A Power Ballad for the Ages—The Soaring Triumph of “High Enough”
Some songs don’t just chart—they soar. Released in 1990, “High Enough” by Damn Yankees wasn’t just another power ballad in the golden age of arena rock—it was a moment, a song that captured the longing, the hope, and the electrifying grandeur of the era.
By the time Damn Yankees formed, its members were already rock veterans. With Tommy Shaw (Styx), Jack Blades (Night Ranger), Ted Nugent (The Amboy Dukes), and Michael Cartellone, this supergroup had the pedigree to dominate. And “High Enough”—their most successful single—did exactly that. The song rocketed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their only top-ten hit, while also reaching No. 2 on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
But why did it hit so hard? Because “High Enough” wasn’t just another love song. It painted an entire picture—a cinematic blend of love, regret, and the desperate plea to escape from the wreckage of the past. The gentle acoustic intro draws the listener in, only to explode into a massive, soaring chorus powered by Shaw and Blades’ harmonized vocals. The way the song builds from soft vulnerability to full-throttle passion is nothing short of breathtaking.
Lyrically, “High Enough” pleads for a second chance, a longing to rise above past mistakes. “Can you take me high enough?” isn’t just about physical escape—it’s about emotional transcendence, a desperate hope that love can survive the storm. The song’s aching sincerity, paired with its grand, theatrical instrumentation, makes it a classic example of why power ballads dominated the late ’80s and early ’90s.
And then, of course, there’s Ted Nugent’s guitar work—restrained at first, but eventually unleashing a solo that cuts through the song like lightning. Even within a ballad, the sheer force of rock energy is undeniable.
“High Enough” helped push Damn Yankees’ debut album into the Top 20, cementing their brief but explosive run in rock history. Though the band wouldn’t sustain their success beyond the early ’90s, this song remains an enduring favorite, an anthem that still echoes across classic rock radio, concert halls, and late-night drives. It’s a song that captures the last breath of an era—when rock was still grand, still emotional, and still reaching for something higher than the everyday world could offer.