Love is one of the most inspiring feelings when it comes to any artistic manifestation, specially music. Today we want to break stereotypes, and share with you these romantic songs that were composed by hard rock bands. I invite you to dedicate to your loved one any of the songs listed below, he or she will not be disappointed.
1. “Nothing Else Matters”, Metallica
Included in Black Album, “Nothing Else Matters” was at the beginning a personal song. Its author James Hetfield wrote it while he was on tour and felt nostalgia for his missing girlfriend. The introductory arpeggio was composed while James was on the phone with his girlfriend. By using his free hand he created a standard chord on si-minor that became the first two verses of the song: So close no matter how far, Couldn’t be much more from the heart.
2. “Wish You Were Here”, Pink Floyd
Many people say that Wish you were here (1975) is the most nostalgic and touching album from one of the greatest rock bands in the history of music, and the song which gave it the title is the best example of it. The main riff was composed by guitarist David Glamour. The album was dedicated to Syd Barrett who was one of the founders of the group. “Wish You Were Here” is one of those songs that expresses in a unique way the feeling of loss that remains after a breakup.
3. “Still Loving You”, Scorpions
“Still Loving You” belongs to the album Love at First Sting, which peaked at number 6 in US sales. This famous power ballad, recorded in 1984, remains despite the years a great sales success for the Hanover band. The guitar solo by Michael Schenker defines the characteristic features of hard rock. Many people affirm that the letter refers to the Berlin Wall that caused the separation of families and friends: Your pride has built a wall so strong that I can’t get through, is there really no chance to start once again? and Yes I’ve hurt your pride and I know what you’ve been through, you must give me a chance, this can’t be the end, I’m still loving you.
4. “Angie”, The Rolling Stones
“Angie” is part of the album Goats Head Soup, 1973. It was recorded between November and December of 1972, and written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. It is an acoustic piece which main theme is the end of a love relationship. This song is notable for the wrenching vocal performance of Mick Jagger, Nicky Hopkins on the piano, and the string arrangement of the producer Nicky Harrison. The song reached the top of the US charts on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 5 in the UK singles chart. The Christian Democratic Union of Germany used this song for the electoral campaign of Angela Merkel.
5. Love Me Forever, Motörhead
“Love Me Forever” belongs to the ninth studio album, entitled 1916, from the British heavy metal band Motörhead. It was presented on February 26, 1991 by the WTG Records. This album is a bit more hard rock oriented than the rest, without losing the heavy touch of Motörhead. Some of the lyrics contain undoubtedly memorable verses: Love me forever, or not at all, End of our tether, backs to the wall, Give me your hand, Don’t you ever ask why, Promise me nothing, live ’till we die.
6. “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”, Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin was a British rock band founded in 1968 by guitarist Jimmy Page. The band had influences from blues, rock and roll, soul, Celtic music, folk, and even country. “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” was featured in the debut album Led Zeppelin and it is a version of the song written by Anne Bredon in the 50’s.
7. “Promises”, Megadeth
Megadeth is one of the biggest bands of thrash metal along with Metallica and Slayer. “Promises” is a ballad that has some amazing orchestral arrangements without losing the sound of the band from California. This song belongs to the album The World Needs a Hero (2001), and it is a song with an exquisite elegance that maintains the spirit of rock alive.
8. “Wasting Love”, Iron Maiden
“Wasting Love” is the third single from the album Fear of the Dark (1992). It was composed by singer Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Janick Gers. It was also the first and so far the only power ballad of the English group edited as a single. The lyrics are about loneliness. Janick Gers played it in his usual rapid and aggressive way leading to an incomparable guitar solo.
9. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”, Aerosmith
Composed by Diane Warren, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” is a single that was recorded for the soundtrack of the movie Armageddon. The song remained in the top spot for four weeks from September 5 to September 26, 1998. It is the most successful song of Aerosmith in the UK. It was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song in 1998.
10. “Prisoner of Your Eyes”, Judas Priest
Judas Priest is an English heavy metal band founded in 1971 by K.K. Downing, Ian Hill, Al Atkins and John Ellis. It is one of the most important and influential bands in the history of the genre. The group is considered as the one that finished defining the sound of heavy metal, initiated by Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Queen, and Scorpions, among others. “Prisoner of Your Eyes” belongs to the album Screaming for Vengeance, which became the band’s best-selling production.
11. “You Shook Me All Night Long”, AC/DC
“You Shook Me All Night Long” is one of the most iconic songs of the Australian band AC/DC, along with “Back in Black” and “Highway to Hell”. It’s part of the seventh album, Back in Black, released in 1980. The song later appeared on the album Who Made Who. In 1980, the single peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart. The lyrics describe a night encounter with a beautiful and passionate woman. It also has the virtue of having one of the best and most important guitar riffs in the history of rock.
12. “November Rain”, Guns N’ Roses
“November Rain” is one of the most famous songs of the American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses. It was written by Axl Rose during almost a decade. It belongs to the group’s third album, titled Use Your Illusion I. The music video became the most watched on MTV and won the MTV Video Music Awards for Best Cinematography.
13. “Strange Kind of Woman”, Deep Purple
Initially named “Prostitute”, “Strange Kind of Woman” belongs to the fifth album Fireball. The English band Deep Purple is considered one of the pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal. They have dabbled into other alternatives of rock such as progressive rock, symphonic rock, psychedelic rock, blues rock and even classical music. The concert at the Rainbow Theatre, London, in July 1972, had the virtue of getting a Guinness world record as “the loudest band in the world” in the 70’s.
14. “Always”, Bon Jovi
“Always” is a power ballad performed by the hard rock band Bon Jovi (1983). It was originally written for the soundtrack of the film Romeo Is Bleeding, by Jon Bon Jovi. After disliking the film, the song was left forgotten on the shelf, until a friend found it and convinced him to include it in the compilation album Cross Road. “Always” became their best-selling single, with 1 million copies sold in the United States and more than 3 million worldwide. The song peaked at #4 in the US charts.
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