Torch song
Encyclopedia
A torch song is a sentimental love song
, typically one in which the singer laments an unrequited
or lost love, either where one party is oblivious to the existence of the other, where one party has moved on, or where a romantic affair
has affected the relationship. The term comes from the saying, "to carry a torch
for someone", or to keep aflame the light of an unrequited love.
Torch singing is more of a niche than a genre
, and can stray from the traditional jazz
-influenced style of singing, although the American tradition of the torch song typically relies upon the melodic structure of the blues
. Some examples of torch songs: "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
" (1927), "Lili Marlene" (of Marlene Dietrich), "One for My Baby" (1943), "The Man That Got Away
" (1954), and "My Heart Will Go On
" (1997).
consists predominantly of such material. Though torch songs were usually previously associated with female singers, over recent years the term has also been applied to male singers, such as British singer Marc Almond
, referred to as "the greatest torch singer still out there" by Mojo magazine.
Love song
A love song is about falling in love and the feelings it brings. Anthologies of love songs often contain a mixture of both of these types of song. A bawdy song is both humorous and saucy, emphasizing the physical pleasure of love rather than the emotional joy...
, typically one in which the singer laments an unrequited
Unrequited love
Unrequited love is love that is not openly reciprocated or understood as such, even though reciprocation is usually deeply desired. The beloved may or may not be aware of the admirer's deep affections...
or lost love, either where one party is oblivious to the existence of the other, where one party has moved on, or where a romantic affair
Affair
Affair may refer to professional, personal, or public business matters or to a particular business or private activity of a temporary duration, as in family affair, a private affair, or a romantic affair.-Political affair:...
has affected the relationship. The term comes from the saying, "to carry a torch
Torch
A torch is a fire source, usually a rod-shaped piece of wood with a rag soaked in pitch and/or some other flammable material wrapped around one end. Torches were often supported in sconces by brackets high up on walls, to throw light over corridors in stone structures such as castles or crypts...
for someone", or to keep aflame the light of an unrequited love.
Torch singing is more of a niche than a genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
, and can stray from the traditional jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
-influenced style of singing, although the American tradition of the torch song typically relies upon the melodic structure of the blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
. Some examples of torch songs: "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
"Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" with music by Jerome Kern, and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, is one of the most famous songs from their classic 1927 musical play Show Boat, adapted from Edna Ferber's novel.-Context:...
" (1927), "Lili Marlene" (of Marlene Dietrich), "One for My Baby" (1943), "The Man That Got Away
The Man that Got Away
"The Man that Got Away" is a popular song, published in 1953 and was written for the 1954 version of the movie A Star Is Born. The music was written by Harold Arlen, and the lyrics by Ira Gershwin...
" (1954), and "My Heart Will Go On
My Heart Will Go On
"My Heart Will Go On" is the theme song/love theme of the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic. With music by James Horner, lyrics by Will Jennings, and production by Simon Franglen, James Horner and Walter Afanasieff ,, it was recorded by Céline Dion...
" (1997).
Torch singers
Female singers of the pop vocal tradition are referred to as "torch singers" when their repertoireRepertoire
Repertoire may mean repertory, a system of theatrical production and performance scheduling, but may also refer to:* Musical repertoire* Repertoire Records, a German record label specialising in 1960s and 1970s pop and rock reissues...
consists predominantly of such material. Though torch songs were usually previously associated with female singers, over recent years the term has also been applied to male singers, such as British singer Marc Almond
Marc Almond
Marc Almond is an English singer-songwriter and musician, who originally found fame as half of the seminal synthpop/New Wave duo Soft Cell...
, referred to as "the greatest torch singer still out there" by Mojo magazine.