Image: Warrant Official YouTube Channel
About This Quiz
"It's all coming back to me now!" Or is it? If you're a romantic who also loves a bit of rock and roll, you're probably pretty familiar with power ballads. While you'd hear a few in more recent years, nothing beats the tunes of the '80s. From classics like "Faithfully" to "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," can you complete the lyrics to these popular '80s power ballads?
The 1980s was an iconic time in pop culture. Millions of entertainment fans were tuning into the sitcoms of the decade like Cheers, Growing Pains, and Golden Girls. Those who weren't tuning into TV might've chosen film instead. If you weren't re-watching The Breakfast Club, you might've been fighting crime with Die Hard or Lethal Weapon. While TV and film were staples of the decade, the other major contender was music. The emergence of rock and roll culture was huge in the 1980s, but tons of people were still falling in love. This blend is what brought about the boom of power ballads. The lyrics were often as soulful as a classic ballad but the heavy percussion often associated with rock and roll music is what took it over the edge.Â
It's been nearly 30 years since the iconic power ballads of the '80s, and true fans still remember the decade's biggest hits. With groups like Whitesnake, Foreigner, and Heart leading the way, can you rock this quiz to a perfect score? Let's find out!
"We both lie silently still / In the dead of the night / Although we both lie close together..."
Was it something I said or something I did
We feel miles apart inside
"Every Rose Has Its Thorn" is the popular power ballad from rock band, Poison. Led by Bret Michaels, the song was released on the group's 1988 album "Open Up and Say... Ahhh!"
Though I tried not to hurt you
Just like every night has its dawn
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"I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord / And I've been waiting for this moment for all my life , oh Lord..."
Well if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand
So you can wife off that grin, I know where you've been
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord
"In the Air Tonight" is Phil Collins' debut single from 1981. The song appeared on his debut album "Face Value."
It's all been a pack of lies
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"I wanna taste you but your lips are venomous poison / Your poison, running through my veins / You're poison..."
Your web, I'm caught
Black lace, on sweat
I don't want to break these chains
"Poison" is the 1989 power ballad from Alice Cooper. The song was released on his album "Trash."
I hear you calling
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"I've got a picture of your house / and you're standing by the door / It's black and white and faded..."
Silhouetted in the back
Heaven isn't too far away
How I love the way you move
And it's looking pretty worn
"Heaven" was recorded in 1988 by the group rock band "Warrant." The song appears on their 1989 album "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich."
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"Till now I always got by on my own / I never really cared until I met you..."
How do I get you alone
Oh I hope that it won't end though
And now it chills me to the bone
"Alone" is the popular 1980s power ballad recorded by Heart in 1987. The song appeared on the album "Bad Animals."
You don't know how long I have wanted
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"Standin' here beside you / want so much to give you / This love in my heart..."
That I'm feelin' for you
These lyrics come from the 1987 song "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Starship. The song appeared on the album "No Protection."
Let 'em say we're crazy
I don't care 'bout that
Baby, don't ever look back
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Who's gonna pick you up / When you fall? / Who's gonna hang it up..."
It's too late
When you scream
When you call
"Drive" is the 1984 song from the rock band The Cars. The song appeared on their album "Heartbeat City."
In your dreams
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"Take these broken wings / And learn to fly again / And learn to live so free..."
I fear unless I make it all to clear
We can take what was wrong
Why can't we just hold on
When we hear the voices sing
"Broken Wings" is the 1985 song my Mr. Mister that appears on their album "Welcome to the Real World."
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"You've been hiding, never letting it show / Always trying to keep it under control / You got it down and you're well..."
But there's something that you forgot
On the way to the top
"What About Love" is another popular power ballad from Heart. The song was released on their eponymous 1985 album.
Don't you want someone to care about you
I can't tell you what you're feeling inside
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"Somewhere after midnight / In my wildest fantasy / Somewhere just beyond my reach..."
