RTRRO

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1. Poison – “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” (1988)

Poison? Total glam metal icons—think big hair, leather, and that “we don’t care” energy. But this acoustic ballad? It’s their heartbroken magnum opus. It’s the only song of theirs that hit number one in the U.S., and honestly? No wonder.

Word is Bret Michaels wrote it after a late-night phone call with his girlfriend. He heard another guy’s voice in the background. Ouch. That raw, “I just got gut-punched” pain? It’s in every chord, every line. You can feel it.

And the music video? A masterclass in 80s sadness. Bret looking all wistful, strumming his acoustic in empty spots—an abandoned warehouse, a dim room where the lights barely reach. Then they cut to the band’s wild live shows: screaming crowds, confetti, chaos. That contrast? Roaring fans vs. him sitting alone with his heart broken. There’s even shots of him staring out rain-streaked windows, his feathered hair (iconic, let’s be real) not even poofed up. Just… lonely. Like you’re surrounded by people but still feel totally alone. We’ve all been there, right?

2. Whitesnake – “Is This Love” (1987)

David Coverdale’s bluesy wail fits this polished power ballad like a glove. It hit number two on the Billboard Hot 100, and get this—he and guitarist John Sykes originally wrote it for Tina Turner. Wild, right? You can totally hear that soulful, powerhouse vibe that would’ve been perfect for her. But Whitesnake made it their own, and it’s stuck around ever since.

The video? Pure 80s glam and romance. Starring his then-girlfriend, actress Tawny Kitaen. Misty stages, close-ups of David looking all lovelorn (eyeliner game on point), Tawny dancing in lingerie—classic 80s stuff. She runs to him, they hug under moody, dim lights… it’s like a little over-the-top love story, and it fits the song’s desperate question perfectly. “Is this love?” The video’s like, “Yeah, and it’s dramatic as hell.”

3. Mötley Crüe – “Home Sweet Home” (1985)

This is a piano ballad. It’s like an unofficial anthem for every band that tours. It gets at the tired parts of the road—late nights, hotel rooms that all look the same, loneliness even when you’re living a dream.

Mötley Crüe was usually all wild, messy chaos. But this song? It’s nothing like that. It shows their soft side. And fans ate that up. The music video was big on MTV. It had black-and-white clips of tour life—band on stage, crammed into a tour bus, slumping in hotel lobbies. Then they cut to fans screaming, family waiting… little moments where you see each guy looking worn out but steady. Like, “This is hard, but it’s mine.” It’s raw, like a documentary. And that’s why it feels so real.

4. Def Leppard – “Love Bites” (1987)

From Hysteria—you know, that album that’s basically a greatest hits record on its own—“Love Bites” is a moody masterpiece. It simmers with suspicion and jealousy, way different from the album’s more upbeat tracks. And it’s Def Leppard’s only U.S. number one. Go figure.

The video? Quintessential 80s performance stuff. The band on a stark stage, lights hitting them just right. Slow-mo shots, close-ups of Joe Elliott’s anguished face (dude sells the “my heart’s messed up” vibe), and enough leather to fill a closet. No big story—just the band, the song, and that dark, cool energy. Sometimes you don’t need a plot. You just need feeling.

5. Bon Jovi – “I’ll Be There for You” (1988)

This song’s from the New Jersey album. It’s all about regret—and asking for another chance.

Jon Bon Jovi’s singing? It’s full of feeling. Richie Sambora’s guitar solo? It’s fiery, like he’s pouring every emotion into it. This became their fourth number one. And it’s easy to see why.

Wayne Isham directed the video. It’s like a short concert film. The band’s on a dark stage, bathed in blue light. It feels intimate—almost sad. Then they cut to black-and-white clips from their Wembley Arena show. Big crowds, screaming fans, total chaos.

That split? Personal pain vs. the performance they give the public. Richie’s often in shadow. It adds that dramatic, mysterious vibe. It’s like watching someone bare their soul… then step back into the spotlight.

6. Guns N’ Roses – “Patience” (1988)

GNR’s Appetite for Destruction was all ferocious hard rock—so “Patience”? Total curveball. Soft, reflective, three acoustic guitars, and Axl Rose’s famous whistling intro (you know the one—you’ve probably whistled it in the grocery store). It hit the top five, and it showed a side of the band no one expected.

The music video was filmed at The Ambassador Hotel, and it’s got this haunting, “here one minute, gone the next” feel. The band’s the only constant—other people (lovers, hotel staff, even a snake) fade in and out. Like relationships, like time—fleeting. And fun fact: it’s the last video with drummer Steven Adler. The final scene? Axl watching old GNR videos alone. Kinda eerie now, right? Like a peek into the future.

7. Skid Row – “I Remember You” (1989)

Sebastian Bach’s voice? Insane.

This song’s about youthful nostalgia. It’s looking back at a summer romance. That romance felt like forever—even if it only lasted a few months.

It hit the top ten. Let’s be real, this was basically the prom theme for 1990 grads.

I still hear it and think of my cousin’s prom photos. She had on a poofy pink dress. Her date wore a tux that was too big. They grinned like they had the whole world.

The video’s simple. But it works really well. It mixes live footage of Skid Row—Sebastian’s totally owning the stage, obviously. And grainy home-movie clips of a teen couple. Them holding hands at the mall. Laughing on a porch.

That flashback vibe? Perfect. It feels like flipping through an old photo album. Remembering a love that felt huge back then. Even now, it tugs your heart a little.

8. Whitesnake – “Here I Go Again” (1987 Radio Version)

Okay, technically this was first released in 1982—but the 1987 re-recording? That’s the one that blew up. Number one in the U.S., global hit, and that intro? Iconic. You hear two notes and go, “Oh, this is that song.” It’s all about loneliness and grit—“here I go again on my own”—the ultimate anthem for doing things by yourself.

