Dirty blues
Encyclopedia
Dirty blues encompasses forms of blues music that deal with topics that are sometimes considered taboo
in society, including sexual metaphors and/or references to drug use of some kind. Due to the sometimes graphic subject matter, such music was often banned from radio and only available on a jukebox
. The style was most popular in the years before World War II
and had a revival in the 1960s.
The more noteworthy musicians who utilised the style included Bo Carter
, Bull Moose Jackson
, Myra Johnson, The Lamplighters, Harlem Hamfats, and The Midnighters
.
Taboo
A taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred and or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs and or scientific consensus. Breaking the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society...
in society, including sexual metaphors and/or references to drug use of some kind. Due to the sometimes graphic subject matter, such music was often banned from radio and only available on a jukebox
Jukebox
A jukebox is a partially automated music-playing device, usually a coin-operated machine, that will play a patron's selection from self-contained media...
. The style was most popular in the years before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and had a revival in the 1960s.
The more noteworthy musicians who utilised the style included Bo Carter
Bo Carter
Armenter "Bo Carter" Chatmon was an American early blues musician. He was a member of the Mississippi Sheiks in concerts, and on a few of their recordings...
, Bull Moose Jackson
Bull Moose Jackson
Benjamin Clarence "Bull Moose" Jackson was an American blues and rhythm and blues singer and saxophonist, who was most successful in the late 1940s.-Career:...
, Myra Johnson, The Lamplighters, Harlem Hamfats, and The Midnighters
Hank Ballard
Hank Ballard , born John Henry Kendricks, was a rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, the lead vocalist of Hank Ballard and The Midnighters and one of the first proto-rock 'n' roll artists to emerge in the early 1950s...
.
Notable dirty blues songs
- "Bow Wow Blues" - The Allen BrothersThe Allen BrothersThe Allen Brothers were an American country music duo popular in the 1920s and 1930s...
, 1927 - "It's Tight Like That" - Tampa RedTampa RedTampa Red , born Hudson Woodbridge but known from childhood as Hudson Whittaker, was an American Chicago blues musician....
and Georgia TomThomas A. DorseyThomas Andrew Dorsey was known as "the father of black gospel music" and was at one time so closely associated with the field that songs written in the new style were sometimes known as "dorseys." Earlier in his life he was a leading blues pianist known as Georgia Tom.As formulated by Dorsey,...
, 1928 - "The Duck's Yas-Yas-YasThe Duck's Yas-Yas-Yas"The Duck's Yas-Yas-Yas" or "The Duck's Yas Yas Yas" is a hokum jazz-blues song, originally recorded by James "Stump" Johnson, but the most well known version was recorded by Oliver Cobb and his Rhythm Kings....
" - James "Stump" JohnsonJames "Stump" JohnsonJames "Stump" Johnson was an American blues pianist and singer from St. Louis.-Biography:James "Stump" Johnson was the brother of Jesse Johnson, "a prominent black business man," who around 1909 had moved the family from Clarksville, Tennessee, to St. Louis, where he ran a music store and was a...
, 1928 - "I Had to Give Up Gym" - The Hokum Boys, 1929
- "Rock That Thing" and "You'll Never Miss Your Jelly Until Your Jelly Roller Is Gone" - Lil JohnsonLil Johnson (blues singer)Lil Johnson was an African American singer, who recorded bawdy blues and hokum songs in the 1920s and 1930s....
, 1929 - "Bumblebee" - Memphis MinnieMemphis MinnieMemphis Minnie was an American blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. She was the only female blues artist considered a match to male contemporaries as both a singer and an instrumentalist.-Career:...
, 1929 - "Please Warm My Weiner" - Bo CarterBo CarterArmenter "Bo Carter" Chatmon was an American early blues musician. He was a member of the Mississippi Sheiks in concerts, and on a few of their recordings...
, 1930 - "Good Grinding" - Irene ScruggsIrene ScruggsIrene Scruggs was an American Piedmont blues and country blues singer, who was also billed as Chocolate Brown and Dixie Nolan...
