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Misty Blue
Misty Blue
Misty Blue
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"Misty Blue"
Single by Wilma Burgess
from the album Wilma Burgess Sings Misty Blue
B-side"Ain't Got No Man"
ReleasedSeptember 1966
RecordedMarch 24, 1966
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genre
Length2:30
LabelDecca
SongwriterBob Montgomery[1]
ProducerOwen Bradley
Wilma Burgess singles chronology
"Don't Touch Me"
(1966) 		"Misty Blue"
(1966) 		"Fifteen Days"
(1967)

"Misty Blue" is a song written by Bob Montgomery that has been recorded and made commercially successful by several music artists. Although Montgomery wrote the song for a different artist in mind, it was brought first to the attention of Wilma Burgess in 1966. It was recorded by Eddy Arnold the following year, both versions were top five country hits. A decade later, blues artist Dorothy Moore released the highest-charting version of the song and it reached the top ten in several different radio formats. Following Moore's revival of the track, numerous artists re-covered the tune, including country artist Billie Jo Spears. Spears's version would also go on to become a successful single release. Numerous other artists and musicians of different genres have recorded their own versions of "Misty Blue". The song is now considered both a country music and blues standard.

Wilma Burgess original version

[edit]

Bob Montgomery originally wrote the song for Brenda Lee, recalling, "I wrote 'Misty Blue' in about twenty minutes. It was a gift and it was perfect for Brenda Lee, but she turned it down. Her producer Owen Bradley loved the song and as he couldn’t push her to do it, he cut it country style with Wilma Burgess."[2] Burgess recorded the song on March 24, 1966 at the Columbia Recording Studio in Nashville, Tennessee. "Misty Blue" was released in October 1966 and spent most of December 1966 and January–February 1967 in the top ten, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It ultimately became her highest-charting single.[3] The song spawned the release of Burgess's second studio album Wilma Burgess Sings Misty Blue in 1967.[4]

"Misty Blue" would ultimately become Burgess's signature song and would be re-recorded by her several times throughout her career. Paul Wadey of The Independent called Burgess's version of the song "soulful", noting that she was "an underrated song stylist who was at her best when handling romantic ballads."[5]

Weekly charts

[edit]
Chart (1966–67) Peak
position
US Hot Country Singles (Billboard)[3] 4

Track listings

[edit]
7" vinyl single[6]
  • "Misty Blue" – 2:30
  • "Ain't Got No Man" – 2:29

Eddy Arnold cover version

[edit]
"Misty Blue"
Single by Eddy Arnold
from the album The Last Word in Lonesome
B-side"Calling Mary Names"
ReleasedMay 1967
RecordedApril 20, 1966
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genre
Length2:06
LabelRCA Victor
SongwriterBob Montgomery
ProducerChet Atkins
Eddy Arnold singles chronology
"Lonely Again"
(1967) 		"Misty Blue"
(1967) 		"Turn the World Around"
(1967)

"Misty Blue" was made successful again by American country artist Eddy Arnold less than a year later. Arnold recorded his version of the track on April 20, 1966 with producer Chet Atkins. The song was released as a single in May 1967 and it became a major hit for Arnold. The song became even more successful than Wilma Burgess's original 1966 release. Arnold's "Misty Blue" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, crossed over to number fifty-seven on the Hot 100 singles chart, and number thirteen on the adult contemporary chart. Arnold's 1967 release is the most successful cover version to be released by a male artist.[3]

Arnold's version of "Misty Blue" appeared on his 1967 studio album with RCA Records entitled, The Last Word in Lonesome. Greg Adams of AllMusic called Arnold's version "pure MOR pop vocal material" and would later say, " Arnold's smooth crooning and Bill Walker's easy listening string arrangements are bound for the supper club."[7]

Weekly charts

[edit]
Chart (1967) Peak
position
Canada RPM Top Singles[8] 41
US Hot 100 (Billboard)[3] 57
US Adult Contemporary Tracks (Billboard)[3] 13
US Hot Country Singles (Billboard)[3] 3

Track listings

[edit]
7" vinyl single[9]
  • "Misty Blue" – 2:06
  • "Calling Mary Names" – 2:34

