Exactly what the heck is a ballad? And is it essential to country music?

Question

And before you say it's a song with a story, how could it be anything else? Doesn't every song have a story?

Answer 1

bal·lad /ˈbæləd/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[bal-uhd] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. any light, simple song, esp. one of sentimental or romantic character, having two or more stanzas all sung to the same melody.
2. a simple narrative poem of folk origin, composed in short stanzas and adapted for singing.
3. any poem written in similar style.
4. the music for a ballad.
5. a sentimental or romantic popular song.

it is essential to country music unless you want to be a singer that is all fun. Not every song tells a story and even if it does it has to be sentimental. I guess i would say what makes a ballad a ballad is the feelings expressed when you hear the song.

Answer 2

The famous Ballad singer of all times.
Marty Robbins.
Its a story,song based on true event, person,or place, famous or not, or possible fiction true events, persons or place.
Such as "The Ballad of the Alamo" << true event
" The Ballad of Ringo" made up story about a gun fighter, which differs from " The Ballad of Billy the Kid"

The Ballad of the Alamo
In the southern part of TX in the town of San Antonio
lies a fort thats all in ruin, that the weeds have over growen
You may look in vain for crosses and you'll never see a one
But somthimes between the setting and the rising of the sun,
You'll hear a ghostly bugal as the men go marching by,
you can hear them as they answer to that role call in the sky,
Kernal Travis, Davy Cockett and a 180 more,
Captain Dickerson, Jim Bowie, present and accounted for.

Back in 1836 Houston said to Travis, get some volunteers and go, Fortifie the Alamo,
Well the men came from Texas, and from ol Tenn.
and they joined up with Travis just fight for the right to be free.
Indian scouts with squirrel gun, men with muzzel loaders
Stood together heal and toe to defende the Alamo,
You may never see your loved ones Travis told them that day, those who want can leave now, those that wll fight to the death let them stay,
In the sand he drew a line with his army Sabor,
out of a 185, not a soul did cross the line.

With Bannors a flashing in the dawns golden light
Santa Ana came prancing on horse that was black as the night,
Sent an officer to tell Travis to surrender, Travis answered with a shell, and a rousing rebel Yell.
Santa Ana turned scarlet as the plooma he wore,
I will show them no boarder, everyone will be put to the sword,
185 holding back 5,000, 5 days, 6 days, 8 days 10
Travis held and held again, then he sent for replacements for his wounded and lame, but the troops that where coming never came, never came, never came.
Twice he charged them, then recalled, but on that fatal third time, Santa ana greets the wall and he killed them one and all.
Now the bugals are silents and theres rust on each sword, and the small band of soldiors are asleep in the arms of the lord.
In the souther part of Tx near the town of San Antone, like a statue in the nettle rides a cowboy all alone, and he sees the cattle crazing where century before, Santa Ana's gun where blazing and the cannons use to roar.
And he take his hat of slowly to the men of Alamo, to the 13 days of glory at the siege of Alamooo!

Now thats a BALLAD!!

Answer 3

A ballad is pretty much a song with a story... that's just what ballads are. Not every song has a story. One that Iike is "Whiskey lullaby" by Brad Paisley and Allison Krauss.
I wouldn't say it is essiential to country music, but it does make it easier to understand when you can relate to it.

Answer 4

A ballad is a story,a tribute,Away of explaining a subject or a person,giving them honor,and recognition,,
listen to Bob Dylan,,,great with Ballads

Answer 5

A ballad is basically a romantic song. Mostly they're slow songs (I've noticed, that's not like a proven thing or anything).