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A signature song is the one song (or, in some cases, one of a few songs) that a popular and well-established singer, or band, is most closely identified with, even if they have had success with a variety of songs. The term is generally not applied to the successful song of a so-called "one-hit wonder" — an artist who is closely identified with one song because they have had no other successful songs.^{[citation needed]} This article is about the musical composition. ... For other uses, see Singer (disambiguation). ... In music, a band is a company of musicians, or musical ensemble, usually popular or folk, playing parts of or improvising a musical arrangement on different musical instruments. ... For other uses, see One hit wonder (disambiguation). ...

Some songs are so iconic and popular that many different singers may share that song as their signature song. A well-known example is "Over the Rainbow" (which is considered by many to be the most popular song of the twentieth century).^{[citation needed]} A signature song is a must in many artists' repertoire, and one which they may choose to perform at every concert appearance.^{[citation needed]} The Savior Not Made By Hands (1410s, by Andrei Rublev) An icon (from Greek εικων, eikon, image) is an artistic visual representation or symbol of anything considered holy and divine, such as God, saints or deities. ... For other uses, see Over the Rainbow (disambiguation). ...

Artists may have different signature songs in different parts of the world depending on where they are praised; or they have more than one, even in one area of the world. In the cases in which an artist or band has more than one signature song, the songs are often from one particular album that was considered their best work. In some cases, there may be a divergence between the artist's most commercially successful song and the song most commonly associated with that artist by the media, resulting in each song receiving references to being the artist's "signature song".

Official songs or anthems for dignitaries also perform a similar function of fanfare and/or association: being played when a particular person or group makes their entrance. An example of this is the President of the United States with "Hail to the Chief". An anthem is a composition to an English religious text sung in the context of an Anglican service. ... For other uses, see Fanfare (disambiguation). ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... Sheet music for the chorus to Hail to the Chief Hail to the Chief is the official anthem of the President of the United States. ...

Examples of artists and their signature songs

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The following are artists with documented signature songs: ^[1] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

