Applied to narrative ballads in Spain, it came to be used by the 18th century for simple lyrical pieces not only for voice, but also for instruments alone.

The Oxford Dictionary of Music[1] states that "generally it implies a specially personal or tender quality".

Georges Bizet's "Je crois entendre encore" from The Pearl Fishers (1863) is labelled a romance in the score.

Franz Lehar's "Wie einen Rosenknospe" from "The Merry Widow" is labelled "Romance".

British singer Marc Almond is the only Western artist to receive acclaim in Western Europe as well as in Russia for singing English versions of Russian romances and Russian chanson on his albums Heart on Snow and Orpheus in Exile.