I'm holding out for a hero
There's someone reaching back for me
"Holding Out for a Hero" is the hit 1980s ballad from the film "Footloose." The song was performed by Bonnie Tyler.
Late at night I toss and I turn
Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat
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"I keep looking for something I can't get / Broken hearts lie all around me..."
I just died in your arms tonight
Her diary sits on the bedside table
And I don't see an easy way to get out of this
These lyrics are from the 1980s power ballad "(I Just) Died in Your Arms." The song was released on the Cutting Crew's 1986 album "Broadcast."
It must've been some kind of kiss
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"Everybody needs a little time away / I heard her say / From each other / Even lovers need a holiday..."
Far away from each other
"Hard to Say I'm Sorry" is a power ballad by Chicago. The song was released on their 1982 album "Chicago 16."
You're just the part of me i can't let go
Just for the day
I just want you to know
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"I'll be there for you, these five words I swear to you / When you breathe, I want to be the air for you / I'll be there for you..."
I'd steal the sun from the sky for you
Words can't say what love can do
I'll be there for you
I'd live and I'd die for you
"I'll Be There For You" is the power ballad by '80s rock band, Bon Jovi. The song was released on their 1988 album "New Jersey."
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"If I kiss you like this / And if you whisper like that / It was lost long ago..."
There were moments of gold
There were night of sacred pleasure
It was more than any laws allow
But it's all coming back to me
"It's All Coming Back to Me" is the popular 1980s power ballad originally recorded by Pandora's Box in 1989. The song would later gain even more fame after Celine Dion's recording in 1996.
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"Don't shed a tear for me / my life won't end without you / Long as the night will be..."
The sun will rise without you
"Don't Shed a Tear" is the 1987 Paul Carrack song that was released on his album "One Good Reason."
Oh but I saw in you, now I see through
I'm not missing what we ain't making
You are giving what I'm not taking
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"I never wanted to be your weekend lover / I only wanted to be some kind of friend / Baby, I could never steal you from another..."
I only wanted to see you underneath the purple rain
It's time we all reach out
I only wanted to see you laughing in the purple rain
It's such a shame our friendship had to end
"Purple Rain" is the popular ballad by Prince. The song was featured on his 1984 album of the same title.
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"No one but me can save myself / But it's too late / Now I can't think..."
Now I will just say goodbye
I was me but now he's gone
Think why I should even try
"Fade to Black" is the popular '80s ballad by Metallica. The song was released on their 1984 album "Ride the Lightning."
Cannot stand this hell I feel
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"Black velvet and that little boy smile / Black velvet and that slow southern style / A new religion that'll bring you to your knees..."
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for
In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true
Black velvet if you please
"Black Velvet" is the 1989 Alannah Myles single that was released on her eponymous album.
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"Is this love that I'm feeling / Is this the love that I've been searching for / Is this love or am I dreaming..."
I need you by my side
I can't stop the feeling
This must be love
"Is This Love" is the 1987 power ballad by Whitesnake that appears on their eponymous album.
I can feel my love for you
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"Listen to your heart when he's calling for you / Listen to your heart, there's nothing else you can do..."
But listen to your heart before you tell him goodbye
Sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile
I don't know where you're going and I don't know why
"Listen to Your Heart" was released in 1988 on the Roxette album "Look Sharp!"
So much to mention but you can't find the words
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"I woke up to the sound of pouring rain / The wind would whisper and I'd think of you / And all the tears you cried, that called my name..."
Time after time you were there for me
Love letters in the sand, I remember you
We spent the summer with the top rolled down
And when you needed me, I came through
"I Remember You" is the 1989 power ballad by Skid Row that appears on their eponymous album.
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"This one goes out to the one I love / This one goes out to the one I've left behind / A simple prop to occupy my time..."
This one goes out to the one I love
"The One I Love" is the '80s power ballad by R.E.M. The song was released in 1987 on their album "The Man Who Loved Yngve."
Fire
Another prop has occupied my time
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"I can't tell ya baby what went wrong / I can't make you feel what you felt so long ago / I'll let it show..."
