I’m not sure when it became traditional for metal bands to include ballads in their repertoire (Chuck Klosterman could probably tell me), but I find it interesting that so many bands that are supposedly all about thrashing it out are better known for their hopeless romantic blatherings in ballad form.

Especially the hair metal bands.

KISS? Beth.

Poison? Every Rose Has its Thorn.

Bon Jovi? Bed of Roses.

Def Leppard? Love Bites.

Guns N’ Roses? Don’t Cry.

For me, this morning, it was Nothing Else Matters, from Metallica’s eponymous album. I wouldn’t consider Metallica to be a hair band, but still . . .