''Monster Ballads'' is the first in a series of
compilation albums that feature a combination of many popular and lesser-known
power ballad
A sentimental ballad is an emotional style of music that often deals with romantic and intimate relationships, and to a lesser extent, loneliness, death, war, drug abuse, politics and religion, usually in a poignant but solemn manner.J. M. C ...
s, usually from the
glam metal
Glam metal (also known as hair metal or pop metal) is a subgenre of heavy metal that features pop-influenced hooks and guitar riffs, upbeat rock anthems, and slow power ballads. It borrows heavily from the fashion and image of 1970s glam ...
and
soft rock
Soft rock is a form of rock music that originated in the late 1960s in Southern California and the United Kingdom which smoothed over the edges of singer-songwriter and pop rock, relying on simple, melodic songs with big, lush productions. S ...
genres, many of which charted in the Top 10 or Top 20 of the
''Billboard'' Hot 100. Like ''
Monsters of Rock
Monsters of Rock was an annual hard rock and heavy metal music festival held in Castle Donington, England, from 1980 to 1996, taking place every year except 1989 and 1993. It later branched into other locations such as the Netherlands, Poland ...
'', it was released in both single and 2 disc versions, which were heavily promoted by TV commercials. The single disc version (containing 16 songs) was eventually certified platinum by the RIAA in 1999, while the 2 disc version (containing 35 songs) was certified gold that same year.
Original single-disc release
#"
Heaven
Heaven or the heavens, is a common religious cosmological or transcendent supernatural place where beings such as deities, angels, souls, saints, or venerated ancestors are said to originate, be enthroned, or reside. According to the bel ...
" -
Warrant - 3:59
#"
Something to Believe In" -
Poison
Poison is a chemical substance that has a detrimental effect to life. The term is used in a wide range of scientific fields and industries, where it is often specifically defined. It may also be applied colloquially or figuratively, with a broa ...
- 5:31
#"
High Enough"
ingle version-
Damn Yankees
''Damn Yankees'' is a 1955 musical comedy with a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The story is a modern retelling of the Faust legend set during the 1950s in Washington, D.C., dur ...
- 4:19
#"
Almost Paradise
"Almost Paradise... Love Theme from Footloose" is the title of a duet by singers Mike Reno of Loverboy and Ann Wilson of Heart. It is one of several major hits by singer Eric Carmen and lyrics by Dean Pitchford, another being Carmen's song " Make ...
" -
Mike Reno
Mike Reno (born Joseph Michael Rynoski; born January 8, 1955) is a Canadian musician, singer and the lead singer of the rock band Loverboy. He is reported to have taught himself how to play guitar. He fronted other bands, including Moxy, before ...
and
Ann Wilson
Anne, alternatively spelled Ann, is a form of the Latin female given name Anna. This in turn is a representation of the Hebrew Hannah, which means 'favour' or 'grace'. Related names include Annie.
Anne is sometimes used as a male name in the ...
- 3:46
#"
Is This Love Is This Love may refer to:
* "Is This Love" (Daryl Braithwaite song)
* "Is This Love?" (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah song)
* "Is This Love?" (The Fireman song)
* "Is This Love" (Aiden Grimshaw song)
* "Is This Love" (Bob Marley & The Wailers song) ...
" -
Whitesnake
Whitesnake are an English hard rock band formed in London in 1978. The group was originally put together as the backing band for singer David Coverdale, who had recently left Deep Purple. Though the band quickly developed into their own entit ...
- 4:42
#"
To Be with You
"To Be with You" is a song by American rock band Mr. Big, released in November 1991 as the second single from their second album, '' Lean into It'' (1991). The ballad reached number one on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for three weeks and toppe ...
" -
Mr. Big
Mr. Big may refer to:
Entertainment
In film and literature
* Mister Big (James Bond), a villain in the novel and film ''Live and Let Die''
* ''Mister Big'' (1943 film), a 1943 musical
* ''Mr. Big'' (2007 film), a 2007 documentary
In televisi ...
- 3:27
#"
Carrie" -
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located enti ...
- 4:32
#"
Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)
"Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" is a power ballad written by Tom Keifer and performed by the glam metal band Cinderella, from their second album '' Long Cold Winter''. Released in August 1988, it was their most successful single, peak ...
" -
Cinderella
"Cinderella",; french: link=no, Cendrillon; german: link=no, Aschenputtel) or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale with thousands of variants throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsi ...
- 5:55
#"
More Than Words
"More Than Words" is a song by American rock band Extreme, released as the fifth track and third single from their second album, ''Pornograffitti'' (1990), in March 1991. It is a ballad built around acoustic guitar work by Nuno Bettencourt and ...
