Torch song: Difference between revisions
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{{for|the 1933 film|Torch Singer}} |
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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.<ref>Smith |
A '''torch song''' is a sentimental [[love song]], typically one in which the singer laments an [[unrequited love|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.<ref>{{cite book| last= Smith| first= L.| title= Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, and the Torch Song Tradition| page = 9| publisher= Praeger Publishers| year= 2004 | isbn= 978-0275973926}}</ref><ref name= forte>{{cite book| last= Allan Forte| first= M. R.| title= Listening to Classic American Popular Songs| page= 203| publisher = [[Yale University Press]]| year= 2001 | isbn= 978-0300083385}}</ref> The term comes from the saying, "[[Torch#Love|to carry a torch for someone]]", or to keep aflame the light of an unrequited love. It was first used by the [[cabaret]] singer Tommy Lyman in his praise of "[[My Melancholy Baby]]".<ref>{{cite book |chapter=My Melancholy Baby |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0VpxIffRnGEC&pg=PR11 |page=xi |editor1-first=Edward |editor1-last=Shanaphy |title=Piano Stylings of the Great Standards | year= 2003 | publisher=Shacor |isbn= 978-1-929009-14-5}}</ref> |
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The term is also explicitly cited in the song "[[Jim (song)|Jim]]", popularized by versions by [[Dinah Shore]], [[Billie Holiday]], [[Sarah Vaughan]] and [[Ella Fitzgerald]]: |
The term is also explicitly cited in the song "[[Jim (song)|Jim]]", popularized by versions by [[Dinah Shore]], [[Billie Holiday]], [[Sarah Vaughan]] and [[Ella Fitzgerald]]: |
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I'll go on lovin' my Jim.}} |
I'll go on lovin' my Jim.}} |
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Torch-singing is more of a niche than a [[genre]] and can stray from the traditional [[jazz]]-influenced style of singing; the American tradition of the torch song typically relies upon the melodic structure of the [[blues]].<ref name=forte/> |
Torch-singing is more of a niche than a [[genre]] and can stray from the traditional [[jazz]]-influenced style of singing; the American tradition of the torch song typically relies upon the melodic structure of the [[blues]].<ref name= forte/> Examples of a collection are [[Billie Holiday]]'s 1955 album ''[[Music for Torching (album)|Music for Torching]]'' and ''[[Entre eux deux]]'' by [[Melody Gardot]] and Philippe Powell. |
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==See also== |
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* [[Sentimental |
* [[Sentimental ballad]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Latest revision as of 08:09, 1 January 2025
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.[1][2] The term comes from the saying, "to carry a torch for someone", or to keep aflame the light of an unrequited love. It was first used by the cabaret singer Tommy Lyman in his praise of "My Melancholy Baby".[3]
The term is also explicitly cited in the song "Jim", popularized by versions by Dinah Shore, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald:
Someday, I know that Jim will up and leave me
But even if he does you can believe me
I'll go on carryin' the torch for Jim.
I'll go on lovin' my Jim.
Torch-singing is more of a niche than a genre and can stray from the traditional jazz-influenced style of singing; the American tradition of the torch song typically relies upon the melodic structure of the blues.[2] Examples of a collection are Billie Holiday's 1955 album Music for Torching and Entre eux deux by Melody Gardot and Philippe Powell.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Smith, L. (2004). Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, and the Torch Song Tradition. Praeger Publishers. p. 9. ISBN 978-0275973926.
- ^ a b Allan Forte, M. R. (2001). Listening to Classic American Popular Songs. Yale University Press. p. 203. ISBN 978-0300083385.
- ^ Shanaphy, Edward, ed. (2003). "My Melancholy Baby". Piano Stylings of the Great Standards. Shacor. p. xi. ISBN 978-1-929009-14-5.