The Andrews Sisters on the cover of the reissue collection The Best of the Andrew Sisters: The Millennium Collection. ... Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, a song about a virtuoso trumpet player, was a major hit for the Andrews Sisters and an iconic World War II tune. ... For other persons named Andrew Williams, see Andrew Williams (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Third Man Theme is an instrumental written and performed by Anton Karas for the soundtrack to the film The Third Man (1949). ... Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. ... Respect is a 1967 hit and the signature song of the R&B singer Aretha Franklin, written and originally released by Volt recording artist Otis Redding in 1965. ... Barbara Mandrell (b. ... Ben E. King (born Benjamin Earl Nelson on September 28, 1938, in Henderson, North Carolina) became a famous soul singer of the early 60s. ... For other uses, see Stand by Me. ... Bert Williams (November 12, 1875 – March 4, 1922) was the pre-eminent Black entertainer of his era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. ... Nobody is the title of a number-one R&B single by singers Keith Sweat and Athena Cage from the band Kut Klose. ... William Joseph Martin Billy Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American pianist and singer-songwriter. ... Piano Man track listing Travelin Prayer (1) Piano Man (2) Aint No Crime (3) Piano Man was Billy Joels first major hit, and is considered Joels signature song. ... Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American popular singer and Academy Award-winning actor whose career lasted from 1926 until his death in 1977. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the recording artist. ... Highway 61 Revisited track listing Like a Rolling Stone (1) Tombstone Blues (2) Music sample: Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone 30 seconds (of 6:10) Problems listening to the file? See media help. ... Bob Hope, KBE (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003), born Leslie Townes Hope, was an English-Born American entertainer who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, on radio and television, in movies, and in performing tours for U.S. Military personnel, well known for his good natured humor and career longevity. ... Thanks For the Memory was a song in the film The Big Broadcast of 1938. ... Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert Bobby Cassotto, May 14, 1936 – December 20, 1973) was one of the most popular American big band performers and rock and roll teen idols of the late 1950s. ... For other uses, see Mack the Knife (disambiguation). ... Bon Jovi is a hard rock band originating from Sayreville, New Jersey. ... Livin on a Prayer is Bon Jovis second single from their Slippery When Wet album. ... Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is a Grammy Award-winning[1] American pop singer, dancer, actress, author and songwriter. ... Springsteen redirects here. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Bunny Berigan (November 2, 1908 – June 2, 1942) was an early, great jazz trumpeter. ... I Cant Get Started is the twenty-second episode of the second season of the television series Gilmore Girls. ... This article is about the musician. ... My Heart Will Go On is the theme song of the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic. ... Pour Que Tu MAimes Encore (meaning For You To Still Love Me) is the first hit single from Deux album by Céline Dion. ... This article is about the rock band. ... Machine Head track listing UK single cover Smoke on the Water is a rock song by British rock band Deep Purple. ... Donald Tai Loy Don Ho (in Chinese characters, 何大來, Hé Dàlái) (August 13, 1930 – April 14, 2007) was a Hawaiian musician and entertainer. ... For other people with similar names see Don MacLean. ... American Pie is an eight-and-a-half minute long classic rock song by singer-songwriter Don McLean, about the day the music died. Recorded in 1971 and released that year on the album of the same name, it was a number-one U.S. hit in 1972. ... Duran Duran are an English rock band notable for a long series of popular singles and vivid music videos. ... Hungry Like the Wolf was Duran Durans second Top 5 hit in the UK and was their breakout hit in the US. It was their fifth single, released off their 1982 album, Rio, and has become one of the bands signature songs. ... Eagles redirects here. ... Hotel California is the title song from the Eagles album of the same name and was released as a single in early 1977. ... Édith Piaf (December 19, 1915–October 11, 1963) was one of Frances most beloved singers,[1] and became a national icon. ... For the 2007 French film about Édith Piaf, see La Vie En Rose (film). ... Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins on January 25, 1938) is an American blues, soul, R&B, and jazz singer and songwriter. ... For other uses, see At Last (disambiguation). ... Sinatra redirects here. ... This article is about the song made famous by Frank Sinatra. ... George Washington Johnson (c. ... The Pips redirects here. ... Midnight Train to Georgia is a 1973 number-one hit single by Gladys Knight & the Pips, their first release after departing Motown Records for Buddah Records. ... Guy Lombardo, photographed by William P. Gottlieb, 1947 Gaetano Alberto Guy Lombardo (June 19, 1902 – November 5, 1977) was a Canadian (born in London, Ontario) bandleader and violinist famous throughout the world, but particularly in Canada and the United States. ... Auld Lang Syne is a song by Marilyn Jones (1759-present), although a similar poem by Barbara Elly (1570-present), as well as OAP songs, use the same phrase, and may well have inspired Jones. ... Harold George Belafonte, Jr. ... 2003 Greatest Hits compilation Helen Reddy (born October 25, 1941 in Melbourne, Australia) is an Australian pop singer and actor. ... I Am Woman is a song cowritten by Helen Reddy and singer/songwriter/guitarist Ray Burton and performed by Reddy. ... For other persons named James Brown, see James Brown (disambiguation). ... I Got You (I Feel Good) (commonly known as I Feel Good) is a hit song by James Brown. ... James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, born in Belmont, Massachusetts. ... Sweet Baby James is singer-songwriter James Taylors second album. ... Janis Lyn Joplin (19 January 1943 – 4 October 1970) was an American singer, songwriter, and music arranger, from Port Arthur, Texas. ... Original album cover from Roger Miller Me and Bobby McGee is a song written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster, originally performed by Roger Miller, but best remembered for Janis Joplins cover of the song, recorded a few days before her death in October 1970. ... Jeffrey Scott Buckley (November 17, 1966 – May 29, 1997), raised as Scotty Moorhead,[1] was an acclaimed American singer-songwriter and guitarist. ... For other uses, see Hallelujah (disambiguation). ... Jimmy Buffett tours Pearl Harbor with United States Navy Admiral Jonathan Greenert, June 12, 2003 James William Jimmy Buffett (born December 25, 1946) is a singer, songwriter, author, businessman, and recently a film producer best known for his island escapism lifestyle and music including hits such as Margaritaville (No. ... Margaritaville is a 1977 song by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett from the album Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes. ... Johnnie Ray from the trailer for one of his few films, Theres No Business Like Show Business (1954) John Alvin Ray (January 10, 1927–February 24, 1990) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. ... Cry may