"
ingle version-
Extreme
Extreme may refer to:
Science and mathematics Mathematics
*Extreme point, a point in a convex set which does not lie in any open line segment joining two points in the set
*Maxima and minima, extremes on a mathematical function
Science
*Extremop ...
- 4:11
#"
Headed for a Heartbreak
"Headed for a Heartbreak" is a single by American glam metal band Winger, from their self-titled debut album '' Winger''. Released in May 1989, the power ballad
A sentimental ballad is an emotional style of music that often deals with roman ...
" -
Winger - 5:14
#"
When I Look Into Your Eyes" -
Firehouse
__NOTOC__
A fire station (also called a fire house, fire hall, firemen's hall, or engine house) is a structure or other area for storing firefighting apparatuses such as fire engines and related vehicles, personal protective equipment, fire ho ...
- 4:00
#"
Wind of Change" -
Scorpions
Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the order Scorpiones. They have eight legs, and are easily recognized by a pair of grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back and always end ...
- 5:10
#"
I'll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes)
"I'll Never Let You Go" (also titled "I'll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes)") is a power ballad by American glam metal band Steelheart. It was released as the second single from their 1990 self-titled debut album. It peaked at No. 23 on the ''Bill ...
" -
Steelheart
Steelheart is an American glam metal band from Norwalk, Connecticut, that formed in 1989. At the time that their debut was recorded, the band's members consisted of vocalist Miljenko Matijevic, lead guitarist Chris Risola, rhythm guitarist Fra ...
- 5:06
#"
When I See You Smile
"When I See You Smile" is a song written by Diane Warren and performed by American-British glam metal band Bad English. It was released in September 1989 as the second single taken from their self-titled debut album released in 1989. The power ...
" -
Bad English
Bad English was an American/British glam metal supergroup formed in 1987. It reunited Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain with singer John Waite and bassist Ricky Phillips, his former bandmates in the Babys, along with Journey guitarist Neal S ...
- 4:21
#"Don't Close Your Eyes" -
KIX - 4:18
#"
When I'm with You" -
Sheriff - 3:55
Double-disc edition
Disc 1
#"
Heaven
Heaven or the heavens, is a common religious cosmological or transcendent supernatural place where beings such as deities, angels, souls, saints, or venerated ancestors are said to originate, be enthroned, or reside. According to the bel ...
" -
Warrant - 3:59
#"
Something to Believe In" -
Poison
Poison is a chemical substance that has a detrimental effect to life. The term is used in a wide range of scientific fields and industries, where it is often specifically defined. It may also be applied colloquially or figuratively, with a broa ...
- 5:31
#"
When I See You Smile
"When I See You Smile" is a song written by Diane Warren and performed by American-British glam metal band Bad English. It was released in September 1989 as the second single taken from their self-titled debut album released in 1989. The power ...
" -
Bad English
Bad English was an American/British glam metal supergroup formed in 1987. It reunited Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain with singer John Waite and bassist Ricky Phillips, his former bandmates in the Babys, along with Journey guitarist Neal S ...
- 4:09
#"
Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)
"Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" is a power ballad written by Tom Keifer and performed by the glam metal band Cinderella, from their second album '' Long Cold Winter''. Released in August 1988, it was their most successful single, peak ...
"
ingle version-
Cinderella
"Cinderella",; french: link=no, Cendrillon; german: link=no, Aschenputtel) or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale with thousands of variants throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsi ...
- 4:30
#"
Love Is on the Way" -
Saigon Kick
Saigon Kick is an American hard rock band from Miami, Florida, that formed in 1988. When they recorded their debut album and second album the band consisted of lead vocalist Matt Kramer, lead guitarist Jason Bieler, bassist Tom Defile, and drum ...
- 4:25
#"
Headed for a Heartbreak
"Headed for a Heartbreak" is a single by American glam metal band Winger, from their self-titled debut album '' Winger''. Released in May 1989, the power ballad
A sentimental ballad is an emotional style of music that often deals with roman ...
"
ingle version-
Winger - 4:18
#"
When I'm with You" -
Sheriff - 3:55
#"
Carrie" -
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located enti ...
- 4:32
#"
I'll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes)
"I'll Never Let You Go" (also titled "I'll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes)") is a power ballad by American glam metal band Steelheart. It was released as the second single from their 1990 self-titled debut album. It peaked at No. 23 on the ''Bill ...
" -
Steelheart
Steelheart is an American glam metal band from Norwalk, Connecticut, that formed in 1989. At the time that their debut was recorded, the band's members consisted of vocalist Miljenko Matijevic, lead guitarist Chris Risola, rhythm guitarist Fra ...
