"Blue Skies" is a popular song, written by Irving Berlin. Popular music is music belonging to any of a number of musical styles that are accessible to the general public and are disseminated by one or more of the mass media. ... A song is a relatively short musical composition. ... Irving Berlin (May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was an American composer and lyricist, one of the most prodigious and famous American songwriters in history. ...

Lyrics

I was blue, just as blue as I could be/ Every day was a cloudy day for me/ Then good luck came a-knocking at my door/ Skies were gray but theyre not gray anymore/

Blue skies/ Smiling at me/ Nothing but blue skies/ Do I see/

Bluebirds/ Singing a song/ Nothing but bluebirds/ All day long/

Never saw the sun shining so bright/ Never saw things going so right/ Noticing the days hurrying by/ When youre in love, my how they fly/

Blue days/ All of them gone/ Nothing but blue skies/ From now on/

[2]

I should care if the wind blows east or west/ I should fret if the worst looks like the best/ I should mind if they say it cant be true/ I should smile, thats exactly what I do/

History

The song was composed in 1926 as a last minute addition to the Rodgers and Hart musical, Betsy. Although the show only ran for 39 performances, "Blue Skies" was an instant success, with audiences on opening night demanding 28 encores of the piece from star, Belle Baker. During the final repetition, Baker forgot her lyrics, prompting Berlin to sing them from his seat in the front row. Year 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar). ... For more on his work with his two partners, see Rodgers and Hart and Rodgers and Hammerstein. ... Lorenz (Larry) Hart (May 2, 1895 - November 22, 1943) was the lyricist half of the famed Broadway songwriting team Rodgers and Hart. ... The Fantasticks was the longest-running musical in history. ...

In 1927, the music was published and Ben Selvin's recorded version was a #1 hit. That same year, it became the first song to be featured in a talkie, when Al Jolson performed it in The Jazz Singer. 1946 was also a notable year for the song, with a Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire film taking its title, and two recorded versions by Count Basie and Benny Goodman reaching #8 and #9 on the pop charts, respectively. Crossing genres, Willie Nelson's recording of "Blue Skies" was a #1 country music hit in 1978. See also: 1926 in music, other events of 1927, 1928 in music and the list of years in music. Events January 8 - Alban Bergs Lyric Suite is premiered in Vienna July 1 - Béla Bartóks Piano Concerto No. ... Ben Selvin (March 5, 1898 - July 15, 1980), son of Russian-immigrant Jewish parents, started his professional life at age 15 as a fiddle player in New York City night clubs. ... A sound film (or talkie) is a motion picture with synchronized sound, as opposed to a silent movie. ... Asa Al Jolson Yoelson (born in Seredžius, Lithuania on May 26, 1886, and died in San Francisco, California on October 23, 1950) was an acclaimed American singer and actor whose career lasted from 1911 until his death in 1950. ... The Jazz Singer (1927) is a U.S. movie musical and the first feature-length motion picture with talking sequences. ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Harry Lillis Bing Crosby (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor whose career lasted from 1926 until his death in 1977. ... Fred Astaire (May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987), born Frederick Austerlitz in Omaha, Nebraska,[1] was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer and actor. ... Blue Skies is a 1946 musical film. ... William Count Basie (August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Willie Nelson (born William Hugh Nelson, 30 April 1933) is an American entertainer and songwriter, born and raised in Abbott, Texas. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... See also: other events of 1978 list of years in music 1970s in music // January 14 - The Sex Pistols played their final show (until a 1996 reunion) at San Franciscos Winterland Ballroom. ...

Recorded Versions

• Ben Selvin (1927)
• Josephine Baker (1927)
• Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra (with vocal by Frank Sinatra) (1941)
• Count Basie and his orchestra (with vocal by Jimmy Rushing) (1946)
• Bing Crosby (1946)
• Benny Goodman and his orchestra (with vocal by Art Lund) (1946)
• Frank Sinatra (1946)
• The McGuire Sisters (1957)
• Ella Fitzgerald (1958)
• Jim Reeves (1962)
• Willie Nelson (1978)
• Rosemary Clooney
• Cassandra Wilson (1988)
• Lavay Smith & Red Hot Skillet Lickers (1996)
• Groove Armada (1999)
• Fiona Apple and Brad Mehldau (2002) – unreleased, but performed at Club Largo.
• Brent Spiner performing as Lt. Cmdr. Data, in the 2002 movie Star Trek: Nemesis.
• Curtis Stigers (2003)
• Caetano Veloso (2004)