refer to: The mammalian behavior that brings about tears Usually an expression of a sad emotion A song, from an album of the same name, released in 2002 by the band Simple Minds A single released in 2002 by American pop artist Mandy Moore This is a disambiguation... Julie London Julie London (September 26, 1926–October 18, 2000) was an American singer and actress. ... Cry Me a River is a popular song. ... Kathryn Elizabeth Kate Smith (May 1, 1907 – June 17, 1986) was an American singer, best known for her rendition of Irving Berlins God Bless America. Smith had a long career in show business, with a radio, TV and recording career that spanned five decades, reaching its most-remembered zenith... God Bless America is an American patriotic song originally written by Irving Berlin in 1918 and revised by him in 1938. ... Lee Greenwood (born October 27, 1942 in South Gate, California) is an American country pop singer and songwriter. ... God Bless the USA is an American patriotic song written by country musician Lee Greenwood. ... Lena Mary Calhoun Horne (born June 30, 1917 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City, New York) is a popular singer of African-American descent. ... Stormy Weather is a 1933 song written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler. ... Lonnie Donegan MBE (29 April 1931 – 3 November 2002) was a skiffle musician, possibly the most famous of them all, with more than 20 UK Top 30 hits to his name. ... The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (AAR reporting mark RI) was a Class 1 railroad in the United States. ... Loretta Lynn (born Loretta Webb April 14, 1934) is an American country singer-songwriter and was one of the leading country female vocalists during the 1960s and 1970s and overall is revered as a country icon. ... Coal Miners Daughter is an autobiographical 1969 country music song written and performed by Loretta Lynn. ... Louis Allen Rawls (December 1, 1933 – January 6, 2006[1]) was a Chicago-born American soul music, jazz, and blues singer. ... Youll Never Find Another Love Like Mine (written by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff) was a song performed by R&B singer Lou Rawls for his All Things in Time album in 1976. ... Luciano Pavarotti performing on June 15, 2002 at a concert in the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille Luciano Pavarotti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI[1] (October 12, 1935 – September 6, 2007) was a celebrated Italian tenor in operatic music, who successfully crossed into popular music becoming one of the most... Nessun Dorma (None Shall Sleep) is an aria from the final act of Giacomo Puccinis opera Turandot,[1] and is one of the best known tenor arias in all opera. ... California Dreamin is a song by The Mamas & the Papas, first released in 1965. ... Martina McBride (born Martina Mariea Schiff, July 29, 1966 in Sharon, Kansas) is an American Grammy nominated country music singer-songwriter. ... Independence Day is a song performed by country singer Martina McBride, originally included on her 1993 album The Way That I Am. ... This article is about the band. ... Alternate cover Christmas picture sleeve edition For the 1988 live single, see Ace of Spades (live) Ace of Spades is a song by the heavy metal band Motörhead. ... This article is about the hip-hop group. ... This article is about the N.W.A. song. ... This article is about the American grunge band. ... Nevermind track listing Smells Like Teen Spirit is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, and the opening track and lead single from the bands 1991 breakthrough album Nevermind. ... Peggy Lee (May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002) was an American jazz and traditional pop singer and songwriter and Oscar-nominated performer. ... Fever is a song credited to Eddie Cooley and John Davenport (a pseudonym for Otis Blackwell). ... Percy Sledge Percy Sledge (born November 25, 1941 in Leighton, Alabama) is a US-American R&B and soul performer. ... When a Man Loves a Woman is a song sung by Percy Sledge in 1966 in which it made number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts. ... Petula Clark, CBE (born 15 November 1932), is an English singer, actress and composer best known for her upbeat popular international hits of the 1960s. ... Downtown is a pop song composed by Tony Hatch following a first-time visit to New York City. ... Queen are an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist Brian May, lead vocalist Freddie Mercury, and drummer Roger Taylor, with bassist John Deacon joining the following year. ...   is a song written by Freddie Mercury and originally recorded by the band Queen for their 1975 album A Night at the Opera. ... Rage Against the Machine, is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1991. ... Killing in the Name was the first single released by Rage Against the Machine from their self-titled album, and is arguably the bands signature song. ... For other uses, see Ramstein. ... Rammstein is the title of a song by the the German Tanz-Metall band Rammstein of the album titled Herzeleid. ... Rick James (born James Ambrose Johnson, Jr) (February 1, 1948 – August 6, 2004) was one of the most popular artists on the Motown label during the late 1970s and early 1980s. ... Super Freak is a 1981 hit single, produced and performed by Rick James for the Motown label. ... The Righteous Brothers were the musical duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. ... Youve Lost That Lovin Feelin is a 1965 number-one hit single by The Righteous Brothers. ... This article is about the rock band. ... Music sample (I Cant Get No) Satisfaction ( file info) Problems? See media help. ... This article is about the entertainer. ... Sonny & Cher were an American pop music duo, made up of husband and wife team Sonny Bono and Cher in the 1960s and 1970s. ... I Got You Babe is a 1965 number-one hit single by American rock music duo Sonny & Cher. ... The Spice Girls are a girl pop group formed in 1994, consisting of Geri Halliwell, Victoria Beckham, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton and Melanie Chisholm. ... Alternate cover Japanese CD cover Audio sample Wannabe is the first single from the Spice Girls first album, Spice. ... Stephanie Lynn Stevie Nicks (born May 26, 1948) is an American singer and songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over twenty Top 50 hits. ... Edge of Seventeen is one of Stevie Nicks most popular songs from her highly successful debut album, Bella Donna. ... Tammy Wynette (May 5, 1942 – April 6, 1998) was an American country singer and songwriter. ... For the song Stand by Your Man by LL Cool J, see 14 Shots to the Dome. ... The Classic 5 lineup of the Temptations, circa 1965. ... My Girl. ... For other persons named Tony Bennett, see Tony Bennett (disambiguation). ... Tony Bennetts heart in San Franciscos Union Square I Left My Heart in San Francisco is a popular song, written in 1954. ... George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born August 31, 1945) is a Grammy Award-winning Irish singer, songwriter, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist, who has been a professional musician since the late 1950s. ... Brown Eyed Girl is a song written and recorded in 1967 by Northern Irish singer-songwriter, Van Morrison and produced by Bang Records chief Bert Berns. ... Walk Dont Run (1960) The Ventures are a rock instrumental band formed in 1958, by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, two Seattle masonry workers. ... Walk-Dont Run is a ground-breaking 1960 hit single by the Seattle-based instrumental rock band The Ventures. ...