- 5:06
#"
High Enough"
ingle version-
Damn Yankees
''Damn Yankees'' is a 1955 musical comedy with a book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop, music and lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. The story is a modern retelling of the Faust legend set during the 1950s in Washington, D.C., dur ...
- 4:19
#"The Ballad of Jayne" -
L.A. Guns
L.A. Guns is an American glam metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1983. The lineup currently consists of Tracii Guns (lead guitar), Phil Lewis (lead vocals), Ace Von Johnson (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Johnny Martin (bass, backing v ...
- 4:33
#"Goodbye" -
Night Ranger
Night Ranger is an American hard rock band from San Francisco formed in 1979 that gained popularity during the 1980s with a series of albums and singles. Guitarist Brad Gillis and drummer Kelly Keagy have been the band's only constant members ...
- 4:18
#"
Can't Fight This Feeling
"Can't Fight This Feeling" is a power ballad performed by the American rock band REO Speedwagon. The song first appeared on the 1984 album ''Wheels Are Turnin. The single reached number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart and held the top ...
" -
REO Speedwagon
REO Speedwagon (originally stylized as R.E.O. Speedwagon) is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. T ...
- 4:50
#"
This Could Be the Night" -
Loverboy
Loverboy is a Canadian rock band formed in 1979 in Calgary, Alberta. Loverboy's hit singles, particularly " Turn Me Loose" and "Working for the Weekend", have become arena rock staples and are still heard on many classic rock and classic hits ...
- 4:59
#"
Never Tear Us Apart
"Never Tear Us Apart" is a song by Australian rock band INXS, released in August 1988 as the fourth single from their sixth studio album, ''Kick''.
Background and composition
The music was written by keyboardist Andrew Farriss, who recorded ...
" -
INXS
INXS (a phonetic play on "in excess") were an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. The band's founding members were bassist Garry Gary Beers, main composer and keyboardist Andrew Farris ...
- 3:05
#"
Second Chance"
ingle version-
38 Special 38 Special may refer to:
* .38 Special, a revolver cartridge
* 38 Special (band)
38 Special (also stylized as .38 Special or spelled out as Thirty-Eight Special) is an American rock band that was formed by Donnie Van Zant and Don Barnes in 1 ...
- 4:35
#"
Eternal Flame
An eternal flame is a flame, lamp or torch that burns for an indefinite time. Most eternal flames are ignited and tended intentionally, but some are natural phenomena caused by natural gas leaks, peat fires and coal seam fires, all of which c ...
" -
The Bangles
The Bangles are an American pop rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1981. The band recorded several singles that reached the U.S. top 10 during the 1980s, including " Manic Monday" (1986), " Walk Like an Egyptian" (1986), "Hazy Shad ...
- 3:55
Disc 2
#"
Is This Love Is This Love may refer to:
* "Is This Love" (Daryl Braithwaite song)
* "Is This Love?" (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah song)
* "Is This Love?" (The Fireman song)
* "Is This Love" (Aiden Grimshaw song)
* "Is This Love" (Bob Marley & The Wailers song) ...
" -
Whitesnake
Whitesnake are an English hard rock band formed in London in 1978. The group was originally put together as the backing band for singer David Coverdale, who had recently left Deep Purple. Though the band quickly developed into their own entit ...
- 4:42
#"
To Be with You
"To Be with You" is a song by American rock band Mr. Big, released in November 1991 as the second single from their second album, '' Lean into It'' (1991). The ballad reached number one on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for three weeks and toppe ...
" -
Mr. Big
Mr. Big may refer to:
Entertainment
In film and literature
* Mister Big (James Bond), a villain in the novel and film ''Live and Let Die''
* ''Mister Big'' (1943 film), a 1943 musical
* ''Mr. Big'' (2007 film), a 2007 documentary
In televisi ...
- 3:27
#"
Wind of Change" -
The Scorpions - 5:10
#"
More Than Words
"More Than Words" is a song by American rock band Extreme, released as the fifth track and third single from their second album, ''Pornograffitti'' (1990), in March 1991. It is a ballad built around acoustic guitar work by Nuno Bettencourt and ...
" -
Extreme
Extreme may refer to:
Science and mathematics Mathematics
*Extreme point, a point in a convex set which does not lie in any open line segment joining two points in the set
*Maxima and minima, extremes on a mathematical function
Science
*Extremop ...
- 5:06
#"
When I Look Into Your Eyes" -
Firehouse
__NOTOC__
A fire station (also called a fire house, fire hall, firemen's hall, or engine house) is a structure or other area for storing firefighting apparatuses such as fire engines and related vehicles, personal protective equipment, fire ho ...
