Shirley Bassey - Bye Bye Blackbird (1976 Show #5)

1976 (Shirley puts on her temporary dancing shoes for another song/dance number titled, 'Bye Bye Blackbird.' This is an old song written back in 1926, and it was Shirley's good friend Liza Minnelli who dusted off this classic tune as she performed it with great success on her 'Liza with a Z' concert back in 1972. Liza's dance number was directed by the great Bob Fosse, and of course she is a wonderful dancer who could easily perform Fosse's complicated choreography. The world has changed and sadly very few artists perform this older form of song/dance anymore (TV Variety Shows) outside of musical theatre. But, we have both Liza, Shirley, and so many of the great classic song/dance entertainers on video to always enjoy!

Shirley started as a chorus girl back in 1953, but she soon hung up her dancing shoes when the producers discovered that she had a voice,,,,a very good voice! Thus, when dancing as early as the mid-60's Shirleywould perform just some minor dancing moves, as singing is her specialty.

This song was recorded LIVE on Shirley's 1977 LP Titled, 'Shirley Bassey - Live In Japan.' The song was re-released on the 1998 CD titled, 'The Diamond Collection' which was a re-issue of Shirley's 1997 Birthday concert. This song was not actually included in the Birthday Concert line-up.

ABOUT this song:
"Bye Bye Blackbird" is a song published in 1926 by the American composer Ray Henderson and lyricist Mort Dixon. It is considered a popular standard and was first recorded by Gene Austin in 1926.

There is much speculation about the meaning of the song. At least two commentators (using the same source) attribute the song to a prostitute's leaving the business and going home to her mother. As such, it is the opposite of "House of the Rising Sun", where the prostitute returns to the business. The reason for the song's apparent ambiguity is that the opening verse and the verses about the bluebird are rarely sung. See, for example, the listing at lyricsplayground.

LYRICS: (As Shirley sings this song)
pack up all my care and woe,
Here I go singing low,
Bye bye blackbird.

Where somebody waits for me,
Sugar's sweet, so is he,
Bye bye blackbird.

No one here can love or understand me,
Oh what hard luck stories, they all hand me.

make my bed and light the light,
I'll arive late tonight,
Blackbird, bye bye.

I'm gonna pack up all my cares and woe,
Here I go singin' low,
Bye bye blackbird.

Where somebody waits for me,
Sugar is sweet, so is he,
Bye bye blackbird.

No one here can love or understand me,
Oh what hard luck stories, they all hand me.

Make my bed and light the light,
I'll arive late tonight
Blackbird, blackbird, blackbird... bye bye