Blue Tango
Encyclopedia
"Blue Tango" is an instrumental composition by Leroy Anderson
. it was later turned into a popular
song
with lyrics by Mitchell Parish
. It was published in 1952
. The music, however, was composed in 1951.
version of "Blue Tango" recorded by Anderson (Decca Records
, catalog number
27875, with the flip side "Belle of the Ball") reached #1 on the Billboard charts in 1952
. It first reached the Best Seller chart on December 21, 1951 and lasted 38 weeks on the chart. (According to other sources, the Anderson recording first reached the charts on December 29, 1951.) The same recording was released 1952
by Brunswick Records
(United Kingdom
) as catalog number 04870, with the same flip side.
Other versions of the song which charted at that time included:
A vocal version was recorded by Alma Cogan
in the United Kingdom
the same year. It was also featured on the first UK singles chart
in another instrumental recording by orchestra leader Ray Martin
. In the radio series Peeling Back The Years
, John Peel
revealed that this was the first record he ever bought.
The song was subsequently revived by Bill Black
's Combo. This recording was released by Hi Records
as catalog number 2027, with the flip side "Willie". It first reached the Billboard magazine charts
on December 12, 1960 and lasted 7 weeks on the chart. On the composite chart of the top 100 songs, it reached #16. This version (with the same flip side) was also released in Australia
by London Records (Australia), as catalog number HL-1735.
recorded her own version of "Blue Tango", providing it with self-penned lyrics. The recording was included on album I Am a Photograph
and issued as a 7" single in the Netherlands. The single was not a commercial success and didn't chart.
and a bowler hat
. The singer then "transforms" herself into a woman, taking the costume off and revealing a long bright dress.
At least two other music videos were also produced. First version was shot for a popular German TV show Musikladen
in 1977. It pictured the singer performing the song while sitting at the table and smoking cigarette. It was produced using the chroma key
techinque.
In 1983 another video for "Blue Tango" premiered, this time produced for Amanda's Italian television special
Ma chi è Amanda?. The singer is pictured wearing a flamenco
dress and repeating dance routines accompanied by male dancers. This video was also shot on chroma key.
Leroy Anderson
Leroy Anderson was an American composer of short, light concert pieces, many of which were introduced by the Boston Pops Orchestra under the direction of Arthur Fiedler...
. it was later turned into a popular
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
with lyrics by Mitchell Parish
Mitchell Parish
Mitchell Parish was an American lyricist.-Early life:Parish was born Michael Hyman Pashelinsky to a Jewish family in Lithuania. His family emigrated to the United States, arriving on February 3, 1901 on the SS Dresden when he was less than a year old...
. It was published in 1952
1952 in music
-Events:*February 26 - Jo Stafford marries bandleader/arranger Paul Weston.*March 21 - First reported Rock and roll riot breaks out at Alan Freed's Moondog Coronation Ball in Cleveland, Ohio...
. The music, however, was composed in 1951.
Song history
An instrumentalInstrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
version of "Blue Tango" recorded by Anderson (Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
, catalog number
Catalog numbering systems for single records
This article presents the numbering systems used by various record companies for single records.- Capitol :...
27875, with the flip side "Belle of the Ball") reached #1 on the Billboard charts in 1952
1952 in music
-Events:*February 26 - Jo Stafford marries bandleader/arranger Paul Weston.*March 21 - First reported Rock and roll riot breaks out at Alan Freed's Moondog Coronation Ball in Cleveland, Ohio...
. It first reached the Best Seller chart on December 21, 1951 and lasted 38 weeks on the chart. (According to other sources, the Anderson recording first reached the charts on December 29, 1951.) The same recording was released 1952
1952 in music
-Events:*February 26 - Jo Stafford marries bandleader/arranger Paul Weston.*March 21 - First reported Rock and roll riot breaks out at Alan Freed's Moondog Coronation Ball in Cleveland, Ohio...
by Brunswick Records
Brunswick Records
Brunswick Records is a United States based record label. The label is currently distributed by E1 Entertainment.-From 1916:Records under the "Brunswick" label were first produced by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company...
(United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
) as catalog number 04870, with the same flip side.
