Bobby Vinton – Blue Velvet

About the song

“Blue Velvet” isn’t just a song title, it’s an evocative image that has captivated listeners for over seven decades. Composed in 1950 by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris, the song’s journey began with a fleeting encounter. Songwriter Wayne, inspired by a woman in a blue velvet dress at a hotel party, penned a melody that would resonate with millions.

The first major success came in 1951 with Tony Bennett’s rendition. Bennett’s smooth vocals, backed by the Percy Faith orchestra, captured the romantic essence of the song, reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard charts. Interestingly, it was A&R man Mitch Miller’s immediate reaction to the opening line, “She wore blue velvet,” that sealed Bennett’s fate as the song’s first major interpreter.

However, “Blue Velvet” wasn’t content with just one voice. Arthur Prysock released a competing version just a week after Bennett’s, showcasing the song’s versatility. This initial success paved the way for numerous covers throughout the 1950s, solidifying “Blue Velvet” as a popular standard.

But the song’s true cultural impact arrived in 1963 with Bobby Vinton’s recording. Vinton’s version, backed by Burt Bacharach and his Orchestra, soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the definitive “Blue Velvet” for a new generation. The song’s success even inspired Vinton’s “Blue on Blue” album, a testament to the enduring power of the original composition.

“Blue Velvet” transcended the realm of music. In 1990, the song’s haunting melody found a new audience through a Nivea cold cream commercial. This unexpected pairing propelled Vinton’s version back into the UK charts, proving the song’s ability to adapt and resonate across different contexts.

Today, “Blue Velvet” remains a beloved classic. Tony Bennett, even decades after his initial recording, revisited the song in duets with k.d. lang and Maria Gadú, showcasing the song’s timeless appeal. From the smooth crooning of Bennett to the energetic pop of Vinton, “Blue Velvet” has proven its ability to captivate audiences with its simple yet evocative imagery and timeless melody.

Video

Lyrics

She wore blue velvet
Bluer than velvet was the night
Softer than satin was the light
From the stars

She wore blue velvet
Bluer than velvet were her eyes
Warmer than May, her tender sighs
Love was ours

Ours, a love I held tightly
Feeling the rapture grow
Like a flame burning brightly
But when she left gone was the glow of

Blue velvet
But in my heart there’ll always be
Precious and warm a memory through the years
And I still can see blue velvet through my tears

She wore blue velvet
But in my heart there’ll always be
Precious and warm a memory through the years
And I still can see blue velvet through my tears

(Blue velvet, ooh)