Blue Velvet
| PROFILE | |
| Composer | Bernie Wayne |
| Lyricist | Lee Morris |
| Year Written | 1950 |
| About Blue Velvet | Tony Bennett’s 1951 recording of “Blue Velvet” was the first recording of the song and was one of his early hits for Columbia. |
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
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
Session / Album Information
1951
“Blue Velvet” was recorded on July 17, 1951 and released as a single that same year. It was arranged by Percy Faith.
This recording released on:
- 1951: Columbia 78: 39555
- 1951: Columbia 45: 4-39555
- 1959: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1292 — Blue Velvet
- 1963: CBS EP: AGG 320037 — The Good Life (UK)
- 1971: CBS LP 12″: 70115 — The Last Picture Show – Soundtrack
- 1991: Columbia CD: C4K 46843 — Forty Years – The Artistry Of Tony Bennett
- 1992: MCA CD: MSD-35278 — Your Hit Parade – The Fabulous ’50s
- 1993: CBS/Sony CD: SRCS-6641 — Forty Years: The Artistry Of Tony Bennett
- 2000: Columbia/Legacy CD: CK 63570 — The Ultimate Tony Bennett
- 2000: Blue Jackel CD: 8427328030137 — Blue Velvet and Other Early Hits
- 2000: Sony Music CD: 63570 — The Ultimate Tony Bennett
- 2001: Blue Moon CD: BMCD 8001 — Blue Velvet and Other Early Hits [Spain]
- 2002: Columbia/Legacy CD: 86634 — The Essential Tony Bennett
- 2004: Solo CD: 1214 — Blue Velvet And Other Early Hits
- 2004: Columbia/Legacy CD: C5K 92784 — Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett
- 2004: Blue Moon CD: BMCD 3013 — Blue Velvet And Other Early Hits [Spain]
- 2005: ASV/Living Era CD: 5512 — Take My Hand…
- 2006: RPM/Columbia/Legacy CD: 84786 — Tony Bennett’s Greatest Hits Of The ’50s
- 2006: Naxos Nostalgia CD: 8120803 — While We’re Young: Original Recordings 1950-1955
- 2007: Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony
- 2008: Impact CD: 11105 — Purely
- 2008: Columbia/RPM/Legacy CD: 731397 — The Essential Tony Bennett [Limited Edition 3.0]
- 2011: Disc #3 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK3) The Columbia Singles, Volume 1
1962
“Blue Velvet” was recorded live at Tony Bennett’s concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962 and was initially released in 1962 on the album Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall. Ralph Sharon arranged the song.
This recording released on:
- 1962: CBS LP 12″: BPG62116 — At Carnegie Hall – Part 1 (UK)
- 1962: Columbia LP 12″: CS 8705 — At Carnegie Hall – vol.1
- 1962: Columbia LP 12″: C2L 23 — Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall
- 1962: Columbia LP 12″: C2S 823 — Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall
- 1993: Sony Music Special Products CD: 15056 — Tony Bennett Sings for You
- 1995: Sony Music CD: WK 75012 — Tony Bennett At Carnegie Hall
- 1997: Columbia CD: C2K 64609 — At Carnegie Hall June 9, 1962: Complete Concert
- 2011: Disc #25 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK24) Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall
2011
“Blue Velvet” with k.d. lang was recorded in 2011 and was released that year on Duets II. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.
This recording released on:
- 2011: RPM Sony 88697662532: Duets II
- 2011: RPM Sony 88697961501: Duets II (LP)
- 2011: Disc #71 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK69) Duets II
2012
“Blue Velvet” was recorded in 2012 with Maria Gadu and released on the deluxe edition of Viva Duets.
This recording released on:
- 2012: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 88765400972 – Viva Duets (Target Release)
- 2012: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 88765402412 – Viva Duets (Deluxe edition)