Naim Audio Playlist: Power Ballads

Power ballads, also known as sentimental ballads, pop ballads and rock ballads came into existence in the early 1970s, when rock stars attempted to convey profound messages to audiences.  The power ballad broke into the mainstream of American consciousness in 1976 via FM radio. These emotional rock songs often deal with romance and intimate relationships and are delivered with powerful vocals. Rarely a wedding or party goes by without someone playing one of these classics… we invite you to turn up our guilty pleasure playlist on your speakers.

Here are some interesting facts about our top 3 power ballads to crank up on your Naim Audio systems.

Seal ‘Kiss From A Rose’

Seal was famously embarrassed by the track after writing it and “threw the tape in the corner”. He didn’t play it to producer Trevor Horn until much later. It was originally released in 1994 but gained momentum after being used in the soundtrack for Batman Forever. It reached number 1 in the US that year. 

Prince ‘Purple Rain’

Arguably one of Prince’s most famous and celebrated song, this was originally written as a country song and intended to be a collaboration with Stevie Nicks. It was also the title and main theme for the American rock musical drama featuring Prince as “The Kid”. 
“When there’s blood in the sky - red and blue = purple… purple rain pertains to the end of the world and being with the one you love and letting your faith/god guide you through the purple rain”

Journey ‘Don’t Stop Believin’

Released in June 1981, the song featured on the rock band’s 7th studio album “Escape”. It never reached no.1 in the charts but continued to seep into our culture in various ways. Crime drama giant “The Sopranos” memorably played the track in the series finale, Broadways “Rock of Ages” musical, that memorbale “Glee” pilot episode.. Singer Cain talks about the monster hit “I don’t ever get tired of it. For me, it’s an honor to have a song that’s loved by three, four generations by now … Anyone who gets tired of a song is working off their own ego. When we’re in Journey, we check our egos at the door.”

To listen on Spotify: click here,
or on TIDAL: click here.