Dorothy Moore cover version

[edit]
"Misty Blue"
Single by Dorothy Moore
from the album Misty Blue
A-side"Here It Is"
ReleasedNovember 1975
RecordedMalaco Studio 1973
Genre
Length3:38
LabelMalaco
SongwriterBob Montgomery
Producers
Dorothy Moore singles chronology
"Making Love (w/King Floyd)"
(1975) 		"Misty Blue"
(1975) 		"Funny How Time Slips Away"
(1976)

Prior to Moore's blues version of "Misty Blue", fellow blues singer Joe Simon cut the song. Released in 1972, Simon's version of the song only became a regional hit.[12]

It was through the Joe Simon version that Malaco Records owner Tommy Couch was familiar with "Misty Blue"[13] which Couch would record in 1973 with Dorothy Moore, a native of Jackson, MS who had recorded a number of tracks at the Malaco Studios in Jackson. Moore would recall receiving a morning call at her home from Couch inviting Moore to Couch's studio to hear a song he deemed perfect for her: (Dorothy Moore quote:)"I didn’t have a car at the time, so I took the bus to Malaco [where] I listened to the song [and] liked it...The rhythm section [was] there [so] we decided to record it. They had the lyrics typed out and [put] in front of me. And we did that record in one take. 'Misty Blue' was meant for me"[14] - although Moore admits: "I recorded it just like I did any other. I didn’t say: 'This is a hit.' I never saw [great success] coming."[14]

Evidently reluctant to release the track themselves, Malaco Records shopped Moore's "Misty Blue" to major labels without success, with the track remaining "in the can" until November 1975 when the cash-strapped Malaco Records used the last of its resources to press Moore's "Misty Blue" which they released themselves. When Moore was advised of her recording's belated release by Couch (Dorothy Moore quote:)"I [asked to] come in [to the studio] and add one thing to it. I had a copy of the recording [and had realized] the intro was too long - and [so] I put that 'mmmm-ooh-a-ooh' over the first few notes."[14] Also Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section veteran Jimmy Johnson overdubbed his rhythm guitar work on to the 1973 track.[15] Malaco Records did shop the updated track to Florida-based TK Records whose owner Henry Stone passed on releasing Moore's "Misty Blue" while agreeing for TK to act as national distributor for Malaco's own release of the track which Stone began promoting heavily via his own independent network.[16]

After receiving its initial airplay in Chicago and Washington DC,[13] Moore's single broke in the southern states in April 1976 and three months later it was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 1976 the single reached number 2 on the R&B chart and 3 on the Billboard Hot 100,[17] as well as number 14 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Billboard ranked it as the No. 19 song for 1976.

"Misty Blue" was also a UK hit, reaching number 5 there on the chart dated for the week of 8 August 1976.[18] Moore's single also achieved hit status in Australia (5), Canada (4), New Zealand (4), and South Africa (11).[19]

Weekly charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Misty Blue"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[28] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[29] Silver 60,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Other versions similar to Dorothy Moore's

[edit]

In 1976 Etta James recorded "Misty Blue" on her album Dreamer, a blues version of the song. It was one of the songs she almost always sang at her performances.

In 2002, the English trip hop trio Amillionsons released a song which heavily sampled the track titled "Mistiblue", which reached number 39 in the UK.[30] Monica covered the song on her 1998 multi-platinum album The Boy Is Mine. Mary J. Blige performed it at one of the Share My World Tour shows, which was released into The Tour.[31] Cyndi Lauper covered the song as part of her classic country album Detour in 2016 and also included it as part of the set list on the associated tour.

Billie Jo Spears cover version

[edit]
"Misty Blue"
Single by Billie Jo Spears
from the album What I've Got in Mind
B-side"Let's Try to Wake Up Again"
ReleasedMay 1976
RecordedJanuary 1976
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genre
Length2:36
LabelUnited Artists
SongwriterBob Montgomery
ProducerLarry Butler
Billie Jo Spears singles chronology
"What I've Got in Mind"
(1976) 		"Misty Blue"
(1976) 		"Sing Me an Old Fashioned Song"
(1976)

The revival of "Misty Blue" by Dorothy Moore renewed country artists' interests in the song. In January 1976, American country music artist Billie Jo Spears recorded the song alongside producer Larry Butler.[3]

Spears had recently regained success with the help of Butler's modern production and had major hits with songs like "Blanket on the Ground" and "What I've Got in Mind". After internationally issuing a single, Spears released "Misty Blue" to the American market in May 1976 via United Artists Records. The song would peak within the top five of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart that year, becoming Spears's fourth top-ten single.[3][32] "Misty Blue" was then issued on Spears's 1976 studio album entitled What I've Got in Mind.[33]

