CultureSeptember 2, 2026

balladry

BAL-uh-dree

Definition

The art, style, or practice of composing or performing ballads—typically narrative, slow-tempo, or sentimental songs.

Etymology

Derived from the word 'ballad,' which traces back to the Old Provençal 'ballar,' meaning 'to dance.' Historically, ballads were songs originally intended to accompany dancing, eventually evolving into the narrative folk or sentimental songs known today.

In the news

The article uses this term to describe Alan Menken's musical range, noting that his work in The Little Mermaid expanded beyond traditional Broadway-style balladry into infectious, genre-specific songs.

The best — and most beloved — Disney songs of all time, ranked

Read the full article ↗

Quartz

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