“Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone: without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own.”
Originated by the great American song-writing partnership of composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart, Blue Moon has become ingrained in City folklore as our number one, iconic anthem.
Although first sung by fans of Crewe Alexandra, the song is now synonymous with City fandom... but why?
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In fact, it was only a couple of decades ago that City supporters adopted the track.
While some joked it commemorated the fact City only won once in a Blue Moon(!), City historical expert Gary James remembers the first time he heard it:
“The first time I can ever recall it being sung was at the opening game of the 1989/90 season at Liverpool,” he said. “It had never been sung by fans during the seasons before that.
“At Anfield, City fans were kept behind for a while after the match and a few lads started singing it as we started to make our way out.
“They sang a sort of melancholic version, but it caught on.”
So, just how did those iconic lyrics become etched into the City fans’ subconscious?
The eighties was a time when Clubs started to embrace new songs on the then-terraces, rather than chants.
Songs like ‘Delilah’ and ‘Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life’ are two that stuck around for a while, with ‘Delilah’ now remaining as Stoke City’s anthem of choice.
Anyone in attendance at Wembley Stadium on the day of the 2011 FA Cup Final will tell you: witnessing the crescendo of noise from both ends of the ground as both sets of fans belted out their anthems at the top of their voices, competing for top spot, was something to behold.
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As for Blue Moon, more than 60 different artists have recorded their own versions of the song, offering a list that is as diverse as it is dazzling.
Django Reinhardt, Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Julie London, Sam Cooke, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The Supremes, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart and many more have also recorded their own take.
Alternative versions by Doves, Supra, The Marcels, Sha Na Na and Beady Eye are played regularly at the Etihad Stadium.
The song has also featured in films, including At The Circus, Viva Las Vegas, Grease and An American Werewolf in London.
But undoubtedly, the best and most popular version is when the chorus of City fans raise their arms in the air, hold their scarves aloft and sing the lyrics with all their heart during the 90 minutes of a game!
It’s a spine-tingling, compelling demonstration of support and loyalty for the club. Who knows what other versions of Blue Moon will lie ahead, but long may the anthem continue...
Lyrics
Blue Moon by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, 1934 ©
Blue moon,
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own.
Blue moon
You knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for.
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will hold
I heard somebody whisper please adore me
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold.
Blue moon
Now I’m no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own.
