1989 Glam Metal Track Ranked Among 'Greatest Power Ballads' Was a Career-Defining Hit

Some of the greatest power ballads ever released came from the rock genre, even from glam metal bands like Warrant. The '80s band got some mixed reactions to their 1989 power ballad that ranked high on the charts, but ended up being their biggest-selling track.

With tracks like "Home Sweet Home" by Motley Crue and "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses, Warrant also added to the power ballad phenomenon. Their track "Heaven" was released in July of 1989 as the second single of their debut album, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich. Its lyrics became a love anthem as they spoke about heaven being on earth as long as they're with the girl he loves.

"Heaven" was originally written by vocalist Jani Lane and drummer Steven Sweet when they were still with the band Plain Jane. A few days after the band broke up, the two auditioned for Warrant, and the song came with them. Its well-received response in Los Angeles led them to get a record deal with Columbia, who assigned the track to producer Beau Hill.

While Hill hated the track, Warrant fought to keep it on their album. Columbia ended up seeing the hit potential of "Heaven," disliked Hill's mix, and gave it to producer John Jansen. Believe it or not, Columbia still wasn't on board with Jansen's mix and gave Hill another chance.

"Heaven" became a major success for Warrant as a power ballad, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached No. 3 on the Mainstream Rock chart and became one of the band's best-known tracks. UltimateRockClassic ranked it at No. 14 on their list of the "Greatest Power Ballads."

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The song's popularity was met with some backlash from the rock community, especially for Lane. Many felt that releasing the power ballad as a glam metal band was cheesy and "wimpy." They felt the genre of music didn't fit their image.

In an interview with BAM in 1992, Lane said, "It sucks that I get labeled as a ballad writer, but I figure, if I write good ballads, then screw it, I write good ballads. I've never been one of those people that think if it's not X amount heavy, that it's not cool."

"The people who disrespect me because I don't apologize for writing a ballad now and then, I just can't relate to that. Seriously, if anyone ever walked up to me and said 'The Long and Winding Road' is a wimp song. I'd probably hit 'em! I like both extremes – the heavy metal and the ballads. A good song is a good song."

Lane was right, seeing as some of the best power ballads to have ever been released about love came from some of the most iconic rock bands.

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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 5:29 PM.