And the video? Maybe the most 80s thing ever. Thanks mostly to Tawny Kitaen. Her dancing on the hoods of two Jaguar XJs—acrobatic, a little suggestive, totally unforgettable. Add wind machines, moody street scenes, and David Coverdale’s charismatic grin? It’s pure glam, pure fun. MTV played it on loop for a reason.

9. Foreigner – “I Want to Know What Love Is” (1984)

This soulful, gospel-infused ballad? Foreigner’s only number one. And it’s not just a rock song—it’s a moment. The build, the New Jersey Mass Choir joining in… it feels bigger than just a track. Like a collective cry for something real.

The video blends live footage, recording sessions, and shots of frontman Lou Gramm looking contemplative. But the heart? The choir. Their joyful, soulful singing adds this layer of emotion you can’t fake. It’s grand, but still personal—like a quiet question (“what is love?”) turning into a huge, shared answer.

10. Journey – “Faithfully” (1983)

Journey’s “Faithfully” is the ultimate “love on the road” song. Jonathan Cain wrote it in 30 minutes on a tour bus—capturing that struggle of being a “music man” trying to keep a relationship alive when you’re never home. Relatable, even if you’re not a rock star (who hasn’t felt miles apart from someone you care about?).

The video was one of the first to show behind-the-scenes tour life: band traveling, backstage prep (hairspray, tuning guitars), explosive live shows. And Steve Perry’s vocals? They tell the whole story—longing, devotion, “I’ll be here, no matter what.” It’s gritty, not glossy—shows the work behind the fantasy. Makes the song’s promise of faithfulness feel that much more real.

11. Guns N’ Roses – “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1987)

Fun fact—this song started as a simple guitar exercise by Slash. Now? It’s GNR’s only number one in the U.S.

Axl Rose’s lyrics came from his then-girlfriend Erin Everly. They’re raw and sincere. And they fit perfectly with that iconic, hard-rocking guitar riff. The song’s soft and tough, all at once.

The video seems simple, but it’s not. The band’s rehearsing in Huntington Ballroom. Crew and their girlfriends are around them. No flash, no drama—just people hanging out, making music.

They cut to close-ups of the guys and their partners. They’re laughing, leaning on each other. It makes that rock-and-roll spectacle feel real, not just a show.

And the black-and-white? It makes the video feel timeless. Like a memory you’d want to hold onto.

12. Scorpions – “Still Loving You” (1984)

This German rock band’s ballad takes its time. The verses are quiet and melodic. They build up to a huge, emotional chorus. It’s all about heartache. And trying to fix what’s broken.

It was a big hit all over the world. Honestly? That build-up? It’s worth the wait.

The music video? Pure 80s drama. The band’s on stage with smoke and dramatic lights. They cut between that and a couple having trouble. They argue. They make up. They stare at each other longingly.

Klaus Meine sings like he’s pouring his whole heart out. There’s lots of slow-motion shots, too. The band plays like their lives depend on it. It’s grand—almost like an opera. Fits the song’s big feelings perfectly.

13. REO Speedwagon – “Keep On Loving You” (1980)

This song basically kickstarted the 80s power ballad formula. Kevin Cronin’s passionate vocals over a simple piano melody that blows up into a full-on rock anthem of devotion. Number one hit? Duh. It’s straightforward, no frills—just “I’m gonna keep loving you, no matter what.”

The music video? Delightfully 80s. It starts with Kevin in a therapy session, talking about his relationship woes. Then it cuts to the band performing, and there’s this classic (and kinda silly) moment: a woman answers a phone that’s connected to Gary Richrath’s guitar. Yep. Pure cheese, but in the best way. It’s earnest, charmingly unpolished—fits the song’s no-nonsense vibe perfectly.

14. Heart – “Alone” (1987)

Ann Wilson’s voice is strong—like a force of nature. “Alone” lets her show that off.

It’s a cover. The original’s by I-Ten. But Heart’s version? Way bigger. It was a hit everywhere. And it’s their second number one in the U.S.

The song’s about deep loneliness. Unrequited love, too. She sings it with so much power. You can feel the ache in every note.

The music video? Gothic and dramatic. Ann and Nancy Wilson are in moody, fancy settings. Ann wears a black veil and gown. Nancy plays a piano—and it collapses. Total drama.

There’s a balcony scene. Feels like Romeo and Juliet. All longing, all tension. The video looks rich. It’s got that theatrical vibe. Fits the song’s big emotion perfectly.

15. Bon Jovi – “Wanted Dead or Alive” (1986)

This song mixes rock star and outlaw cowboy feels.

It’s heavy on acoustic guitar, gritty. All about the risks and loneliness of life on the road.

It showed a more grown-up, folk-tinged side of Bon Jovi. And it became one of their go-to songs.

That line—“I’m a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride”? Total classic.

The black-and-white video was directed by Wayne Isham. It looks like a movie about tour life.

Slow-motion shots of the band playing. Them crammed into a tour bus. High-fiving fans.

The plain black-and-white look makes it feel like a documentary. Weary, awesome, not glitzy.

It’s not just about the shows. It’s about the long drives. The early mornings. The small moments in between.

Feels real, y’know?

The 80s were packed with these legendary power ballads—you could make a playlist and loop it for hours without getting bored. But here’s the thing: they’re not just songs. They’re memories.

So what about you? What was the one that ruled your high school dance? The one you still crank up in the car when it comes on the radio—singing off-key, windows down, not caring who sees? Spill. I wanna know.