Weekly charts

[edit]
Chart (1976) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[34] 4
US Hot Country Singles (Billboard)[3] 5

Year-end charts

[edit]
Chart (1976) Position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[35] 41

Track listings

[edit]
7" single[36]
  • "Misty Blue" – 2:36
  • "Let's Try to Wake It Up Again" – 2:29

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Misty Blue

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Misty Blue" is a written by American songwriter Bob Montgomery in 1966, which gained widespread popularity through numerous recordings across genres, most notably Dorothy Moore's soulful 1976 version that became her signature hit, reaching number three on the and number two on the chart. The song's lyrics evoke the lingering pain of lost love, with the narrator unable to escape memories of a former partner, turning their world "misty blue" at the mere thought. Originally intended as a tune, "Misty Blue" was first recorded by Wilma Burgess in 1966, peaking at number four on the chart, followed by Eddy Arnold's version later that year on his album The Last Word in Lonesome. released the first prominent R&B interpretation in 1972, but it was —an American singer from , formerly of the The Poppies—who transformed it into a crossover smash on in 1976, selling over four million copies worldwide and earning her two Grammy nominations. The track also climbed to number five on the UK Singles Chart, solidifying its status as a timeless standard. Since Moore's , "Misty Blue" has been covered by a diverse array of artists, including in 1998, in 2011, and in 2009, demonstrating its enduring appeal in , R&B, and . Its emotional depth and simple yet poignant melody have made it a staple in live performances and recordings, influencing generations of singers.

Background

Songwriting and composition

"Misty Blue" was written by Bob Montgomery, a prominent Nashville songwriter who had earlier collaborated with Buddy Holly during their high school years in Lubbock, Texas, co-writing early hits such as "Heartbeat" and "Wishing." After Buddy Holly's death in 1959, Montgomery relocated to Nashville, where he established himself as a staff songwriter, contributing to the country music scene with compositions for artists like Patsy Cline and Sue Thompson. Montgomery composed "Misty Blue" in 1966 over the course of approximately 20 minutes, drawing from his songwriting routine at the time. He originally crafted the song with in mind, envisioning it as a vehicle for her vocal style, but Lee ultimately declined to record it. The piece emerged as a straightforward creative burst, which Montgomery later described as feeling like a "gift" in its completeness. As a country ballad, "Misty Blue" features a melancholic tone suited to introspective themes, structured around verses that evoke lingering emotional echoes and a repeating chorus that intensifies the sense of hazy longing. This simple yet evocative form underscores Montgomery's skill in blending depth with accessible , hallmarks of his Nashville-era work.

Lyrics and theme

"Misty Blue" is a poignant country ballad written by Bob Montgomery in , featuring that revolve around the theme of enduring heartbreak and the struggle to move on from a lost love. The song's narrator expresses a profound inability to forget their former partner, despite the passage of time, as captured in the opening lines: "Oh, it's been such a long, long time / Looks like I'd get you off my mind / Oh, but I can't / Just the thought of you turns my whole world misty blue." This central motif underscores the emotional paralysis caused by lingering attachment, portraying love's aftermath as an inescapable sorrow that permeates daily life. The "misty blue" imagery serves as a powerful , evoking from tears or an emotional fog that obscures clarity and joy, representing the haze of grief and unresolution. Delivered from a first-person perspective, the form a that delves into specific triggers reigniting the pain, such as hearing the ex-lover's name mentioned or encountering familiar places and objects associated with the past relationship. Lines like "Just the mention of / Turns the flicker to a " illustrate how ordinary moments can summon overwhelming memories, reinforcing the theme of involuntary remembrance. The narrative highlights of the futility in holding on, yet admits defeat to these , emphasizing vulnerability and the human tendency toward romantic obsession. Poetic devices enhance the song's emotional depth, particularly the repetition in the chorus—"My whole world turns misty blue (misty blue)"—which mirrors the persistent, cyclical nature of the sorrow and amplifies the sense of . This , echoed throughout, creates a hypnotic rhythm that underscores the unrelenting grip of heartache, making the theme of remembrance not just a but a visceral for the listener. While the remain consistent across covers, their raw intimacy allows for varied emotional interpretations in .

