Let's talk about BALLADS

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

The giveaway CD for Thursday's Poptimism will be an ALL-BALLAD special. I'm taking here about the modern usage of the word to mean 'slow song', rather than the older 'story song'.

Ballads seem to get short shrift from Poptimists - criticisms of pop or R&B albums, for instance, often turn on a "too many ballads" claim. The list of NOW poll winners here is short on them too (Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time", Portishead's "Glory Box", maybe a couple of others).

What are some of your favourite ballads? Do you have trouble enjoying slow pop songs? Why do you think that is, if so? Do some genres suit 'ballads' better than others? (Some of the people who complain about R&B ballads might be Low or Will Oldham fans, for instance!) When does a song stop being a ballad? And so on - plenty to talk about, I'm sure.

I do want ballad recommendations, however the giveaway CD has already been made and is GREBT, a chronological journey through balladry from the 50s to last week.

Comments

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

criticisms of pop or R&B albums, for instance, often turn on a "too many ballads" claim
I recognise myself in this comment up to a point (I also like Low quite a bit). But w.r.t. R&B I've noticed a sea change* in recent years, roughly beginning with Brandy's Full Moon LP (and the last Aaliyah LP, although I didn't hear that in full until a year ago) where the ballads suddenly started clicking and becoming my favourite tracks. Now, I'd much rather listen to e.g. Beyonce's vocal stylings on a ballad than on a banger.

*don't now if it's me that's changed or the ballads just got less boring!

Slightly different story with solo white male singers: I've always liked Elton John's 70s ballads. George Michael's at his best on songs like "Careless Whisper", "Jesus To A Child" and, especially "You Have Been Loved" (I'm far less enamoured of his sex jams). Daniel Bedingfield's "If You're Not The One" was in my top 5 songs of 2002 ('though his later attempts to repeat the success of this song fell flat). Robbie Williams is also at his best being sensitive: "Angels", "Strong", "Feel", "She's The One".

Can't stand boyband ballads however, except "Mandy" (and prefer B. Manilow version anyway). But then I can't stand boybands at any speed as you've probably worked out by now.

11 songs on a "60 grebt singles" list I once posted on ILM that are (arguably) ballads

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

(listed here roughly chronologically)

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Ooo Baby Baby
The Shangri-Las - Past Present & Future
David Bowie - Life on Mars?
The Carpenters - Goodbye To Love
Nilsson - Without You
Michael Jackson - Ain't No Sunshine
Elton John - Someone Saved My Life Tonight
The Commodores - Sail On
Robert Wyatt - Shipbuilding
Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
Mazzy Star - Fade Into You

11 of out 60 is a probably a good measure of my ballad love.

Re: 11 songs on a "60 grebt singles" list I once posted on ILM that are (arguably) ballads

[katstevens.livejournal.com]

Nilsson gets my vote. Also Eternal Flame, that 10CC song, Shakespear's Sister...

afterthoughts

[jeff-worrell.livejournal.com]

The posts from martinskidmore and mostlyconnect have reminded me how effective Will Young and Girls Aloud are at doing ballads. Not so keen on Gareth Gates, but love the Righteous Brothers' version of "Unchained Melody" (and indeed all the ballads they recorded with Spector).