Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Al Dubin and Harry Warren song)

"Boulevard of Broken Dreams" is a 1933 hit song with lyrics by Al Dubin and music by Harry Warren. Deane Janis with Hal Kemp's Orchestra recorded the original version on October 31, 1933, in Chicago, which was issued by Brunswick Records.[1] In 1934, a rendition sung by Constance Bennett appeared in the film Moulin Rouge, but was unreleased on record.

"Boulevard of Broken Dreams"
Song by Deane Janis with Hal Kemp's Orchestra
Released1933
RecordedChicago, October 31, 1933
GenreTraditional pop
LabelBrunswick
Composer(s)Harry Warren
Lyricist(s)Al Dubin

Set in Paris, the lyrics include "I walk along the street of sorrow/The Boulevard of Broken Dreams/Where gigolo and gigolette/Can take a kiss without regret/So they forget their broken dreams."

Boulevard of Broken Dreams served as the title tune for a stage musical which played February 11 – March 9, 2003 at the Coconut Grove Playhouse: featuring a libretto by Joel Kimmel, the play was based on the life of composer Al Dubin – played by Jordan Bennett – and featured a number of Dubin compositions as its score.[2]

The song "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" has been added to the score of the stage musical 42nd Street for its 2017 West End run being performed by Sheena Easton in the character of Dorothy Brock: the Daily Express opined that "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" seemed "out of place" in 42nd Street while stating that Easton sang the song "splendidly".[3]

This piece is a tango. The harmony utilizes a harmonic minor scale.

Renditions

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References

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  1. ^ Liner notes from the album Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? American Song During the Great Depression Archived December 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine (PDF). newworldrecords.org. New World Records, p. 12
  2. ^ Mangravite, Ronald (27 February 2003). "The Avenue He's Takin' You To".
  3. ^ Arditti, Michael (9 April 2017). "Theatre reviews: 42nd Street and The Goat".
  4. ^ Abrams, Steven and Settlemier, Tyrone. BLUEBIRD numerical listings 5000 - 5500 Online Discographical Project. Retrieved June 1, 2011
  5. ^ Ted Weems and his Orchestra: Discography Archived 2011-01-25 at the Wayback Machine redhotjazz.com
  6. ^ Abrams, Steven and Settlemier, Tyrone. Victor 24000 - 24500 Numerical Listing 1932 - 1933 Online Discographical Project. Retrieved June 1, 2011
  7. ^ Song artist 629 - Jan Garber Archived August 31, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Abrams, Steven and Settlemier, Tyrone. Conqueror records 8000 - 8500 Online Discographical Project. Retrieved June 1, 2011
  9. ^ Van der Kolff, Frans.Bing Crosby: A Sonography bingmagazine.co.uk
  10. ^ Abrams, Steven and Settlemier, Tyrone. Brunswick 6000 Series Numerical Listing Online Discographical Project. Retrieved June 1, 2011
  11. ^ Auction catalog: Connie Boswell - 335 Carioca/Boulevard of Broken Dreams. page 5. docstoc.com. January 31, 2012.
  12. ^ Photo scan of 10-inch 78rpm "Carioca" (01783A) / "The Boulevard of Broken Dreams" (01783B) auctiva.com. Retrieved December 3, 2012
  13. ^ Great Songs from 1934 Archived July 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Brunswick 01721
  14. ^ "La inmortalidad de "Veinte años"". Suenacubano (in Spanish). 25 December 2013. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  15. ^ Moonglow (Music, 1939). OCLC 166342322. worldcat.org. Retrieved December 3, 2012
  16. ^ Nat King Cole, Just Call Him King, le Chant du Monde, 2013
  17. ^ King Cole Trio, Transcriptions, Blue Note, 2005
  18. ^ Bennett, Tony (1998). The Good Life: the autobiography of Tony Bennett. NYC: Simon & Schuster. pp. 102, 265. ISBN 978-1-4165-7366-1.
  19. ^ "Proud Profession/Boulevard of Broken Dreams". 45cat.com. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  20. ^ "Café Jacques - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams". Discogs. 1978. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  21. ^ "הפרוטה והירח". Zemereshet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  22. ^ "Matt Forbes - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams". YouTube. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  23. ^ "Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Better Call Saul E 01X02 - Esquivel". YouTube. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
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