Overview
Introduction
"Blue Tango" is an instrumental composition by Leroy Anderson, written in 1951 and published in 1952. It was later turned into a popular song with lyrics by Mitchell Parish. Numerous artists have since covered "Blue Tango".
Song history
An instrumental version of "Blue Tango" recorded by Anderson (Decca Records, catalog number 27875, with the flip side "Belle of the Ball") reached number one on the Billboard chart in 1952. (According to other sources, the Anderson recording first reached the charts on December 29, 1951.) Billboard ranked it as the number one song of 1952. The same recording was released in 1952 by Brunswick Records (United Kingdom) as catalog number 04870, with the same flip side.
Hugo Winterhalter and his orchestra recorded "Blue Tango" at Manhattan Center, New York City, on January 22, 1952. It was released by RCA Victor as catalog number 20-4518A, with the flip side "Gypsy Trail". This version first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on February 29, 1952 and lasted 18 weeks on the chart, peaking at #8. (Other sources give the first date on the charts as March 8, 1952, and the highest position as #6.) It was also released in Great Britain by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10277.
Les Baxter and his orchestra released a version of "Blue Tango" by Capitol Records as catalog number 1681, with the flip side "Because of You". This version first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on March 14, 1952 and lasted 9 weeks on the chart, peaking at #22. (Other sources give the first date on the charts as March 15, 1952, and the highest position as #10.) This version was also released by Capitol Records in the United States as catalog number 1966, in Australia as catalog number CP-117 and in the United Kingdom as catalog number CL 13703, all with the flip side "Please Mr. Sun".
A recording of the song by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians was released by Decca Records as catalog number 28031, with the flip side "At Last, At Last". This version first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on April 11, 1952 and lasted 10 weeks on the chart, peaking at #16.
A vocal version was recorded by Alma Cogan in the United Kingdom in 1952. The song was also featured on the first UK Singles Chart the same year in another instrumental recording by orchestra leader Ray Martin.
The song was subsequently revived by Bill Black's Combo. This recording was released by Hi Records as catalog number 2027, with the flip side "Willie". It first reached the Billboard charts on December 12, 1960 and lasted 7 weeks on the chart. On the composite chart of the top 100 songs, it reached #16. This version (with the same flip side) was also released in Australia by London Records, as catalog number HL-1735.
