Pop Music

Among the golden oldies from this first era of rock and roll is “Navy Blue,” a song about a girl who misses her boyfriend while he is away with the U.S. Navy. It was written by Bob Crewe, Bud Rehak, and Eddie Rambeau. In 1963 and into 1964, it went to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary Chart. Diane Renay, from Philadelphia, was 17 years old when “Navy Blue” was released.  Renay had taken voice lessons from Artie Singer, who also managed the group Danny and The Juniors. Singer encouraged Renay to have a recording career. Besides “Navy Blue,” Renay had a hit with “Kiss Me Sailor” in 1964. She continues to record and perform.

Bob Crewe wrote songs for and managed many doo wop, pop, and rock and roll artists, including The Four Seasons, The Rays, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Freddy Boom Boom Cannon, Lesley Gore, Michael Jackson, Bobby Darin, Roberta Flack, Patti LaBelle, and many more.

Here are the lyrics to “Navy Blue” by Diane Renay:

“Blue, navy blue
I’m as blue as I can be
‘Cause my steady boy said, “Ship ahoy”
And joined the Navy (sha-la, la, la, sha-la, la)

He said he wanted to settle down
And let me be his girl
But first he had to do a little travelin’ around
And see the whole wide world

That’s why I’m blue, navy blue
I’m as blue as I can be
‘Cause my steady boy said, “Ship ahoy”
And joined the Navy (Sha-la, la, la, sha-la, la)

I got a letter yesterday from Tokyo
And a souvenir
A walky-talky wind-up little China doll
That says, “Wish you were here”

(Musical Interlude)

Blue, navy blue
I’m as blue as I can be
‘Cause my steady boy said, “Ship ahoy”
And joined the Navy (Sha-la, la, la, sha-la, la)

He’s comin’ home to see me on a weekend pass
A forty-eight hour day-ate
That boat he’s sailin’ on just better get here fast
‘Cause I can hardly wait

Till then I’m blue, navy blue
I’m as blue as I can be
‘Cause my steady boy said, “Ship ahoy”
And joined the Navy
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah

(Blue Navy blue)
(I’m as blue as I can be)
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
(Blue Navy Blue)
(I’m as blue as I can be)”

If you are interested in reading about and listening to another song where a girl longs for her military man, please click here for “Soldier Boy” by The Shirelles.

For More Golden Oldies Music

The Daily Doo Wop Rec Room has daily featured doo wop, rock and roll, 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 “Navy Blue” by Diane Renay.