Top 20 Unconventional Power Ballads Not Included in Power Ballad Compilations

In the realm of music, some songs have a knack for transcending their original genre and finding a new home in the hearts of rock fans. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in the world of Album-Oriented Rock (AOR), where well-crafted songs from diverse artists and genres have gained new life and appreciation when covered by melodic rock bands.

One such example is the Diane Warren-penned song "Don't Turn Around," originally recorded by Tina Turner and famously a reggae hit for Aswad in 1988. However, it was transformed into a melodramatic AOR power ballad by the little-known rock band Eyes in 1990, featuring Jeff Scott Soto on vocals. Their version reworked the sweet pop song into a classic AOR juggernaut, becoming a cult favorite among melodic rock fans.

Beyond this specific example, many power ballads have found greater appreciation in rock circles when covered by bands who adapted them into the AOR style, often from pop or different genres. While specific additional examples fitting the exact criteria (lesser-known originals turned into AOR classics by other bands) are not detailed in the available search results, this phenomenon is common.

Classic rock or metal bands often cover pop songs or lesser-known tracks and turn them into power ballads favored in AOR formats, sometimes becoming staples of rock radio despite the original's lack of recognition in that scene.

Notable AOR Covers

Boston's fourth album Walk On featured Fran Cosmo, who gave an astonishing performance on the song "Livin' For You," almost as good as Brad Delp. Survivor's follow-up to "Eye Of The Tiger," "Ever Since The World Began," was a piano-led ballad and an unmitigated disaster, not even charting in the US. However, the song found new life when covered by melodic rock bands.

Strangeways, formed by Scottish brothers Ian and David Stewart, hit their peak in 1986 with their second album "Native Sons," on which their new American singer Terry Brock elevated their music to a whole new level. John Waite, with a finer AOR pedigree than any other British singer, gave a wonderful performance of "Welcome To Paradise," expressing the loneliness of an Englishman in New York.

Spys, a band led by two ex-members of Foreigner, had a mix of melodic hard rock and a left-of-centre new wave sensibility. Their song "Younger Days" is a poignant and richly atmospheric synth-rock ballad. Dare's debut album Out Of The Silence features an emotional tour de force, "King Of Spades," written in memory of Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy.

AOR Classics from the 80s and Beyond

The Dan Reed Network's third album The Heat has a cult classic track called "The Salt Of Joy." Journey's song "Loved By You," recorded with Steve Augeri, who joined the band after Steve Perry left, is considered one of the best songs on the 2000 album Arrival. Michael Bolton's 1985 album Everybody's Crazy is considered his masterpiece by many AOR fans, and "Call My Name" is his best song from that era.

Steve Perry's solo debut album Street Talk had a power ballad with a difference, "Captured By The Moment," which was not a love song but a eulogy for heroes of a lost age. Bryan Adams' greatest ballad is "Native Son," originally an album track on 1987's "Into The Fire." It reveals a more serious side to the Groover from Vancouver.

The debut album by Valentine, named simply Hugo, has one song that is considered one of the definitive and classic power ballads, "Never Said It Was Gonna Be Easy." "Time Of Our Lives" is a modern classic by Night Ranger, a band known for their power ballads, released on their 2011 album "Somewhere In California."

Finally, Mr. Mister's album Go On failed to produce any hits, but it contained the great song "The Border," a quasi-spiritual anthem. FM's "Every Time I Think Of You" is a perfectly crafted song, brilliantly sung by Steve Overland, despite the band not achieving the commercial success they were expected to. Diving For Pearls' debut album, sold over 200,000 copies in the US but failed to save the band from being dropped. Their song "New Moon" is in the style of Def Leppard's Hysteria.

These hidden gems, originally hits for different artists but transformed into AOR classics, serve as a testament to the enduring power of great songwriting and the transformative potential of the AOR genre. Whether you're a fan of classic rock, power ballads, or just great music, these songs are worth discovering or rediscovering.

