Blue Bayou

Linda Ronstadt

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.


Year:
1977
3:57
696 
#13

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I feel so bad I got a worried mind
I'm so lonesome all the time
Since I left my baby behind
On Blue Bayou

Saving nickles, saving dimes
Working til the sun don't shine
Looking forward to happier times
On Blue Bayou

I'm going back someday
Come what may
To Blue Bayou
Where the folks are fun
And the world is mine
On Blue Bayou
Where those fishing boats
With their sails afloat
If I could only see
That familiar sunrise
Through sleepy eyes
How happy I'd be

Gonna see my baby again
Gonna be with some of my friends
Maybe I'll feel better again
On Blue Bayou

Saving nickles saving dimes
Working til the sun don't shine
Looking forward to happier times
On Blue Bayou

I'm going back someday
Come what may
To Blue Bayou
Where the folks are fun
And the world is mine
On Blue Bayou
Where those fishing boats
With their sails afloat
If I could only see
That familiar sunrise
Through sleepy eyes
How happy I'd be

Oh that boy of mine
By my side
The silver moon
And the evening tide
Oh some sweet day
Gonna take away
This hurting inside
Well I'll never be blue
My dreams come true
On Blue Bayou

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Linda Ronstadt

Linda Marie Ronstadt (born July 15, 1946) is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden Globe nominations. more »

6 fans

Written by: Joe Melson, Roy Orbison

Lyrics © Orbi-Lee Music, Barbara Orbison Music Company, 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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    Blue Bayou

    18.3M
    111K     4,113

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1978

    Billboard #3


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