The Most Memorable Ballads of the 1970s

2025-04-26

Elton John

The greatest ballads of the 1970s evoked emotion from their listeners and are still enjoyed decades later. – Author: Cat Badra, Photo via Ken Settle

The 1970s were a fantastic decade of music for classic rock fans, offering some of the earliest sounds from the genre that would lay the groundwork for years of music to come. While many of the greatest songs from the decade were hard-hitting and heavy in nature, the 1970s also offering some heartfelt ballads, proving that rock has a heart and soul. It’s also worth mentioning that the 1970s brought tragedies for classic rock, with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison all passing away during the decade at the young age of 27.

But, back to the rock. During the ’70s, bands such as Led Zeppelin knew how to rock hard, but they also pulled back on some of their most memorable tunes. In honor of these special moments in time, Audio Ink Radio names the most memorable ballads of the 1970s.

Greatest Ballads of the ’70s

“Candle in the Wind,” Elton John

Some could argue that Elton John isn’t really a classic rock artist, and it’s true that he’s a classic hits artist. But, that doesn’t matter, because Elton John rocks, and “Candle in the Wind” is one of the best ballads of the 1970s. John wrote the song in 1973 about the famed Marilyn Monroe, who has passed away 11 years earlier. The song’s opening line make its clear that it’s about Monroe, with John singing, “Goodbye Norma Jean,” her real name. The song was rereleased in 1997 as a tribute to the late Princess Diana, and once again, it was a smash hit.

“Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” Creedence Clearwater Revival

Another classic and absolutely rocking ballad from the 1970s is Creedence Clearwater Revival with “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” written by the great John Fogerty and released in 1971. While the song is all Creedence Clearwater Revival, plenty of artists have covered it, from Rod Stewart to Johnny Cash. It’s a yearning, gentle song that resonates decade after decade.

“Lady,” Styx

“Styx” really ruled the ’70s ballad landscape with their grandiose ballads, and it’s difficult to find a band that rivaled them in the ballads world during that decade. “Lady” is one of the band’s greatest power ballads of all time. Released in 1973, the song arrived on “Styx II” and became a major hit in the band’s hometown Styx of Chicago. Dennis DeYoung wrote the song for his wife, Suzanne, and on top of blowing up locally, it became the band’s first major hit.

“Stairway to Heaven,” Led Zeppelin

There is absolutely no way there could be a tally of the greatest ballads of the 1970s without including “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin. This is literally the quintessential rock ballad of any decade and certainly the 1970s. The song arrived in November of 1971 on the band’s untitled fourth studio album, and it’s an emotive song and made Robert Plant and company a household name. They were already huge, but “Stairway to Heaven” made them massive stars, whether or not they wanted that much attention.

For more 1970s fun, check out some of the greatest one-hit wonders of the 1970s.

Cat Badra
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Posted by Cat Badra | Features, Music, Rock