Popular shared signature songs

Sometimes a very popular song is shared by more than one singer and it is known as their signature song:

The song "Over the Rainbow" is an example of such a shared signature song, although it is most closely associated with Judy Garland, having twice been voted as the most popular song of the 20th century (see article): For other uses, see Over the Rainbow (disambiguation). ... Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922 - June 22, 1969) was an Academy Award-nominated American film actress and singer, best known for her role as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (1939). ... For other uses, see Over the Rainbow (disambiguation). ...

• Eva Cassidy ^[68]
• Judy Garland ^[69]
• Israel Kamakawiwo'ole ^[70]

The song "Goodnight Irene" became the best-known track for two different artists: Leadbelly and The Weavers.^[71] Eva Marie Cassidy (February 2, 1963 in Washington, DC – November 2, 1996 in Bowie, Maryland) was an American vocalist described by the British newspaper The Guardian as one of the greatest voices of her generation. ... Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922 - June 22, 1969) was an Academy Award-nominated American film actress and singer, best known for her role as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (1939). ... Israel Iz Kamakawiwoole (May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997) (pronounced IPA ) was an American musician who lived in Hawaii until his death at the age of thirty-eight. ... Goodnight Irene, or Irene, is an American folk standard. ... Leadbelly, also known as Lead Belly (born Huddie William Ledbetter; January 20, 1889 (although this is debatable) - December 6, 1949), was an American folk and blues musician, notable for his clear and forceful singing, his virtuosity on the twelve string guitar, and the rich songbook of folk standards he introduced. ... The Weavers were an immensely popular and influential folk music quartet from Greenwich Village, New York, United States. ...

The song "Proud Mary" became another good signature song for two different artists: Creedence Clearwater Revival and Ike and Tina Turner because of John Fogerty's songwriting abilities. Proud Mary is a song written by American singer and guitarist John Fogerty. ... Creedence Clearwater Revival (commonly referred to by its initials CCR or simply as Creedence) was an American rock band, which consisted of John Fogerty (vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano), Tom Fogerty (guitar, vocals, piano), Stu Cook (bass guitar, vocals), and Doug Clifford (drums, percussion, vocals). ... Tina Turner on the cover of her 1991 album Simply the Best Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939) is an African American R&B, pop, rock and soul singer, Buddhist and occasional actress probably best known for her scorching performances with the Ike and Tina Turner... This article is about the musician. ...

Notes and references

Otis Ray Redding, Jr. ... For other uses, see Hello (disambiguation). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 307th day of the year (308th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Signature album
• Theme music