If you really want to go
I can't let go
I can't give you back what's been hurt
"Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" is the 1988 song by Cinderella that appears on their album "Long Cold Winter."
Don't know what you got till it's gone
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"And even as I wander / I'm keeping you in sight / You're a candle in the window..."
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might
On a cold, dark winter's night
These lyrics are from the ''80s power ballad "Can't Fight This Feeling." Recorded in 1984, the song was released on the REO Speedwagon album "Wheels Are Turnin'."
You make everything so clear
I only wish I had the strength to let it show
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"And so I wake in the morning / And I step outside / And I take a deep breath and I get real high..."
I said hey, what's going on
That the world was made up of this brotherhood of man
And I scream from the top of my lungs
"What's Up" is the 1982 single released by the group 4 Non Blondes on their album "Bigger, Better, Faster, More!"
And so I cry sometimes
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"Hey little sister, what have you done / Hey little sister, who's the only one / Hey little sister, who's your Superman / Hey little sister..."
Shotgun
Who's the one you want
"White Wedding" is the 1982 single released by Billy Idol on his eponymous album.
Who's it you're with
What's your vice or wish
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"I gotta take a little time / A little time to think things over / I better read between the lines..."
It keeps me warm as life grows colder
In case I need it when I'm older
"I Want to Know What Love Is" is the popular 1980s power ballad by Foreigner. The song was released on their 1984 album "Agent Provocateur."
To change this lonely life
It looks like love has finally found me
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"Who knows what tomorrow brings / In a world, few hearts survive / All I know is the way I feel..."
But we climb a step every day
When it's real, I keep alive
"Up Where We Belong" was first recorded in 1982 by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes for the film "An Officer and a Gentleman."
Live their livees, looking behind
Where the eagles cry on a mountain high
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"I spend my time / Thinking about you / And it's almost driving me wild..."
And there's a storm that's raging
There's a message in the wild
And it looks like I'm losing this fight
And that's my heart that's breaking
"Missing You" is the 1984 song by John Waite that appears on his album "No Brakes."
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"I'm all out of love, I'm so lost without you / I know you were right believing me so long / I'm all out of love, what am I without you..."
When today doesn't really know, doesn't really know
I want you to come back and carry me home
Away from this long lonely nights
I can't be too late to say that I was so wrong
"All Out of Love" is the 1980 song by Air Supply that was released on their album "Lost in Love."
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"Take my hand / Tell me what you are feeling / Understand..."
Darling leave a light on for me
This is just the beginning
"Leave A Light On" is the 1989 single by Belinda Carlisle. It was released on her album "Runaway Horses."
I don't know when I'll see you again
I can't explain I just don't know
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"I don't know where I'm goin' / But I sure know where I've been / Hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday..."
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time
"Here I Go Again" is the Whitesnake power ballad that was originally recorded in 1982 for their "Saints & Sinners" album.
I pray you give me strength to carry on
Like a drifter I was born to walk alone
Just another heart in need of rescue
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"The power of love / A force from above / Cleaning my soul..."
Love with tongues of fire
Purge the soul
Flame on burn desire
"The Power of Love" is the popular 1984 power ballad by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. The song appears on their album "Welcome to the Pleasuredome."
Make love your goal
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"When you make love, do you look in the mirror / Who do you think of, does he look like me / Do you tell lies and say that it's forever..."
Do you think twice, or just touch 'n' see?
"Love Bites" is the 1987 Def Leppard song that appears on their album "Hysteria."
I don't wanna touch you too much baby
So I don't wanna be there when you decide to break it
Love bites, love bleeds
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"They say the road ain't no place to start a family / Right down the line it's been you and me / And loving a music man ain't always what it's supposed to be / Oh, girl, you stand by me / I'm forever yours..."
Wondering where I am
Faithfully
After "Don't Stop Believin'," one of Journey's most popular songs is their power ballad, "Faithfully." The song appears on their 1983 album "Frontiers."
I'm still yours
Through space and time
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You Got:
/35
