NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Blue Moon (song)

"Blue Moon" is a classic popular song. It was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934, and has become a standard ballad. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1100x1634, 117 KB) Cover of sheet music for Blue Moon; melody by Richard Rodgers; lyrics by Lorenz Hart; arranged by Jeff Funk; scored by SATB choir; published by Alfred Publishing Co. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1100x1634, 117 KB) Cover of sheet music for Blue Moon; melody by Richard Rodgers; lyrics by Lorenz Hart; arranged by Jeff Funk; scored by SATB choir; published by Alfred Publishing Co. ... For the music genre, see Pop music. ... This article is about the American composer. ... Lorenz (Larry) Hart (May 2, 1895 - November 22, 1943) was the lyricist half of the famed Broadway songwriting team Rodgers and Hart. ... See also: 1933 in music, other events of 1934, 1935 in music and the list of years in music. // Events March 12 - the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Wilhelm FurtwÃ¤ngler given the world premiere of Paul Hindemiths symphony Mathis der Maler in Berlin November 7 - Sergei Rachmaninoffs... Illustration by Arthur Rackham of the ballad The Twa Corbies A ballad is a story, usually a narrative or poem, in a song. ...

Lyrics

The lyrics are presumed to refer to an English idiomatic expression: a blue moon is either the second full moon in a month or the third one when four full moons occur in one season of the year, which is a somewhat rare occurrence. If something happens "once in a blue moon" it almost never happens. The narrator of the song is relating a stroke of luck so unlikely that it must have taken place under a blue moon. The term blue moon has at least four related meanings. ...

History

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart were contracted to MGM in May 1933. They were soon commissioned to write the songs for Hollywood Party, a film that was to star many of the studio's top artists. Richard Rodgers later recalled "One of our ideas was to include a scene in which Jean Harlow is shown as an innocent young girl saying - or rather singing - her prayers. How the sequence fitted into the movie I haven't the foggiest notion, but the purpose was to express Jean's overwhelming ambition to become a movie star ('Oh Lord, if you're not busy up there,/I ask for help with a prayer/So please don't give me the air...')." The song was not even recorded and MGM Song #225 "Prayer ((Oh Lord, make me a movie star)" dated June 14, 1933, was registered for copyright as an unpublished work on July 10, 1933. For alternate meanings of MGM, see MGM (disambiguation). ... Jean Harlow (March 3, 1911 â€“ June 7, 1937) was an American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. ... is the 165th day of the year (166th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 191st day of the year (192nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Lorenz Hart wrote new lyrics for the tune to create a title song for the 1934 film Manhattan Melodrama: "Act One:/You gulp your coffee and run;/Into the subway you crowd./Don’t breathe, it isn’t allowed". The song, which was also titled It's Just That Kind Of Play, was cut from the film before release, and registered for copyright as an unpublished work on March 30, 1934. The studio then asked for a nightclub number for the film. Rodgers still liked the melody so Hart wrote a third lyric: The Bad In Every Man, (Oh, Lord …/I could be good to a lover,/But then I always discover/The bad in ev’ry man), which was sung by Shirley Ross made up in blackface. The song, which was also released as sheet music, was not a hit. Manhattan Melodrama (1934) is a crime melodrama film, produced by MGM Pictures. ... is the 89th day of the year (90th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Shirley Ross (January 7, 1913 - March 9, 1975) was an American actress and singer. ... This reproduction of a 1900 minstrel show poster, originally published by the Strobridge Litho Co. ...

After the film was released by MGM, Jack Robbins—the head of the studio's publishing company—decided that the tune was suited to commercial release but needed more romantic lyrics and a punchier title. Hart was initially reluctant to write yet another lyric but he was persuaded. The result was "Blue moon/you saw me standing alone/without a dream in my heart/without a love of my own". MGM logo Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer or MGM, is a large media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of cinema and television programs. ...

