torch song
Lovelorn singer's specialty
A torch song is a sentimental popular song about unrequited or lost love, typically performed with intense emotion.
The torch in question is the one you carry for someone who doesn't love you back: She closed the set with a torch song that left the audience in tears.
The genre flourished in jazz and cabaret traditions, associated with smoky nightclubs and heartbroken crooners.
Deep emotional distress
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- piningAching with prolonged desire
- unrequitedNot returned in kind
ache · sorrow · lament · melancholy · wistful · forlorn · plaintive · mournful
Live entertainment venue
- nightclubEvening entertainment venue
- chanteuseFemale nightclub singer
- croonerSoft-voiced romantic vocalist
- vocalistOne who sings professionally
diva · balladeer · soloist · pianist · microphone · spotlight · smoky · sultry
Of lasting excellence
- retroEvoking recent past
- oldiesNostalgic popular songs
- vinylSynthetic resin plastic
- phonographGrooved disc audio player
jukebox · speakeasy · vaudeville · standards · sentimental · bygone · timeless
heartache
Deep emotional distress
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- piningAching with prolonged desire
unrequited · ache · sorrow · lament · melancholy · wistful · forlorn · plaintive · mournful · bittersweet
cabaret
Live entertainment venue
- nightclubEvening entertainment venue
- chanteuseFemale nightclub singer
- croonerSoft-voiced romantic vocalist
vocalist · diva · balladeer · soloist · pianist · microphone · spotlight · smoky · sultry · phrasing
classic
Of lasting excellence
phonograph · jukebox · speakeasy · vaudeville · standards · sentimental · bygone · timeless
passion
Intense emotional drive
- desireIntense wanting
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- infatuationShort-lived intense attraction
obsession · craving · ardor · amour · swoon · enamored · paramour · flame · burning · smoldering
- songstune, folk ballads, melody, ballads, ditty
- love songsromantic ballad, love ballad, serenade, love duet, love lyrics
- musical piecesaria, cantata, concerto, etude, fugue
- Piano Barpianist, grand piano, baby grand, upright piano, ivories
- vocal musicvocals, soprano, tenor, alto, baritone
- Emotional Musicballad, ballads, lullaby, lullabies, power ballad
torch songparty anthem
Upbeat song for celebrations
novelty song · comedy song · drinking song · party song · fight song
torch songwedding song
Music for matrimonial ceremonies
love song · anniversary song · first dance song · love duet · serenade
torch songdance number
Choreographed theatrical performance segment
jive · bop · party anthem · club banger · dance track
song, torch, songs, songbird, torches, torching, torched, songster, songbook