Other versions of the song which charted at that time included:
- Hugo WinterhalterHugo WinterhalterHugo Winterhalter was an American musician.An easy listening arranger and composer, Winterhalter was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Mount St. Mary's near Emmitsburg, Maryland in 1931, where he played saxophone for the orchestra and sang in two of the choirs...
and His Orchestra (Recorded at Manhattan CenterManhattan CenterThe Manhattan Center building, built in 1906 and located at 311 West 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan, houses Manhattan Center Studios , its Grand Ballroom, and the Hammerstein Ballroom, one of New York City's most renowned performance venues...
, New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, on January 22, 1952. It was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-4518A, with the flip side "Gypsy Trail"). This version first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on February 29, 1952 and lasted 18 weeks on the chart, peaking at #8. (Other sources give the first date on the charts as March 8, 1952, and the highest position as #6.) It was also released in Great BritainGreat BritainGreat Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
by EMIEMIThe EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10277. - Guy LombardoGuy LombardoGaetano Alberto "Guy" Lombardo was a Canadian-American bandleader and violinist.Forming "The Royal Canadians" in 1924 with his brothers Carmen, Lebert, and Victor and other musicians from his hometown, Lombardo led the group to international success, billing themselves as creating "The Sweetest...
and his Royal Canadians (Decca RecordsDecca RecordsDecca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
catalog number 28031, with the flip side "At Last, At Last"). This version first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on April 11, 1952 and lasted 10 weeks on the chart, peaking at #16. - Les BaxterLes BaxterLes Baxter was an American musician and composer.Baxter studied piano at the Detroit Conservatory before moving to Los Angeles for further studies at Pepperdine College. Abandoning a concert career as a pianist, he turned to popular music as a singer...
and his orchestra (released 19521952 in music-Events:*February 26 - Jo Stafford marries bandleader/arranger Paul Weston.*March 21 - First reported Rock and roll riot breaks out at Alan Freed's Moondog Coronation Ball in Cleveland, Ohio...
by Capitol RecordsCapitol RecordsCapitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
as catalog number 1681, with the flip side "Because of YouBecause of You (1940 song)"Because of You" is a popular song. It was written by Arthur Hammerstein and Dudley Wilkinson in 1940. It was used in the 1951 film I Was an American Spy....
"). This version first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on March 14, 1952 and lasted 9 weeks on the chart, peaking at #22. (Other sources give the first date on the charts as March 15, 1952, and the highest position as #10.) This version was also released by Capitol RecordsCapitol RecordsCapitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
in the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as catalog number 1966, in AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
as catalog number CP-117, and in the United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as catalog number CL 13703, all with the flip side "Please Mr. Sun."
A vocal version was recorded by Alma Cogan
Alma Cogan
Alma Cogan was an English singer of traditional pop music in the 1950s and early 1960s. Dubbed "The Girl With the Laugh/Giggle/Chuckle In Her Voice", she was the highest paid British female entertainer of her era...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
the same year. It was also featured on the first UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in another instrumental recording by orchestra leader Ray Martin
Ray Martin (orchestra leader)
Ray Martin was a British orchestra leader. He was noted for his light music compositions. Allmusic journalist, Bradley Torreano states "Ray Martin created a legacy for himself in British popular music through his work with his orchestra during the 1950s...
. In the radio series Peeling Back The Years
Peeling Back The Years
Peeling Back The Years was a six-part radio series originally broadcast on BBC Radio 1 from 26 September to 31 October 1987 and repeated on BBC 6 Music from 25 October to 27 October 2005...
, John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
revealed that this was the first record he ever bought.
The song was subsequently revived by Bill Black
Bill Black
William Patton "Bill" Black, Jr. was an American musician who is noted as one of the pioneers of rockabilly music. Black was the bassist in Elvis Presley's early trio and the leader of Bill Black's Combo....
's Combo. This recording was released by Hi Records
Hi Records
Hi Records was a Memphis soul and rockabilly label started in 1957 by singer Ray Harris, record store owner Joe Cuoghi, Bill Cantrell and Quinton Claunch , and three silent partners, including Cuoghi's lawyer, Nick Pesce....
as catalog number 2027, with the flip side "Willie". It first reached the Billboard magazine charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
on December 12, 1960 and lasted 7 weeks on the chart. On the composite chart of the top 100 songs, it reached #16. This version (with the same flip side) was also released in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
by London Records (Australia), as catalog number HL-1735.