Robbins licensed the song to Hollywood Hotel, a radio program that used it as the theme. On January 15, 1935, Connee Boswell recorded it for Columbia Records. It subsequently was featured in at least seven more MGM films including the Marx Brothers' At the Circus and Viva Las Vegas. is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... The Boswell Sisters on the cover of the reissue album collection Thats How Rhythm Was Born The Boswell Sisters were a close harmony singing group that attained national prominence in the USA in the 1930s. ... Columbia Records is the oldest brand name in recorded sound, dating back to 1888, and was the first record company to produce pre-recorded records as opposed to blank cylinders. ... At the Circus is a 1939 Marx Brothers comedy film in which they save a circus from bankruptcy. ... Viva Las Vegas (1964) is an American romantic musical motion picture co-starring American singers Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret. ...

Recordings after 1934

Since 1934, the song has been recorded by many performers: Connee Boswell, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Vaughn Monroe, Dean Martin, Frankie Laine & Michel Legrand, and Tony Bennett, with Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Django Reinhardt pitching in with the most famous jazz versions. Year 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Boswell Sisters on the cover of the reissue album collection Thats How Rhythm Was Born The Boswell Sisters were a close harmony singing group that attained national prominence in the USA in the 1930s. ... Billie Holiday (April 7, 1915 â€“ July 17, 1959), born Eleanora Fagan and later nicknamed Lady Day (see Jazz royalty regarding similar nicknames), was an American jazz singer, a seminal influence on jazz and pop singers, and generally regarded as one of the greatest female jazz vocalists. ... Sinatra redirects here. ... Melvin Howard TormÃ© (September 13, 1925 â€“ June 5, 1999), nicknamed The Velvet Fog, is best known as one of the great male jazz singers. ... Vaughn Monroe (October 7, 1911 - May 21, 1973) was a singer, trumpeter and big band leader, most popular in the 1940s and 1950s. ... Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti, June 7, 1917 â€“ December 25, 1995) was an American singer, film actor, and comedian. ... Frankie Laine, born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio (March 30, 1913 â€“ February 6, 2007), was one of the most successful American singers of the twentieth century. ... Michel Legrand (born February 24, 1932 in Paris) is a French musical composer, arranger, conductor and pianist. ... For other persons named Tony Bennett, see Tony Bennett (disambiguation). ... Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 â€“ June 15, 1996), also known as Lady Ella and the First Lady of Song, is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th Century. ... Louis[1] Armstrong[2] (4 August 1901[3] â€“ July 6, 1971), nicknamed Satchmo[4] and Pops, was an American jazz musician. ... For the Australian cricketer nicknamed Dizzy, see Jason Gillespie. ... Jean Django Reinhardt (January 23, 1910 â€“ May 16, 1953) was a Belgian Sinto Gypsy jazz guitarist. ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ...

Mel Tormé's version was the only one that actually reached the Billboard magazine charts; it was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 15428. It first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on April 8, 1949 and lasted 5 weeks on the chart, peaking at #20. The record was a two-sided hit, as "Again," the flip side also charted. ^[1] Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. ... Capitol Records is a major United States-based record label, owned by EMI. // The Capitol Records company was founded by the songwriter Johnny Mercer in 1942, with the financial help of movie producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs, (1910-1971) (owner of Music City, at the... This list presents the numbering systems used by various record companies for single (mainly 7 33 1/3 and 45, and 10 78 rpm) records. ... April 8 is the 98th day of the year (99th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... See also: 1948 in music, other events of 1949, 1950 in music and the list of years in music. // Events Mitch Miller begins his career as one of the 20th centurys most successful record producers at Mercury Eddie Fisher signs with RCA Bob Hope suggests that Anthony Benedetto change... Again is a popular song, recorded by many singers. ...

The first crossover recording to rock and roll came from Elvis Presley, but the version that really stirred things up came from The Marcels, a doo-wop group. In 1961 the Marcels had 3 songs to record and needed one more. Producer Stu Phillips did not like any of the other songs except one that had the same changes as Heart and Soul and Blue Moon. He asked them if they knew either, and one knew Blue Moon and taught it to the others, though with the middle section wrong. The famous introduction to the song (bomp-baba-bomp" and "dip-da-dip") was an excerpt of an original song that the group had in its act. The record sold a million copies and is featured in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... â€œElvisâ€ redirects here. ... The Marcels were a doo-wop group known for turning beloved American classical pop songs into rock and roll. ... Doo-wop is a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music popular in the mid-1950s to the early 1960s in America. ... The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at sunset. ...

