Thursday, March 20, 2014

American Pop Standards Week. Day Five: Blue Skies

Blue Skies is another one of my favorite songs. Written by Irving Berlin in 1926 for Betsy, a short running musical by Rogers and Hart. It became a #1 hit for Ben Selvin in 1927. It was recorded many times over until it became a #1 hit for Willie Nelson in 1978. It continues to be recorded fairly often
Like many of the standards I love, it was Willie's version that made me fall in love with this song. It's lyrically kinda simple, in a good way, and accompanied by a great melody. It just sounds good.

Maxine Sullivan sang Blue Skies in 1937:

Art Tatum recorded this piano version in 1949:

Willie Nelson still plays Blue Skies live:

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