"Moonlight in Vermont" is a popular song about the U.S. state of Vermont, written by John Blackburn (lyrics) and Karl Suessdorf (music) and published in 1944.[1] It was introduced by Margaret Whiting in a 1944 recording.[1]
Background
The lyrics are unusual in that they do not rhyme.[1] 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 unconventional in that each verse (not counting the bridge) is a haiku.[1]
The song is considered an unofficial state song of Vermont and is frequently played as the first dance song at Vermont wedding receptions.[3]
Recorded versions
"Moonlight in Vermont" has been covered by numerous other artists over the years:
- Johnny Smith recorded a version of the song in 1952 with Stan Getz, later the title track on a 1956 album
- The Gerry Mulligan Quartet recorded a version in 1953 with Chet Baker
- Betty Carter and the Ray Bryant Jazz trio released a version on their march 1956 album, Meet Betty Carter and Ray Bryant
- Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong released a version on their 1956 album, Ella and Louis
- Jo Stafford covered the song on her 1956 album Ski Trails
- Billie Holiday covered the song in January 1957 for her 1958 Verve album Songs for Distingué Lovers
- Frank Sinatra covered the song for his 1958 studio album Come Fly With Me, and performed it regularly live. It appears on his live albums Sinatra Saga, Sinatra & Sextet: Live in Paris, Frank Sinatra with the Red Norvo Quintet: Live in Australia, 1959, Sinatra: Vegas and Live at the Meadowlands. Additionally, it appears as a duet with Linda Ronstadt on his 1994 album Duets II.
- Sam Cooke covered the song on his self titled 1958 debut album
- Sarah Vaughan covered the song in 1958 on No Count Sarah
- Dorothy Ashby covered the song in 1958 on Hip Harp with Frank Wess
- Ray Charles included it on his 1960 album The Genius Hits the Road
- Brook Benton covered the song on his 1960 album Songs I Love to Sing
- Bobby Womack covered the song on his 1969 album Fly Me to the Moon
- Willie Nelson covered the song for his 1978 album Stardust
- Jane Monheit covered the song for her 2005 Christmas album The Season
- Seth MacFarlane covered the song for his 2014 Christmas album Holiday For Swing
- Captain Beefheart's song "Moonlight on Vermont", on his 1969 album Trout Mask Replica, is unrelated
Billy Eckstine, 1964, with Bobby Tucker's Orchestra
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Jazz Standards Songs and Instrumentals (Moonlight in Vermont)". www.jazzstandards.com.
- ↑ Sheila Davis (1984) The Craft of Lyric Writing , Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati ISBN 0-89879-149-9
- ↑ Franz, Charlie; Wrzeszczynski, Kazimierz. "Moonlight in Vermont History". Retrieved 2019-06-20.
If you have ever been to a wedding in Vermont you undoubtedly have heard Moonlight in Vermont.
