Words: Lorenz Hart
Music: Richard Rodgers
Arrangement: Clarke Bean
Genre: Initially it was considered a “50’s progression”. It later was altered to be a ballad by Elvis Presley and doo wop/R&B by the Marcels.
“Blue Moon” is a popular song that has been performed by many successful singers including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Billie Holiday, and Bobby Vinton. It has also been song my more recent well known artists including Cyndi Lauper, New Edition, Bob Dylan, and Rod Stewart.
The song was written originally written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart and originally recorded by Ted Fio Rito and Muzzy Marcellino. The song reached the Billboard charts in 1949, with a successful cover by Billy Eckstine. Mel Tormé also performed a cover version of “Blue Moon” in the same year. That version also reached the Billboard charts, peaking at number 20.
This is one of the earliest versions as performed in 1934 by Ted Rio Rito and Muzzy Marcellino.
This is the version sung in 1936 by Al Bowlly.
Billie Holiday’s version.
The Marcels version of Blue Moon.
Elvis Presley’s rendition.
Rod Stewart performing his version.
1935 Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra
1935 Benny Goodman and His Orchestra
1935 Ray Noble’s Orchestra
1936 Al Bowlly
1949 Billy Eckstine
1949 Mel Tormé
1952 Billie Holiday
1952 Jo Stafford
1956 Elvis Presley
1959 Sam Cooke
1961 The Marcels
1962 Frank Sinatra
1963 Bobby Vinton
1964 Dean Martin
1962 Bing Crosby
1970 Bob Dylan
1986 New Edition
1991 Cyndi Lauper
1995 The Mavericks
2004 Rod Stewart and Eric Clapton
2009 Diane Shaw
