About The Song
Written and composed by Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris in 1950, âBlue Velvetâ is a top 20 hit for Tony Bennett in its original 1951 version. The song has since been re-recorded many times, with a 1963 version by Bobby Vinton reaching no. 1.
While visiting friends in Richmond, Virginia, songwriter Bernie Wayne stayed at the Jefferson Hotel, and it was the sight of a woman at a party held at the Jefferson which inspired Wayne to write the lyrics for âBlue Velvet.â When Wayne pitched âBlue Velvetâ to Columbia Records head A&R man Mitch Miller, he had only played the opening line:
âShe wore blue velvet âŠâ, when Miller interrupted him, saying: âHow about [my giving the song to] Tony Bennett?â Wayneâs response, âDonât you want to hear the rest of the song?â, drew this advice from Miller: âQuit while youâre ahead!â
âBlue Velvetâsâ most successful recording was released by Bobby Vinton in 1963. On September 20, 1963, Vintonâs version reached no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, it remained at no. 1 for the subsequent two weeks. âBlue Velvetâ also afforded Vinton a no. 1 hit on the US Middle-Road Singles chart, where its no. 1 tenure was eight weeks.
Vintonâs no. 3 hit in the summer of 1963, with âBlue on Blue,â prompted the recording of the Blue on Blue album comprising songs featuring the word âblueâ in the title.
Moreover, Vintonâs friend, music publisher Al Gallico, suggested âBlue Velvetâ as a Blue on Blue album track and sent his secretary with a dollar to a music store to purchase the songâs sheet music; an hour later, Vinton had recorded âBlue Velvetâ in two takes.
Consequently, Vintonâs version was ranked no. 5 on Billboardâs end of year ranking âTop Records of 1963.â In addition, it was also no. 4 on Cash Boxâs âTop 100 Chart Hits of 1963,â and no. 8 on Cash Boxâs âTop 100 Chart Hits of 1964.â
Furthermore, Vintonâs recording failed to make the British charts when originally released. However, a re-release in 1990 reached no. 2 on the UK Singles Chart, with âBlue on Blueâ as the B-side.