Hey Lawdy Mama (blues song)
Encyclopedia
"Hey Lawdy Mama" is a Piedmont blues
song recorded by Buddy Moss
in 1934. The song became popular among jazz musicians with early recordings by Count Basie
and Louis Armstrong
. In 1943, a version recorded by Andy Kirk
and His Twelve Clouds of Joy, with vocals by June Richmond, was a hit, reaching #4 in the Billboard R&B chart. Since then, a variety of artists have recorded their interpretations of "Hey Lawdy Mama".
The song was performed as a solo piece, with Moss providing the vocal and guitar accompaniment.
After Moss' single, similar versions followed: "Oh Lawdy Mama" by Curley Weaver
(April 23, 1935 Decca 7664) and "Hey Lawdy Mama" by Bumble Bee Slim
(August 7, 1935 Decca 7126). These were released before Billboard magazine or a similar service began tracking such releases, so it is difficult to gauge which of these versions was the most popular, although Bumble Bee Slim's title is the one most commonly used on later versions (and often credited to Slim, also known as Amos Easton).
Earlier recorded versions of the song are not identified, although Pink Anderson
, who recorded a version of "Meet Me in the Bottom" in 1961 (which closely follows Slim's song), remembered the song "from just after the first World War". Slim's "Meet Me in the Bottom" set the pattern for later versions by other artists, which would include elements of "Hey Lawdy Mama" and "Meet Me in the Bottom" as well as new lyrics.
In 1961, Howlin' Wolf
recorded "Down in the Bottom" (also called "Meet Me in the Bottom"), a song credited to Willie Dixon
(May 1961 Chess 1793). Although "Down in the Bottom" is different musically and it does not have the "hey Lawdy mama, great God almighty" refrain, Bumble Bee Slim's "Hey Lawdy Mama" has been identified as "the song that Willie Dixon transformed into the classic "Meet Me in the Bottom" for Howlin' Wolf". The opening lines are reminiscent of Slim's "Meet Me in the Bottom":
Other songs that share elements of the Bumble Bee Slim songs without the common refrain include Blind Boy Fuller
's "Boots and Shoes" (February 8, 1937 Vocalion 03324) and Big Joe Williams
's "Meet Me Around the Corner" (March 27, 1941 Bluebird B8738).
and HIs Twelve Clouds of Joy, the song was performed as an uptempo swing-blues with a full horn section and vocals by Richmond (July 14, 1942 Decca 4405). The song reached #4 in the Billboard R&B chart during a stay of eight weeks in 1943. In 1944 and 1945 she recorded two more versions with Kirk (1944 Hindsight HSR227; 1945 Swing House SWH 130). Richmond appeared in a "soundie" (an early music video) in 1944 singing "Hey Lawdy Mama" backed by Roy Milton
's Solid Senders. She recorded another version of the song in 1945 with the Sonny Thompson
Sextet (November 1945 Mercury 2011). Although Richmond's songs were called "Hey Lawdy Mama", they used the opening verses from "Meet Me in the Bottom".
with Buddy Guy
recorded their interpretation of "Hey Lawdy Mama" for the influential Hoodoo Man Blues
album. The song was performed in the style of a Chicago blues, with Wells (vocal and harmonica), Guy (guitar), Jack Myers (bass) and Billy Warren (drums). Wells added new lyrics to the song:
In December 1966, British rock band Cream
recorded a version of Well's "Hey Lawdy Mama" for the BBC (2003 BBC Sessions). When preparing material for their second album, Cream recorded another version of Wells' song (1997 Those Were the Days
"version 1"). Later they recorded a version using Wells lyrics, but with a different backing arrangement (1970 Live Cream
). Wells' lyrics and melody were subsequently replaced, creating "Strange Brew
", a song with little resemblance to their earlier BBC performance or the Junior Wells song.
