A love letter to the power ballad

What I should be doing instead of this:

- Applying for summer jobs

- Tidying my room

My Dearest Darling Power Ballad,

You are getting me through 2021.

Looking back in ten years time, I expect this summer to be defined by a combination of the voices of Labi Siffre, Tina Turner, and Phill Collins. I can go on a run with I'm Every Woman by Chaka Khan on repeat, Life is a Rollercoaster is another favourite, Three Times a Lady gets me every time. You capture how I want to feel all day, every day.

Much like Grand Designs, you are a love of mine that I'm slightly ashamed of. As a PE teacher once told me "It's not cool and its not funny." of course she was talking about my lack of participation in volleyball, but the point still stands: PB, you are lots of things - moving, empowering, motivating - but you're not cool.

And yet, you are so addictive.

Like an older and more experienced lover you have been there and done that. Your heart is well and truly in pieces and as a result mine feels a little bit more whole.

You aren't perfect I have to admit. The great power ballad writers of the 80's in particular had some definite misses to compliment their hits but nonetheless I Can't Fight this Feeling Anymore, I'm Crazy for You, you have had my back Time After Time, and I can say with absolute certainty that we have an Endless Love.

All my love,

Rosie

A disclaimer:

The following list is based on neither knowledge nor competency. I was born in 2000 and have very little musical knowledge and therefore have no authority to back up my thoughts on 80's music but I have strong opinions and as the news has taught me, sometimes thats the only authority you need.

My top ten power ballads of all time:

10. Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper

9. Kiss from a Rose - Seal

8. With or Without You - U2

7. Whats Up - 4 Non Blondes

6. Purple Rain - Prince

5. Holding Out for a Hero - Bonnie Tyler

4. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith

3. Three Times A Lady - The Commodores

2. Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon

1. It's All Coming Back to Me Now - Celine Dion

Extra points for the best music video of all time.