In 1967, Eric Clapton used a portion of the song in his guitar solo from Cream's hit "Sunshine of Your Love." Bob Dylan covered the song on his Self Portrait album in 1970. In 1978, an arrangement by Jeff Funk was used in the film Grease. This has been followed by a country version from The Mavericks. More recently, it has been recorded by Rod Stewart. Cybill Shepherd sang "Blue Moon" on an episode of Moonlighting (the detective agency in that show was called "Blue Moon Investigations".) Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born 30 March 1945), nicknamed Slowhand, is a Grammy Award winning English guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. ... Cream were a classic 1960s British rock band, which consisted of guitarist Eric Clapton, bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker. ... Sunshine of Your Love is a song by the British supergroup Cream, released on the Disraeli Gears album. ... This article is about the recording artist. ... Self-portrait by Vincent Van Gogh A portrait is a painting, photograph, or other artistic representation of a person. ... Grease (1978) is the name of a film directed by Randal Kleiser and based on Jim Jacobs and Warren Caseys musical, Grease. ... country music, see Country music (disambiguation) Country music, the first half of Billboards country and western music category, is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States. ... The Mavericks, left to right: Perez, Malo, Reynolds, Deakin The Mavericks are an American country music band. ... Rod Stewart, CBE (born January 10, 1945), is a singer and songwriter born and raised in London, England, with Scottish parentage. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Moonlighting is a television series that first aired on ABC in the United States from 1985 to 1989 with a total of 66 episodes. ...

The Canadian band Cowboy Junkies recorded a rendition of "Blue Moon" on their 1988 album The Trinity Session — their version combined the song into a medley with an original song written by the band. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... The Trinity Session is a 1988 album by Cowboy Junkies, their second album. ...

In 1975, George Larnyoh and the Love Children released a 7" dub-single with Blue Moon as the A-side. For other uses, see Dub. ...

In the 1982 film An American Werewolf in London, three different versions are used. Bobby Vinton's plays over the opening credits, Sam Cooke's ballad is used during a transformation sequence and The Marcels' doo-wop version is used over the closing credits. An American Werewolf in London is a comedy/horror film released in 1981, written and directed by John Landis. ... Bobby Vinton (born April 16, 1935) is an American pop music singer. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

In 1983, Norwegian band Vazelina Bilopphøggers recorded the song as Blå lys (litt: Emergency vehicle lighting) with Norwegian lyrics about drunk driving. Blå lys' was also the title of the album. Vazelina BilopphÃ¸ggers is a Norwegian band founded in 1980, in GjÃ¸vik, Norway. ... German emergency vehicles with all blue lights flashing. ... Drunk driving (drink driving in the UK) or drinking and driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle after having consumed alcohol (i. ...

In 1991 Daniel Ash, formerly of the bands Love and Rockets and Bauhaus, included a rendition of "Blue Moon" as an intro to his first solo album. Daniel Ash is an innovative, textural guitarist for Bauhaus, Tones on Tail, Love and Rockets, and solo projects. ... Love and Rockets may refer to: Love and Rockets (comics) Love and Rockets (band) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... For the British gothic rock band, see Bauhaus (band). ...

In 1995 Australian virtuoso guitarist Tommy Emmanuel recorded a rendition of "Blue Moon" on his album Initiation, without vocals. His fingerpicking style is used extensively on this track. Tommy Emmanuel, CGP (born May 31, 1955) is an Australian guitarist, best known for his fingerpicking style. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Fingerstyle guitar. ...

A cover has also been done by Fado legend Amalia Rodrigues. Fado (translated as destiny or fate) is a music genre which can be traced from the 1820s in Portugal, but probably with much earlier origins. ... lia Rodrigues Am lia Rodrigues (1920–October 6, 1999) was a Portuguese singer and actress. ...

In 1997, Virginia a cappella band Da Vinci's Notebook recorded "Blue Moon" on their first album, as an a cappella song. This article is about the U.S. state. ... This article is about the vocal technique. ... Da Vincis Notebook (or simply DVN) is a comedic a cappella singing group. ...

