Bye Bye Blackbird
"Bye Bye Blackbird" is a song published in 1926 by the American composer Ray Henderson and lyricist Mort Dixon. It is considered a popular standard and was first recorded by Sam Lanin's Dance Orchestra in March 1926,[1].
Song information
Popular recordings in 1926 were by Nick Lucas, Gene Austin, Benny Krueger and by Leo Reisman.[2] It was the number 16 song of 1926 according to Pop Culture Madness.[3]
Other notable recordings
- Dean Martin - a single release for Capitol Records in 1950.[4]
- Peggy Lee - for her album Songs from Pete Kelly's Blues (1955).
- Julie London - in the album Julie (1957)
- Johnny Mathis - for his album Open Fire, Two Guitars (1959).
- Rosemary Clooney - included in her album Clap Hands! Here Comes Rosie! (1960)
- Sammy Davis Jr. - in his album The Wham of Sam (1961)
- Anthony Newley - for the album Tony (1961).[5]
- John Coltrane - Bye Bye Blackbird (1962)
- Vikki Carr - included in her album Color Her Great (1963).[6]
- Ringo Starr - Sentimental Journey(1970)
- Rod Stewart - Fly Me to the Moon... The Great American Songbook Volume V (2010) (includes the verse)
- Paul McCartney - Kisses on the Bottom (2012) (includes the verse)
- Deana Martin recorded the song, previously recorded by her father, Dean Martin, on her album "Swing Street" in 2016.[7]
In Popular culture
In 1982, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) posthumously awarded John Coltrane a "Best Jazz Solo Performance" Grammy for the work on his album Bye Bye Blackbird.[8]
Recordings of the song often include only the chorus; the verses are far less known.[9]
The song was copied by Charlie and His Orchestra during World War II as part of Joseph Goebbels' propaganda campaign. The lyrics were changed to reflect the German political rhetoric of the time and were intended to demoralize the Allied forces. The tune was sung in English and aimed at United States and British troops, as well as British citizens. It was not permitted to play the song in Nazi Germany because the Nazi leadership forbade "degenerate" styles of music such as jazz.
Segregationists opposed to the American Civil Rights Movement, notably at the Selma to Montgomery marches, played the song over loudspeakers as a taunt.[10]
Two former Beatles have each recorded the song: Ringo Starr for his 1970 album Sentimental Journey, and Paul McCartney for his 2012 album Kisses on the Bottom. Both men have commented that the song was one of many "standards" that they grew up singing with their families.[11][12] McCartney also noted in the CD booklet for Kisses On The Bottom that he and John Lennon had liked the song so much that they had intended to record a Beatles version of it.
It is used in the musicals Liza with a Z and Fosse.
See also
References
- ↑ Mort Dixon. "Cover versions of Bye Bye Blackbird by Sam Lanin's Dance Orchestra - SecondHandSongs". secondhandsongs.com.
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 482. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ↑ Pop Music Hits of 1926 Song Chart at popculturemadness.com. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
- ↑ "45cat.com". 45cat.com. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- ↑ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- ↑ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- ↑ "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
- ↑ John Coltrane, The Official Site Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ↑ "What are the rest of the lyrics to 'Bye, Bye, Blackbird?'", straightdope.com. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
- ↑ Renata Adler (1965-04-10). "Letter from Selma". The New Yorker. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
- ↑ Sentimental Journey (Booklet). Ringo Starr. Apple, Apple Corps / Capitol, EMI. 1970. CDP 0777 7 98615 2 1.
- ↑ Bye Bye Blackbird at beatlesbible.com Retrieved February 8, 2012.