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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. Signature songs can be the 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]
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Importance
A signature song is a must in many artists' repertoire, and one which they may choose to perform 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.
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" but which is mostly identified as Judy Garland's signature song.[3]
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.[4]
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".
List of Artists and their signature songs
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The lists in this article may contain items that are not notable, encyclopedic, or helpful. Please help out by removing such elements and incorporating appropriate items into the main body of the article. (November 2008) |
The following is a list of artists' signature songs:
References
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The remainder of this article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (March 2008) |
- ^ 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."
- ^ 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."
- ^ a b c See each article page for detailed source references.
- ^ NPR: (Goodnight) Irene
- ^ The Andrews Sisters > Biography, Allmusic.com
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ Diamonds & Rust > Overview, Allmusic.com
- ^ [3]
- ^ AT HOME WITH: Harry Belafonte; The Political Is Personal - New York Times
- ^ His Heart's Still In San Francisco, Tony Bennett's Career Spans Generations, But With One Constant - CBS News
- ^ The Two-Minute Man, Episode 15: What I Like About the Globe Edition – Washington Post
- ^ Jon Bon Jovi - Bon Jovi Stunned By Living On A Prayer Success
- ^ NPR: Buckley's Big Voice Built a Loyal Following
- ^ CNN.com - Jimmy Buffett sings for Clinton - August 25, 2000
- ^ [4]
- ^ Page 204 of From Abba to Zoom: A Pop Culture Encyclopedia by David Mansour with ISBN 0740751182, ISBN 9780740751189
- ^ Petula Clark.net - Mini-Biography
- ^ BobbyDarin.net/BobbyDarin.com: "Mack The Knife"
- ^ CNN - Showbuzz - September 22, 1999
- ^ allmusic ((( Made in Japan > Overview )))
- ^ allmusic
- ^ Lonnie Donegan Biography - Discography, Music, Lyrics, Album, CD, Career, Famous Works, and Awards
- ^ Like a Rolling Stone : Rolling Stone
- ^ CNN Transcript - Special Event: Millennium 2000: When Midnight Hit the Pyramids in Egypt; Separating Good Champagne from the Best; Carlos Santana's Millennium - January 1, 2000
- ^ CNN - 1998 Grammy Awards
- ^ allmusic
- ^ CNN.com - Transcripts
- ^ [5]
- ^ CNN.com - Transcripts
- ^ allmusic ((( The Best of the RCA Years > Overview )))
- ^ [6]
- ^ POP REVIEW; Rick James Still Enjoys Singing . . . and All That - New York Times
- ^ a b CNN.com - showbuzz - Mar 16, 2005
- ^ allmusic
- ^ allmusic ((( Ben E. King > Biography )))
- ^ Welcome to Producers, Inc
- ^ Julie London at Brian's Drive-In Theater
- ^ CNN.com - showbuzz - Oct 6, 2004
- ^ CNN.com - Entertainment - Mamas and Papas' John Phillips: An appreciation - March 19, 2001
- ^ CMT : News : 20 Questions With Barbara Mandrell
- ^ [7]
- ^ CNN.com - Transcripts
- ^ [8]
- ^ allmusic
- ^ Kurt Cobain - Biography
- ^ [9]
- ^ Comment: Pavarotti, the global reach of a pop star - Times Online
- ^ allmusic ((( Edith Piaf > Biography )))
- ^ Singer Lou Rawls Dies : Rolling Stone
- ^ H2G2
- ^ Helen Reddy - Biography
- ^ Clash, Costello Make Rock Hall: The Clash : Rolling Stone
- ^ Chairman Of The Board Steps Down: Frank Sinatra Dead At 82: Frank Sinatra : Rolling Stone
- ^ [10]
- ^ Kate Smith (I) - Biography
- ^ Celebrity Lawmaker Wore Renewed Fame Lightly - 01-10-98
- ^ Madeleine Kingsley (2006-03). "Hello! interview, March 2006". Hello! Magazine, typed by (au nom de Geri). http://aunom2geri.ifrance.com/ihello.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
- ^ ReZoom Entertainment - Entertainment for an ageless generation
- ^ allmusic
- ^ allmusic ((( The Ventures > Biography )))
- ^ allmusic ((( 16 Biggest Hits > Overview )))
- ^ Bert Williams - Free Music Downloads, Videos, Lyrics, CDs, MP3s, Bio, Merchandise and Links
- ^ allmusic ((( Stand by Your Man > Overview )))
See also
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