Ben Selvin (March 5, 1898 - July 15, 1980), son of Russian-immigrant Jewish parents, started his professional life at age 15 as a fiddle player in New York City night clubs. ... See also: 1926 in music, other events of 1927, 1928 in music and the list of years in music. Events January 8 - Alban Bergs Lyric Suite is premiered in Vienna July 1 - Béla Bartóks Piano Concerto No. ... Josephine Baker, c. ... 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar). ... Tommy Dorsey, in a publicity shot for The Big Apple Tommy Dorsey (November 19, 1905 – November 26, 1956) was an American jazz trombonist and bandleader in the Big Band era. ... Francis Albert Sinatra (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and Academy Award-winning actor, often cited as the finest male American popular song vocalist of the 20th century. ... See also: 1940 in music, other events of 1941, 1942 in music and the list of years in music. Events January 5 - Ernesto Bonino debuts on Italian radio January 15 - Olivier Messiaens Quatuor pour la fin du temps is premiered in Stalag VIIIA in Silesia. ... William Count Basie (August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. ... James Andrew (Jimmy) Rushing (August 26, 1901/02/03 - June 8, 1972) was an American blues singer from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. ... See also: 1945 in music, other events of 1946, 1947 in music and the list of years in music. // Events February 8 - Béla Bartóks Piano Concerto No. ... Harry Lillis Bing Crosby (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer and actor whose career lasted from 1926 until his death in 1977. ... See also: 1945 in music, other events of 1946, 1947 in music and the list of years in music. // Events February 8 - Béla Bartóks Piano Concerto No. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... See also: 1945 in music, other events of 1946, 1947 in music and the list of years in music. // Events February 8 - Béla Bartóks Piano Concerto No. ... Francis Albert Sinatra (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and Academy Award-winning actor, often cited as the finest male American popular song vocalist of the 20th century. ... See also: 1945 in music, other events of 1946, 1947 in music and the list of years in music. // Events February 8 - Béla Bartóks Piano Concerto No. ... The McGuire Sisters The McGuire Sisters were a singing trio in American popular music. ... See also: 1956 in music, other events of 1957, 1958 in music, 1950s in music and the list of years in music // January 5 - Renato Carosone and his band start their American tour in Cuba. ... Ella Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as Lady Ella (the First Lady of Song), was considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th Century. ... See also: 1957 in music, other events of 1958, 1959 in music, 1950s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 28 - Little Richard begins attending classes at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama February 14 - The Iranian government bans rock & roll because they claim that the form... Jim Reeves (August 20, 1923 – July 31, 1964) was an American country singer and pop singer. ... See also: 1961 in music, other events of 1962, 1963 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music // January 1 - The Beatles and Brian Poole and the Tremeloes both audition at Decca Records, a company which has the option of signing one group only. ... Willie Nelson (born William Hugh Nelson, 30 April 1933) is an American entertainer and songwriter, born and raised in Abbott, Texas. ... See also: other events of 1978 list of years in music 1970s in music // January 14 - The Sex Pistols played their final show (until a 1996 reunion) at San Franciscos Winterland Ballroom. ... Rosemary Clooney (May 23, 1928 – June 29, 2002) was an American popular singer and actress. ... Cassandra Wilson (born December 4, 1955) is an American jazz singer and songwriter from Jackson, Mississippi. ... See also: other events of 1988 Musical groups established in 1988 Record labels established in 1988 list of years in music 1980s in music // Peter Ruzicka becomes director of the Hamburg State Opera and State Philharmonic Orchestra. ... See also: 1995 in music, other events of 1996, 1997 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // January 8 - Madonnas stalker, Robert Hoskins is found guilty and convicted on five charges of assault, stalking, and threatening to kill the singer. ... Groove Armada is an electronic music group from Cambridge, England, composed of two members, Andy Cato (real name Andrew Cocup)[1] and Tom Findlay. ... See also: 1999 in music (UK) other events of 1999 Musical groups established in 1999 Record labels established in 1999 list of years in music 1990s in music // January 7 After eight years of marriage, Rod Stewart and supermodel wife Rachel Hunter announce their separation. ... Fiona Apple McAfee Maggart (born September 13, 1977) is an American singer-songwriter. ... Brad Mehldau (born August 23, 1970) is an American jazz pianist. ... See also: 2002 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2002 Record labels established in 2002 other events of 2002 list of years in music 2000s in music // 2002 was marked by significant trends in Rock Music. ... Largo is a nightclub and cabaret in West Hollywood, CA, known informally as Café Largo or Club Largo. ... Brent Jay Spiner (born February 2, 1949) is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of the android Lieutenant Commander Data in the television and movie series Star Trek: The Next Generation. ... Data,[1] portrayed by Brent Spiner, is a character in the Star Trek fictional universe. ... Star Trek Nemesis (Paramount Pictures, 2002; see also 2002 in film) is the tenth feature film based on the popular Star Trek science fiction television series. ... American jazz singer/saxophonist/songwriter Recently participated in the BBC/Sport Relief programme Just the Two of Us, where he partnered newsreader/presenter Penny Smith. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Caetano Veloso (born 7 August 1942) is one of the most popular and influential Brazilian composers and singers. ... See also: 2004 in music (UK) other events of 2004 list of years in music 2000s in music // January 1 Vienna New Years Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in Vienna, conducted by Riccardo Muti Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol January 3 - Britney Spears marries Jason Allen Alexander, a...

