torch song

noun
1.
a popular song concerned with unhappiness or failure in love.
Origin
1925-30
Examples from the web for torch song
  • The songs in the musical and the movie-jazz, ragtime, the torch song-were sung directly to the audience.
  • Perhaps that's why she can break your heart with a torch song one moment and inspire tears of laughter with bawdy blues the next.
  • It all has the makings of a torch song that comes to tears in the end.
British Dictionary definitions for torch song

torch song

noun
1.
a sentimental or romantic popular song, usually sung by a woman
Derived Forms
torch singer, noun
Word Origin
C20: from the phrase to carry a torch for (someone)
Slang definitions & phrases for torch song

torch song

noun phrase

A popular song bemoaning one's unrequited love: If it is unrequited, the song is a torch song (1927+)

Related Terms

carry the torch