Amanda Lear version
French singer Amanda LearAmanda Lear
Amanda Lear is a French singer, lyricist, composer, painter, TV presenter, actress and novelist....
recorded her own version of "Blue Tango", providing it with self-penned lyrics. The recording was included on album I Am a Photograph
I Am a Photograph
I Am A Photograph is the debut album by French singer Amanda Lear, released in April 1977 by West German label Ariola Records. It contains the European hit singles "La Bagarre" , "Blood and Honey" , "Tomorrow", "Alphabet" and "Blue Tango." Later editions of the album also feature the single "Queen...
and issued as a 7" single in the Netherlands. The single was not a commercial success and didn't chart.
Music video
The music video for Amanda Lear's "Blue Tango" saw the singer playing with rumours on her alleged transsexuality, then heavily discussed. The clip opens with Lear wearing a black tieBlack tie
Black tie is a dress code for evening events and social functions. For a man, the main component is a usually black jacket, known as a dinner jacket or tuxedo...
and a bowler hat
Bowler hat
The bowler hat, also known as a coke hat, derby , billycock or bombin, is a hard felt hat with a rounded crown originally created in 1849 for the English soldier and politician Edward Coke, the younger brother of the 2nd Earl of Leicester...
. The singer then "transforms" herself into a woman, taking the costume off and revealing a long bright dress.
At least two other music videos were also produced. First version was shot for a popular German TV show Musikladen
Musikladen
Der Musikladen was a West German music television programme that ran from December 13, 1972 to November 29, 1984. The show continued the 1960s Beat-Club under a new name, and in turn was replaced by Extratour.-History:...
in 1977. It pictured the singer performing the song while sitting at the table and smoking cigarette. It was produced using the chroma key
Chroma key
Chroma key compositing is a technique for compositing two images together. A color range in the top layer is made transparent, revealing another image behind. The chroma keying technique is commonly used in video production and post-production...
techinque.
In 1983 another video for "Blue Tango" premiered, this time produced for Amanda's Italian television special
Television special
A television special is a television program which interrupts or temporarily replaces programming normally scheduled for a given time slot. Sometimes, however, the term is given to a telecast of a theatrical film, such as The Wizard of Oz or The Ten Commandments, which is not part of a regular...
Ma chi è Amanda?. The singer is pictured wearing a flamenco
Flamenco
Flamenco is a genre of music and dance which has its foundation in Andalusian music and dance and in whose evolution Andalusian Gypsies played an important part....
dress and repeating dance routines accompanied by male dancers. This video was also shot on chroma key.
Track listing
- NL 7" Single (1977)
- "Blue Tango" - 2:40
- "Pretty Boys" - 2:55
- Russian 7" Single (1978)
- "Голубое Танго" ("Blue Tango")
- "Кровь И Мед" ("Blood and HoneyBlood and Honey"Blood and Honey" is a song by French singer Amanda Lear released in 1976 by Ariola Records.-Song information:"Blood and Honey" was released as a single in December 1976 and later was included on Amanda's debut album I Am a Photograph. It was written by Amanda Lear herself and Anthony Monn , with...
")
Other recorded versions
- Calvin BozeCalvin BozeCalvin Boze was an American trumpeter and bandleader, best known for his recordings at the turn of the 1950s.-Biography:...
(released 19521952 in music-Events:*February 26 - Jo Stafford marries bandleader/arranger Paul Weston.*March 21 - First reported Rock and roll riot breaks out at Alan Freed's Moondog Coronation Ball in Cleveland, Ohio...
by Aladdin RecordsAladdin RecordsAladdin Records was a post-World War II United States record label, with headquarters in Hollywood, California. The label was founded in 1945 by brothers Eddie, Leo, and Ira Mesner and was originally called Philo Records, before changing to its better-known name in April 1946.Aladdin Records...
as catalog number 3142, with the flip side "The Glory of LoveThe Glory of Love-Music:*"The Glory of Love", a song written by Billy Hill, recorded by Benny Goodman in 1936, The Andrews Sisters in 1950, the Five Keys in 1951, Peggy Lee in 1959, Dean Martin in 1966, Otis Redding in 1967, Tom Rush in 1968, Eddy Arnold in 1969, Wizz Jones in 1970, and Bette Midler for the film...