Early country versions

Wilma Burgess version

Wilma Burgess recorded "Misty Blue" on March 24, 1966, at Columbia Recording Studio in South Nashville, and released it as a single in October 1966 on (catalog number 32027), following Eddy Arnold's album release earlier that year. The track originated as a composition intended for , who declined to record it, leading to Burgess's version. The single achieved notable success on the country charts, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart for one week in December 1966 and spending a total of 18 weeks on the chart. It was received as a solid country hit for Burgess, highlighting her emotive vocal delivery that conveyed twangy heartache through a classic Nashville sound. The 7-inch vinyl single featured "Misty Blue" as the A-side, backed by "Ain't Got No Man" (written by Dallas Frazier) on the B-side. The recording was produced by Owen Bradley with standard country instrumentation, including pedal steel guitar.

Eddy Arnold version

Eddy Arnold recorded "Misty Blue" on April 20, 1966, which was released as the second major version of the song that year by RCA Victor on his album The Last Word in Lonesome in June 1966. The track was later issued as a single in 1967, with "Calling Mary Names" serving as the B-side. Arnold delivered the song in his signature polished style, accompanied by orchestral backing that exemplified production prevalent in his mid-1960s work. This rendition played a key role in bringing early visibility to "Misty Blue" beyond its initial roots. The single achieved significant chart success, peaking at number 3 on the Hot Country Singles chart and crossing over to number 57 on the Hot 100. It marked the first version of the song to appear on the pop charts alongside its performance. Following Wilma Burgess's single release later in , Arnold's version demonstrated the song's potential for broader appeal.

Soul and R&B versions

Joe Simon version

released the first R&B interpretation of "Misty Blue" as a single in 1972 on Sound Stage 7 Records, backed with "That's the Way I Want Our Love." The track was featured on his Joe Simon's Greatest Hits Featuring Misty Blue, integrating it into a collection of his earlier hits and marking its place within his evolving . The single achieved modest chart success, peaking at number 47 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and number 91 on the , where it remained for five weeks. Despite not reaching higher positions, this performance represented Simon's ability to adapt material to R&B audiences during a period when he was transitioning between labels and styles. Drawing from his roots cultivated in church choirs during his youth, Simon's rendition infused the song with soulful elements, including a plaintive delivery that added emotional depth through smoother, more expressive phrasing than the prior versions by Wilma Burgess and . This approach not only highlighted his versatility in blending R&B and influences but also established "Misty Blue" as the first non-country hit version, laying groundwork for the genre's shift toward soul interpretations despite its limited commercial impact.

Dorothy Moore version

Dorothy Moore recorded her version of "Misty Blue" in one take at Malaco Studios in , in 1973, after label co-founder Tommy Couch presented her with the song, which she performed with lyrics provided on the spot. The track, inspired by Joe Simon's earlier R&B rendition, was held back due to label uncertainties before its release as a single in 1975 on . It served as the lead single from Moore's debut album Misty Blue, issued in March 1976. The 7-inch single featured "Misty Blue" as the A-side, backed by "Here It Is" on the B-side, and showcased a deep arrangement with bluesy undertones that highlighted Moore's emotive vocals. Upon release, it achieved significant crossover success, peaking at number 3 on the for four weeks and charting for 22 weeks overall, number 2 on the Hot R&B Singles chart with over 20 weeks, and number 5 on the UK Singles Chart for 13 weeks. On Billboard's year-end charts for , it ranked number 19 on the Hot 100 and number 25 on the R&B singles list. The single earned gold certification from the RIAA in the United States for sales exceeding one million units and silver certification from the BPI in the . Moore's passionate, heartfelt delivery was widely credited with reviving the song's popularity and driving its broad appeal across soul, R&B, and pop audiences.

Later covers

Billie Jo Spears version

In 1976, released a country rendition of "Misty Blue" on as part of her album What I've Got in Mind, capitalizing on the song's resurgence sparked by Dorothy Moore's concurrent soul success. The track, recorded in January 1976, was issued as a single in May to leverage the growing interest in the composition across genres. Spears delivered the song with her signature husky, rural twang, emphasizing a traditional that contrasted sharply with the smoother versions of the era. This interpretation highlighted the heartbreak theme through her emotive vocals and straightforward , aligning with her established in mid-1970s . The 7-inch single featured "Misty Blue" as the A-side, backed by "Let's Try to Wake It Up Again" on the B-side. It achieved solid performance on country charts, peaking at number 5 on the Hot Country Singles chart. The single earned a modest ranking in 1976 country year-end summaries, reflecting its contribution to Spears's string of mid-decade hits. As one of multiple re-recordings that year, Spears's version underscored the song's broad appeal during its peak popularity period.

