| Composer | Harry Warren |
| Lyricist | Al Dubin |
| Year Written | 1934 |
About This Song
“The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was written by Harry Warren and Al Dubin for the 1933 film Moulin Rouge, where it was sung by Constance Bennett. Although numerous artists have recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (including Bing Crosby in 1944), this song is very strongly identified with Tony Bennett. In fact, his demo record of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” was heard by Mitch Miller and got Bennett his first recording contract with Columbia Records.
View the lyrics
I walk along the street of sorrow
The boulevard of broken dreams
Where Gigolo and Gigolette
Can take a kiss without regret
And so forget their broken dreams
You laugh today and cry tomorrow
When you behold your shattered schemes
And Gigolo and Gigolette wake up to find their eyes are wet
With tears that tell of broken dreams
Here is where you’ll always find me
Always walking up and down
But I left my soul behind me
In an old cathedral town
The joy that you find here, you borrow
You cannot keep it long it seems
But Gigolo and Gigolette
Still sing a song and dance along
The boulevard of broken dreams
Recordings
1950
Tony Bennett recorded “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” on April 17, 1950, with a touch-up session on April 20, 1950. Marty Maning wrote the arrangement. It was Tony Bennett’s first session at Columbia Records.
CO 43129
Release History
| 1950 | Columbia 78: 38825 |
| 1950 | Columbia 45: 4-38825 |
| 1952 | Columbia LP 10″: CL 6221 — Because Of You |
1990s
| 1991 | Columbia CD: CSK 4083 — Forty Years: The Artistry Of Tony Bennett (Promo) |
| 1991 | Columbia CD: C4K 46843 — Forty Years – The Artistry Of Tony Bennett |
| 1993 | Columbia CD: C4K 46843 — Forty Years – The Artistry Of Tony Bennett |
| 1995 | Smithsonian CD: RD 048-14 — American Songbook Series: Harry Warren |
| 1995 | Smithsonian Collection CD: 4814 — American Songbook Series: Harry Warren |
| 1995 | Smithsonian Collection CD: A 23951 — American Songbook Series: Harry Warren |
2000s
| 2000 | Blue Jackel CD: 8427328030137 — Blue Velvet and Other Early Hits |
| 2001 | Blue Moon CD: BMCD 8001 — Blue Velvet and Other Early Hits [Spain] |
| 2004 | Columbia/Legacy CD: C5K 92784 — Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett |
| 2004 | Solo CD: 1214 — Blue Velvet And Other Early Hits |
| 2004 | Blue Moon CD: BMCD 3013 — Blue Velvet And Other Early Hits [Spain |
| 2007 | Proper CD: PROPERBOX 121 — Young Tony |
| 2011 | Columbia The Complete Collection — Disc 10 — Tony |
| 2013 | Columbia CD — Sixty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett |
1956
Tony Bennett recorded “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” on September 13, 1956. Ray Conniff wrote the arrangement.
CO 56606
Release History
1950s and 1960s
| 1957 | Columbia LP 12″: CL 938 — Tony |
| 1958 | Columbia LP 12″: CS 8652 — Tony’s Greatest Hits |
| 1958 | Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1229 — Greatest Hits |
| 1966 | CBS LP 12″: DP 66010 — A String Of Tony’s Hits (UK) |
1970s through 1990s
| 1972 | CBS LP 12″: CBS 68200 — All-Time Greatest Hits [UK] |
| 1972 | Columbia LP 12″: KG 31494 — All-Time Greatest Hits |
| 1986 | Columbia CD: — 16 Most Requested Songs |
| 1986 | CBS/Sony CD: 32DP-558 — 16 Most Requested Songs [Japan] |
| 1990 | Columbia/Legacy CD: CK-40215 — 16 Most Requested Songs |
| 1990 | Columbia/Legacy CD: 40215 — 16 Most Requested Songs |
| 1990 | Columbia CD: 40215 — 16 Most Requested Songs |
| 1992 | Sony Mid-Price CD: 4724182 — 16 Most Requested Songs |
| 1997 | Columbia CD: CK 65316 — All-Time Greatest Hits |
2000 to Current
| 2000 | Columbia/Legacy CD: CK 63570 — The Ultimate Tony Bennett |
| 2000 | Sony Music CD: 63570 — The Ultimate Tony Bennett |
| 2001 | Sony Music CD: SRCS-9093 — 16 Most Requested Songs |
| 2002 | Columbia/Legacy CD: 86634 — The Essential Tony Bennett |
| 2005 | Sony Music CD: 4721952 — 16 Most Requested Songs |
| 2008 | Not Now Music CD: NOT3CD010 — Three Original Hit Albums [UK] |
| 2008 | Columbia/RPM/Legacy CD: 731397 — The Essential Tony Bennett [Limited Edition 3.0] |
| 2011 | Columbia: The Complete Collection — Disc 10 — Tony |