Blue Bayou

Roy Orbison

About Blue Bayou

"Blue Bayou" is a song written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson. It was originally sung and recorded by Orbison, who had an international hit with his version in 1963. It later became Linda Ronstadt's signature song, with which she scored a Top 5 hit with her cover in 1977. The song has since been recorded by many others.


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I feel so bad, I've got a worried mind
I'm so lonesome all the time
Since I left my baby behind on blue bayou

Savin' nickels, savin' dimes
Workin' 'til the sun don't shine
Lookin' forward to happier times on blue bayou

I'm goin' back some day, come what may, to blue bayou
Where you sleep all day and the catfish play on blue bayou
All those fishin' boats with their sails afloat, if I could only see
That familiar sunrise through sleepy eyes how happy I'd be

Oh, to see my baby again
And to be with some of my friends
Maybe I'd be happy then on blue bayou

I'm goin' back some day, gonna stay on blue bayou
Where the folks are fine and the world is mine on blue bayou
Ah, that girl of mine by my side
The silver moon and the evening tide
Ah, some sweet day gonna take away this hurtin' inside

I'll never be blue, my dreams come true on blue bayou

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Roy Orbison

Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988), also known by the nickname 'The Big O', was an American singer-songwriter, best known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country and western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis. His greatest success came with Monument Records between 1960 and 1964, when 22 of his songs placed on the Billboard Top Forty, including "Only the Lonely", "Crying", and "Oh, Pretty Woman". His career stagnated through the 1970s, but several covers of his songs and the use of "In Dreams" in David Lynch's Blue Velvet revived his career in the 1980s. In 1988, he joined the supergroup Traveling… more »

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Written by: Joe Melson, Roy Orbison

Lyrics © Orbi-Lee Music, Barbara Orbison Music Company, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, R-Key Darkus

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Creation
"Blue Bayou" was originally written and performed by Roy Orbison on his album "In Dreams" in 1963.
Lyrics
The lyrics of "Blue Bayou" depict a person longing to return to a place called Blue Bayou and regain a sense of happiness and tranquility.
Chart Performance - Orbison's Version
Although it wasn't a huge success in America when released by Roy Orbison, it climbed to number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Chart Performance - Ronstadt's Version
Linda Ronstadt released her version of "Blue Bayou" in 1977 and it is probably the best-known version of the song, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and securing a double-platinum status for selling over two million copies.
Grammy Nomination
Linda Ronstadt's rendition of "Blue Bayou" received a nomination for the Record of the Year at the 1978 Grammy Awards.
Multilingual Renditions
Ronstadt also recorded a Spanish version of "Blue Bayou" named "Lago Azul" in 1978.
Use in Popular Culture
"Blue Bayou" has been used in different media outlets, like in 1982's "Paris, Texas", and in 1991's "Only Yesterday: The Carpenters' Story".
Cover Versions
Apart from Linda Ronstadt, other artists have also covered "Blue Bayou". These include Glen Campbell, Paola and Chiara, Lynn Anderson, and many others.
Connection to Norah Jones
Grammy award-winning artist Norah Jones years later would cover the song in 2013 for an album project honoring songs of Emmylou Harris, who sang a harmony vocal on Linda Ronstadt’s “Blue Bayou.”
Chart Performances Internationally
Both Orbison's and Ronstadt's versions had multiple chart successes internationally. Linda Ronstadt's "Blue Bayou" was a big hit in the Netherlands and New Zealand, while Orbison's original version reached a high chart placement in Australia.
Use in Roy Orbison's Black and White Night Concert
"Blue Bayou" was performed by Orbison during his renowned Black and White Night concert in 1987, which featured an all-star lineup including Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, and Elvis Costello.
Rise in Popularity Over Time
Since its initial release in the '60s and '70s, "Blue Bayou" has gained popularity over time and become a classic in American song literature.

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1963

    Billboard #29


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    Blue Bayou

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    • American Made