Other notable versions

Engelbert Humperdinck released an easy-listening rendition of "Misty Blue" as a single in on the Epic label, featuring orchestral arrangements that emphasized the song's melancholic balladry. Etta James delivered a blues-infused cover on her 2011 album The Dreamer, where her raw, emotive vocals transformed the heartbreak theme into a deeply personal . Mary J. Blige's 1998 live recording, featured on her album The Tour, brought a modern hip-hop soul edge to the song, with improvisational flourishes and production that highlighted emotional vulnerability. included an a cappella-inspired version on their 2009 album Love, showcasing their signature harmonic precision to underscore the song's intimate sorrow. Prince performed "Misty Blue" live starting in 2008, often with Shelby J. on lead vocals, emulating a soulful style. Internationally, Jessica Mauboy's 2012 pop rendition for the The Sapphires soundtrack adapted the track with upbeat Australian contemporary flair, blending it into a narrative of cultural resilience.

References

  1. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/dorothy-moore/misty-blue
  2. https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=Misty%2BBlue%2Bby%2BDorothy%2BMoore&id=12930
  3. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/89653/all
  4. https://www.clarionledger.com/story/magnolia/2018/03/17/miss-singer-dorothy-moore-misty-blue-meant-me/430488002/
  5. https://concord.com/artist/dorothy-moore/
  6. https://genius.com/Dorothy-moore-misty-blue-sample/covers
  7. https://www.whosampled.com/Dorothy-Moore/Misty-Blue/covered/
  8. https://www.the-independent.com/news/people/bob-montgomery-songwriter-best-known-for-his-work-with-buddy-holly-but-who-also-wrote-for-billy-fury-and-cliff-richard-10086221.html
  9. https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/local/2014/12/05/early-buddy-holly-partner-bob-montgomery-dead-77/15006022007/
  10. https://savingcountrymusic.com/songwriter-producer-and-publisher-bob-montgomery-passes-away/
  11. https://alancackett.com/bob-montgomery-obituary
  12. https://genius.com/Dorothy-moore-misty-blue-lyrics
  13. https://www.discogs.com/release/7631361-Wilma-Burgess-Misty-Blue
  14. https://patsyclinediscography.com/wilmaburgess/wilma-burgess-issues.php
  15. https://www.bear-family.com/burgess-wilma-misty-blue-cd.html
  16. https://patsyclinediscography.com/wilmaburgess/wilma-burgess-recording-sessions.php
  17. https://starsofrnb.fandom.com/wiki/Misty_Blue
  18. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/eddy-arnold/the-last-word-in-lonesome/
  19. https://www.discogs.com/release/1537263-Eddy-Arnold-Misty-Blue-Calling-Mary-Names
  20. https://www.rocky-52.net/chanteurs/arnold_e.htm
  21. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/110286/all
  22. https://www.discogs.com/master/337181-Joe-Simon-Misty-Blue-Thats-The-Way-I-Want-Your-Love
  23. https://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/kz31916
  24. https://www.songswithearlierhistories.com/misty-blue/
  25. https://acerecords.co.uk/news/2020/joe-simon
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmAhjtMDFnM
  27. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/280508/all
  28. https://popdose.com/soul-serenade-dorothy-moore-misty-blue/
  29. https://www.discogs.com/release/1600887-Dorothy-Moore-Misty-Blue
  30. https://www.discogs.com/release/4965805-Dorothy-Moore-Misty-Blue-Here-It-Is
  31. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/dorothy-moore-misty-blue/
  32. https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=Misty+Blue+by+Dorothy+Moore&id=12930
  33. https://playback.fm/charts/rnb/1976
  34. https://uwfvoyager.com/1650/features/dorothy-moore-still-kicking-46-years-after-misty-blue/
  35. https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?id=78992
  36. https://alancackett.com/billie-jo-spears
  37. https://www.45cat.com/record/uaxw813y
  38. https://playback.fm/artist/billie-jo-spears-top-songs
  39. https://www.discogs.com/release/13377265-Engelbert-Humperdinck-Misty-Blue
  40. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/181406/all
  41. https://princevault.com/index.php/Misty_Blue
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