, 1930 - "Must Get Mine in Front" - Irene ScruggsIrene ScruggsIrene Scruggs was an American Piedmont blues and country blues singer, who was also billed as Chocolate Brown and Dixie Nolan...
, 1930 - "Pin In Your Cushion" - Bo CarterBo CarterArmenter "Bo Carter" Chatmon was an American early blues musician. He was a member of the Mississippi Sheiks in concerts, and on a few of their recordings...
, 1931 - "Banana In Your Fruit Basket" - Bo CarterBo CarterArmenter "Bo Carter" Chatmon was an American early blues musician. He was a member of the Mississippi Sheiks in concerts, and on a few of their recordings...
, 1931 - "My Pencil Won't Write No More" - Bo CarterBo CarterArmenter "Bo Carter" Chatmon was an American early blues musician. He was a member of the Mississippi Sheiks in concerts, and on a few of their recordings...
, 1931 - "My Girl's PussyMy Girl's Pussy"My Girl's Pussy" is a song by the British bandleader and clarinetist Harry Roy. The song was recorded in 1931 by Harry Roy and His Bat Club Boys.-Lyrics:"My Girl's Pussy" is a song by the British bandleader and clarinetist Harry Roy...
" - Harry RoyHarry RoyHarry Roy was a British dance band leader and clarinet player from the 1920s until the 1960s.-Life and career:...
, 1931 - "The Coldest Stuff in Town" - Whistling Bob Howe & Frankie Griggs, 1935
- "Shave 'Em Dry" - Lucille BoganLucille BoganLucille Bogan was an American blues singer, among the first to be recorded. She also recorded under the pseudonym Bessie Jackson...
, 1935 - "Get 'Em From The Peanut Man (Hot Nuts)" - Lil JohnsonLil Johnson (blues singer)Lil Johnson was an African American singer, who recorded bawdy blues and hokum songs in the 1920s and 1930s....
, 1935 - "Anybody Want To Buy My Cabbage?" - Lil JohnsonLil Johnson (blues singer)Lil Johnson was an African American singer, who recorded bawdy blues and hokum songs in the 1920s and 1930s....
, 1935 - "Press My Button (Ring My Bell)" - Lil JohnsonLil Johnson (blues singer)Lil Johnson was an African American singer, who recorded bawdy blues and hokum songs in the 1920s and 1930s....
, 1935 - "Trucking My Blues Away" - Blind Boy FullerBlind Boy FullerBlind Boy Fuller was an American blues guitarist and vocalist. He was one of the most popular of the recorded Piedmont blues artists with rural Black Americans, a group that also included Blind Blake, Josh White, and Buddy Moss.-Life and career:Fulton Allen was born in Wadesboro, North Carolina,...
, 1936 - "Sam The Hot Dog Man" - Lil JohnsonLil Johnson (blues singer)Lil Johnson was an African American singer, who recorded bawdy blues and hokum songs in the 1920s and 1930s....
, 1936 - "My Stove Is In Good Condition" - Lil JohnsonLil Johnson (blues singer)Lil Johnson was an African American singer, who recorded bawdy blues and hokum songs in the 1920s and 1930s....
, 1936 - "They're Red HotThey're Red Hot"They're Red Hot" is a song originally performed and written by blues musician Robert Johnson. Notably, it is one of very few songs recorded by the bluesman that is not based around twelve bar blues. It is based on a common ragtime chord progression...
" - Robert Johnson, 1937 - "Meat Balls" - Lil JohnsonLil Johnson (blues singer)Lil Johnson was an African American singer, who recorded bawdy blues and hokum songs in the 1920s and 1930s....
, 1937 - "If It Don't Fit (Don't Force It)" - Lil JohnsonLil Johnson (blues singer)Lil Johnson was an African American singer, who recorded bawdy blues and hokum songs in the 1920s and 1930s....
, 1937 - "Southern Whoopee Song" - The Anglin Brothers, 1938
- "Don't You Feel My Leg?" - Blue Lu BarkerBlue Lu BarkerBlue Lu Barker was an American jazz and blues singer. Her better known recordings included "Don't You Feel My Leg" and "Look What Baby's Got For You."...
