A torch song is a sentimental love song, typically one in which the singer laments an unrequited or lost love. The Chinese character for love (愛) —its parts indicating (top to bottom): That which gives breath (ie. ... A song is a relatively short musical composition for the human voice (possibly accompanied by other musical instruments), which features words (lyrics). ...

The etymology comes from "Carrying a torch for him/her"; which means to long for a lost lover. A possible origin is that the singer (torch singers are almost exclusively female) sang in a sultry, jazzy way to bring out the sensual tones of the voice, thus resembling a smoldering torch... although most torch singers use the piece to display their vocal range rather than the sensuality of the voice. A burning torch, discarded on the road in the wake of the Lewes Bonfire Night celebrations. ... Jazz is an original American musical art form originating around the start of the 20th century in New Orleans, rooted in Western music technique and theory, and is marked by the profound cultural contributions of African Americans. ...

Édith Piaf, Peggy Lee, Julie London, Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Jane Olivor, Dora Gerson, Ethel Waters, and Billie Holiday, among others, were renowned torch singers. Carrying the torch today are Ute Lemper, Diana Krall, Fiona Apple, Little Annie, Antony and the Johnsons, Patti LuPone,Laura Fygi, and k.d. lang. Édith Piaf (December 19, 1915 – October 11, 1963)[1] was one of Frances most loved singers and a national icon. ... Peggy Lee (May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002) was an American jazz singer and songwriter. ... Julie London Julie London (September 26, 1926 – October 18, 2000) was an American singer and actress who was known for her smoky, sensual voice and role as Nurse Dixie McCall RN on the television show Emergency! (1972–1977). ... Francis Albert Sinatra (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer who is one of the most highly acclaimed male popular song vocalists of all time. ... Marlene Dietrich in the 1930s Marlene Dietrich (December 27, 1901 – May 6, 1992) was a German-born actress, entertainer and singer. ... Jane Olivor (born January 1, 1947) is a singer. ... Dora Gerson Dora Gerson (March 23, 1899 - February 14, 1943) was a Jewish German cabaret singer and motion picture actress of the silent film era who was notoriously murdered with her family at Auschwitz. ... Ethel Waters, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1938 Ethel Waters (October 31, 1896 – September 1, 1977) was an African American blues vocalist who frequently performed jazz, big band, gospel, and popular music, on Broadway and off. ... Billie Holiday photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1949 For the Canadian broadcaster, see Billie Holiday (broadcaster). ... Ute Lemper (born July 4, 1963) is a German chanteuse and actress. ... Krall, as pictured on the cover of her album The Look of Love Dr Diana Jean Krall, OC, DFA (born November 16, 1964) is a popular Jazz pianist and singer. ... Fiona Apple (born September 13, 1977) is an American singer-songwriter. ... Little Annie Anxiety Bandez a. ... Candy Darling on the cover of I Am a Bird Now Antony and the Johnsons are an award-winning music act from New York City. ... Patti LuPone in her Tony Award winning role as Eva Peron in the Broadway musical Evita. ... Laura Fygi (27 August 1955 in Amsterdam) is a Dutch female singer. ... k. ...

• Torch Song Trilogy was a 1982 three-part play (later filmed) by Harvey Fierstein about a torch song singing Jewish drag queen.
• Torch Song was also a 1980s synthpop band featuring William Orbit.
• Torch is also a single by Soft Cell