A ballad is a narrative song that tells a story, traditionally focusing on dramatic events, love, loss, conflict or folklore. The form matters because it has shaped popular music for centuries, from oral folk traditions to modern singer-songwriters and rock artists.

Historically, ballads were passed down by word of mouth and often used simple language, repeated lines and memorable melodies to aid recall. In contemporary music, the term more commonly describes a slower, emotionally expressive song, although not every modern ballad follows the original storytelling tradition.