Torch Songs

Lately, I've been obsessed with torch songs. I've had to make an entire playlist for them on my iPod. By definition, a torch song is about unrequited love, usually in the style of the blues and sung by a female singer. In reality, we're talking about some of the vocal giants of the past like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Today, there are some artists who are still recording these gorgeous songs. Queen Latifah, K.D. Lang, Holly Cole and Jane Monheit have all recorded torch songs recently.
Why am I obsessed? Well, to be plain, it's just great music. Period. It's lush, dark and dramatic. But it also implies a time when people still got dressed up to go out and men still held doors open for women. People spoke to each other instead of texting and blogging. In a word, this music is intimate.
So, if you need a 4 minute vacation today, play the video above and close your eyes. Imagine yourself in a slinky black dress with a white gardenia tucked in your hair and the reddest lipstick you can find. Put yourself in a dark little club, seated at a table with a cocktail and your sweethearts arm draped across the back of your shoulders. Enjoy the legend Ella Fitgerald's rendition of "Angel Eyes."
If you would like to continue your excursion into the world torch songs, here's a list of some of my favorite songs (sung by any of the ladies listed above!).
1. Angel Eyes
2. Black Coffee
3. Lush Life
4. In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
5. Blame it on My Youth
6. One for My Baby
7. I Got it Bad (and that Ain't Good)
8. The Many that Got Away
9. Crazy
10. Fever