Blues in the Night

posterposter2 blues in the night
PROFILE
Composer Harold Arlen
Lyricist Johnny Mercer
Year Written 1941
About Blues in the Night “Blues in the Night” was written in 1941 for the film of the same name by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Arlen wrote the music first and wrote a true blues song. Johnny Mercer, who later wrote the lyrics, drew on his southern heritage to write the exceptional blues lyrics.

Lyrics

My mama done tol’ me, when I was in knee-pants
My mama done tol’ me, “Son, a woman’ll sweet talk”
And give ya the big eye, but when the sweet talkin’s done
A woman’s a two-face, a worrisome thing who’ll leave ya to sing the blues in the night

Now the rain’s a-fallin’, hear the train a-callin, “Whooee!”
(My mama done tol’ me)
Hear that lonesome whistle blowin’ ‘cross the trestle, “Whooee!”
(My mama done tol’ me)
A-whooee-dah-whooee o’ clickety-clack’s a-echoin’ back the blues in the night
The evenin’ breeze will start the trees to cryin’
And the moon will hide its light when you get the blues in the night
And take my word, that mockingbird’ll sing the saddest kind of song,
He knows things are wrong, and he’s so right

From Natchez to Mobile, from Memphis to St. Joe, wherever the four winds blow
I’ve been in some big towns and I heard me some big talk, but there is one thing I know
A woman’s a two-face, a worrisome thing who’ll leave ya to sing the blues in the night

My mama was right, there’s blues in the night.

Session / Album Information

1957

This song was recorded on October 21, 1957 and released in 1957 on the album The Beat of My Heart.

Blues In The Night

Listen to Blues In The Night on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1957.

This recording released on:

  • 1957:  Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1079 — The Beat Of My Heart
  • Pacific LP 12″: — Just One Of Those Things
  • 1957:  Philips LP 12″: BBL 7219 — The Beat Of My Heart
  • 1969:  Harmony LP 12″: HS 11340 — Just One Of Those Things
  • 1970:  Hallmark LP 12″: SHM 646 — Just One Of Those Things [UK]
  • 1997:  Columbia CD: CK 66502 — The Beat Of My Heart
  • 2008: Not Now Music CD: NOT3CD010 — Three Original Hit Albums [UK]
  • 2011:  Disc #11 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK11) The Beat of My Heart

2001

“Blues in the Night” was recorded in May, 2001 and released that same year on Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues. The vocals were arranged by Rob Mathes.

Blues In The Night

Listen to Blues In The Night on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 2001.

This recording released on:

  • 2001: Columbia CD: CK 85833 — Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues
  • 2011: Disc #67 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK65) Playin’ With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues

Powered by WordPress. Designed by Woo Themes