sung by Ella Fitzgerald, fabled Jazz Singer, who died on June 15, 1998, at the age of 79, following many years of declining health due to heart and respiratory problems and complications from diabetes. Her last recording was made in 1991 and her last public performance was in 1993. A legend, she won many awards, including 13 Grammies.
The song itself -and what a song it is!- is from 1948, and the Ella Fitzgerald version is from 1960.
Also notable are versions by Sarah Vaughan from 1949:
Peggy Lee from 1953:
Bobby Darin (like Ella Fitzgerald in 1960):
Julie London, again from 1960:
Rosemary Clooney recorded it in 1964, Petula Clark did it in 1968, and the Pointer Sisters covered it in 1974. K.D. Lang has a version from 1988. Sinead O'Connor's cover is from 1992. Marianne Faithfull's cover from 2008 is interesting, but I prefer the earlier versions from 1960 and before.
Hat tip to Rita for pointing me to the 2003 Maria Muldaur version.
Please join the weekly blogger gathering hosted by Bleubeard and Elizabeth, where we share a drink-related post and visit with each other. You will receive a warm welcome.
Posts
I am totally with you ! I just drink black coffee ( black decaf) all the time!
ReplyDeleteHappy T-Day !
Hugs, Susi
Sarah Vaughan gets my vote. I have a very old LP recording of this. I've been known to play it in the wee hours of the morning on a sleepless night.
ReplyDeleteThanks for presenting some different versions of the same song - I am not a blues or jazz fan, but I do like to challenge my own likes once in a while (col)
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of that song before, which is strange since so many have sung it. It's a bit moody, but I like it. Thanks for doing all the research and sharing all those versions of Black Coffee with us for T this Tuesday. Please don't forget to link, since I can no longer link for others due to the EU enforced thingy.
ReplyDeleteGreat jazz tune, but I'm partial to Tea for Two. Happy T Day!
ReplyDeleteGood morning, really enjoyed your post this week-thanks for all the research too
ReplyDeleteHappy T Day Kathy
A great song, thanks for sharing the various interpretations. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeletei never heard of that song before - but i´m glad you shared it (and all the variations) - great!
ReplyDeletehappy t-day ♥
I like the earlier versions too, D, especially Sarah and Ella. It surprised me how many popular artists have recorded the song.
ReplyDeleteHappy T-Day. Hugs, Eileen
Divers i have enjoyed listening to all the different versions of this song i have never heard of...lol Now without reading other comments i have to say i like Sarah's version the best and KD Lang after that.. Probably Bobby Darin's the least.. lol Thanks so much for this on T day! Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteI love Ella Fitzgerald and her version of this song! Didn't know there were so many variations... thanks for sharing and happy T day!
ReplyDeleteIts years since I heard that song thank you for the reminder. I was surprised at how many folk recorded it as well.
ReplyDeleteHappy T day wishes
Yvonne xx
What a fabulous post! Ella Fitzgerald is amazing and I hadn't relised there were so many other wonderful versions of this song :-). Thanks for sharing and Happy T Tuesday! J x
ReplyDeleteI don't like black coffee. Or coffee for that matter. But I do love a lot of these singers.
ReplyDeleteHappy Tea Day,
Kate
I love Ella's singing, but I have to have my coffee lightened with cream or milk. ;) I am amazed at your ability to come up with musical and movie references to coffee and tea! happy T day!
ReplyDeleteSo funny that the Peggy Lee video she's not drinking black coffee--LOL!
ReplyDeleteInteresting change of lyrics for Bobby Darin.
I know I have heard this song before but none of the versions sounded like the one I had heard--how odd.
I even went searching on youtube and I think it must have been Maria Muldaur's version. Now where on earth I would have heard it is beyond me--LOL!
DeleteOh, I loved her back in the day! I'll add her version. Thx!
DeleteI like this song, but I didn't know so many people sang it besides Ella F. That is the sign of a great song and not a one play wonder. Hope all is well. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteNot heard of this song, but maybe I'll recognise it when I listen, as it's been sung by so many folks.
ReplyDeleteHappy Wednesday,
Alison x
I have never heard this song before bu it it is quite clearly a popular one! Belated Happy T Day!Chrisx
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