When My Blue Moon
Turns to Gold Again.
Merle Haggard Vinyl Record Memories
"When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again" was written by Wiley Walker
and Gene Sullivan in 1940. The song was the B-side on Merle's original 1977 #2
hit, Ramblin' Fever.
I first heard this song by Elvis in the
fifties. It was released on a 45rpm EP (extended play 45) with two songs
on each side. I have four copies of that 45rpm record. The King of Rock and Roll made his last appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show on January 6, 1957. There, he performed “When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again” in front of an audience of around 50 million viewers.
Nearly fifty years later in 2004, Merle Haggard sings this song live in concert at the worlds largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's in Fort Worth, Texas. Though Haggard was looking quite old in this performance, there’s no denying the vibrancy in his voice.
This is a mature Merle Haggard with his band performing at their best, and in an excellent environment.
A few of the songs Merle sang at the concert can be viewed on pages I have written here at Vinyl Record Memories. I've listed them at the bottom of the page for your convenience.
The songs include, "Misery & Gin," and "Mama Tried." Great songs with great stories and videos.
Merle also performed "Fightin' Side of Me" at Billy Bob's. I don't have that one but I do have the song, "I Take A lot of Pride In What I Am" from the "Fightin' Side" album, and it also listed below for you to view.
"Blue Moon Turns to Gold"
Who actually wrote the song?
The song was written in the early 1940s, and because Gene Sullivan and Wiley A. Walker shared their fame and fortune, both names went on the music. Research indicates Walker was inspired to write the tune while traveling in West Texas early one morning with the full moon in his face.
"As daybreak approached, the moon changed from its bluish tint to a gold one, giving him the idea for the song," he said.
It was Wiley's son, Wiley B., said, "While Wiley did some composing, Gene was the chief composer of the two by far."
Their most famous song, "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again," was always introduced with Wiley saying,
"The next number we're going to sing for you is a song that we recorded back in 1941, and it sold over a million copies. Gene wrote it, and I made it pop'lar'."
When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Lyrics.
A Duet with Janie Fricke.
Merle performs 21 songs at Billy Bob's and the entrance of the talented Janie Fricke singing back-up on this number was a welcome bonus for me on this song.
Merle's smooth voice with Janie singing back-up produced one of the best version's I have ever heard on this tune. I enjoy duets and have a number of my favorites on this site. Most are listed under "Best Cover Songs" and are also located on the left navigation bar.
Merle and Janie did have a #1 duet back in 1984 on the first single that Haggard and Fricke worked together on titled "A Place to Fall Apart."
Watch this really nice video of the live performance. Pay close attention to Janie as she is obviously enjoying this wonderful song with Merle. Her voice blends perfectly.
Where has all the good country music gone?
Enjoy...
When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Lyrics
Written by Wiley Walker and Gene Sullivan
Recorded by Merle Haggard in 1977
B-side of #2 hit Ramblin' Fever
When my blue moon turns to gold again
When the rainbow turns the clouds away
Then Someday they'll live again sweetheart
When my blue moon turns to gold again
Memories that linger in my heart
Memories that makes my heart grow cold
Then some day they'll live again sweetheart
And my blue moon again will turn to gold
When my blue moon turns to gold again
When my rainbow turns the clouds away
When my blue moon turns to gold again
You'll be back within my arms to stay
You'll be back within my arms to stay
You might also like these...
Just Stay Here And Drink | Merle Haggard "Back to The Barrooms"
Merle Haggard features another great barroom song, "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink," a number-one song from the album, "Back to The Barrooms," filled with songs of bars, booze and the blues. Considered by many to be one of the finest stand alone country albums ever.
Mama Tried Lyrics | Merle Haggard 1968 Vinyl Record Memories
Mama Tried Lyrics looks back on hard times as Merle Haggard tried to focus on the pain and suffering he caused his mother after being placed in San Quentin prison in 1957. His songwriting always seemed to take you with him and make you feel the hurt he experienced.
Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star | Merle Haggard Vinyl Record Memories
Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star was co-written by Merle Haggard with Freddie Powers in 1987 and was the last of his thirty eight number one singles as a solo artist. Haggard wishes upon a star not for riches but for reconciliation with a lover, with a bit of doo-wop influence.
Silver Wings Lyrics | Merle Haggard Vinyl Record Memories.
The Silver Wings Lyrics was written by Merle Haggard based on a plane trip. Romanticizing an airplane’s “silver wings” that took away his lover, Haggard sang so intimately that you wondered if you were eavesdropping.
Pride In What I Am | Merle Haggard Vinyl Record Memories
"I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am" is a fan favorite from the 1970, "Fightin' Side of Me" live album. The introduction says it all. The Houselights blink, then dim. The crowd quiets. Then the intro and the man they've been waiting for. This is Merle Haggard - Live!
Misery and Gin Vinyl Memories | Merle Haggard Barroom Favorites
Misery and Gin was the first single off the album, "Back to The Barrooms," and the words alone make this one a true honky-tonk classic. Grab a cold one, add a couple of notches to the volume control. Your evening with classic honky-tonk is just gettin' started.
That's The Way Love Goes Lyrics | Merle Haggard duet with Jewel.
That's The Way Love Goes was a #1 song for both Johnny Rodriguez and Merle Haggard, ten years apart. Haggard's version possesses a trace of sadness that somehow becomes uplifting mainly because of his masterful delivery of words and this duet with Jewel is solid gold.
Ever thought of having your own website? I built Vinyl Record Memories "from scratch" with SoloBuildIt! Click below to find out more....
Return to the Merle Haggard Main Page
Return Home.
Vinyl Record Memories
(VIP Club Newsletter)
A Little Bit of Nostalgia in your inbox each month.
Another Place,
Another Time
This 1968 song, a lean number about a backstreet affair, would give new life to Jerry Lee Lewis' flagging career, a new beginning with traditional country music. Read More...
Baby's Gone
Didn't say goodbye, didn't tell me why, just left me here to cry, with nothing but a memory.
Read the true story behind this treasured memory.
A Beach Boys Classic
"Don't Worry Baby"
What a treat, watching Lorrie Morgan and The Beach Boys sing together. A country voice with a sexy tone covering an old Beach Boys song hit the spot. Come with me...Enjoy
Country Cheatin' Songs.
Send Me Down To Tucson, one of the all time classic country cheating songs that finds the singer having a torrid affair with a lover in another city and state. Read more...
Patsy Cline
You Belong To Me.
Patsy Cline songs are the voice of the average woman, the waitress at the diner, the counter girl at the all-night truck stop, or even the stay-at-home mom who stops to wonder what happened to all her dreams. Patsy Cline was their voice. Read more...
"Dream" - 1944
Roy Orbison Cover
The song "Dream" reminds us of those glamorous movie stars of the '40s, '50s, and early '60s, a song everyone should have in their music collection. Come Dream with me...
Can't Afford to Retire?
Here's a solution to keep both your mind and budget happy!
More Details Here
