Blue Canadian Rockies

Album: His Greatest Hits (1952)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Blue Canadian Rockies" was originally sung by Gene Autry in the 1952 film of the same name. It was penned by Texas songwriter Cindy Walker, who had over 500 songs recorded by major artists including over 50 by Bob Wills and the Texas Playboy. Her best known songs include "You Don't Know Me" (Eddy Arnold, Ray Charles) "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)" (Roy Orbison) and "Distant Drums" (Jim Reeves).
  • The song was revived in 1968 by The Byrds on their 1968 country-rock album Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Bassist Chris Hillman recalled to The Scene:

    "I heard that song originally by a group from Canada when I was working on this country show, Cal's Corral, when I was 18 years old. Canadian Sweethearts did it, and I heard it in a Gene Autry movie. It just stuck in my head. I remembered it when we started working on Sweetheart of the Rodeo and wanted to include it because it's a sweet love song."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

The Girl in That Song

The Girl in That SongFact or Fiction

Billie Jean, Delilah, Sara, Laura and Sharona - do you know who the girls in the songs really are?

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Actors With Hit Songs

Actors With Hit SongsMusic Quiz

Many actors have attempted music, but only a few have managed a hit. Do you know which of these thespians charted?

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?