Rockabilly

In the early days of his career, Elvis Presley did a lot of experimenting at Sun Studio in Memphis. “Blue Moon of Kentucky” was one of the results. In 1954, Elvis, Scotty Moore, and Bill Black tried to find a B-Side to the single “That’s All Right Mama.” They started to play and fool around with Bill Monroe‘s famous bluegrass tune “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” Monroe’s version had a waltz time, but Elvis and the others gave it a different beat and took it in a bluesy direction. Producer and studio owner Sam Phillips added slapback, which was a homemade echo device, so the recording had lots of echo., echo, echo. When they were done, Sam said, “…that’s different. It’s a pop song now, nearly about.” Elvis’ career skyrocketed and it earned an RIAA gold record.

Here are the lyrics to “Blue Moon of Kentucky” by Elvis Presley:

“Blue moon, blue moon, blue moon, keep shining bright
Blue moon, keep on shining bright
You’re gonna bring me back, my baby tonight
Blue moon, keep shining bright

I said, “Blue moon of Kentucky, keep on shining
Shine on the one that’s gone and left me blue”
I said, “Blue moon of Kentucky, keep on shining
Shine on the one that’s gone and left me blue”

Well, it was on one moonlight night, stars shining bright
Whispered on high, love said good-bye

Blue moon of Kentucky, keep on shining
Shine on the one that’s gone and left me blue

Well, I said, “Blue moon of Kentucky, just keep on shining
Shine on the one that’s gone and left me blue”
I said, “Blue moon of Kentucky, keep on shining
Shine on the one that’s gone and left me blue”

Well, it was on one moonlight night, stars shining bright
Whispered on high, love said good-bye

Blue moon of Kentucky, keep on shining
Shine on the one that’s gone and left me blue”

If you are interested in reading about and listening to other songs by Elvis Presley: “Heartbreak Hotel.” “Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “If I Can Dream.”

For a really comprehensive biography of Elvis Presley in his younger years, try Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick.

For More Golden Oldies Music

The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop music, rock and roll hits, R&B, or rockabilly songs that were hits during the first era of rock and roll (that is, from about 1952 until the British invasion in 1964). After a song is featured, it then goes into the juke box. You are welcome to listen to any of the 40+ selections there. Every weekend, there is a Golden Oldies Juke Box Saturday Night, and the juke box is full of song requests from the 1950s and 1960s.

Please click here for the Daily Doo Wop YouTube channel, to which you can subscribe. Thank you for stopping by The Daily Doo Wop. Hope you enjoyed “Blue Moon of Kentucky” by Elvis Presley