My Blue Heaven

Album: Fats Domino Rock and Rollin' (1956)
Charted: 19
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was written in 1927. Walter Donaldson supplied the music and George Whiting wrote the lyrics.
  • This didn't become popular until about two years after it was written, when Eddie Cantor featured it in his successful stage musical Ziegfeld Follies of 1927. Afterwards, it became very popular for vaudeville productions.
  • During the first season of the TV show M*A*S*H, this was used frequently on the show. Examples: A Korean version on the PA system, Hawkeye and Trapper singing it before going to R&R in Tokyo (Bananas, Crackers, and Nuts) and Hot Lips singing it at a "no-talent show" (Dear, Dad Again).
  • This has been covered by the Smashing Pumpkins (who added extra lyrics), Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Al Jolson (who appeared in The Jazz Singer, the first "talkie"), and Dolly Parton.
  • There are two different movies called My Blue Heaven, and both used this song. The first was a 1950 musical where it was performed by the stars, Betty Grable and Dan Dailey. The second was a 1990 comedy starring Steve Martin and Rick Moranis. Fats Domino's version was the theme song in that one.
  • Besides the films in which it was used as the title song, this appeared in the movies Never a Dull Moment in 1943 (sung by Frances Langford), Moon over Las Vegas in 1944 (performed by Gene Austin, who recorded it for the album Victor, which sold over five million copies and held a record until Bing Crosby's "White Christmas"), the 1955 biographical musical Love Me or Leave Me, and the 1959 film The Five Pennies (performed by Bob Crosby). >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Brett - Edmonton, Canada, for all above
  • There is a recording studio in Kansas called Blue Heaven Studios. It is built inside the former First Christian Church. For more information, see www.blueheavenstudios.com. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Brett - Edmonton, Canada, for all above

Comments: 5

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 26th 1961, the western movie 'A Thunder of Drums' had its world premiere in New York City...
    The movie starred Richard Boone, George Hamilton, and playing the supporting role of 'Trooper Eddy', was Duane Eddy...
    At the time Duane's covered version of "My Blue Heaven" was at #69 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, and that was also its 5th and last week on the chart...
    The week before it had peaked at #50 {for 1 week} on the Top 100...
    And six days after the movie's premiere, on October 2nd, Duane Eddy performed "My Blue Heaven" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, Ny"My Blue Heaven" by crooner Gene Austin was released in 1928; it peaked at #1 and stayed there for 13 weeks, it remained on charts for 26 weeks. Reportedly it sold over 5 million copies!!!
    Info source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Blue_Heaven_(song)
  • David from Mesa, AzActually, the Smashing Pumpkins' "extra" lyrics have always been part of the song--most Tin Pan Alley songs have intro parts which are sometimes omitted in common usage such as the 'purple dusk' intro from "Stardust" or the 'Oh ma honey' from "Alexander's Ragtime Band". In this instance, the lyrics are "Day is ending/Birds are wending/Back to the shelter of/Each little nest they love/Nightshades falling/Lovebirds calling/What makes the world go round?/Nothing but love"
  • Brett from Edmonton, CanadaI heard the ending of the Pumpkins' lyrics as "Nothing but love", for what it's worth.
  • Greg from Calgary, United StatesThe Smashing Pumpkins added these lyrics before the traditional ones:

    Day is ending
    Words are wending
    Back to the show
    Each little
    Nestling love
    Night sheds falling
    Love words calling
    What makes the world
    Go round?
    Nothing, my love...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-Nighters

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.