Torch song

Torch song

A torch song is a sentimental love song, typically one in which the singer laments an unrequited or lost love, where one party is either oblivious to the existence of the other, or where one party has moved on. [Smith, L: Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, and the Torch Song Tradition, page 9. Praeger Publishers, 2004] Allan Forte, MR: Listening to Classic American Popular Songs, page 203. Yale University Press, 2001] Female singers of the pop vocal tradition are referred to as "torch singers" when their repertoire consists predominantly of such material. 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.

The term comes from the saying, "to carry a " for someone, or to keep aflame the light of an unrequited love. [cite web|url=http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/carry+a+torch+for|title=The Free Dictionary: carry a torch for]

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • torch song — ☆ torch song n. [< phrase carry a torch for: see TORCH] a sentimental popular song of unrequited or unhappy love torch singer n …   English World dictionary

  • Torch song — n. a popular song with a sentimental theme of unrequited love or other form of unhappiness. [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Torch Song — was a British synthpop and dance band of the early 1980s consisting of William Orbit, Laurie Mayer and Grant Gilbert. In 1985, Grant left to pursue other projects and long time friend Rico Conning officially joined the group. After the release of …   Wikipedia

  • torch song — n a sad song about love >torch singer n …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • torch song — torch songs N COUNT A torch song is a sentimental popular song about love, usually sung by a woman …   English dictionary

  • torch song — torch′ song n. mad a plaintive popular ballad expressing unhappiness in love • Etymology: 1925–30, amer. torch′ sing er, n …   From formal English to slang

  • torch song — noun a popular song concerned with disappointment in love • Hypernyms: ↑song, ↑vocal * * * noun Etymology: from the phrase carry a torch : a popular sentimental song of unrequited love * * * a popular song concerned with unhappiness or …   Useful english dictionary

  • Torch Song — Ein Torch Song ist eine sentimentale Form des Liebeslieds, in der typischerweise der Sänger über die nicht erwiderte oder die verlorene Liebe klagt.[1][2] Popularmusik Es waren vor allem Sängerinnen des populären Songs, die als „torch singers“… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Torch Song — La Madone gitane La Madone gitane Joan Crawford en compagnie de Louis B. Mayer, le patron de la MGM, à la première du film Titre original Torch Song …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Torch song (disambiguation) — Torch song is a sentimental love song, and may refer to:;Theatre and film * Torch Song (film), a 1953 film starring Joan Crawford * Torch Song Trilogy , a 1982 play by Harvey Fierstein * Torch Song Trilogy (film), a 1988 film adaptation of the… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”