Respected LadyLand - Torched

I have a complicated relationship with torch songs, especially because as a DJ I try to veer away from songs that reinforce negative stereotypes about women. BUT, torch songs have indeed played a dominant role in history of women songstresses, so they're hard to ignore.

On the one hand, I worry that torch songs promote the idea that women should resign themselves to living an unfulfilling life of suffering, sacrifice, and unrealized dreams.  On the other hand, perhaps they simply reflect how women have been treated, and put in impossible situations.

I've tried to stay away from featuring sad songs on my radio shows in recent years because our shared unhealthy relationship with a broken system is too much to bare. We don't need to be even sadder.  But, sometimes singing along to a somber song can take the sad out of us. So, here they are . . .