Signature song

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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 are a marketing tool developed by the music industry to promote artists, sell their recordings, and develop a fan base.[1]

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 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.

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]

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".

Contents

[edit] Examples of artists and their signature songs

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The following are artists with documented signature songs: [3]

[38]

[edit] 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):

The song "Goodnight Irene" became the best-known track for two different artists: Leadbelly and The Weavers.[74]

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.

The song "I Will Always Love You", originally a moderate hit for Dolly Parton, later became the best-known hit for Whitney Houston, and has since also become Parton's signature song.

[edit] Notes and references

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  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. ^ a b See each article page for detailed source references about each particular signature song.
  4. ^ allmusic ((( The Andrews Sisters > Biography )))
  5. ^ allmusic ((( 16 Biggest Hits > Overview )))
  6. ^ Anton Karas - AOL Music
  7. ^ This is a cover of an Otis Redding song.
  8. ^ CNN - 1998 Grammy Awards
  9. ^ CMT : News : 20 Questions With Barbara Mandrell
  10. ^ allmusic ((( Ben E. King > Biography )))
  11. ^ Bert Williams - Free Music Downloads, Videos, Lyrics, CDs, MP3s, Bio, Merchandise and Links
  12. ^ CNN.com - showbuzz - Mar 16, 2005
  13. ^ White Christmas Links
  14. ^ Like a Rolling Stone : Rolling Stone
  15. ^ CNN.com - Transcripts
  16. ^ BobbyDarin.net/BobbyDarin.com: "Mack The Knife"
  17. ^ Jon Bon Jovi - Bon Jovi Stunned By Living On A Prayer Success
  18. ^ ReZoom Entertainment - Entertainment for an ageless generation
  19. ^ ReZoom Entertainment - Entertainment for an ageless generation
  20. ^ Exquisite Corpse - A Journal of Letters and Life
  21. ^ allmusic
  22. ^ [A New Day DVD, according to Celine Dion]
  23. ^ allmusic ((( Made in Japan > Overview )))
  24. ^ allmusic ((( Tiny Bubbles [Collector's Choice] > Overview )))
  25. ^ [1]
  26. ^ 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
  27. ^ allmusic ((( Edith Piaf > Biography )))
  28. ^ [2]
  29. ^ Chairman Of The Board Steps Down: Frank Sinatra Dead At 82: Frank Sinatra : Rolling Stone
  30. ^ The Rag Time Ephemeralist
  31. ^ allmusic
  32. ^ Welcome to Producers, Inc
  33. ^ AT HOME WITH: Harry Belafonte; The Political Is Personal - New York Times
  34. ^ Helen Reddy - Biography
  35. ^ allmusic
  36. ^ allmusic
  37. ^ NPR: Buckley's Big Voice Built a Loyal Following
  38. ^ Retrotalk.
  39. ^ CNN.com - Jimmy Buffett sings for Clinton - August 25, 2000
  40. ^ H2G2
  41. ^ Julie London at Brian's Drive-In Theater
  42. ^ Kate Smith (I) - Biography
  43. ^ CNN.com - Transcripts
  44. ^ allmusic ((( The Best of the RCA Years > Overview )))
  45. ^ Lonnie Donegan Biography - Discography, Music, Lyrics, Album, CD, Career, Famous Works, and Awards
  46. ^ CNN.com - showbuzz - Oct 6, 2004
  47. ^ Singer Lou Rawls Dies : Rolling Stone
  48. ^ Comment: Pavarotti, the global reach of a pop star - Times Online
  49. ^ CNN.com - Entertainment - Mamas and Papas' John Phillips: An appreciation - March 19, 2001
  50. ^ CNN.com - Transcripts
  51. ^ allmusic
  52. ^ Mike-Hess.com
  53. ^ Kurt Cobain - Biography
  54. ^ CNN.com - showbuzz - Mar 16, 2005
  55. ^ [3]
  56. ^ Petula Clark.net - Mini-Biography
  57. ^ Rage Against The Machine Reviews on Yahoo! Music
  58. ^ Rammstein - Music on FoxyTunes Planet
  59. ^ POP REVIEW; Rick James Still Enjoys Singing . . . and All That - New York Times
  60. ^ Clash, Costello Make Rock Hall: The Clash : Rolling Stone
  61. ^ The Sports channel » Propeller
  62. ^ CNN - Showbuzz - September 22, 1999
  63. ^ Celebrity Lawmaker Wore Renewed Fame Lightly - 01-10-98
  64. ^ Madeleine Kingsley (2006-03). Hello! interview, March 2006. Hello! Magazine, typed by (au nom de Geri). Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  65. ^ Palm Springs Savant Rick Rockhill: An Evening With Stevie Nicks
  66. ^ allmusic ((( Stand by Your Man > Overview )))
  67. ^ allmusic ((( The Temptations > Biography )))
  68. ^ http://www.complex.com/blogs/tag/ti/
  69. ^ His Heart's Still In San Francisco, Tony Bennett's Career Spans Generations, But With One Constant - CBS News
  70. ^ allmusic ((( The Ventures > Biography )))
  71. ^ NPR Music: 'No Place Like Home' Series: 'Over the Rainbow'
  72. ^ NPR Music: 'No Place Like Home' Series: 'Over the Rainbow'
  73. ^ Big man's music lives on - The Honolulu Advertiser - Hawaii's Newspaper
  74. ^ NPR: (Goodnight) Irene

[edit] See also