I would generally agree with your definition of a ballad. Bon Jovi seem to do some songs that are kinda in between a ballad and a rock song.

For example:

Ballad = Open All Night, You Had Me From Hello, etc
In Between = Always, Right Of Wrong, etc
Rock Song = Hey God, Bad Name, etc

I would say that a ballad is a slow song, but some can't be put into that bracket. I.E. You can't really have a quiet rock song, and you can't really have a loud, or fast ballad.

Hope you know what I mean.


As for my best ballads, I'd have to say This Ain't a Love Song, Livin' In Sin, and Right Side Of Wrong, if it can be considered a ballad.