Selected Appearances in Film

• The Jazz Singer (1927)
• Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938)
• Blue Skies (1946)
• White Christmas (1954)
• Glengarry Glen Ross (1994)
• With Honors (1994)
• Patch Adams (1998)
• Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
• The Aviator (2004)
• Hollywoodland (2006)
• The Good Shepherd (2006)

The Jazz Singer (1927) is a U.S. movie musical and the first feature-length motion picture with talking sequences. ... See also: 1926 in film 1927 1928 in film 1920s in film years in film film // Events January 10 - The film Metropolis by Fritz Lang premieres. ... Alexanders Ragtime Band is the name of a 1938 film that takes off from the 1911 Irving Berlin song, Alexanders Ragtime Band, to tell a story of a society boy who scandalizes his family by pursuing a career in ragtime instead of in serious music. ... See also: 1937 in film 1937 1939 in film 1930s in film years in film film // Events January — MGM announces that Judy Garland would be cast in the role of Dorothy in the upcoming Wizard of Oz motion picture. ... Blue Skies is a 1946 musical film. ... See also: 1945 in film 1946 1947 in film 1940s in film years in film film // Events Top grossing films North America The Bells of St. ... White Christmas is a 1954 movie starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye that featured the songs of Irving Berlin, including the titular White Christmas. ... See also: 1953 in film 1954 1955 in film 1950s in film years in film film Events May 12 - The Marx Brothers Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda. ... This article is about the play by David Mamet. ... // November 1 - George Lucas leaves the day-to-day operations of his filmmaking business and starts a sabbatical (while on sabbatical, he wrote the prequel Star Wars trilogy). ... With Honors (1994) is a comedy-drama starring Joe Pesci and Brendan Fraser. ... // November 1 - George Lucas leaves the day-to-day operations of his filmmaking business and starts a sabbatical (while on sabbatical, he wrote the prequel Star Wars trilogy). ... Patch Adams is a 1998 film directed by Tom Shadyac and based on the life of Hunter Patch Adams and the book Gesundheit: Good Health is a Laughing Matter by Adams and Maureen Mylander. ... // February 14 - Sharon Stone marries Phil Bronstein. ... Star Trek Nemesis (Paramount Pictures, 2002; see also 2002 in film) is the tenth feature film based on the popular Star Trek science fiction television series. ... This is a list of film-related events in 2002. ... The Aviator is an Academy Award-winning 2004 biographical drama film, directed by Martin Scorsese. ... // Please note that these are the top grossing films that were first released in 2004; because they may have made most of their income in a later year, they may not be the top-grossing films for calendar year 2004. ... Hollywoodland is a 2006 biopic/docudrama directed by TV alum Allen Coulter (his feature directorial debut) about a down-on-his-luck detective, Louis Simo (Adrien Brody), investigating the suspicious suicide of actor George Reeves (Ben Affleck), the star of televisions Superman. ... // Please note that following the tradition of the English language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the United States and Canada in 2006; because they may have made most of their income in a later year, they may not be the top-grossing... The Good Shepherd is a nautical novel by CS Forester, the author of the novels about fictional Royal Navy officer Horatio Hornblower. ... // Please note that following the tradition of the English language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the United States and Canada in 2006; because they may have made most of their income in a later year, they may not be the top-grossing...

External links

• Betsy 1926
• Irving Berlin’s Music in Films
• Time article on Irving Berlin