A few weeks ago, I published a review of an Engelbert Humperdinck concert DVD, and while I was doing research for it I ran across something he once said and it sort of stuck with me. When someone commented about how a few critics had dismissed him as a mere "crooner," he frowned and answered, "If you are not a crooner, it's something you don't want to be called."
Huh? Well, Engelbert has a right to express his feelings, but to me the real question for both him and the unnamed crtics is, when did being a crooner become a bad thing?
I guess a good starting place for this puzzle would be a definition. The music wiki
defines it like this: "Crooner is an epithet given to a male singer of a certain style of popular songs, dubbed pop standards. A crooner is a singer of popular ballads thus a 'balladeer.' The singer is normally backed by a full orchestra or big band."
I didn't find anything particularly negative in that, so I continued looking for something to explain when and why the prevailing attitude changed, and I found lots of references that just seemed to muddy the water. For example, I found this: "Tony Bennett - one of the world's favorite crooners." But I also found, "Bennett is a belter, not a crooner."
Along with Bennett, Dean Martin, and the under-appreciated Dick Haymes, I had always thought of Frank Sinatra as the ultimate 
crooner, and one of his albums from his early days is titled, Sinatra - Birth Of A Crooner. However, I found many quotes similar to this one: "Sinatra is not, and never has been, a crooner."
Bing Crosby was often called "the original crooner," and I found that a fan group called "the devotees of colorful crooner Russ Columbo" compared him to Crosby - but then I also found Russ himself proclaiming, "I'm not a crooner - or a blues singer or a straight baritone." Hmmm.
I found reference to a contestant on American Idol, describing how he'd been placed in the "sweet young crooner" category. And I found this quote on the website of another young singer wannabe: "Who doesn't want to be a crooner? I'm not a crooner, but I aspire to be one."
Article comments
1 - Al Barger
Most likely, foolish people using "crooner" as an insult are intending it as a dig at the singer's manliness. Note that women aren't accused of the crime of "crooning" with similar musical styles and arrangements.
Also, that's the obvious intended difference if they're making a big distinction between being a "crooner" or a "belter." See, a belter is not some pussy little nancy boy, but someone who'll belt you one right in the nose. Tony Bennett's upside your head!
2 - Big Geez
Thanks for the comments, Al. Yeah, you're right, and as I researched this I also seemed to find a lot of quotes that implied that a "crooner" had a poorer quality voice - sort of like, they had to settle for crooning, rather than real singing. Sheesh.
3 - Michael J. West
I wish I could like Rod Stewart as a crooner, but the truth is that I love him too much as a rocker. Over the first three or four albums, 1969-72, he was absolutely the greatest rock & roll act on Planet Earth. Everything else just seems like slippage.
4 - Big Geez
Sorry to hear you can't like Rod as a crooner, Michael, but I can relate to how you feel. Sometimes when I'm really fond of a particular artist singing a certain way, or even a certain song, it just sets my teeth on edge to hear anything else. Example, I have a difficult time listening to anyone but Etta James sing "At Last", although I've heard several try. The only one that's passable is Nat Cole, but then he always sounds good.
5 - charles gradante
Let's not forget phrasing as an essential part of crooning..sinatra always called himself a saloon singer and he is the only crooner who you can listen to for three hours without getting bored...not bennett,martin,or crosby ever had a three hour radio program that lasted 3 decades..."Saturday night with sinatra"....he is the standard...
6 - Big Geez
Good point, Charles...but now you've introduced something new into the discussion. Was Sinatra saying that "saloon singer" was lower than crooner? ;-)
7 - Al Barger
"they had to settle for crooning, rather than real singing" I guess some folks would take that kind of outlook, but I would somewhat tend to think that it takes more skill and control to convincingly put the nuance into a quiet ballad where you can really hear everything clearly than it does to belt out a blues song with a rock band blaring away behind you.
8 - peter
Engelbert is an amazing singer.
I saw him in concert is Sydney recently and he blew everyone away.
I wouldnt want him crooning in my ear...apart from the fact that my girlfriend may get jealous....but with the power that sings with I feel I will checking in to get my hearing aids a little premature.
Peter,38.
9 - Michael J. West
I would somewhat tend to think that it takes more skill and control to convincingly put the nuance into a quiet ballad where you can really hear everything clearly than it does to belt out a blues song with a rock band blaring away behind you.
In most cases I would agree with that entirely. But, in my experience, the truly gifted singers are the ones who can convincingly put nuance in a belted-out blues song.
10 - Michael J. West
Elvis Presley, naturally, remains my favorite singer of all time...because he could do both.
11 - Al Barger
Oh yes Michael, I didn't mean to disrespect the skillz involved in being a good rock singer. Robert Plant and Roger Daltrey kick ass. But even then, I'd be measuring their fullest displays of skill and technique by the ballads. "Behind Blue Eyes" is more of a display of vocal skill than "My Generation."
12 - zingzing
and nick cave bests them all. except, of course, elvis. yah. sure.
13 - A.L. Harper
I have chosen this article as one of my editor's picks of the week. You can see what I had to say here.
Congratulations and keep up the good work.
A.L. Harper
Assistant Music Editor
14 - Big Geez
Thanks! Much appreciated.
15 - A.L. Harper
You're welcome. I have picked you most weeks actually I just didn't think to say before now.
16 - Big Geez
I didn't realize that, but I'll know from now on because I've added this section to my RSS feeds!
17 - olle
this site sucks -_-
18 - roger antony carter
great to find this blog here. as a lyric writer I find that every now and then I write a set of lyrics for well, the Great man...Chairman of the Board...and hey, no idle boast I think I did a couple that had I ever been able to get to him. he may well have said. "yeah, ring a ding ding"
ah well, if any one here knows who the ballad singers are nowadays give me a SHOUT.hahaahah
Thanks for a great article and some real nice "company"
Roger