Patsy Cline’s Missed Opportunity: The Untold Story of “Blue”
At the tender age of 13, LeAnn Rimes emerged as a country music sensation with her rendition of “Blue,” a melancholic song originally introduced by Bill Mack in 1958. This new take brought to light a tale of deceit and heartbreak from a man misled by a lover’s deceptive words.
Lyrics of Pain and Longing
The verses of “Blue” convey a deep yearning:
Desolate feelings of longing emerge,
Tears obscure vision in emotional surge.
In the quiet of midnight, solitude sits,
A piercing loneliness that never quits.
Moments of realization dawn,
As deceptive whispers prove to be false at morn.
Rediscovering a Classic
LeAnn’s take on Mack’s poignant tune featured prominently on her inaugural album, which clinched the third spot on the Billboard 200, leading the Top Country Albums chart. Her vocals earned her a Grammy for stellar female country performance. Mack, who passed away in 2020, was honored with a Grammy for the top country song and the coveted Academy of Country Music Award for the track of the year.
Unearthing a Gem in Youth
LeAnn initially presented “Blue” in her 1994 album, All That, but it didn’t immediately gain momentum. Still, it played a pivotal role as she sought partnerships with Nashville’s music houses. She recalled a time when one label suggested ditching the song altogether. Reflecting on the matter with American Songwriter during the song’s silver jubilee in 2021, she mused about how a different decision could’ve altered her entire career trajectory.
Mike Curb from Curb Records chanced upon LeAnn’s version and was quick to get her on board. Surprisingly, the song that gained ubiquity was LeAnn’s earlier recording when she was only 11. She expressed her pride in contributing to the rich tapestry of American music, noting how effortlessly the song came to her, like a second nature.
A Song for Patsy Cline?
Despite the song being written from a male viewpoint, Mack had never intended for it to be about Patsy Cline. However, he envisioned Cline performing it. Recalling a conversation in 2016, Mack mentioned how after he performed the song for Cline backstage at an event, she showed interest. Yet, the song never progressed further with her.
LeAnn, profoundly influenced by Cline, honored the legendary artist at the 2013 American Country Awards. Rimes’ homage consisted of classics like “Crazy” and “Walking After Midnight.” Reflecting on the experience, LeAnn shared her profound emotional connection with Cline’s music, which had been an influential part of her musical journey.
The Legacy of “Blue”
A decade later, in 2011, Rimes reintroduced “Blue” in a collaboration with The Time Jumpers for her tenth album, Lady & Gentlemen. Looking back at the song’s 25th anniversary in 2021, Rimes regarded it as the end of a significant era in her musical journey. She expressed her eagerness to embrace the future, anticipating the next chapters of her evolving career.
