Did you know?
Bobby Vinton’s “Blue Velvet” isn’t just a smooth melody and a crooning voice; it’s a journey through nostalgia, lost love, and the bittersweetness of memory. Released in 1963, the song topped the charts, solidified Vinton’s stardom, and became an enduring classic, forever linked to a specific shade of blue.
The song’s journey to Vinton’s microphone started years earlier. Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris penned the tune in 1950, with Tony Bennett’s version finding moderate success in 1951. The melody simmered until 1963 when producer Bob Morgan brought it to Vinton’s attention. Vinton, initially lukewarm, saw its potential with Burt Bacharach’s arrangement, injecting it with his signature velvety smoothness.
“Blue Velvet” isn’t a typical love song. It’s a poignant reflection on a past relationship, the lyrics evoking a sense of wistful yearning. Lines like “She wore blue velvet / Bluer than the night / Bluer than my dreams” paint a vivid picture of the lost love, her memory forever linked to the color blue.
The song’s meaning goes beyond a lost romance. Blue velvet can symbolize various things – a luxurious fabric, a starry night sky, or even the depths of sadness. The ambiguity allows listeners to project their own experiences and emotions onto the song, making it uniquely personal and emotionally resonant.
“Blue Velvet” became an instant hit, topping the Billboard charts and cementing Vinton’s place as a pop music icon. Its success transcended borders, becoming a global phenomenon and earning Vinton a Grammy nomination.
The song’s enduring charm lies in its timeless melody, Vinton’s smooth vocals, and the relatable themes of love and loss. It continues to be covered by artists across genres, showcasing its universal appeal.
So, the next time you hear those opening piano chords, close your eyes and let yourself be transported to a world of blue velvet memories. It’s a song that evokes nostalgia, stirs bittersweet emotions, and ultimately reminds us of the power of music to touch our hearts on a deeply personal level.
Video
Lyrics
She wore blue velvetBluer than velvet was the nightSofter than satin was the lightFrom the starsShe wore blue velvetBluer than velvet were her eyesWarmer than May her tender sighsLove was oursOurs a love I held tightlyFeeling the rapture growLike a flame burning brightlyBut when she left, gone was the glow ofBlue velvetBut in my heart there’ll always bePrecious and warm, a memoryThrough the yearsAnd I still can see blue velvetThrough my tearsShe wore blue velvetBut in my heart there’ll always bePrecious and warm, a memoryThrough the yearsAnd I still can see blue velvetThrough my tears (Blue velvet)