The song “Blue” is a timeless classic that has been covered by many artists over the years. But who originally sang this soulful ballad? In this article, we will explore the origins of “Blue” and look at the artists who first brought it into the world. Understanding the history behind hit songs provides insight into the evolution of music and culture. Join us as we uncover the roots of “Blue” and its early recordings.
The Songwriters
“Blue” was written by songwriters Bill Mack and Roy C. Bennett. Mack wrote the lyrics while Bennett composed the music. The two were frequent collaborators, writing country and western songs together through the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Bill Mack was born in 1944 in Tyler, Texas. As a teenager in the late 1950s, he began singing and playing guitar in local country bands. Mack soon started writing his own songs and caught the attention of legendary country star Webb Pierce, who helped the young songwriter get a publishing deal.
Roy C. Bennett was a few years older than Mack, born in 1931 in Paterson, New Jersey. He served in the military during the Korean War before embarking on a career as a songwriter in the 1950s. Bennett wrote songs for country stars like Tex Ritter and Bonnie Guitar before meeting Bill Mack and forming their fruitful songwriting partnership.
The Original Recordings
Bill Mack and Roy Bennett composed “Blue” in 1958. The first recording of the song was made by Peggy Lee in late 1958. One of the most popular jazz and pop vocalists of the era, Peggy Lee released “Blue” as a single in January 1959. Her smooth, melancholy version featured Lee’s distinctive vocals over a somber piano accompaniment and subdued, jazzy backdrop. It garnered significant radio airplay and appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, bringing “Blue” to the ears of music fans nationwide.
| Artist | Year |
|---|---|
| Peggy Lee | 1959 |
| The Browns | 1960 |
| Dinah Washington | 1963 |
Country trio The Browns were next to release a recording of “Blue” in 1960. Their harmonized, twangy version was rooted in country stylings and became a Top 10 hit on the Billboard country chart that year.
The great blues and jazz singer Dinah Washington put out an R&B take on “Blue” in 1963. Washington’s cover featured her robust, emotive vocals and piano playing. Her version reached #30 on the R&B singles chart.
So while Peggy Lee’s 1959 single stands as the original commercial recording of “Blue,” artists like The Browns and Dinah Washington also helped introduce the song to audiences through their early covers. The table below summarizes these first major recordings:
The Hit Versions
In 1961, “Blue” became a huge pop hit when covered by the new teen idol Bobby Vinton. His version spent four weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Vinton’s recording contributed greatly to the song’s popularity and familiarity over the next few decades.
But the most famous and enduring version of “Blue” was recorded by countrypolitan crooner Kenny Rogers in 1978. Released as the second single from his album 10 Years of Gold, Rogers’ “Blue” topped both the country and pop charts. It has gone on to become one of his signature songs and an iconic cover.
Some key details on these smash hit versions:
| Artist | Year | Chart Peaks |
|---|---|---|
| Bobby Vinton | 1961 | #1 Pop |
| Kenny Rogers | 1978 | #1 Country, #1 Pop |
Bobby Vinton’s recording of “Blue” exemplified his trademark “blue boy” musical style. Backed by orchestral strings, Vinton crooned the lyrics with his warm, lovelorn tenor voice. The track was cleverly promoted, with Vinton performing it on TV sitting atop a large, spinning blue vinyl record.
Kenny Rogers’ version of “Blue” had more of a soft rock and pop country sound. His rich, raspy vocals breathed new emotional life into the lyrics. The song showcased Rogers’ adept balance of being accessible yet authentic. His take on “Blue” struck a mainstream chord few country crossover songs have equaled.
Later Notable Covers
“Blue” continued to be recorded by major artists in various genres after its initial explosion in popularity. Here are some significant later covers:
| Artist | Year |
|---|---|
| Ray Charles | 1962 |
| Elvis Presley | 1964 |
| LeAnn Rimes | 1996 |
The legendary Ray Charles included a passionate cover of “Blue” on his 1962 country & western album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. Elvis Presley recorded a dramatic version in 1964 for the film Viva Las Vegas. And country star LeAnn Rimes put out a popular cover in 1996 for the movie Curdled, taking “Blue” back to its country roots.
Conclusion
While “Blue” has been recorded by everyone from Aretha Franklin to Pat Boone, the very first rendition came from Peggy Lee in 1959. Her jazz-pop single introduced the songwritten by Mack and Bennett to the public. Covers by The Browns and Dinah Washington soon followed.
But it took versions by Bobby Vinton and Kenny Rogers in the 1960s-70s to transform “Blue” into a giant crossover hit. Their recordings made the track a pop music standard. “Blue” continues to attract new interpretations and remains deeply engrained in the American songbook. Yet it all started with those initial performances from six decades ago. They set the musical template that turned “Blue” into a classic for the ages.
