Favorite Christine Ballad

[seekerj]

I also would have voted for "The Smile I Live For".

But I also wish I could have voted for "Wait And See".

[Dodfather]

What about Givin' It Back?

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by Dodfather

What about Givin' It Back?

Oh, I like that one, but I guess I thought the chorus moved too swiftly for it to be a ballad.

Michele

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Why is excluded, because A) I wasn't sure it fits the ballad criteria and B) even if it does it's not allowed becuase it would be a runaway winner, I want people to have to make some decisions.

I double disagree. First, I think Songbird would be the winner over Why, and after voting I see that's possible, it's the winner here.

Second, I voted for Songbird, but actually my favorite is not here. Over & Over.

[WalkAThinLine.]

Originally Posted by Villavic

I double disagree. First, I think Songbird would be the winner over Why, and after voting I see that's possible, it's the winner here.

Second, I voted for Songbird, but actually my favorite is not here. Over & Over.

"Over & Over" is a terrific song. "Why" could have provided more competition against "Songbird", which still probably would have won the poll, but perhaps by a slightly narrower margin.

[jbrownsjr]

ALAYF might be considered a ballad. It's a beautiful song.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by jbrownsjr

ALAYF might be considered a ballad. It's a beautiful song.

That ain't no ballad.

I'm going with Never Make Me Cry.

[FuzzyPlum]

Can of worms….what technically makes a ballad a ballad. I’m sure there’s some official definition I can’t be bothered to look up.
Of those on the original list….Wish You Were Here.
Notable mentions: Mystified, Show Me a Smile, Never Make Me Cry

[Macfan4life]

Chris used to introduce Over My Head as the ballad from the White album. As a kid that used to confuse me because I did not view it as a ballad. But I guess it is.
I agree with the consensus of this thread that its a fine line what is a ballad or not. Many of her songs are ballads or skirt the line of one.

[Villavic]

Ballad, according to Oxford English Dictionary

1.a slow sentimental or romantic song.

2. a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas. Traditional ballads are typically of unknown authorship, having been passed on orally from one generation to the next.

I would say ALAYF is slow and sentimental. I don't see Over My Head enough slow.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by Villavic

Ballad, according to Oxford English Dictionary

1.a slow sentimental or romantic song.

2. a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas. Traditional ballads are typically of unknown authorship, having been passed on orally from one generation to the next.

I would say ALAYF is slow and sentimental. I don't see Over My Head enough slow.

Over My Head is slower than ALAYF. The singing is slower too. How could you say Over My Head is not slow and sentimental? That dream you had about Mick really messed up your senses

Over My Head
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXWia0TWAMM

As Long As You Follow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXWia0TWAMM

[WalkAThinLine.]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

Over My Head is slower than ALAYF. The singing is slower too. How could you say Over My Head is not slow and sentimental? That dream you had about Mick really messed up your senses

Over My Head
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXWia0TWAMM

As Long As You Follow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXWia0TWAMM

I have "As Long As You Follow" at a BPM of 104 and Over My Head at a BPM of 99, which both can be classified as midtempo songs. Despite the slightly slower tempo, I view "Over My Head" as a slightly peppier song compared to "As Long As You Follow", which better reflects the production often found in saccharine ballads (lush guitars and synths, drums drenched in reverb).

[Villavic]

Originally Posted by Macfan4life

How could you say Over My Head is not slow and sentimental? That dream you had about Mick really messed up your senses

Because I've read several times that OMH was about Lindsey (circus wheel, mood changing all the time, wasting my time...). Everything but romantic. And not enough slow, IMHO. Specially the Live album version.

And the dream was about Lindsey. Mick was just an intruder. And the responsible for the outcome of the dream is this guy.

[Macfan4life]

Originally Posted by Villavic

Because I've read several times that OMH was about Lindsey (circus wheel, mood changing all the time, wasting my time...). Everything but romantic. And not enough slow, IMHO. Specially the Live album version.

And the dream was about Lindsey. Mick was just an intruder. And the responsible for the outcome of the dream is this guy.

Those lines are classic Chris with revealing something not quite right in the relationship but in the end "it sure feels nice."
I do agree that pinpointing many of her songs as ballads is like herding cats. Many of them fall into that grey area. I recorded the 1987 Tango show and Chris introduced Over My Head as ballad which confused me too. But I think it fits into your dictionary definition.
But there are far better examples of ballads. But I dare not correct the writer of the song if she called it a "ballad off the white album."

P.S. Mick ruins everything