Piedmont blues
Piedmont blues refers primarily to a guitar style, the Piedmont fingerstyle, which is characterized by a fingerpicking approach in which a regular, alternating thumb bass string rhythmic pattern supports a syncopated melody using the treble strings generally picked with the fore-finger,...
song recorded by Buddy Moss
Buddy Moss
Eugene "Buddy" Moss was, in the estimation of many blues scholars, one of two the most influential East Coast blues guitarists to record in the period between Blind Blake's final sessions in 1932 and Blind Boy Fuller's debut in 1935...
in 1934. The song became popular among jazz musicians with early recordings by Count Basie
Count Basie
William "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years...
and Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong , nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana....
. In 1943, a version recorded by Andy Kirk
Andy Kirk
Andrew Dewey Kirk was a jazz saxophonist and tubist best known as a bandleader of the "Twelve Clouds of Joy," popular during the swing era....
and His Twelve Clouds of Joy, with vocals by June Richmond, was a hit, reaching #4 in the Billboard R&B chart. Since then, a variety of artists have recorded their interpretations of "Hey Lawdy Mama".
Early versions
Buddy Moss' "Oh Lordy Mama" is a uptempo twelve-bar blues with distinct vocal phrasing:- Meet me down at the river, you can bring me my shoes and clothes,
- Oh Lordy mama, great God almighty
- Said meet me down at the river, bring me my shoes and clothes
- Says I ain't got so many, but I got so far to go
The song was performed as a solo piece, with Moss providing the vocal and guitar accompaniment.
After Moss' single, similar versions followed: "Oh Lawdy Mama" by Curley Weaver
Curley Weaver
Curley James Weaver was an American blues musician, also known as Slim Gordon.-Early years:He was born in Covington, Georgia, United States, and raised on a farm near Porterdale...
(April 23, 1935 Decca 7664) and "Hey Lawdy Mama" by Bumble Bee Slim
Bumble Bee Slim
Amos Easton , better known by the stage name Bumble Bee Slim, was an American Piedmont blues musician.-Biography:Easton was born in Brunswick, Georgia, United States...
(August 7, 1935 Decca 7126). These were released before Billboard magazine or a similar service began tracking such releases, so it is difficult to gauge which of these versions was the most popular, although Bumble Bee Slim's title is the one most commonly used on later versions (and often credited to Slim, also known as Amos Easton).
Meet Me in the Bottom
In 1936, Bumble Bee Slim re-recorded "Hey Lawdy Mama" with some new lyrics as "Meet Me in the Bottom" (February 7, 1936 Decca 7170).- Meet me in the bottom, bring my boots and shoes,
- Oh Lawdy mama, great God almighty
- Meet me in the bottom, bring my boots and shoes
- I've got to leave this town I, got no time to lose
Earlier recorded versions of the song are not identified, although Pink Anderson
Pink Anderson
"Pink" Anderson was a blues singer and guitarist, born in Laurens, South Carolina.-Life and career:After being raised in Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina, he joined Dr...
, who recorded a version of "Meet Me in the Bottom" in 1961 (which closely follows Slim's song), remembered the song "from just after the first World War". Slim's "Meet Me in the Bottom" set the pattern for later versions by other artists, which would include elements of "Hey Lawdy Mama" and "Meet Me in the Bottom" as well as new lyrics.
In 1961, Howlin' Wolf
Howlin' Wolf
Chester Arthur Burnett , known as Howlin' Wolf, was an influential American blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player....
recorded "Down in the Bottom" (also called "Meet Me in the Bottom"), a song credited to Willie Dixon
Willie Dixon
William James "Willie" Dixon was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. A Grammy Award winner who was proficient on both the Upright bass and the guitar, as well as his own singing voice, Dixon is arguably best known as one of the most prolific songwriters...
(May 1961 Chess 1793). Although "Down in the Bottom" is different musically and it does not have the "hey Lawdy mama, great God almighty" refrain, Bumble Bee Slim's "Hey Lawdy Mama" has been identified as "the song that Willie Dixon transformed into the classic "Meet Me in the Bottom" for Howlin' Wolf". The opening lines are reminiscent of Slim's "Meet Me in the Bottom":
- Well now meet me in the bottom, bring me my running shoes
- Well now meet me in the bottom, bring me my running shoes
- Well I'll come out the window I, won't have time to lose
Other songs that share elements of the Bumble Bee Slim songs without the common refrain include Blind Boy Fuller
Blind Boy Fuller
Blind 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,...