, 1938 - "I Want A Piece Of Your Pie" - Blind Boy FullerBlind Boy FullerBlind Boy Fuller was an American blues guitarist and vocalist. He was one of the most popular of the recorded Piedmont blues artists with rural Black Americans, a group that also included Blind Blake, Josh White, and Buddy Moss.-Life and career:Fulton Allen was born in Wadesboro, North Carolina,...
, 1939 - "Salty Papa Blues" - Dinah WashingtonDinah WashingtonDinah Washington, born Ruth Lee Jones , was an American blues, R&B and jazz singer. She has been cited as "the most popular black female recording artist of the '50s", and called "The Queen of the Blues"...
, 1944 - "Gotta Gimme Whatcha Got" - Julia LeeJulia Lee (musician)Julia Lee was an American blues and dirty blues musician.-Biography:Born in Boonville, Missouri, United States, Lee was raised in Kansas City, and began her musical career around 1920, singing and playing piano in her brother George Lee's band, which for a time also included Charlie Parker...
, 1946 - "Snatch and Grab It(Opportunity Knocks But Once) Snatch and Grab It" Snatch and Grab It" is a 1947 novelty song by Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends. The single was number one on the R&B Juke Box chart for twelve weeks and spent seven months on the chart...
" - Julia LeeJulia Lee (musician)Julia Lee was an American blues and dirty blues musician.-Biography:Born in Boonville, Missouri, United States, Lee was raised in Kansas City, and began her musical career around 1920, singing and playing piano in her brother George Lee's band, which for a time also included Charlie Parker...
, 1947 - "Lolly Pop Mama" - Wynonie HarrisWynonie HarrisWynonie Harris , born in Omaha, Nebraska, was an American blues shouter and rhythm and blues singer of upbeat songs, featuring humorous, often ribald lyrics. With fifteen Top 10 hits between 1946 and 1952, Harris is generally considered one of rock and roll's forerunners, influencing Elvis Presley...
, 1948 - "King Size PapaKing Size Papa"King Size Papa" is a 1948 novelty song by Julia Lee and her Boy Friends. The song, penned by Johnny Gomez and Paul Vance was released on the Capitol Americana label, catalog number, 40082. The song peaked at number one on the R&B charts and number fifteen on the national pop chart."King Size...
" - Julia LeeJulia Lee (musician)Julia Lee was an American blues and dirty blues musician.-Biography:Born in Boonville, Missouri, United States, Lee was raised in Kansas City, and began her musical career around 1920, singing and playing piano in her brother George Lee's band, which for a time also included Charlie Parker...
, 1948 - "Mother Fuyer" - Dirty Red, 1949
- "Cadillac Baby" - Roy BrownRoy Brown (blues musician)Roy James Brown was an American R&B singer, songwriter and musician, who had an influence on the early development of rock and roll music. His "Good Rocking Tonight" was covered by Wynonie Harris, Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Pat Boone, and the rock group Montrose. In addition,...
, 1950 - "I Like My Baby's Pudding - Wynonie HarrisWynonie HarrisWynonie Harris , born in Omaha, Nebraska, was an American blues shouter and rhythm and blues singer of upbeat songs, featuring humorous, often ribald lyrics. With fifteen Top 10 hits between 1946 and 1952, Harris is generally considered one of rock and roll's forerunners, influencing Elvis Presley...
, 1950 - "I'm a Hi-Ballin' Daddy" - Tiny BradshawTiny BradshawMyron C. Bradshaw was an American jazz and rhythm and blues bandleader, singer, composer, pianist, and drummer from Youngstown, Ohio.-Early years:...
, 1950 - "Silent George - Lucky MillinderLucky MillinderLucius Venable "Lucky" Millinder was an American rhythm and blues and swing bandleader. Although he could not read or write music, did not play an instrument and rarely sang, his showmanship and musical taste made his bands successful...
, 1950 - "Rocket 69" - Todd RhodesTodd RhodesTodd Rhodes was an American pianist and arranger and was an early influence in jazz and later on in R&B.He was born Todd Washington Rhodes, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky...
