Blue Gardenia

Quincy Jones Orchestra, Dinah Washington

About Blue Gardenia

Blue Gardenia is the title of a torch song composed by Lester Lee and Bob Russell for the 1953 movie The Blue Gardenia in which a recording of the song serves as a crucial plot point. The song was recorded for The Blue Gardenia by Nat King Cole who also performs the song in the film as a lounge singer. Cole recorded "Blue Gardenia" in a 20 January 1953 session at the Capitol Records Recording Studio in Hollywood, featuring the Nelson Riddle orchestra. The track was issued as the B-side of Cole's #16 hit "Can't I". "Blue Gardenia" would become a signature song of Dinah Washington whose initial recording was made in the 15 March 1955 New York City sessions for the singer's album For Those in Love which was produced by Quincy Jones. Washington would make a latterday recording of the song in the 15 August 1961 sessions for her album I Wanna Be Loved, which version featured the Quincy Jones Orchestra. The 1955 version was featured in the soundtrack of the 1995 film The Bridges of Madison County. The song has also been recorded on albums by Helen Merrill (You've Got a Date With the Blues/ 1958), Johnny Mathis (Faithfully/ 1960), Gloria Lynne (Intimate Moments/ 1965), Bobby Scott (Star/ 1969), Bruno Martino (I Remember 1945/ 1973), Irene Kral (The Gentle Rain/ 1977),Audrey Morris (Film Noir/ 1989), Della Griffin (Travelin' Light/ 1992), Diane Schuur (Love Walked In/ 1995), Etta James (Blue Gardenia/ 2001 - featuring Dorothy Leatherwood), Patti Wicks (Love's Locked Out/ 2003), Stephanie Nakasian (Thrush Hour: A Study of the Great Ladies of Jazz/ 2006), Joanna Pascale (de) (Through My Eyes/ 2008), China Moses (vocalist) & Raphaël Lemonnier (pianist) (This One's For Dinah/ 2009), and the Branford Marsalis Quartet with vocalist Kurt Elling (Upward Spiral/ 2016). Diane Marino ("Soul Serenade" 2018) Instrumental versions of Blue Gardenia have been recorded on albums by Lee Morgan (Standards/ 1998 release of 1967 recording), Dexter Gordon (Landslide/ 1982), Ran Blake (Film Noir/ 1980). and Charles Davis (Blue Gardenia/ 2003). 


5:17

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Blue gardenia 
Now I'm alone with you 
And I am oh, so blue 
He has tossed us aside 
And, like you, gardenia 
Once I was near her heart 
After the teardrops start 
Where are teardrops to hide?

I lived for an hour 
What more can I tell 
Love bloomed like a flower 
Then the petals fell 
Blue gardenia 
Thrown to a passing breeze 
But pressed, yes they're pressed in my book
Of memories 

I lived for an hour 
What more can I tell?
Love bloomed like a flower 
And then the petals fell 
Blue gardenia 
Thrown to a passing breeze 
But pressed in my book
Of memories
But pressed in my book
Of memories

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Dinah Washington

Dinah Washington, born Ruth Lee Jones (August 29, 1924 – December 14, 1963), was an American Pianist, Blues, R&B, Gospel, Pop and Jazz singer. She has been cited as "the most popular black female recording artist of the '50s", and called "The Queen of the Blues". She is a 1986 inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. more »

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Written by: Bob Russell, Lester Lee

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


6 facts about this song

Dinah Washington Version
"Blue Gardenia" was released in 1955 by Dinah Washington. - Dinah Washington, known as the "queen of the blues," was said to have a profound emotional expression when she sang the song, setting a standard for others. - The song was part of her album “For Those in Love," which is considered one of her best albums.
Johnny Mathis Version
Johnny Mathis, a popular American singer, also recorded a version of "Blue Gardenia." - Mathis is known for his smooth vocals, which added a different flavor to the song when compared to Washington's more blues-oriented rendition. - His version of "Blue Gardenia" was included in his 1964 album, called "The Wonderful World of Make-Believe."
Composition
"Blue Gardenia" was composed by Lester Lee and Bob Russell, two well-known songwriters of American popular music. - The song is known for its complex chord progressions and the soulful nature of its lyrics, which talk about heartbreak and loneliness.
Usage in Media
"Blue Gardenia" was used as the theme song for a film noir released in 1953, called "The Blue Gardenia." - This film starred Anne Baxter and Richard Conte, and was directed by Fritz Lang, one of the pioneers of German cinema.
Influence
Over the years, "Blue Gardenia" has become a popular standard, covered by numerous artists in a variety of genres, testifying to its enduring appeal. - Each version reflects the individual style of the artist, serving as a testament to the song's versatility.
Critical Reception
Both Washington’s and Mathis' versions of "Blue Gardenia" received positive reviews from critics. They praised the emotional depth, lovely melody, and the heartfelt performances of both artists. - Dinah Washington's rendition of "Blue Gardenia" has been particularly lauded as one of her finest performances.

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