#SuzanneShares
This famous song will turn 100 in just six years.
It was written by composer Ray Henderson and lyricist Mort Dixon, and released in 1926. Today most singers perform only the 32-bar chorus, but the song originally had two verses. The first bids farewell to the blackbird, a symbol of misfortune; the second describes the bluebird — symbol of a brighter future — calling from afar.
(Original lyrics omitted — please refer to the Chinese version of this post.)
Here are a few versions Suzanne particularly enjoys:
Sarah Vaughan's stunning 1973 live performance at Sun Plaza Hall in Tokyo (which had just been completed that year): • Bye Bye Blackbird
An instrumental version led by Nina Simone — singer, gifted pianist, and composer. Her classical roots come through clearly in her playing: • Nina Simone - Bye Bye Blackbird (1962)
Another version by trumpeter (and singer) Chet Baker: • Chet Baker - Bye Bye Blackbird (1985)
Paul McCartney, who loves this song, performs a version that includes the verse: • 11. Bye bye blackbird - Paul McCartne...
A vocal-and-double-bass-only version by Julie London and Don Bagley: • Video
Dee Dee Bridgewater's 1977 version: • Dee Dee Bridgewater – Bye Bye Blackbi...
So many other musicians have recorded or performed this song over the years. Which version is your favorite? 😃😃🥰