[1] For more examples and insights into this phenomenon, refer to various music history resources and discussions among AOR enthusiasts online.

The transformation of "Don't Turn Around" from a reggae hit to a classic AOR power ballad by Eyes is a prime example of a song finding new life in rock circles.
Many power ballads have gained greater appreciation in rock scenes when covered by bands and adapted into the AOR style, often from pop or different genres.
Boston's Fran Cosmo delivered an astounding performance on "Livin' For You," almost equaling Brad Delp's original rendition.
Survivor's "Ever Since The World Began" may have been a disaster in its original form, but it found new life when covered by melodic rock bands.
Strangeways reached their zenith with their second album "Native Sons," thanks to the elevating influence of new American singer Terry Brock.
John Waite gave a remarkable performance of "Welcome To Paradise," touching the depths of an Englishman's loneliness in New York.
Spys, a band with a blend of melodic hard rock and new wave sensibility, offered a poignant synth-rock ballad, "Younger Days."
Dare's "King Of Spades" is an emotional tour de force, written in memory of Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy.
The Dan Reed Network's "The Salt Of Joy" is a cult classic track from their third album The Heat.
Journey's "Loved By You," recorded with Steve Augeri, is considered one of the best songs on the 2000 album Arrival.
Michael Bolton's 1985 album Everybody's Crazy is beloved by AOR fans, with "Call My Name" as his best song from that era.
Steve Perry's "Captured By The Moment" stood out on his solo debut album Street Talk, offering a power ballad with a unique twist.
Bryan Adams' "Native Son" reveals a more serious side of the Groover from Vancouver.
Valentine's "Never Said It Was Gonna Be Easy" is considered one of the definitive power ballads.
"Time Of Our Lives" by Night Ranger, from their 2011 album "Somewhere In California," is a modern classic.
Mr. Mister's album Go On may have failed to produce hits, but "The Border" is a quasi-spiritual anthem.
FM's "Every Time I Think Of You" is a perfectly crafted AOR song, shining through despite the band's lack of commercial success.
Diving For Pearls' debut album, however successful in sales, couldn't save the band from being dropped, but their song "New Moon" is in the style of Def Leppard's Hysteria.
These transformed songs serve as a testament to the enduring power of great songwriting and the transformative potential of the AOR genre.
For fans of classic rock, power ballads, or just great music, these songs represent hidden gems worth discovering or rediscovering.
To delve deeper into this phenomenon, consult various music history resources and discussions among AOR enthusiasts online.
The power ballad genre thrives in the world of AOR, redefining diverse originals into rock staples.
In the industry, some classic rock or metal bands cover pop songs or lesser-known tracks, converting them into AOR power ballads.
These reinterpreted songs have even become staples of rock radio, despite the original versions' lack of recognition in that scene.
AOR has a unique knack for breathing new life into music, transcending original genres and gaining appreciation among rock fans.
The AOR format, known for its melodramatic power ballads, embraces a wide range of songs from various genres and artists.
Covering lesser-known tunes and turning them into AOR classics has become a common practice in the music industry.
These revamped tracks often elevate songs to new heights, gaining recognition and success that the originals may have lacked.
Some may argue that the AOR style can even improve upon the original versions of certain songs.
These AOR covers serve as a testament to the enduring appeal of great music and the potential of the AOR genre to transcend original boundaries.
Fans of various genres, from pop to rock to metal, can find new favorites in these AOR covers.
In the realm of music, experimentation and adaptation are key, and AOR provides a unique platform for this transformation.
The AOR genre offers a fresh perspective, breathing new life into classic rock and metal songs while expanding their appeal beyond their original fanbase.
The diverse selection of songs transformed into AOR classics demonstrates the genre's versatility and inclusivity.
For those intrigued by the AOR phenomenon, exploring these covers and their original versions can provide a fascinating journey through music history.
As more bands explore the AOR style, we can expect to see even more extraordinary covers in the future.
The world of music is enriched by the AOR genre, offering a platform for transformation, innovation, and the celebration of great songwriting.