Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Cramer grew up in the small town of Huttig, Arkansas, teaching himself to play the piano. After finishing high school, he returned to Shreveport, where he worked as a pianist for the Louisiana Hayride radio show.
In 1952, he made his way to Nashville at a time when the use of piano accompanists in country music was growing in popularity. Before long, Cramer would become one of the busiest studio musicians in the industry, playing piano for stars such as Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline, The Browns, Jim Reeves, Roy Orbison, Don Gibson and the Everly Brothers, and many others. It is Cramer's piano that is heard, for example, on Presley's first national hit, "Heartbreak Hotel."
However, Cramer remained a virtual unknown to anyone but music industry insiders until he recorded a 45 rpm single in 1960 called "Last Date." An instrumental, the music exhibited a relatively new concept for piano playing known as the "slip note" style. The record went to Number two on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart. By the mid-1960s, Cramer had become a respected performer, making numerous record albums and touring with guitar maestro Chet Atkins and saxophonist Boots Randolph.
Floyd Cramer died of lung cancer in 1997 at the age of 64 and was interred in the Spring Hill Cemetery in the Nashville suburb of Madison, Tennessee.
In 2003, he was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee offers the "Floyd Cramer Competitive Scholarship."
Blue Bayou
Floyd Cramer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm so lonesome all the time
Since I left my baby behind on Blue Bayou
Savin' nickels, savin' dimes
Workin' till the sun don't shine
Lookin' forward to happier times on Blue Bayou
Where you sleep all day and the catfish play on Blue Bayou
All those fishin' boats with their sails afloat, if I could only see
That familiar sunrise thru sleepy eyes how happy I'd be
Oh, to see my baby again
And to be with some of my friends
Maybe I'd be happy then on Blue Bayou
I'm goin' back some day, gonna stay on Blue Bayou
Where the folks are fine and the world is mine on Blue Bayou
Ah, that girl of mine by my side
The silver moon and the evening tide
Ah, some sweet day gonna take away this hurtin' inside
I'll never be blue, my dreams come true
On Blue Bayou
The lyrics of the song Blue Bayou by Floyd Cramer reveal the emotions of someone who is feeling sad and lonely after leaving his loved one behind on Blue Bayou. He talks about how he is saving every penny he could and working hard to have a better future with his baby. The words show how much he misses his baby and how much he looks forward to going back to Blue Bayou someday, where he can relax and have a good time.
The song describes the fishing boats with their sails afloat and the familiar sunrise through sleepy eyes. It talks about how he wants to see his baby again and be with his friends. The lyrics show how he hopes to be happy again on Blue Bayou. He talks about how he will never be sad again, and his dreams will come true on Blue Bayou. The beautiful words of the song evoke feelings of nostalgia, hopefulness, and rekindled love.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel so bad I've got a worried mind
I am consumed by negative emotions and anxiety
I'm so lonesome all the time
I am constantly feeling isolated and alone
Since I left my baby behind on Blue Bayou
My intense sadness is a result of leaving my significant other on Blue Bayou
Savin' nickels, savin' dimes
I am working hard to save money
Workin' till the sun don't shine
I am working tirelessly, even when the sun is not up
Lookin' forward to happier times on Blue Bayou
I am hoping for a better future on Blue Bayou
I'm goin' back some day, come what may, to Blue Bayou
I am determined to return to Blue Bayou one day, no matter the circumstances
Where you sleep all day and the catfish play on Blue Bayou
Blue Bayou is a place of peace where rest is plentiful and nature thrives
All those fishin' boats with their sails afloat, if I could only see
I yearn to experience the sight of the numerous fishing boats with their sails afloat once again
That familiar sunrise thru sleepy eyes how happy I'd be
The anticipation of witnessing a sunrise at Blue Bayou fills me with joy
Oh, to see my baby again
Reuniting with my significant other is my greatest wish
And to be with some of my friends
Being around my loved ones brings a sense of comfort
Maybe I'd be happy then on Blue Bayou
Perhaps being surrounded by loved ones and in a peaceful location will bring me happiness
I'm goin' back some day, gonna stay on Blue Bayou
I am going to return to Blue Bayou to stay there indefinitely
Where the folks are fine and the world is mine on Blue Bayou
Blue Bayou is a place where the people are friendly and I feel like I am in control of my life
Ah, that girl of mine by my side
My significant other is an essential source of happiness for me
The silver moon and the evening tide
The tranquil setting of the silver moon and the evening tide brings me peace
Ah, some sweet day gonna take away this hurtin' inside
I am hopeful that my pain and heartache will eventually be healed
I'll never be blue, my dreams come true
Once I am on Blue Bayou with my loved ones, my dreams will be realized and I will no longer feel unhappy
Writer(s): Joe Melson Copyright: Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music, Orbi-lee Music, Barbara Orbison Music Company, R-key Darkus Music
Contributed by Lincoln V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.