- Moonlight in Vermont (song)
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"Moonlight in Vermont" is a popular song about the U.S. state of Vermont, written by John Blackburn and Karl Suessdorf and published in 1943. [1]
The lyrics are unusual in that they do not rhyme. John Blackburn, the lyricist, has been quoted as saying, “After completing the first 12 bars of the lyric, I realized there was no rhyme and then said to Karl, ‘Let’s follow the pattern of no rhyme throughout the song. It seemed right.'” [2]
The lyrics are also metrically interesting in that each verse (not counting the bridge) is a haiku. The song is considered an unofficial state song of Vermont and is frequently played as the first dance song at Vermont wedding receptions.
The song was first introduced by Margaret Whiting in a 1944 recording. [1] The song was also recorded by Jo Stafford in 1946, Willie Nelson in 1978, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong in 1956, Frank Sinatra in 1957, Sarah Vaughan in 1958 and Earl Grant in 1961. Captain Beefheart recorded a song called "Moonlight on Vermont" for his album Trout Mask Replica (1969), which could be considered a parody of this song.
A beautifully sung duet of this song can be seen on the 1959 Frank Sinatra television special where Frank and Ella Fitzgerald sit side-by-side and sing.
There are few, if any, sycamore trees in Vermont and few meadowlarks. Blackburn, from Ohio, who wrote the lyrics, may have imposed his own interpretation of what he saw during his trip to Vermont which inspired the song.
Recorded versions
- Caterina Valente -> Caterina Valente in New York/Plenty Valente, 1957
- Thomas Anders
- Ray Anthony
- Louis Armstrong
- Chet Baker
- Tony Bennett
- Acker Bilk
- Stanley Black
- Les Brown and his Band of Renown
- Jimmy Bruno
- Don Byas – Anthropology
- Charlie Byrd
- Benny Carter
- Ray Charles
- Rosemary Clooney
- Nat King Cole
- Chris Connor - A Jazz Date With Chris Connor
- Sam Cooke
- The Dorsey Brothers
- Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
- Billy Eckstine
- Percy Faith
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Stan Getz
- Dizzy Gillespie
- Earl Grant
- Stephane Grappelli
- Buddy Greco
- Johnny Hartman on his album Songs From the Heart
- Earl Hines
- Billie Holiday - The Complete Verve Studio Master Takes (2010)
- Ahmad Jamal
- Walter Jackson on his album Best of Walter Jackson:Welcome Home
- Stan Kenton
- Teddi King
- Frankie Laine
- Gordon Langford
- Lataamon Laulajat (Finnish translation "Luumäen kuun valo")
- Kevin Mahogany * on Big Band
- Johnny Mathis
- Kevin Mahogany
- Carmen McRae
- Jane Monheit
- Nana Mouskouri
- Gerry Mulligan
- Willie Nelson on his popular album of standards, Stardust.
- Oscar Peterson
- Bucky Pizzarelli (album Doug and Bucky)
- Louis Prima
- Linda Ronstadt
- Neil Sedaka
- Zoot Sims
- Frank Sinatra - Come Fly with Me (1958)
- Kate Smith
- Johnny Smith - Moonlight in Vermont (1952)
- Jo Stafford - Happy Holiday (2010)
- Sonny Stitt
- Mel Tormé - Swingin' on the Moon (1998)
- Leslie Uggams
- Sarah Vaughan - No Count Sarah (1958)
- Margaret Whiting - Moonlight in Vermont: 25 Original Mono Recordings 1943-1949 (2000)
- Bobby Womack
References
- ^ a b Jazz Standards, Songs and Instrumentals [1]
- ^ Sheila Davis (1984) The Craft of Lyric Writing , Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati ISBN 0898791499
External links
Categories:- 1943 songs
- Vermont culture
- Songs written by John Blackburn
- Songs written by Karl Suessdorf
- Songs about the United States
- Frank Sinatra songs
- Margaret Whiting songs
- Ella Fitzgerald songs
- Louis Armstrong songs
- Nat King Cole songs
- Billie Holiday songs
- Pop standard stubs
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