| "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Deane Janis with Hal Kemp's Orchestra | |
| Released | 1933 |
| Recorded | Chicago, October 31, 1933 |
| Genre | Traditional pop |
| Label | Brunswick |
| Composer(s) | Harry Warren |
| Lyricist(s) | Al Dubin |
"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.
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.