THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

272-Fats Domino-Blueberry Hill.

1956-Number 6 single.

Best Bit-At 0.11. In 1969 Elvis Presley (1935-1977) (see also best songs 954-664-442 and 194) said, ‘A lot of people seem to think I started this business, but ‘Rock N’ Roll’ was here a long time before I came along. Let’s face it I can’t sing like Fats Domino can, I know that.’

Fats Domino (see also best songs 617) was born Antoine Caliste Dominique Jr. on February 26th, 1928, in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, he died of natural causes on October 24th, 2017, at the age of 89. Although Fats Domino is considered to be one of the leading lights in the development of Rock N’ Roll in the 1950’s, he was never convinced that Rock N’ Roll was a new genre. In 1957 he said, ‘What they call Rock N’ Roll now is Rhythm and Blues. I’ve been playing it for 15 years in New Orleans.’ Music critics writing for the ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine have backed up this statement by stating that ‘All Fifties rockers, black and white, country born, and city bred, were fundamentally influenced by ‘R&B,’ the black popular music of the late Forties and early Fifties.’

The discography of Fats Domino who has sold in excess of 65 million records, with five of his songs including ‘Blueberry Hill’ selling over one million copies, includes 25 studio Albums released between 1956-2006, and 96 singles released between 1949-1985, there are also 32 official compilation Albums, and 20 live Albums available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100, 36 of his singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Blueberry Hill’ peaking the highest at Number 2 in 1956, while 58 of his singles have made the Billboard ‘Rhythm and Blues’ chart, which is currently known as the ‘Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs’ chart, with nine of those tracks including ‘Blueberry Hill, all reaching the Number 1 position. In the UK, Fats Domino has had 16 top 40 hit singles, with ‘Blueberry Hill’ peaking the highest at Number 6.

‘Blueberry Hill’ was the third of four singles released from ‘This Is Fats Domino!’ the third studio Album released by Fats Domino, from December 1956. ‘Blueberry Hill’ was co-written by Vincent Rose, (1880-1944) (music) Larry Stock, (1896-1984) (lyrics) and Al Lewis, (1901-1967) (lyrics) with the production being by Dave Bartholomew, (1918-2019) (see also best songs 617) who was a long time collaborator with Fats Domino, but had reservations about recording ‘Blueberry Hill,’ stating that it had been done too many times already, he can be heard playing the trumpet on the track. ‘Blueberry Hill’ was recorded several times in 1940, with the original version being by the Sammy Kaye (1910-1987) Orchestra, with vocals by Tommy Ryan, (1921-2007) recorded on May 31st. The most successful version prior to Fats Domino was recorded by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, (see also best songs 808-321 and 146) which reached Number 2 on the American chart in 1940, with vocals by Ray Eberle (1919-1979.) In 1949 Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) (see also best songs 1039-767-286-231 and 100) recorded a version which reached Number 29 on Billboard, and it was Armstrong’s recording that inspired Fats Domino to record it in 1956. Another notable recording was made in 1941 by the American singer and actor Gene Autry, (1907-1998) who also sang it in the 1941 western movie ‘The Singing Hill.’

Vincent Rose who wrote the music for ‘Blueberry Hill’ was born Vincenzo Cacioppo, on June 13th, 1880, in Palermo, Italy, he died on May 20th, 1944, at the age of 63. Vincent Rose who was a violinist, pianist, composer, and bandleader achieved great success in the 1920’s with his ‘Montmartre Orchestra,’ recording for ‘RCA.’ The same personnel later recorded for the ‘Columbia’ label as the ‘Hollywood Orchestra.’ After leaving California, he settled in New York, but continued to record as ‘Vincent Rose and His Orchestra,’ for various labels throughout the 1930’s. Rose was a prolific songwriter, having published well over 200 songs, most notably ‘Avalon’ in 1921, which was a big hit for Al Jolson, (1886-1950) (see also best songs 310) who also wrote that songs lyrics.

The lyrics for ‘Blueberry Hill’ were co-written by Larry Stock, and Al Lewis. Larry Stock was born Lazarus Goldberger, on December 4th, 1896, in Manhattan, New York City, United States, he died on May 4th, 1984, at the age of 87. At 12 years old he was accepted by the ‘Institute of Musical Art’ in New York, which later became the ‘Juilliard School.’ After graduating at 16 years old he continued his studies at the ‘City College of New York.’ Larry Stock’s other best known songs include the Dean Martin (1917-1995) hit ‘You’re Nobody till Somebody Loves You,’ (1964-Billboard Number 25) and ‘Morning Side of the Mountain,’ a hit for Tommy Edwards, (1959-Billboard Number 27) and Donny & Marie Osmond (1974-Billboard Number 8 & UK Number 5.) Larry Stock who was posthumously inducted into the ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’ in 1998. was a second cousin of Jerry Wexler (1917-2008) (see also best songs 882-644-530 and 475.) Al Lewis was born Alvin Lewis on April 18th, 1901, in New York City, United States, he died on April 4th, 1967, at the age of 65. His other best known songs include, ‘You Gotta Be a Football Hero,’ (1933) which has become one of the most widely recorded and performed American football anthems of all time, and ‘Tears on My Pillow,’ first recorded by Little Anthony and the Imperials, (1958-Billboard Number 4) and covered by Kylie Minogue, who took her version to Number 1 in the UK in 1990.

‘Blueberry Hill’ is a song about lost love, the narrator has fond memories of his time with his partner on Blueberry Hill, but now he is alone, and sadly reminiscing.

‘The wind in the willows played love’s sweet melody, but all of those vows you made were never to be. Though we’re apart you’re part of me still, for you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill.’