – Light My Fire (1966)

Rolling Stones – Brown Sugar (1971)

Led Zeppelin – Whole Lotta Love (1969)

AC/DC – The Jack (1976)

Bad Company – Feel Like Making Love (1975)

Montrose – Rock Candy (1973)

Def Leppard – Pour Some Sugar on Me (1987)

Scorpions – Rock You Like a Hurricane (1984)

Thunder – Dirty Love (1990)

Danger Danger – Naughty Naughty (1989)

Guns ‘N’ Roses – Rocket Queen (1987)

Winger – Seventeen (1988)

Kix – Midnight Dynamite (1985)

Great White – Baby’s on Fire (1989)

Firehouse – Hold Your Fire (1992)

38 Special – Rockin’ Into the Night (1980)

Aerosmith – Love in an Elevator (1994)

Def Leppard – All Night (1999)

Kiss – Uh! All Night (1985)

Van Halen – Hot For Teacher (1984)

Lynch Mob – Tangled in the Web (1992)

P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers. The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.

Cheers~

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CRAZY WORLD

OVERVIEW

Tease Me Please Me

Don’t Believe Her

Wind Of Change

Send Me An Angel

References:

“Crazy World” Official Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_World_(Scorpions_album)

P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers. The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.

Cheers~

Feel free to share this with your friends...

“Send me an Angel” Lyrics

References:

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Listen to PART 1 – 10 Classic Rock Songs about Missing Someone [PART 1]

Guns N’ Roses – Patience

Eric Clapton – Tears in Heaven

Scorpions – Lonely Nights

Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time

Bon Jovi – Always

P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers.
The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.

P.S. I don’t own any audio or visual material used in this publication. All the rights and credits go to the owners and/publishers.
The publication expresses my personal opinion and in no way is trying to make a generalized statement. Please be kind and considerate when you read and/or comment.

Listen to PART 1 –
10 Classic Rock Songs about Missing Someone [PART 1]

+Bonus Track:
Tenacious D – Dude, I Totally Miss You