In 1998 Texas band Course of Empire recorded "Blue Moon" on their third album. Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallasâ€“Fort Worthâ€“Arlington Area Ranked 2nd - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 kmÂ²) - Width 773 miles (1,244 km) - Length 790 miles (1,270 km) - % water 2. ... A heavy metal / grunge band based in Dallas, Texas. ...

In 2002 Polish rockabilly band Komety recorded "Blue Moon" on their debut album. Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, and emerged in the early-1950s. ... Line-Up LesÅ‚aw - vocals, guitar, song-writing Pablo - bass guitar Arkus - drums Komety are now one of Polandâ€™s most popular alternative groups. ...

In 2002 Samantha Mumba recorded it for her second album Woman. Samantha Tamania Anne Cecilia Mumba (b. ... Woman was the 2002 follow-up to Samantha Mumbas smash-hit 2000 album Gotta Tell You. ...

In 2006, the song was covered by OPM band Orange and Lemons, which served as the theme song of the movie of the same name. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Music of the Philippines. ... Orange and Lemons is a Filipino pop rock band formed in 2003. ... Blue Moon is a 2006 romantic drama film released by Regal Films in the Philippines. ...

In 2007, Captain Polaroid covered the song for an alternative tribute to Grease released through Filthy Little Angels For the original stage musical of the same name, see Grease (musical). ... Filthy Little Angels is a UK-based independent record label who have released records by artists such as The Long Blondes, The Boyfriends, Vichy Government, etc. ...

In 2007 Helmut Lotti, a singer from Belgium, covered this song on his "crooners cd".

Other uses

The song is the official club chant of Crewe Alexandra F.C. and Manchester City F.C. fans. It is known to have been first sung by Crewe fans in the 1980s before Manchester City adopted the tune. It is also the tune used by the International Boxing Federation world champion Ricky Hatton, a fan of Manchester City F.C., as he makes his entrance into the ring. Blue Moon is also the name of Peterborough United F.C.'s popular fanzine. Fans of 'The Posh' were heard singing the song on the terraces during the 1990s but this was unpopular with many of the club's supporters and the original name for the fanzine, launched in 2003, was 'Blue Moon is a Man City Song for F**k's Sake'. A change in the editorial team in 2005 saw the name shortened to 'Blue Moon'. Crewe Alexandra Football Club are an English football team based at Gresty Road in Crewe, Cheshire, England and nicknamed The Railwaymen due to that towns links with the rail industry. ... Manchester City Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Manchester. ... For more information on fans of football (soccer), see Football (soccer) culture. ... IBF redirects here. ... Richard Hatton MBE (born October 6, 1978, in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England), is a British boxer. ... Manchester City Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Manchester. ... Peterborough United Football Club are an English football team currently playing in League Two for the 2007-08 season. ...

â€œElvisâ€ redirects here. ... â€œHot 100â€ redirects here. ... This is a list of number-one hits in the United States by year from the Billboard Hot 100. ... is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Runaway (Shannon-Crook) was a number-one Billboard Hot 100 song in 1961 by Del Shannon. ... For Dell Shannon, the pen name of a police procedural novelist, see Elizabeth Linington. ...

Homage

The Marcels were a doo-wop group known for turning beloved American classical pop songs into rock and roll. ... Doo-wop is a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music popular in the mid-1950s to the early 1960s in America. ... // Events Dr. No launches the James Bond film series, the longest-running motion picture franchise of all time, running more than 40 years. ... Although he never won an Oscar for any of his movie performances, the comedian Bob Hope received two honorary Oscars for his contributions to cinema. ... Short subject is an American film industry term that historically has referred to any film in the format of two reels, or approximately 20 minutes running time, or less. ... Disney may refer to: The Walt Disney Company and its divisions, including Walt Disney Pictures. ... The musical film is a film genre in which several songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative. ... A Symposium On Popular Songs is a special cartoon featurette made by the Walt Disney Company in 1962. ... Puppy Love Is Here to Stay is a song from the animated short Disney film, A Symposium on Popular Songs which was first released in 1962. ... Robert B. Sherman & Richard M. Sherman at the London Palladium in 2002 during the premiere of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Stage Musical. ...

Contents

Lyrics

History

Recordings after 1934

Other uses

Homage

See also

References