Ballad  

From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia

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murder ballad

1. A long song or poem that tells a story.

   The poet composed a ballad praising the heroic exploits of the fallen commander.

2. A slow romantic pop song.

   On Friday nights, the roller rink had a time-block called "Lovers' Lap" when they played nothing but ballads on the overhead speakers.

A ballad is a story, usually a narrative or poem, in a song. Any story form may be told as a ballad, such as historical accounts or fairy tales in verse form. It usually has foreshortened, alternating four stress lines ("ballad meter") and simple repeating rhymes, often with a refrain.

If it is based on political or religious theme, a ballad may be a hymn. It should not be confused with the ballade, a 14th and 15th century French verse form.

Music

Examples

Famous traditional pop and jazz standard ballads include:

• "Over the Rainbow" – Harold Arlen
• "Body and Soul" – Johnny Green
• "Misty" – Erroll Garner
• "The Man I Love" – George Gershwin
• "My Funny Valentine" – Rodgers and Hart
• "God Bless the Child" – Billie Holiday
• "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" – Cole Porter
• "Naima" – John Coltrane (an instrumental ballad)
• "Lush Life" – Billy Strayhorn
• "In a Sentimental Mood" – Duke Ellington
• "'Round Midnight" – Thelonious Monk
• "Always" - Irving Berlin