An instrumental version of "Blue Tango" recorded by Anderson reached number one on the Billboard chart in 1952. Billboard ranked it as the number one song of 1952. The same recording was released in 1952 by Brunswick Records as catalog number 04870, with the same flip side. Hugo Winterhalter and his orchestra recorded "Blue Tango" at Manhattan Center, New York City, on January 22, 1952. It was released by RCA Victor as catalog number 20-4518A, with the flip side "Gypsy Trail". This version first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on February 29, 1952 and lasted 18 weeks on the chart, peaking at #8. It was also released in Great Britain by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 10277. Les Baxter and his orchestra released a version of "Blue Tango" by Capitol Records as catalog number 1681, with the flip side "Because of You". This version first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on March 14, 1952 and lasted 9 weeks on the chart, peaking at #22. This version was also released by Capitol Records in the United States as catalog number 1966, in Australia as catalog number CP-117 and in the United Kingdom as catalog number CL 13703, all with the flip side "Please Mr. Sun". A recording of the song by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians was released by Decca Records as catalog number 28031, with the flip side "At Last, At Last". This version first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on April 11, 1952 and lasted 10 weeks on the chart, peaking at #16. A vocal version was recorded by Alma Cogan in the United Kingdom in 1952. The song was also featured on the first UK Singles Chart the same year in another instrumental recording by orchestra leader Ray Martin. The song was subsequently revived by Bill Black's Combo. This recording was released by Hi Records as catalog number 2027, with the flip side "Willie". It first reached the Billboard charts on December 12, 1960 and lasted 7 weeks on the chart. On the composite chart of the top 100 songs, it reached #16. This version was also released in Australia by London Records, as catalog number HL-1735.
French singer Amanda Lear recorded her own version of "Blue Tango", providing it with self-penned lyrics. The recording was included on her debut 1977 album I Am a Photograph and released as a 7" single in the Netherlands and Russia. The single was not a commercial success and did not chart.
Music videos
The music video referenced rumours on her alleged transsexualism, which circulated in media at that time. The clip opens with Lear wearing a mannish attire, a black tie and a bowler hat. The singer then "transforms" herself into a woman, taking the costume off and revealing a long bright dress. The video was first aired in Italian TV showOdeon on 18 October 1977. Another music video was produced for a popular German TV show Musikladen. It pictures the singer sat at the table while performing the song and smoking a cigarette. In 1982, another video for "Blue Tango" was released for Italian TV show Premiatissima, which Lear hosted at that time. The singer is pictured wearing a flamenco dress and repeating dance routines accompanied by male dancers. The video premiered on 25 December 1982 and was later included in Lear's Italian television special Ma chi è Amanda?.
