Being a child of the ’80s, there are few things that I enjoy more than a good hair metal power ballad. The spandex, the hair, the guitar solos, the five-second screech — it all combines into a ball of cheesy goodness. Let’s do a quick Top 5 Hair Metal Power Ballads, shall we?
(In case you are baffled by the term “hair metal,” I think this picture of the band Poison sums it up pretty well.)
3. Whitesnake – Here I Go Again
2. Poison – Every Rose Has Its Thorn
The key with any top notch power ballad is to not let the plaintive wailing turn into whining. Nobody likes a whiner. White Lion’s When the Children Cry is a prime example of wailing turning to whining. It has the hair, the clothes, the soaring guitar riffs — but when the chorus kicks in, lead singer Mike Tramp’s vocals remind me of when my kids were little and cried about going to bed. It’s a little like nails on a chalkboard.
In an effort to avoid becoming the White Lion of the CME world, I’d like to offer a very cordial and pleasant reminder that today is the last day for you to recommend a program manager for our Program Managers: We Get the Job Done! session at CMEpalooza Fall on October 14. We have had a nice response so far, but welcome anyone else who has someone you would like to suggest. Just follow this link to read about it and complete the form.
And if anyone has a favorite power ballad you would like to add to my list above, please feel free to let me know in the comments. I know there are some closet Stryper, Winger, and Kix fans out there. Put on your acid-washed jean jacket with the Mötley Crüe patch and join in!
CMEPALOOZA 
Motley Crue’s Home Sweet Home is infinitely better the ‘Snake’s Here I Go Again. Don’t argue, just fix it. Thanks.
I hear what you are saying here, Mike, and I respect your opinion on this matter. Sadly, all lists are final (and correct.) I will gladly add HSH as #6 on the list.