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List of signature songs

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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 or best known for, even if they have had success with a variety of songs. Signature songs can be the result of spontaneous public identification and/or a marketing tool developed by the music industry to promote artists, sell their recordings, and develop a fan base.[1]

Importance

A signature song is important for many artists. Bands with a signature song often choose to perform it at every concert appearance.[2] Marketing programs by recording companies and fan expectations for these signature songs sometimes result in the artist's difficulty to perform other kinds of music. Two well-known examples of this phenomenon are Ricky Nelson's ill treatment by his fans at Madison Square Garden in 1971 (see "Garden Party") and Merle Haggard's public fight with Capitol Records to release his tribute album of Bob Wills dance songs after the success of "Okie from Muskogee" in 1969.

The difference from a one-hit wonder

The term signature song 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.

Shared signature songs

Some songs are so iconic and popular that many different singers may share that song as their signature song.

For example, "I Will Always Love You" was originally written and sung by Dolly Parton, which was then in turn sung by Whitney Houston nearly twenty years later and has become a mainstay of hers as well. Another song that has been identified with more than one singer is "Ol' Man River", which became the signature song of both Paul Robeson and William Warfield.

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."

The song "Goodnight Irene" became the best-known track for two different artists: Leadbelly and The Weavers.[3]

Anthems

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".

