Discover The Art Of Torch Songs

Torch Songs

There is a tradition of a certain kind of love song that has been part of our popular culture for a long time. You may not readily have a definition in mind but you know one when you hear one. I'm talking about torch songs. They were particularly in vogue in the 1930s and 1940s, but songs in this style still pop up today. They are mostly sung by women and the subject is usually unrequited or lost love. They are, by their very nature, tearjerkers as the singer takes us on an emotional roller coaster of incredible heartache.

Women don't want to be seen pining over a man these days, so they aren't as popular as when having a man meant everything. We associate torch songs with the dark interior of a smoke filled jazz club. These songs usually have a jazz style and are sung in a sultry way. We put these records on repeatedly at three in the morning when we can't sleep. We've had too much wine and we're feeling maudlin over that man of ours or the one who got away.

The exponents of this musical genre include some famous singers. Classic interpreters such as Billie Holiday and Judy Garland made the style their very own. Torch songs are a really good means of showing off vocal skills. Phrasing, as well as tone, is important. Another torch singer was Edith Piaf who famously sang herself into legend with Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien. Marlene Dietrich made her name with Falling In Love Again. Peggy Lee could also belt them out and Patsy Cline singing Crazy is a fine example. The sensual Lena Horne tugs at our heartstrings with Love Me or Leave Me.

Today, there are still some singers around who carry on the tradition, such as Diana Krall, k.d. lang and Norah Jones. Ute Lemper also carries the torch and there is a rare male presence in Antony and the Johnsons and Marc Almond of Soft Cell fame. Torch songs will always be with us, as long as men keep breaking women's hearts. Tears will flow and so will the wine. It's good to know that someone out there understands and that they could be singing about us. They are very honest songs, disregarding of any political agenda or social trend. They are raw emotion and hard to resist. So, get that old bit of vinyl out next time you're feeling blue, have the box of tissues at the ready and pine to your favorite torch songs until the sun comes up.