Blue Tango

Infobox Standard
title = Blue Tango
english_title =
comment =


image_size =
caption =
writer =
composer = Leroy Anderson
lyricist = Mitchell Parish
published = 1952
written =
language = English
form =
original_artist = Leroy Anderson
recorded_by = Hugo Winterhalter and his orchestra
Guy Lombardo
Les Baxter and his orchestra
Alma Cogan
Ray Martin
Bill Black's Combo
Jose Poniera
Bobby Wayne
Amanda Lear
performed_by = "Blue Tango" is a popular song with music by Leroy Anderson and lyrics by Mitchell Parish. It was published in 1952.

An instrumental version of "Blue Tango" recorded by Anderson (Decca Records catalog number 27875, with the flip side "Belle of the Ball" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Dec27500.htm Decca Records in the 27500 to 27999 series] ] ) reached #1 on the Billboard charts in 1952. It first reached the Best Seller chart on December 21, 1951 and lasted 38 weeks on the chart. cite book
last = Whitburn
first = Joel
authorlink = Joel Whitburn
title = Top Pop Records 1940-1955
publisher = Record Research
location = Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
year = 1973] (According to other sourcescite book
title=Hit Records 1950-1975
last= Lonergan
first= David
publisher= Scarecrow Press
location=Lanham, Maryland
date=2004-01-28| isbn= 978-0810851290 ] , the Anderson recording first reached the charts on December 29, 1951.) The same recording was released 1952 by Brunswick Records (United Kingdom) as catalog number 04870, with the same flip side [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/b/brunswick-uk-pre05000series.html UK Brunswick Records in the 03384 to 04999 series] ] .

Other versions of the song which charted at that time included:

*Hugo Winterhalter and his orchestra (RCA Victor Records catalog number 20-4518, with the flip side "Gypsy Trail" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/RCA204500.htm RCA Victor Records in the 20-4500 series] ] ). This version first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on February 29, 1952 and lasted 18 weeks on the chart, peaking at #8. (Other sources give the first date on the charts as March 8, 1952, and the highest position as #6.)
*Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians (Decca Records catalog number 28031, with the flip side "At Last, At Last" [ [http://settlet.fateback.com/Dec28000.htm Decca Records in the 28000 to 28499 series] ] ). This version first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on April 11, 1952 and lasted 10 weeks on the chart, peaking at #16.
*Les Baxter and his orchestra (released 1952 by Capitol Records as catalog number 1681, with the flip side "Because of You" [http://settlet.fateback.com/Capitol1500.htm Capitol Records in the 1500 to 1999 series] ] ). This version first reached the Billboard magazine Best Seller chart on March 14, 1952 and lasted 9 weeks on the chart, peaking at #22. (Other sources give the first date on the charts as March 15, 1952, and the highest position as #10.) This version was also released by Capitol Records in the United States as catalog number 1966, in Australia as catalog number CP-117 [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/c/capitol-1-oz.html Australian Capitol Records in the CP and CK series] ] , and in the United Kingdom as catalog number CL 13703 [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/c/capitol-uk-13000.html UK Capitol Records in the CL 13200 to CL 13999 series] ] , all with the flip side "Please Mr. Sun."

A vocal version was recorded by Alma Cogan in the United Kingdom the same year. It was also featured on the first UK singles chart in another instrumental recording by orchestra leader Ray Martin. In the radio series "Peeling Back The Years", John Peel revealed that this was the first record he ever bought.

The song was subsequently revived by Bill Black's Combo. This recording was released by Hi Records as catalog number 2027, with the flip side "Willie" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/hi.html Hi Records listing] ] . It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on December 12, 1960 and lasted 7 weeks on the chart. On the composite chart of the top 100 songs, it reached #16cite book
title=The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits
last= Whitburn
first= Joel
authorlink= Joel Whitburn
publisher= Watson-Guptill Publications
location=New York
edition= 7th Rev. edition
date=2000-11-01| isbn= 978-0823076901 ] . This version (with the same flip side) was also released in Australia by London Records (Australia), as catalog number HL-1735 [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/london-a-oz.html London Records (Australia) in the HL-1001 to HL-1999 series] ] .

Other recorded versions

*Calvin Boze (released 1952 by Aladdin Records as catalog number 3142, with the flip side "The Glory of Love" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/a/aladdin.html Aladdin Records listing] ] )
*The Flee Rekkers (released January,1961 by Pye Records as catalog number 7N.15326, with the flip side "Bitter Rice" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/p/pye-uk-15000.html Pye Records in the 7N.15000 to 7N.15999] ] )
*Oneal Hudson Sax Trio (released by Rim Records as catalog number 4101, with the flip side "September Song" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/r/rim.html Rim Records listing] ] )
*International Pops Orchestra (released 1963 by Cameo Records as catalog number 263, with the flip side "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/c/cameo.html Cameo Records listing] ] )
*Teddi King (released 1959 by Coral Records as catalog number 62094, with the flip side "River of Regret" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/c/coral-62000-series-us.html Coral Records in the 62000 to 62565 series] ] )
*The Mulcays (released 1962 by Jubilee Records as catalog number 5438, with the flip side "Blue Moon" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/j/jubilee.html Jubilee Records in the 5000 to 5709 series] ] )
*Jose Poniera (released 1951 by Rainbow Records as catalog number 104, with the flip side "Valentino Tango" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/r/rainbow.html Rainbow Records listing] ]
*Bobby Wayne (released by Jerden Records as catalog number 766, with the flip side "Honky Tonk" [ [http://www.globaldogproductions.info/j/jerden.html Jerden Records listing] ]

In 1977 French singer Amanda Lear recorded a vocal version of the song, providing it with self-penned lyrics. The recording was included on album "I Am A Photograph" and issued as a 7" single in the Netherlands.

References