's "Boots and Shoes" (February 8, 1937 Vocalion 03324) and Big Joe Williams
Big Joe Williams
Joseph Lee Williams , billed throughout his career as Big Joe Williams, was an American Delta blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, notable for the distinctive sound of his nine-string guitar...
's "Meet Me Around the Corner" (March 27, 1941 Bluebird B8738).
June Richmond versions
In 1942, jazz singer June Richmond recorded the first of several versions of "Hey Lawdy Mama" during her career. Given the big band treatment by bandleader Andy KirkAndy Kirk
Andrew Dewey Kirk was a jazz saxophonist and tubist best known as a bandleader of the "Twelve Clouds of Joy," popular during the swing era....
and HIs Twelve Clouds of Joy, the song was performed as an uptempo swing-blues with a full horn section and vocals by Richmond (July 14, 1942 Decca 4405). The song reached #4 in the Billboard R&B chart during a stay of eight weeks in 1943. In 1944 and 1945 she recorded two more versions with Kirk (1944 Hindsight HSR227; 1945 Swing House SWH 130). Richmond appeared in a "soundie" (an early music video) in 1944 singing "Hey Lawdy Mama" backed by Roy Milton
Roy Milton
Roy Milton was an American R&B and jump blues singer, drummer and bandleader.-Career:Milton's grandmother was a Chickasaw. He was born in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, United States, and grew up on an Indian reservation before moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma...
's Solid Senders. She recorded another version of the song in 1945 with the Sonny Thompson
Sonny Thompson
Sonny Thompson was an American R&B bandleader and pianist, popular in the 1940s and 1950s.Born Alfonso Thompson in Centreville, Mississippi, he began recording in 1946, and in 1948 achieved two #1 R&B chart hits on the Miracle label – "Long Gone " and "Late Freight", both featuring saxophonist...
Sextet (November 1945 Mercury 2011). Although Richmond's songs were called "Hey Lawdy Mama", they used the opening verses from "Meet Me in the Bottom".
Junior Wells and Cream version
In 1965, Junior WellsJunior Wells
Junior Wells , born Amos Wells Blakemore Jr., was an American Chicago blues vocalist, harmonica player, and recording artist...
with Buddy Guy
Buddy Guy
George "Buddy" Guy is an American blues and jazz guitarist and singer. He is a critically acclaimed artist who has established himself as a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound, and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation...
recorded their interpretation of "Hey Lawdy Mama" for the influential Hoodoo Man Blues
Hoodoo Man Blues
Hoodoo Man Blues is the 1965 debut album of blues vocalist and harmonica player Junior Wells, performing with the Junior Wells' Chicago Blues Band, an early collaboration with Grammy Award-winning artist Buddy Guy...
album. The song was performed in the style of a Chicago blues, with Wells (vocal and harmonica), Guy (guitar), Jack Myers (bass) and Billy Warren (drums). Wells added new lyrics to the song:
- You wanna go out babe, too late at night,
- Lawdy Mama, hey hey
- You wanna go out babe, too late at night
- I got a real funny feeling, you don't want to treat your daddy right
In December 1966, British rock band Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
recorded a version of Well's "Hey Lawdy Mama" for the BBC (2003 BBC Sessions). When preparing material for their second album, Cream recorded another version of Wells' song (1997 Those Were the Days
Those Were the Days (Cream album)
Those Were the Days is a retrospective compilation of the music of Cream, released on September 23, 1997.It comprises four CDs and catalogues every track from their four studio albums, plus live material recorded in 1968....
"version 1"). Later they recorded a version using Wells lyrics, but with a different backing arrangement (1970 Live Cream
Live Cream
Live Cream is a live compilation album by Cream released in 1970. This album comprises four live tracks recorded in 1968 and one studio track "Lawdy Mama" from 1967...
). Wells' lyrics and melody were subsequently replaced, creating "Strange Brew
Strange Brew (song)
"Strange Brew" is a 1967 song by British supergroup Cream. Released in late May of that year as the lead single from their album Disraeli Gears, this song features Eric Clapton on lead vocals rather than the usual lead by Jack Bruce. The single peaked at number 17 on the UK charts in June of that...
