Chris Isaak: 5 Classic Torch Songs
With his impeccable pompadour and seductive voice, Chris Isaak knows a thing or two about timeless pop-vocal aesthetics. "When I think of torch songs, I tend to go to a bygone era," says the crooner, whose LP First Comes the Night is out now. "They remind me of that wistful, lonely feeling." The "Wicked Game" singer picked his five favorites and offered some commentary on each: a mini master class in the art of musical romance.
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Elvis Presley, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
A very romantic song, sung perfectly. There's a richness and a believability in Elvis' voice that nobody else can touch.
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Roy Orbison, “It’s Over”
"Whisper secrets to the wind … You won't be seeing rainbows anymore." If you're breaking up with somebody, it'll bring a tear to your eye.
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Vera Lynn, “We’ll Meet Again”
Singers now go for the high notes, but nobody goes for those low baritone notes anymore like this song does.
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Bing Crosby, “True Love”
What a haiku of a pop song! "Suntanned, windblown, honeymooners at last alone." It doesn't take many words to paint the picture.
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Labrinth, “Jealous”
It starts really quiet and held back, and then it just explodes. People are still writing great love songs.