Blue Velvet (song)
Encyclopedia
"Blue Velvet" is a 1950 popular song, written by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris. It has been recorded by several artists, most notably Tony Bennett
and Bobby Vinton
, and has inspired a film of the same name.
's groundbreaking experimental film Scorpio Rising
(1964).Tony Bennett
's version of the song is featured in The Last Picture Show
and Raging Bull, while Bobby Vinton
's version features several times in David Lynch
's film, Blue Velvet (1986), which is partly inspired by the song's lyrics.
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
and Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:...
, and has inspired a film of the same name.
History of recordings
- The first public performance of the song was by singer Ray Mason in 1950 at a fashion show in Boston.
- The first artist for whom "Blue Velvet" was a hit was Tony BennettTony BennettTony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
, whose 1951 recording peaked at #16 on the Billboard Best Selling Pop Singles Chart (the predecessor of the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
). - A 1955 version of the song by The CloversThe Clovers-History:The group formed in 1946 at Armstrong High School in Washington, D.C., with members Harold Lucas, Billy Shelton, and Thomas Woods. John "Buddy" Bailey was added soon after, and they began calling themselves the "Four Clovers", with Bailey on lead...
reached #14 on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues Chart. - The most popular recording of the song is that of Bobby VintonBobby VintonBobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:...
, which hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 21, 1963, and held the top spot for three weeks and also spent eight weeks atop the U.S. Middle-RoadHot Adult Contemporary TracksThe Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
charts. Vinton's recording failed to make the British charts when originally released, but a re-release in 1990 went to #2 in the United Kingdom. It was #7 in Australia and #9 in Korea. - "Blue Velvet" was included on the Trini LopezTrini LopezTrini Lopez is an American singer, guitarist and actor.-Career:Lopez was born in Dallas, Texas, on Ashland Street in the Little Mexico neighborhood. He began his entertainment career in Dallas playing at the Vegas Club, a nightclub owned by Jack Ruby...
LP The Love Album (1963), issued by Reprise RecordsReprise RecordsReprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
. - Jimmy VelvitJimmy VelvitJimmy Velvit is an American rock and roll singer, who began his career in the 1960s. His real name is James Mullins, originally from Coalgate, Oklahoma, later from Dallas, Texas. He is best known for recording a white rhythm and blues version, in 1961, of Robert & Johnny's 1958 hit "We Belong...
released a 45rpm single of "Blue Velvet" in the mid-1960s. - Barry ManilowBarry ManilowBarry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
included "Blue Velvet" on his 2006 album, The Greatest Songs of the SixtiesThe Greatest Songs of the SixtiesThe Greatest Songs of the Sixties is Barry Manilow's sequel album for The Greatest Songs of the Fifties. The album was another major hit for Manilow in the United States, selling nearly 50% more than his previous album in its opening week. As with its predecessor, this album was produced by Clive...
. - Australian singer Jason DonovanJason DonovanJason Donovan is an Australian actor and singer. He initially achieved fame in the Australian soap opera Neighbours, before beginning a career in music in 1988. In the UK he has sold over 3 million records, and his début album Ten Good Reasons was one of the highest-selling albums of 1989...
recorded the song for his album "Let It Be MeLet It Be Me (album)Let It Be Me is the fourth studio album by the Australian singer Jason Donovan. It was released in November 2008, and was Donovan's first new studio album in 15 years. It reached no.28 in the UK....
" (2008). - Singer Thomas TruaxThomas TruaxThomas Truax is an American songwriter, performer, and inventor of experimental musical instruments currently residing in London, England.-Biography:...
included a version of "Blue Velvet" on his 2009 album Songs From The Films Of David Lynch.
Use in film soundtracks
"Blue Velvet" is one of thirteen songs featured in Kenneth AngerKenneth Anger
Kenneth Anger is an American underground experimental filmmaker, occasional actor and author...
's groundbreaking experimental film Scorpio Rising
Scorpio Rising
Scorpio Rising may refer to:*Scorpio Rising , a 1964 short film by Kenneth Anger*"Scorpio Rising", a song by 10,000 Maniacs from their 1985 album The Wishing Chair*Scorpio Rising , plus the title song...
(1964).Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
's version of the song is featured in The Last Picture Show
The Last Picture Show
The Last Picture Show is a 1971 American drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich, adapted from a semi-autobiographical 1966 novel of the same name by Larry McMurtry....
and Raging Bull, while Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:...
's version features several times in David Lynch
David Lynch
David Keith Lynch is an American filmmaker, television director, visual artist, musician and occasional actor. Known for his surrealist films, he has developed his own unique cinematic style, which has been dubbed "Lynchian", and which is characterized by its dream imagery and meticulous sound...
's film, Blue Velvet (1986), which is partly inspired by the song's lyrics.