Blue Velvet (1963)

Click the YouTube video below to listen:



Download MP3s from Amazon.com:


By:
Bobby Vinton (born Stanley Robert Vintula, Jr. April 16, 1935, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.) His nickname is "The Polish Prince".

Bobby Vinton and Elvis Presley were born the same year, 3 months apart.

After recording Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Blue on Blue" (which was the 46th biggest hit of 1963,) Vinton decided to release an entire album of "blue" songs, such as "Blue Moon", "Blue Hawaii", and "Am I Blue".

Music publisher Al Gallico thought of a song that Bobby should record for the album and gave his secretary $1 to go to the local music store and buy the sheet music. An hour later, Bobby recorded it in two takes.

Vinton was not impressed by the song, and didn't consider it for single release; his choice was "Am I Blue". Epic Records decided against Vinton's pick, and released "Blue Velvet" instead. It became the fifth biggest hit of 1963.

Chart position:
#1 (US).

It was #1 in the US for 3 weeks in September and October 1963. It was preceded at #1 by "My Boyfriend's Back" (The Angels) and succeeded by "Sugar Shack" (Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs).

The Top Ten Songs: October 5, 1963 (US Billboard Hot 100).
  1. "Blue Velvet" (Bobby Vinton)
  2. "Sally Go 'Round the Roses" (Jaynetts)
  3. "Be My Baby" (Ronettes)
  4. "Sugar Shack" (Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs)
  5. "Cry Baby" (Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters)
  6. "My Boyfriend's Back" (Angels)
  7. "Wonderful! Wonderful!" (Tynes)
  8. "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave" (Martha and the Vandellas)
  9. "Busted" (Ray Charles)
  10. "Then He Kissed Me" (Crystals)

Written by:
Bernie Wayne (born March 6, 1919 in Paterson, New Jersey, died April 8, 1993 in Marina del Ray, California) and Lee Morris. Wayne also wrote "There She Is," the theme song of the annual Miss America pageant.

Also by:
Tony Bennett, whose version reached #16 (US) in 1951.

Download MP3s from Amazon.com:

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please be sure to leave a comment. If you love the oldies, then by all means, say so!