Top 30 Tuesday: Greatest Soft Rock Songs

June 5, 2007 Scott 30 comments

This past weekend VHI unveiled their 40 most softsational soft-rock songs.
As usual, some of their picks were great. Styx’s “Babe” was a great choice at #2. Some, not so great. I can imagine Escape (The Pina Colada Song) being on a one-hit wonders list but not on greatest soft-rock tunes.

So, I thought I would do my list. It’s more difficult than it looks because there has to be elements of both soft and a little bit of rock. That eliminates the harder power ballads and the more standard balladry and strives to hit somewhere in the middle. All in all it’s a more subjective experience. Here ya go (YouTube links when applicable):

30. Wounded by Michael McDermott–From my favorite album of all time this is a mournful ballad inspired by Cormac Macarthey’s “All the Pretty Horses”. I include this to keep his name before you as the greatest songwriter of my generation.

29. When You Walk In The Room by Paul Carrack–One of the omnipresent voices of the 70s and 80s this comes from his lone hit solo record after being a mainstay in such groups as Squeeze and Roxy Music.

28. Danny’s Song by Loggins and Messina–That chorus, “Even though we don’t have money” is one of those indelible lines that will forever be memorable.

27. Never Surrender by Corey Hart–Did you know he was offered the role of Marty McFly? Yeah, me either. This song was part of my soundtrack the summer before my senior year of high school. Still sounds good 20+ years later.

26. Just When I Needed You Most by Randy VanWarmer–She leaves. And after watching the video it’s probably easy to see why. The choreography with the suitcases is hilarious. But this is a classic soft-rock tune.

25. Nights Are Forever by England Dan and John Ford Coley–This video makes me unbelievably happy. The sight of that 45 rotating harkens back the day of great music.

24. Love Conquers All by Seals and Crofts–They had more popular tunes. And maybe even better songs than this one. But those other tunes aren’t from the greatest basketball movie ever made. And yes the video is from the movie.

23. Everytime You Go Away by Paul Young–Not only do mullets rock. They have a sensitive side as well. He took Darryl Hall’s song and made it his own, dawg.

22. Missing You by John Waite–One of the better (and more ubiquitous) videos of the 80s. Look for the trademark sunglasses that feature in his videos. Or better yet watch this updated version with Waite and the amazing Alison Krause.

21. Please Come to Boston by Dave Loggins–Forget Kenny, this is the best song by a Loggins boy. You need to face the music, buddy. That girl ain’t leaving Rocky Top. I couldn’t find the original so you have to settle for a version by Bo Bice.

20. Everything I Own by Bread--If this song doesn’t rip your heart out when it gets to the bridge, then you are just dead inside. Dead.

19. Leader of the Band by Dan Fogelberg–If this song doesn’t rip your heart out when it gets to the final verse, then you are just dead inside. Dead.

18. Only Lonely by JD Souther–This was his only hit but he wrote a ton of classic tunes for the Eagles. This is one of the best of the bunch. I just love that falsetto.

17. Still by The Commodores–Smooth. Just smooth. That pause at the end is sublime.

16. Don’t Let It End by Styx–Sure, others would pick “Babe” or even “Lady” but for me this is the pinnacle of their soft-rock greatness. And to top it off here’s a link to the other stellar ballad from Kilroy Was Here, “Haven’t We Been Here Before.”

15. Don’t Expect Me To Be Your Friend by Lobo–Say what you want but this guy is not taking the break-up too well.

14. In Too Deep by Genesis–There are a handful of great Genesis tunes that would qualify for this list but it’s in this tune that they seem to channel all of the melancholy and longing that Collin’s voice was so suited for.

13. I Go Crazy by Paul Davis–One of the most under-appreciated songs in soft rock history. The rumors that he refused to cut his hair until she took him back were unfounded.

12. You Are The Woman by Firefall–I’ve been known to belt this chunk of croonability at the top of my lungs on occasion. Alas, I can’t find a video. We have to settle for an audio sample instead.

11. I Wanna Know What Love Is by Foreigner–One of the greatest videos ever. And they are able to pull off that anthemic cliche that rock songs so frequently use and not sound trite: the choir. For an example of how not to do the choir see Mike and the Mechanic’s The Living Years.

10. The Search Is Over by Survivor–Although this is one of my favorite bands of the 80s the video is also proof that musicians don’t need to act.

9. Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon–Sigh, there will never be another REO. But you can relive the glory by watching the video.

8. We Just Disagree by Dave Mason–Just a stellar lyric. Pop Gold. And to prove it the video clip is from Solid Gold.

7. Making Love Out of Nothing At All by Air Supply–Further proof that they don’t need to act. However, this song is a sonic delight written by none other than Jim Steinman. Come on, you know you love this song.

6. Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad by Meatloaf–Speaking of Steinman, here is another of his lyrics in all of its bombasity. And who better to belt it out than that former Lubbock Christian student, Meatloaf?

5. Against All Odds by Phil Collins–Again, the great Phil Collins providing one of the great love songs of our time.

4. Faithfully by Journey–They made horrible videos but they recorded timeless songs. Their best soft rock tune is by far this one.

3. Sometimes When We Touch by Dan Hill–Sure, it is a textbook case of lyrical over-reaching but what is better than a four minute justification of why he won’t say “I love you.” This guy is a master at non-answers.

2. We’ve Only Just Begun by The Carpenters–The greatness of Karen Carpenter. What more needs to be said?

1. Weekend in New England by Barry Manilow–Laugh all you want but this song is sheer greatness. It also features a classic money note. If you doubt that, watch what may be the greatest performance in American Idol’s six seasons below: