Roy Orbison's original |
Linda Ronstadt's adaptation |
(instrumental) I feel so bad I've got a worried mind I'm so lonesome all the time Since I left my baby behind On Blue Bayou Saving nickels, saving dimes, working till the sun don't shine Looking forward to happier times On Blue Bayou I'm going back some day Come what may To Blue Bayou Where you sleep all day And the catfish play On Blue Bayou All those fishing boats With their sails afloat If I could only see That familiar sunrise Through sleepy eyes, How happy I'd be Go to see my baby again And to be with some of my friends Maybe I'd be happy again On Blue Bayou I'm going back some day, Gonna stay On Blue Bayou Where the folks are fine And the world is mine On Blue Bayou Oh, that girl of mine By my side Silver moon And the evening tide Oh, some sweet day Gonna take away This hurtin' inside I'll never be blue, My dreams come true On Blue Bayou (fading) |
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 fine 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 fine 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 (instrumental) 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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Released as the second single from Linda Ronstadt’s album “Simple Dreams”, this classic ballad, with its melancholic melody and heartfelt lyrics, captivated listeners. It didn’t take long for the song to climb its way up the charts.
Embracing the golden era of rock and pop, Linda Ronstadt’s powerful voice and magnetic stage presence earned her the title of “First Lady of Rock”. Her version features a perfect balance of emotion and vocal range that has contributed to the song’s status as an evergreen classic.
The songwriter Roy Orbison commented on this song during an interview with a British newspaper:
Take a song like 'Blue Bayou' for instance, that's simply a song about being on the road ... The fellow's bound and determined to get back to where you sleep all day and the catfish play and the sailing boats and the girls and all that stuff. It's a beautiful thought.“Blue Bayou” is a song about longing and nostalgia. The lyrics encapsulate the desire to return to a cherished place that holds fond memories. The character in the song is working hard, saving up, and looking forward to the day to return to this beloved place, where the world feels perfect and everything is just fine.
This idea of striving for a better future, despite the challenges faced along the way, is a timeless message that has undoubtedly contributed to the enduring popularity of this song.
Diving into the musical structure of “Blue Bayou,” we find a beautifully crafted piece that showcases Linda Ronstadt’s outstanding and emotive vocal prowess. The song is written in the key of B-flat major, a key known for its soothing and mellow qualities, perfectly complementing the wistful theme of the lyrics.
The chord progression is relatively simple, yet effective in evoking the longing and dreaminess of the song. Tempo-wise, “Blue Bayou” features a slow and steady beat, clocking in at around 60 beats per minute. This relaxed pace allows listeners to fully immerse themselves in the emotional depth of the song and provides ample space for Ronstadt’s vocals to truly shine. The song’s rhythm is further enhanced by the gentle strumming of acoustic guitars and the subtle, yet effective, use of drums and percussion.