, 1951 - "Sixty Minute ManSixty Minute Man"Sixty Minute Man" is a rhythm and blues record released in 1951 by The Dominoes. It was written by Billy Ward and Rose Marks and was one of the first R&B hit records to cross over to become a pop hit on the pop charts...
" - Billy Ward and His Dominoes, 1951 - "The Walkin' Blues" - Fluffy Hunter, 1951
- "It Ain't the Meat" - The SwallowsThe SwallowsThe Swallows are a R&B group.Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1946 as the "Oakateers", the members were: Lawrence Coxson , Irving Turner , Earl Hurley and Norris “Bunky” Mack .The "Oakaleers" practised on street corners until around 1948, when they joined with Eddie Rich The Swallows are a R&B...
, 1951 - "Keep on Churnin'" - Wynonie HarrisWynonie HarrisWynonie Harris , born in Omaha, Nebraska, was an American blues shouter and rhythm and blues singer of upbeat songs, featuring humorous, often ribald lyrics. With fifteen Top 10 hits between 1946 and 1952, Harris is generally considered one of rock and roll's forerunners, influencing Elvis Presley...
, 1952 - "Pedal Pushin' Papa" - Billy Ward and His Dominoes, 1952
- "Big 10-Inch Record" - Bull Moose JacksonBull Moose JacksonBenjamin Clarence "Bull Moose" Jackson was an American blues and rhythm and blues singer and saxophonist, who was most successful in the late 1940s.-Career:...
, 1952 - "Little Girl Sing Ding-A-LingMy Ding-a-Ling"My Ding-a-Ling" was the title of a novelty song recorded by Chuck Berry, and his only U.S. number-one single on the pop charts. Later that year the song, in a longer unedited form, was on the album The London Chuck Berry Sessions...
" - Dave BartholomewDave BartholomewDave Bartholomew is a musician, band leader, composer and arranger, prominent in the music of New Orleans throughout the second half of the 20th century...
, 1952 - "Saturday Night Daddy - Little Esther PhillipsEsther PhillipsEsther Phillips was an American singer. Phillips was known for her R&B vocals, but she was a versatile singer, also performing pop, country, jazz, blues and soul music.-Early life:...
, 1953 - "Work with Me Annie" - The MidnightersHank BallardHank Ballard , born John Henry Kendricks, was a rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, the lead vocalist of Hank Ballard and The Midnighters and one of the first proto-rock 'n' roll artists to emerge in the early 1950s...
, 1954 - "Shake, Rattle and RollShake, Rattle and Roll"Shake, Rattle and Roll" is a prototypical twelve bar blues-form rock and roll song, written in 1954 by Jesse Stone under his assumed songwriting name Charles E. Calhoun. It was originally recorded by Big Joe Turner, and most successfully by Bill Haley & His Comets...
" - Big Joe TurnerBig Joe TurnerBig Joe Turner was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri. According to the songwriter Doc Pomus, "Rock and roll would have never happened without him." Although he came to his greatest fame in the 1950s with his pioneering rock and roll recordings, particularly "Shake, Rattle and...
, 1954 - "Big Long Slidin' Thing" - Dinah WashingtonDinah WashingtonDinah Washington, born Ruth Lee Jones , was an American blues, R&B and jazz singer. She has been cited as "the most popular black female recording artist of the '50s", and called "The Queen of the Blues"...
, 1954 - "Baby Let Me Bang Your Box" - The Toppers, 1954
- "Sexy Ways" - Hank BallardHank BallardHank Ballard , born John Henry Kendricks, was a rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, the lead vocalist of Hank Ballard and The Midnighters and one of the first proto-rock 'n' roll artists to emerge in the early 1950s...
, 1954 - "Salty Dog" - Blind Willie McTellBlind Willie McTellBlind Willie McTell , was an influential Piedmont and ragtime blues singer and guitarist. He played with a fluid, syncopated fingerstyle guitar technique, common among many exponents of Piedmont blues, although, unlike his contemporaries, he used exclusively a twelve-string guitar...
, 1956