", a song with little resemblance to their earlier BBC performance or the Junior Wells song.
Other versions
All titled "Hey Lawdy Mama", except as noted.- 1934 - Buddy MossBuddy MossEugene "Buddy" Moss was, in the estimation of many blues scholars, one of two the most influential East Coast blues guitarists to record in the period between Blind Blake's final sessions in 1932 and Blind Boy Fuller's debut in 1935...
as "Oh Lordy Mama No. 2" (8/21/34 Conqueror 8677). - 1936 - Bumble Bee SlimBumble Bee SlimAmos Easton , better known by the stage name Bumble Bee Slim, was an American Piedmont blues musician.-Biography:Easton was born in Brunswick, Georgia, United States...
as "Meet Me at the Landing" and "I'll Meet You at the Bottom" (4/11/36 Vocalion 3384). - 1938 - Count BasieCount BasieWilliam "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years...
small combo instrumental (9/11/38 Decca 2722). - 1940 - Sam PriceSammy PriceSammy Price was an American jazz, boogie-woogie and jump blues pianist and bandleader. He was born Samuel Blythe Price, in Honey Grove, Texas, United States. Price was most noteworthy for his work on Decca Records with his own band, known as the Texas Bluesicians, that included fellow musicians...
's Texas Blusicians (9/26/40 Decca 7811). - 1941 - Louis Armstrong and his Hot SevenLouis Armstrong and his Hot SevenLouis Armstrong and his Hot Seven was a jazz studio group organized to make a series of recordings for Okeh Records in Chicago, Illinois in May 1927. Some of the personnel also recorded with Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five, including Johnny Dodds , Lil Armstrong , Johnny St. Cyr...
(4/11/41 Decca 3756). - 1943 - Noble SissleNoble SissleNoble Sissle was an American jazz composer, lyricist, bandleader, singer and playwright.-Early life:...
and His Orchestra with Edna Williams (vocal and trumpet) from The Jubilee Shows. - 1944 - June ColeJune ColeJune Lawrence Cole was an American jazz bassist, tubist, and singer.Cole's first major employment in music was with the Synco Jazz Band in Ohio; this group later became McKinney's Cotton Pickers while Cole was still a member...
's Orchestra with Miss Rhapsody (7/6/44 Savoy 5511). - 1961 - Jack McDuffJack McDuff"Brother" Jack McDuff was an American jazz organist and organ trio bandleader who was most prominent during the hard bop and soul jazz era of the 1960s, often performing with an organ trio.-Career:...
from On with It. - 1961 - Freddie KingFreddie KingFreddie King , thought to have been born as Frederick Christian, originally recording as Freddy King, and nicknamed "the Texas Cannonball", was an influential African-American blues guitarist and singer. He is often mentioned as one of "the Three Kings" of electric blues guitar, along with Albert...
as "See See Baby" (1961 Federal 12428), which reached #21 in the R&B chart. - 1965 - Shirley GriffithShirley GriffithShirley Griffith was an American blues singer and guitarist, mainly based in Indianapolis. He is best known for his recordings, "Walkin' Blues" and "Bad Luck Blues"....
as "Meet Me in the Bottom" (1965 Prestige/Bluesville BV1087). - 1971 - John Lee HookerJohn Lee HookerJohn Lee Hooker was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist.Hooker began his life as the son of a sharecropper, William Hooker, and rose to prominence performing his own unique style of what was originally closest to Delta blues. He developed a 'talking blues' style that was his trademark...
and Canned HeatCanned HeatCanned Heat is a blues-rock/boogie rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1965. The group has been noted for its own interpretations of blues material as well as for efforts to promote the interest in this type of music and its original artists...
as "Meet Me in the Bottom" from Hooker 'n Heat. - 1984 - Lowell FulsonLowell FulsonLowell Fulson was a big-voiced blues guitarist and songwriter, in the West Coast blues tradition. Fulson was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He also recorded for business reasons as Lowell Fullsom and Lowell Fulsom...
as "Meet Me in the Bottom" from Think Twice Before You Speak of Me.