Explain This To Me
I had downloaded one of these random “Power Ballad” albums, I don’t think it’s one of the recent ones, who knows, but anyway, Europe - The Final Countdown was on it.
How is this a ballad??
We’re leaving together,
But still it’s farewell
And maybe we’ll come back,
To earth, who can tell?
I guess there is no one to blame
We’re leaving ground
Will things ever be the same again?
It’s the final countdown…
We’re heading for Venus and still we stand tall
Cause maybe they’ve seen us and welcome us all
With so many light years to go and things to be found
I’m sure that we’ll all miss her so.
I understand that this may have the power aspect in the song, but the ballad, I do not see. To me a “Ballad” is a love song…a power ballad would be a love song with a bit more energy and, well, power to it.
A ballad is a story, usually a narrative or poem, in a song. Any story form may be told as a ballad, such as historical accounts or fairy tales in verse form. It usually has foreshortened, alternating four stress lines (’ballad meter’) and simple repeating rhymes, often with a refrain.
Ooooh get you! lol
Thanks for clearing that up Bro’
However, in popular culture, if you are speaking about music then a ballad is….
“In the 20th Century, “ballad” took on the meaning of a popular song “especially of a romantic or sentimental nature” (American Heritage Dictionary). Casting directors often divide songs into two categories: “ballads” (slower or sentimental songs) and “up” tunes (faster or happier songs). A power ballad is a love song performed using rock instruments.
So given that explanation I would question that “The Final Countdown” is a love song using rock instrument.