") - The Flee-RekkersThe Flee-RekkersThe Flee-Rekkers - also known as The Fabulous Flee-Rakkers - were a British instrumental rock and roll band in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The spelling of the group's name varied between records. They were fronted by tenor saxophonist Peter Fleerakkers , and their records were produced by...
(released January, 19611961 in music-Events:*January 15 – Motown Records signs The Supremes.*January 20 – Francis Poulenc's Gloria receives its premiėre in Boston, USA.*February 12 – The Miracles' "Shop Around" becomes Motown's first million-selling single....
by Pye RecordsPye RecordsPye Records was a British record label. In its first incarnation, perhaps Pye's best known artists were Lonnie Donegan , Petula Clark , The Searchers , The Kinks , Sandie Shaw and Brotherhood of Man...
as catalog number 7N.15326, with the flip side "Bitter Rice") - Oneal Hudson Sax Trio (released by Rim Records as catalog number 4101, with the flip side "September SongSeptember Song"September Song" is an American pop standard composed by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson, introduced by Walter Huston in the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday. It has since been recorded by numerous singers and instrumentalists...
") - International Pops Orchestra (released 19631963 in music-Events:*January 1 – The Beatles start a 5-day tour in Scotland to support the release of their new single, "Love Me Do".*January 4 – At Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy, Dalida receives a Juke Box Global Oscar for the year's most-played artist on juke boxes....
by Cameo RecordsCameo RecordsCameo was a USA based budget record label, first flourishing in the 1920s, not connected with a later record label of the same name which was active in the 1950s and 1960s.The Cameo Record Company was based in Manhattan, New York...
as catalog number 263, with the flip side "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue") - Teddi KingTeddi KingTeddi King was an American jazz and pop vocalist. Born Theodora King in Boston, Massachusetts on September 18, 1929, she won a singing competition hosted by Dinah Shore at Boston's Tributary Theatre, later beginning work in a touring revue involved with "cheering up the military in the lull...
(released 19591959 in music-Events:*January 5 – The first sessions for Ella Fitzgerald's George and Ira Gershwin Songbook are held.*January 12 – Tamla Records is founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in Detroit, Michigan....
by Coral RecordsCoral RecordsCoral Records was a Decca Records subsidiary formed in 1949. It recorded pop artists McGuire Sisters and Teresa Brewer, as well as rock and roller Buddy Holly....
as catalog number 62094, with the flip side "River of Regret") - The Mulcays (released 19621962 in music-Events:*January 1 – The Beatles and Brian Poole and the Tremeloes both audition at Decca Records, a company which has the option of signing one group only...
by Jubilee RecordsJubilee RecordsJubilee Records was a record label specializing in rhythm and blues along with novelty records. It was founded in New York City in 1946 by Herb Abramson. Jerry Blaine became Abramson's partner. Blaine bought out Abramson's half of the company in 1947. The company name was Jay-Gee Recording...
as catalog number 5438, with the flip side "Blue MoonBlue Moon (song)"Blue Moon"'s first crossover recording to rock and roll came from Elvis Presley in 1956. His cover version of the song was included on his self-titled debut album Elvis Presley....
") - Jose Poniera (released 19511951 in music-Events:*January 29 – Nilla Pizzi wins the first annual Sanremo Music Festival with "Grazie dei fiori".*February – The first complete performance of Charles Ives's Second Symphony is given in Carnegie Hall by the New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leonard Bernstein.*March – Alan...
by Rainbow RecordsRainbow RecordsRainbow Records was a record label based in the United States of America in the 1920s which featured recordings of Christian gospel music, hymns, and spirituals....
as catalog number 104, with the flip side "Valentino Tango" - Bobby Wayne (released by Jerden RecordsJerden RecordsJerden Records was an independent record label which operated from May 1960 through April 1971.It was based in Seattle and majority owned by Jerry Dennon and Bonnie Guitar, both of whom had been involved previously with Dolton Records and the careers of The Fleetwoods on that label. A split with...
as catalog number 766, with the flip side "Honky Tonk"