A torch song is a sentimental love song, but these songs go far beyond "sentiment." According to the dictionary, a torch song is "typically one in which the singer laments an unrequited or lost love, where one party is either oblivious to the existence of the other, or where one party has moved on." But beyond mere 'lamentation' the classic torch song includes a performance that is usually gut-wrenchingly heart-breakingly flooded with despair. Although 'power ballad' seems to be the more commonly used recent term for this type of song...all involve the need for a tissue or two at first exposure. These performances reveal the difference between crooners and full-fledged 24 carat to-the-max performances with unbelievable voices to match. To be included on this list, as the title notes, the songs here are all integral to a particular movie.

Like my "romantic" love songs list, this one will list the songs chronologically, as there's no way to say which one of these heart wrenching melodies, lyrics, or performances is 'better' or 'best.' Most became synonymous with the performer and a standard for their albums and live performances. Many of these songs are much older than their 'famous' appearances in film, so the chronology will be for the year they were were included as part of a film. To see my romantic movie love songs #s 1-10, click here...for #s11-20, click here.

First, from the 1954 film version of A Star Is Born, whose entire plot is about a love gone wrong...Judy Garland performs The Man That Got Away. This song would continue to be included in Garland's repertoire throughout her career in concerts and on television. The song was written specifically for this film and for Garland. Note the video...like a concert this performance one continuous film shot...no edits, no 'cut aways.' This the mark of a truly great performer and a confident director.

Most Barbra Streisand fans know of her leap to fame at a very young age after her starring stint as Fanny Brice in the Broadway musical Funny Girl, earned her (after several other actresses considered first) the starring role in the 1968 film. The top grossing film of that year. What many don't know is that the searing song (originally written in French in 1916) My Man was not in the Broadway production, even though it had been one of Brice's signature songs during the 1920s. The iconic Billie Holiday also had a hit with the song. Many Diana Ross fans know that this song also became a signature hit of her solo career after seperating from the Supremes. Videos of both Streisand and Ross performing here.

1968 was a good year for good 'sad' songs... From the musical Oliver comes the wrenching As Long As He Needs Me. Performed by several powerful, soulful singers over the years, this video reveals that it's still a tear jerker for today's audiences. Here, first, by Melinda Doolittle for 'American Idol' television show. Granted, this may not the best version, if only because 'Idol' songs are abbreviated, but couldn't resist showing here, with it's shots of sobbing audience member. Second, the original film production starring Shani Wallace.

Created for the 1965 musical On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, came the plaintive song, What Did I Have I Don't Have Now. Performed by Barbara Harris on stage, and Barbra Streisand in the movie, this performance is by Diahann Carroll. Not exactly the most gripping rendition of this song, but good for those who aren't Streisand fans.

Bette Midler's role in the 1980 movie The Rose gave her audiences two great torch songs, both of which she continues to perform more than 25 years later. One is Percy Sledge's 1966 When a Man Loves a Woman, and the second is Jerry Ragovoy's dispairing blues ballad Stay With Me. (Ragovoy also wrote "Time is on my Side," made famous by Rolling Stones). Here she is performing the emotionally wrenching Stay With Me during a recent Las Vegas concert. How she belts this out night after night without losing her voice is amazing!

In 1992 singer Whitney Houston starred in the movie The Bodyguard with Kevin Costner...originally the producers had wanted Madonna, but Houston's performance won critical and audience raves and sealed her status as superstar. And that performance wouldn't have been the same without the 1974 song, written by Dolly Parton, I Will Always Love You. When Houston first heard the song, to consider for the movie, she did not know it had been written or performed by Dolly Parton. Whether this knowledge would have affected her attraction to the song is unknown. It became her longest running Number One song -- 14 weeks.

How much needs to be said here about Celine Dion's performance of My Heart Will Go On? Probably very little, as it was a huge hit for her, became integrally a part of the movie Titanic, which is currently the highest-grossing movie of all time; a feat due in large part to a massive audience of pre-teens that saw it over and over and over again!

The top grossing film of 1998 was Armaggedon, and it's female lead was the lovely Liv Tyler. Although an action film, there were 'chick flick' moments between Tyler and her co-star Ben Affleck. Who better to perform the film's love ballad than Tyler's father's rock group, Aerosmith. The song, I Don't Want To Miss A Thing, written by Diane Warren, was originally intended for a much more predictable love ballad performer, Celine Dion. Although not truly a torch song, the force of (all) Aerosmith songs led to it's inclusion on this list.