What is a power ballad?

[byebyepride.livejournal.com]

I am watching The Hits '50 Greatest Power Ballads', or at least that's what it claims to be. Now, 'Winds of Change' -- that's a power ballad. But 'Angels' (Robbie), surely that's just a ballad? The wikipedia entry suggests that Christina Aguilera's 'Beautiful' counts (that's on now) but does REM's Everybody Hurts? (just sh!te, but also just a ballad!). I hadn't thought of 'Don't Speak' as a power ballad, but it seems to fit the bill.
Perhaps I am being old-fashioned and stuck in the past by expecting a little more rock to my power ballads?
Perhaps we should have a poll, if only I knew how.

Comments

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

"Early Winter" is problematic here I think - it's basically a Keane or Coldplay style modern rock song, and I don't think of those ("Clocks", "Everything Changes", etc.) as slow danceable.

Maybe it's just a pop song.

[justfanoe.livejournal.com]

Now that I think of it, you are right. "Early Winter" is not a ballad.

[freakytigger.livejournal.com]

I think it fills the structural function of a ballad on the Gwen album, though - it drops the pace, lets the act's sensitive or hurt side show. But it isn't one.