Examples

See also

References

  1. ^ Umphlett, Wiley Lee. The Visual Focus of American Media Culture in the Twentieth Century: The Modern Era, 1893-1945. Fairleigh Dickinson University Press (2004), p. 157: "This practice soon began equating performers with signature songs as a way to promote and sell recordings and sheet music as well as establish a cult of fans to market these songs to."
  2. ^ Prescott, John. A Career in Show Business: Variety Entertainer. Institute for Research (2000), p. 8: "And if there's a phrase ... or you have a signature song ... then your audience will probably be disappointed if you don't repeat yourself."
  3. ^ NPR: (Goodnight) Irene
  4. ^ a b See each article page for detailed source references.
  5. ^ The Andrews Sisters > Biography, Allmusic.com
  6. ^ Louis Armstrong; What a Wonderful World
  7. ^ Louis Armstrong;
  8. ^ Diamonds & Rust > Overview, Allmusic.com
  9. ^ Bee Gees; Staying alive
  10. ^ Lee\ accessdate=2010-05-23, Felicia R. The New York Times [Harry Belafonte [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CEEDD153EF93AA3575AC0A965958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print/ Harry Belafonte]]. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Missing pipe in: |last= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ "His Heart's Still In San Francisco". CBS News. 2005-12-21/ Tony bennett. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ^ Andrea Bocelli's Con Te Partiro
  13. ^ Jon Bon Jovi - Bon Jovi Stunned By Living On A Prayer Success -Retrieved 2011-03-09
  14. ^ NPR: Buckley's Big Voice Built a Loyal Following -Accessed 2011-03-08
  15. ^ More on the Everglades Benefit with Chesney and Buffett
  16. ^ "Jimmy Buffett sings for Clinton". CNN. 2000-08-26. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
  17. ^ Ray Charles -Accessed 2011-03-08
  18. ^ Johnny Cash; Folsom Prison Blues -Accessed 2011-03-08
  19. ^ Page 204 of From Abba to Zoom: A Pop Culture Encyclopedia by David Mansour with ISBN 0-7407-5118-2, ISBN 978-0-7407-5118-9
  20. ^ Petula Clark - Mini-Biography - Retrieved 2011-03-08
  21. ^ BobbyDarin.net/BobbyDarin.com: "Mack The Knife"
  22. ^ Sammy Davis, Jr. on CNN http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/News/9909/22/showbuzz/index.html. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help) [dead link]
  23. ^ Doris Day
  24. ^ Deep Purple on allmusic ((( Made in Japan > Overview )))
  25. ^ Marlene Dietrich on Find a Grave
  26. ^ Celine Dion on allmusic
  27. ^ Lonnie Donegan Biography - Discography, Music, Lyrics, Album, CD, Career, Famous Works, and Awards
  28. ^ Like a Rolling Stone : Rolling Stone
  29. ^ "Special Event". CNN. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
  30. ^ CNN/ Aretha Franklin http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9802/25/grammys/index.html. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help) [dead link]
  31. ^ Stanford, Volumes 21-22 p.52 Stanford Alumni Association, 1993
  32. ^ Gladys Knight & the Pips at allmusic
  33. ^ "Cnn Live Event/Special". CNN. 2001-02-07. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
  34. ^ Guns N' Roses signature song -Accessed and retrieved 2011-03-08
  35. ^ [1] -Accessed and retrieved 2011-03-08
  36. ^ Bobby Helms; Jingle Bell Rock -Accessed and retrieved 2011-03-08
  37. ^ Thanks for the Memory http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0307/28/se.02.html/. Retrieved 2010-05-23. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  38. ^ [https://www.allmusic.com/album/r378226 allmusic ((( The Best of the RCA Years > Overview )))]
  39. ^ Lena Horne; Stormy Weather Accessed and retrieved 2011-03-08
  40. ^ Whitney Houston; I Will Always Love You -Accessed 2011-03-08
  41. ^ Michael Jackson; Thriller -Accessed 2011-03-08
  42. ^ Pareles, Jon (1998-01-06). "POP REVIEW; Rick James Still Enjoys Singing . . . and All That". The New York Times, Rick James; Super Freak. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
  43. ^ Jewel Kilcher; you Were Meant for Me -Accessed 2011-03-08
  44. ^ a b CNN: Billy Joel; Piano Man [[2] [http://www.last.fm/music/Billy+Joel/_/Piano+Man%5D]. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help) Accessed and retrieved 2011-03-08
  45. ^ Elton John; Candle in the Wind, Seattle Times review of Joel/John concert
  46. ^ [List of signature songs at AllMusic allmusic; Janis Joplin, Me and Bobby McGee -Accessed 2011-03-08
  47. ^ Adams, Cameron (2008-12-18). "Alicia Keys lights up Rod Laver Arena". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  48. ^ Adams, Cameron (2008-12-18). "Alicia Keys lights up Rod Laver Arena". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd. Retrieved 2009-03-08.
  49. ^ allmusic ((( Ben E. King > Biography )))
  50. ^ [3]
  51. ^ Avril Lavigne Rocks Seoul
  52. ^ Welcome to Producers, Inc
  53. ^ Julie London at Brian's Drive-In Theater
  54. ^ CNN http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/10/06/showbuzz/index.html. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help) [dead link]
  55. ^ "Mamas and Papas' John Phillips: An appreciation". CNN. 2001-03-19. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
  56. ^ CMT : News : 20 Questions With Barbara Mandrell
  57. ^ ['Memories Are Made of This: Dean Martin, Through His Daughter's Eyes' by Deana Martin 2004, Pan Books, pg.110]
  58. ^ [4]
  59. ^ CNN http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0511/26/lkl.01.html. Retrieved 2010-05-23. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  60. ^ [5]
  61. ^ [6]
  62. ^ allmusic
  63. ^ Oasis; Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Popular Musicians Encyclopedia.com
  64. ^ [7]
  65. ^ Morrison, Richard (2007-09-06). "Comment Pavarotti the global reach of a pop star". The Times. London. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
  66. ^ allmusic ((( Edith Piaf > Biography )))
  67. ^ Singer Lou Rawls Dies : Rolling Stone
  68. ^ H2G2
  69. ^ Helen Reddy - Biography
  70. ^ Clash, Costello Make Rock Hall: The Clash : Rolling Stone
  71. ^ [8]
  72. ^ Chairman Of The Board Steps Down: Frank Sinatra Dead At 82: Frank Sinatra : Rolling Stone
  73. ^ [9]
  74. ^ http://www.aolradioblog.com/2009/10/30/best-slayer-songs/
  75. ^ Kate Smith (I) - Biography
  76. ^ "Celebrity Lawmaker Wore Renewed Fame Lightly". CNN. Retrieved 2010-05-23.
  77. ^ Madeleine Kingsley (2006-03). "Hello! interview, March 2006". Hello! Magazine, typed by (au nom de Geri). Retrieved 2007-11-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  78. ^ Mel B: 'I barely speak to the other Spice Girls even though Victoria only lives a few miles away' London Evening Standard
  79. ^ ReZoom Entertainment - Entertainment for an ageless generation
  80. ^ [10]
  81. ^ allmusic
  82. ^ [11]
  83. ^ http://countrymusic.about.com/library/blconwayrev.htm
  84. ^ allmusic ((( The Ventures > Biography )))
  85. ^ Richard Ashcroft - From urban hymns to united nations The Independent
  86. ^ [12]
  87. ^ allmusic ((( 16 Biggest Hits > Overview )))
  88. ^ Bert Williams - Free Music Downloads, Videos, Lyrics, CDs, MP3s, Bio, Merchandise and Links
  89. ^ allmusic ((( Stand by Your Man > Overview )))
  90. ^ allmusic ((( Stand by Your Man > Overview )))

Bobby Helms at Find a Grave

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