Am I Blue

Ethel Waters

About Am I Blue

"Am I Blue?" is a song copyrighted by Harry Akst (music) and Grant Clarke (lyrics) in 1929 and then featured in four films that year, most notably with Ethel Waters in the movie On with the Show. It has appeared in 42 movies, most recently Funny Lady and The Cotton Club, and has become a standard covered by numerous artists.


Year:
1999
2:48
106 
#1

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

I'm just a woman, a lonely woman
Waiting on the weary shore
I'm just a woman who's only human
One you should feel sorry for

It was a morning, long before dawn
Without a warning I found he was gone
How could he do it, why should he do it
He never done it before

Am I blue, am I blue
Ain't these tears in these eyes telling you
How can you ask me am I blue
Why, wouldn't you be too
If each plan with your man
Done fell through

There was a time
When I was his only one
But now I'm the sad and lonely one...lonely
Was I gay, until today
Now he's gone, and we're through
Am I blue

 Struggling with Am I Blue? Become a better singer in 30 days with these videos!


Ethel Waters

Ethel Waters (October 31, 1896 – September 1, 1977) was an American blues, jazz and gospel vocalist and actress. She frequently performed jazz, big band, and pop music, on the Broadway stage and in concerts, although she began her career in the 1920s singing blues. more »

0 fans

Written by: GRANT CLARKE, HARRY AKST

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Origin
"Am I Blue" is an American song written by Harry Akst and Grant Clarke in 1929. It became most associated with Ethel Waters who performed it in the 1929 all-black film "On with the Show."
Performance History
While it was performed by a range of artists, Waters' version of "Am I Blue" is widely considered the definitive performance.
Movie Inclusion
The song was included in the first ever color (two-strip Technicolor) talking picture, the Warner Brothers film "On with the Show."
Song Theme
The song expresses the profound sadness and despair of a woman whose man has gone off and left her.
Ethel Waters' Contribution
Ethel Waters' performance was so effective that "Am I Blue" became a jazz standard, constantly being recreated by new generations of musicians.
Record Sales
After Waters' soul-stirring performance in “On with The Show,” the song quickly gained popularity and sold over 1 million copies in sheet music.
Song Influence
"Am I Blue" has greatly influenced many artists and has been recorded by heavyweights, including Billie Holiday, Cher, and Bette Midler.
Long-lasting Impact
Despite being released over 90 years ago, Ethel Waters' "Am I Blue" remains timeless, as it continues to influence and inspire artists to this day.
Waters' Inspirational Biography
Ethel Waters, despite being born into a very poor family, made a remarkable career for herself as a jazz, swing, and pop song vocalist as well as a notable actress. Her performance of "Am I Blue" played a significant role in her enduring legacy.
Historical Context
The song released during the Harlem Renaissance, a period of flourishing creativity within the black community, this acted as a platform for Ethel Waters to showcase her talent with "Am I Blue."
Achievements
The song "Am I Blue" helped establish Waters as one of the first black women to integrate Broadway theatre, and it is praised as a consistent high point of her performing career.

Discuss the Am I Blue Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Am I Blue Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3305840/Ethel+Waters/Am+I+Blue>.

    Missing lyrics by Ethel Waters?

    Know any other songs by Ethel Waters? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Am I Blue

    30,275
    338     6

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "All Out of Love" is a 1980 biggest hit single for which band?
    A Styx
    B Little River Band
    C Air Supply
    D The Hollies

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Ethel Waters tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Am I Blue

    »