- 4:00
#"The Angel Song" -
Great White
Great White is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The band peaked with several albums during the mid-to-late 1980s, including the platinum-selling records ''Once Bitten'' (1987) and '' ...Twice Shy'' (1989), and those albums ...
- 4:51
#"
Eyes Without a Face Eyes Without a Face can refer to:
* ''Eyes Without a Face'' (film), (French: ''Les yeux sans visage''), 1960 French-language horror film
* "Eyes Without a Face" (song), 1984 Billy Idol song
{{dab ...
" -
Billy Idol
William Michael Albert Broad (born 30 November 1955), known professionally as Billy Idol, is a British-American singer, songwriter, and musician. He first achieved fame in the 1970s emerging from the London punk rock scene as the lead singer o ...
- 4:58
#"Don't Close Your Eyes" -
KIX - 4:18
#"
Almost Paradise
"Almost Paradise... Love Theme from Footloose" is the title of a duet by singers Mike Reno of Loverboy and Ann Wilson of Heart. It is one of several major hits by singer Eric Carmen and lyrics by Dean Pitchford, another being Carmen's song " Make ...
" -
Mike Reno
Mike Reno (born Joseph Michael Rynoski; born January 8, 1955) is a Canadian musician, singer and the lead singer of the rock band Loverboy. He is reported to have taught himself how to play guitar. He fronted other bands, including Moxy, before ...
and
Ann Wilson
Anne, alternatively spelled Ann, is a form of the Latin female given name Anna. This in turn is a representation of the Hebrew Hannah, which means 'favour' or 'grace'. Related names include Annie.
Anne is sometimes used as a male name in the ...
- 3:46
#"
Amanda
Amanda is a Latin feminine gerundive (i.e. verbal adjective) name meaning, literally, “she who must (or is fit to) be loved”. Other translations, with similar meaning, could be "deserving to be loved," "worthy of love," or "loved very much b ...
" -
Boston
Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the capital city, state capital and List of municipalities in Massachusetts, most populous city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financ ...
- 4:16
#"House of Pain" -
Faster Pussycat
Faster Pussycat is an American hard rock/glam metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1985 by vocalist Taime Downe, guitarists Brent Muscat and Greg Steele and bassist Kelly Nickels. The group has since gone through numerous lineup changes ...
- 5:47
#"
More Than Words Can Say
"More Than Words Can Say" (also known as "(I Need You Now) More Than Words Can Say" for promotional purposes) is a song by Canadian rock band Alias. It was released in September 1990 as the second single from their debut eponymous album. The p ...
" -
Alias - 3:53
#"
Honestly" -
Stryper
Stryper is an American Christian metal band from Orange County, California. The group's lineup consists of Michael Sweet (lead vocals, guitar), Oz Fox (guitar), Perry Richardson (bass guitar), and Robert Sweet (drums).
Formed in 1983 as Ro ...
- 4:10
#"
Missing You Missing You, Missin' You, or Missing U may refer to:
Film and television
* ''Missing You'' (2008 film), a Singaporean film
* ''Missing You'' (2016 film), a South Korean film
* ''Missing U'' (film), a 2013 short animated film by Brooke Wagstaff
...
" -
John Waite
John Charles Waite (born 4 July 1952) is an English musician. As a solo artist, he has released ten studio albums and is best known for the 1984 hit single "Missing You", which reached No. 1 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and the top ten on t ...
- 4:30
#"Only Time Will Tell" -
Nelson
Nelson may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Nelson'' (1918 film), a historical film directed by Maurice Elvey
* ''Nelson'' (1926 film), a historical film directed by Walter Summers
* ''Nelson'' (opera), an opera by Lennox Berkeley to a lib ...
- 4:15
#"
Waiting for a Girl Like You
"Waiting for a Girl Like You" is a 1981 power ballad by the British-American rock band Foreigner released as the second single from the album '' 4'' (1981) and was co-written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones. The opening motif was written by Ian Mc ...
" -
Foreigner - 4:49
#"
Take Me Home Tonight / Be My Baby" -
Eddie Money
Edward Joseph Mahoney (March 21, 1949 – September 13, 2019), known professionally as Eddie Money, was an American singer and songwriter who, in the 1970s and 1980s, had eleven Top 40 songs, including " Baby Hold On", " Two Tickets to Pa ...
- 3:32
#"Don't Walk Away" -
Danger Danger
Danger Danger is an American glam metal band formed in Queens, New York, in 1987.
History
Danger Danger was formed in 1987 by former Hotshot members lead vocalist Mike Pont, bassist Bruno Ravel (born 1964), and drummer Steve West (born 19 ...
- 4:56
References
{{Authority control
1999 compilation albums
Hard rock compilation albums
Heavy metal compilation albums
Razor & Tie compilation albums